🎣 Fly fish the Metolius near Camp Sherman

Crystal-clear spring creek that flows out of the ground near Camp Sherman at near-full strength — never warm, never high, never low. Holds wild rainbow, brown, and threatened bull trout. The entire river is catch-and-release, and from Bridge 99 upstream is restricted to fly angling only with barbless hooks. Technical fishing on educated trout in glass-clear water — one of the most demanding rivers in Oregon and one of the most beautiful.

Good to know

• Species: Wild redband rainbow, brown trout, threatened bull trout (must be released — federally protected).
• Regulations (verify ODFW): Catch & release entire river. Fly-only with barbless hooks above Bridge 99. Closed to all fishing above Allingham Bridge from November to late May to protect spawning trout.
• Flies: Small mayflies (PMDs, BWOs in tiny sizes), green drakes in June, October caddis in fall, technical nymph rigs.
• Why it's hard: Crystal-clear water + educated wild fish + steady flows = drag-free drifts on 6X tippet.
• Best times: Hatches mid-day to evening, May through October. Year-round flow.
• Access: Multiple Forest Service campgrounds + pull-offs along the river road from Camp Sherman north toward Bridge 99.