Cast Your Line…

By Chester Allen

I sat on the bank of the Metolius River and watched the long shadows of a summer evening stretch across the clear water.

Just 30 feet upstream, right next to the rocky bank, a trout’s nose — a big nose — poked up and sucked down a bright yellow Pale Morning Dun mayfly. Then another one. Then another one.

I crept up the bank — staying on my knees. I saw a huge redsides rainbow trout as it rode a pillow of soft water and rose again. This was one of the biggest rainbows I have ever seen on the Metolius. I cast my fly, and it dropped into the water about 24 inches upstream of the trout. The fish rose, the fly vanished and I set the hook.

The fish exploded into a run to deep water — then my fly popped out.

An exacting paradise

This sounds weird, but that lost fish is exactly why I live in Sisters. I live to fish the Metolius on an almost-daily basis. Like many local — and visiting — anglers, I’m addicted to the beauty and challenge of this clear, rushing spring creek where wild trout rise to insect hatches every day of the year.

I’ve seen blue wing olive mayflies hatching in the middle of winter many times — even during light snowfalls. At the same time, trout on the Metolius are very picky, and you have to have the right fly and present it in the right way to catch fish.

The gin-clear water gives the trout great views of your fake fly, and many of the fish have been caught and released several times. It is common to see nice trout hover just below your carefully tied fly — and turn away. This is fabulous —and frustrating. Each fish caught and released is special.

The Metolius is world-famous for its beauty, its cold spring water — and those picky wild trout. 

Other places

Locals and visitors fish other water, and there are many great trout streams and lakes nearby. For a relaxing evening with easier trout, the beautiful Three Creek Lake is just 18 miles from downtown Sisters. My wife, Heather, loves packing a dinner picnic to share with friends — and then everyone fishes the evening caddis hatch or mayfly spinner fall. This alpine lake nestled next to the Tam McArthur Rim is full of beautiful rainbow and brook trout.

The Middle Deschutes is 30 minutes away — with brown and rainbow trout. Suttle Lake is a short drive for brown trout and smallmouth bass. The famous Lower Deschutes River is an hour away.

So many waters, so little time!

Second chances

Many people visit Sisters to fly fish — and then they find a way to live here. Having world-class fly fishing in the neighborhood is like having a second chance at a simpler, natural, beautiful life — especially when the Metolius trout drive you nuts.

Two weeks after I lost that massive trout, I was sitting in the same spot on the Metolius. A trout began rising on that same bank — for big Green Drake mayflies.

It was the same fish! I slowly started to crawl into position….