Metolius River Bull Trout, Bamboo and Christmas

I had a difficult time creating today’s post title of Metolius River Bull Trout, Bamboo and Christmas. Too many things to talk about. Did you think I might have used a bamboo rod to fish for Bull Trout? Read on and it will all make sense.

I’m into bonus fishing time. I’ve always said the fishing slows considerably after November 1, but the weather hasn’t turned yet this year. Temperatures have been in the lower 60’s on some days. In fact, as I write this, the forecast is for a high of 67 today. Is it really NOVEMBER?

Sure, the dry fly fishing has slowed a little, but there’s still fish to be had.

And sometimes I decide to try my hand at coaxing a Bull Trout onto my fly.

I thought this picture would get your attention!

This Bull Trout taped out at 31″ and is one of the biggest I’ve landed.

This Bull Trout I caught last week ate a Dolly Llama streamer.

Caleb Rieder from the Patient Angler in Bend, OR taught this fly at last year’s Central Oregon Flyfisher’s Winter Fly Tying Classes and I found it on my fly tying bench when I did a little cleaning last week. I decided to take it to the river and give it a try to see how it worked. That’s why I added it to the Fly Pattern page on a new category called Streamer Fly Patterns.

The Metolius River has resident Bull Trout along with those who live in Lake Billy Chinook and migrate up the river to spawn in the fall of the year. I’m guessing this guy is from the Lake where he had a good diet of Kokanee to munch on and add some girth. While a few spawn in the main river, most find the cold, clear tributaries to lay their eggs. Canyon Creek is one of those small creeks where the Bull Trout head.

Thanks to Caleb for teaching the Dolly Llama and the fish gods for smiling down upon me that day. I was truly blessed.

And speaking of special moments…here is a brief post from October 28 on my RiverKeeper Flies Facebook post.

Wonderful day on the river. First time I used my new bamboo rod presented to me by the Maker – Skip Hosfield. Skip made the rod for me to recognize the work I had done as Oregon Council – IFFF Treasurer and 2015 & 2016 NW Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo Chair. When I received the rod, I was speechless!

Skip is adamant that whoever receives bamboo fly rods from him MUST fish them! I told him not to worry, I would.

I was afraid to use it where I usually fish because it is a 6 1/2 foot, 2 piece, 3 weight I thought too small to cast where the fish rise. Well, today I decided to take it with me at least to cast. I was shocked how it cast and the distance I could attain with this 6 1/2 foot bamboo rod. It cast like a dream!

The fish gods were smiling at me today when this 15″ Metolius Redside rose and ate my fly in spite of the fact very few bugs were on the water then. The fish put a good bend in the rod in current, but the rod worked magnificently and I landed the fish with my normal 6X tippet.

With gratitude…thanks again Skip!

Lastly, I plan to continue my Christmas list post similar to the one I provided last year. If you have something to add to the list, send me a comment and I’ll add it. Then you can show the list to your significant other …

Final note – I’ll be in Portland, OR at the Pacific NW Fly Tyer’s Rendezvous this Saturday, November 12 (Jackson Armory) tying flies. Stop by and say “hi” is you are in the Metro area.

Enjoy…go fish!