Snowmelt is a term that has whitewater kayakers excited, but many anglers dread hearing. Luckily, if you head up our two nearest highways heading East, both have spring fed systems that are open all year. The Metilous is larger and is up the Mckenzie Highway 126, while the Fall River is smaller and is up the Willamette Highway 58. Flows are high due to spring snowmelt. The rivers are fishable in the valley, but if you are looking for more tame flows, you may want to consider checking out one of these spring fed systems.
Earlier this week I was scouting a lake and ran up to the Fall River for part of the day. I only fish it a handful of times a year, but generally leave satisfied. The river is technical, but manageable. You certainly will learn something every visit if you pay attention.
Fish were rising on dries starting late morning into the afternoon. Baetis or Blue Winged Olives (BWOs) were the main item on the menu. There also were Grannom Caddis just starting to come off, with plenty other nymphs staging for emergence. There also were a few winter stones buzzing around. The majority of fish were caught on nymphs, with some on dries, and several charges to a steamer, but no full commitment. If I would’ve hung out into low light, the streamer bite would’ve picked up.
For dries I only fished BWO patterns. The following flies worked great for me: Morrish’s May Day Blue Winged Olive, Hatch Matcher Blue Winged Olive, and Galloups OG Bent Cripple. Another great fly if you are a fly tier is one of our most recent tutorials on YouTube: Stillbown CDC BWO. This fly worked great for me in slow water where fish get selective. For fish actively feeding in slower water, nymphs had to be sized down and a small oro as an indicator. Here is a list of flies for actively feeding fish in slower water: CDC Hot Spot Pheasant Tail, Roza’s Jigged Pink Pheasant Tail, Juju Baetis ,or a Tunsten Zebra Midge. In areas where fish are feeding in quicker water holding in cover, try these: Olsen’s Blowtorch, Sexy Walt’s Worm, or a Jigged Duracell Nymph. For streamers, I searched with the following: Sculpzilla Jr, Kure’s Squirrel Micro Zonker, and a Tungsten Thin Mint.
I fished 5-6x Scientific Anglers Absolute Mono Tippet to my dry flies. To my nymphs, I fished 4-5x Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon Tippet. The heavier tippet went to my first fly, and the tag was always lighter. I fished 2x Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon Tippet to my streamer. I used a great sink tip line from SA that I love at the Fall: Scientific Anglers Sonar Sink Tip WF6S6. It is perfect for getting down just enough to bump a large fish out of cover. Fluorocarbon is not always necessary, but places like the Fall show you why it is important to have. For ultimate subsurface stealth, I recommend it; on spring creeks, often you need any help you can get. Note: fluoro is only for flies subsurface and should not be used for fishing a dry.
Fishing the Fall will force you to get creative. The fish are pressured and picky, but not impossible to catch. Slow down and focus on what they are feeding on, find something in your box and try it. Switch flies often, and adjust depth/weight of your flies. Try to make the difficult cast, there is a fish tucked up in there I guarantee it. If you haven’t fished the Fall River, now is a great time with flows up here in the valley. If you head out this weekend, have a blast.
-Simon
