I’m always amazed when I return to our home waters, the Metolius River. I love this river! I fished it for the first time in seven weeks when I ventured out last week. We are fortunate to fish many different waters on our fly fishing road trips and catch some amazing fish. But returning to our home waters, we are always amazed at the colors of our Rainbow Trout. They are something special.
My fishing partner caught this beauty during “golden hour”, a term used in photography when the softer light turns a golden color just after sunrise or before sunset and produces amazing light for a photograph. I was lucky to capture this image.
As I mentioned in last week’s Tying and Fishing Galloup’s Compara Spinners post, I review my previous posts on occasion for inspiration. I did it again and found I frequently discuss my feeling of being blessed to live in Central Oregon and fish the Metolius. It’s something I never take for granted. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy fishing elsewhere, but I always return to my home waters.
I read Fishing Our Home Waters the Metolius River and expressed the same feelings upon returning home.
Here is the first fish I landed, a wonderful “welcome home” gift. He isn’t big, but I enjoyed watching him eat an olive Improved F Fly inches in front of a submerged log. In fact, I initially thought I caught the log before I felt the head shake. This fly is a great imitation of the little olive stones found on the river.
Even the small fish have the beautiful coloration we love.
And the fly he took…
Being gone so long, I need to learn what insects are available to the fish again.
My friend Jeff Perin, who owns The Fly Fisher’s Place here in Sisters, OR, writes a wonderful weekly fishing report for all the waters in Central Oregon. I encourage you to follow him as he always provides great advice.
I even took my 8 weight rod to the river to swing a streamer for Bull Trout.
This one ate it at dusk, which accounts for the darker, slightly out-of-focus image. Even though the image isn’t sharp, I like the mystery it creates.
It’s good to be home!
If you haven’t had a chance to read my detailed post about my home waters, here is the link. I think it explains why I love the river.
Enjoy…go fish!
