Hello from Sisters, Oregon. I just returned from fishing in Patagonia and can report a twitched Fat Albert is working well on the Rio Chimehuen, with a few Willow Grubs still falling from the trees, and the “minnow hatch” just starting on the Rio Collon Cura. But, I’m guessing you’re not going 7000 miles to go fish those places, so how about something a little closer to home?

The Metolius has been amazing for the shop staff (Aaron, Mattias and Sequoia) over the last 2 weeks. They are catching a bunch of fish, and some really nice bull trout in the mix. Mattias just came in from the river fishing with Gavin and he was on cloud 9 today. Mattias is often on cloud 9 and that’s why we love him, but he’s also a hell of an angler. Sequoia was on the river Sunday and was catching fish on some of her own ties using the George Daniel Chewy Caddis as an example of what to create at her own vise. So cool.
Seems like the winter caddis pupa drift is strong still, from tan caddis #14 and 16 to Orange and Amber colored pupa #8-14.
Don’t hesitate to try some October Caddis type dries (in the winter on the Met October Caddis are also lumped in with 2 other larger caddis, the Snow Sedge and Silver Stripe Sedge).
Blue Wing Olive hatches have been hitting in the 1:30/2:00 window and last 15 minutes to maybe an hour. With the snow coming back tomorrow I reckon it’s going to be a good long hatch day.
If not, 2 Bits, Brown and Olive Perdigons, Micro May’s and Rainbow Warriors ought to fool a few.
As per usual, Stonefly nymphs and Eggs are going to be producers, so tuck ’em in the box for the day.

The Fall River is fishing good too. Eggs, Micro Streamers, BWO’s, Midges (black #22-24), and some little black stones and few amber caddis mixed in on warm afternoons.
Snow has subsided a fair bit in the South County, but more is coming over the next couple of days and that always makes access at the Fall River a little more challenging if it stacks up deep.

The Crooked is still running high, at over 1000 cfs still with over 500 cfs still as inflow to the Reservoir. It’s good the reservoir looks like it will fill for sure, but boy oh boy would it be nice to have a good day of fishing there soon. It’ll happen. Stay tuned

Friends went to the Middle Deschutes a few days ago and reported decent water temps in the mid 40’s and fish eating Stonefly nymphs in the riffles and runs.
A few Little Black Stones #16 were hatching and that should improve closer to Presidents Day. Water is high as usual in the winter/non-irrigation months so take it easy Tiger when you’re wading that water.

I have no report from the Lower Deschutes near Maupin but encourage you to check Amy’s report from the Deschutes Angler. I saw she posted on Instagram the water was clearing and dropping and if nothing else that is telling me it is a good time to fish the Lower D again.
A reminder that Warm Springs, Mecca, Dry Creek, Trout Creek and South Jct are closed until 4/22/24

Do any of you have intel on the Lake Billy Chinook water levels? I heard today that they are working on the dam and that water is low at the ramps and that maybe the Deschutes Ramp is not usable and perhaps the Metolius ramp won’t be by time it opens on March 1?

I’ll be around a whole bunch in the store until a quick trip in April. Hope to see you here or on the river.

Be good to your loved ones and Happy Birthday to our fine State of Oregon 2/14/24

Jeff