I’m sitting here in my very quiet condo (Airbnb) on San Martin de Los Andes, enjoying the bliss of a really solid day of dry fly fishing on the Rio Chimehuen. I’m going to hit the famous Pizza Cala for dinner which will offer at least another day or two of leftovers, and grab a salad from the grocery store around the corner. This place is really great, and along with Coyhaique Chile further south in Patagonia they are my favorites to visit. I feel at home in both places.

More importantly for you in Oregon I wanted to update some information on local fishing so you can plan your next trip, or simply dream about one of your not headed to Central Oregon quite yet.

I’m hearing good things from home from the usual suspects about the Metolius River. The #14-16 Yellow Cinygmula Mayflies are mixing nicely with the #18 Blue Wing Olives to create a good afternoon hatch. There have also been a lot of October Caddis out this week and a good smattering of various sizes and colors of other small to mid size Caddis. On the mayflies fish the entire cycle from nymph to emerger to dun and with longer days maybe some spinners late afternoon to dusk. On the Caddis it will be the occasional dry fly for any of them (big Orange stuff #8-10) and add Corn Fed and Missing Links in 14-16. A lot of good action of course on many other nymphs including Perdigons, Walt’s, 2 Bits, CDC PT, small Hares Ears in a #18 and large ones with a pink bead #10 plus Golden Stones and eggs and zebra midges and green drake nymphs for sure. The Drake hatch is really about 6 weeks away! I guarantee you the nymphs are maturing fast and are active. The above selections have accounted for Rainbows, Bulls, a Brown and of course a lot of Whitefish on the nymphs. We ❤️ whitefish.

The Fall River is very good. A lot of access has improved since last reported here, and that helps. Spring Break is coming up and that will be good for people to spread out more and have easier hikes and better parking. The BWO hatch is also good at the Fall. Some midges are out and at times will be quite important to fish that cycle of life from a #20-24 zebra midge, to a pupa like a Winker, or an adult like a Griffiths Gnat. Now is also a great time to start getting the black or purple Hippie Stomper out and don’t hesitate to twitch that fly. As always on the fall, a great way to add numbers to the net will be on a Perdigon, Egg, Mop or small Tungsten beaded mayfly’s. And never forget the smaller euro streamers for the Fall.

The Crooked is still a blowout at around 2500 cfs. I betting on mid March for a hopeful return to normal water flow. But who knows?

I don’t have a Maupin area report. Check with Amy in Maupin at the Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop.

The Justesen Ranch lakes are open and are outstanding catch rates last week. $150 a day. It’s a 2.5 hour drive from Bend or Sisters but it’s worth it. So far it’s leeches and Chironomids getting it rolling. I’m sure as spring marches on add water boatman, damsels and maybe by the end of March the Callibaetis will be going. I’m very impressed with these private ranch lakes and encourage you to go. You can call the shop to check dates or reach out to Amanda Justesen direct but please let her know Jeff at FFP referred you to the property.

I was hoping to give you a Haystack report, but didn’t hear back from Doug. So being 6600 miles away, I am behind on intel. If it was really good, I’ll add a special report.

Would love to hear if Chickahominy thawed? If anyone has been to Ochocco? And if anyone has gone to Lake Billy Chinook yet?

Tomorrow we go to the big Collon Curra River, and I’m sure it will be a mix of nymphing under an indicator, swinging streamers in the riffles and fishing Chubby’s near the banks with a lot of small movements to the fly to induce the strike better.

I’m going to enjoy the heck out of this place this week and look forward to seeing you at the home waters in mid to late March.

Be well,

Jeff