One of the many wonderful things about living where we live is that the scenery is gorgeous and the fly-fishing waters are abundant. To provide ourselves with a little taste of each, we recently ventured out to take a look at the Metolius River, which is about an hour from us.
We wanted to see more than the river. We wanted to see one of the major springs from which it flows. Yes, the Metolius, one of Central Oregon’s premium fly-fishing rivers, is fed by springs – about 100 of them, we’re told. But there is at least one major one. It just appears a pond. Look closer, though, there is water flowing from it. Lots of water. Be sure to click on these photos to see them fullsize.
You see just how much by turning your head just a few degrees north to see how the river immediately widens. It’s impressive.
But not as impressive as it is downstream a mile or two at a place called Wizard Falls. There’s a whole lot of water rushing down these rock formations on its way to Lake Billy Chinook, a large reservoir about 40 miles north of us.
It’s prime fly-fishing water. It’s catch-and-release only and the angler must use barbless hooks. That’s how we both fish in any case.
Wizard Falls is also the home of an elaborate fish hatchery. There are rainbow trout here, certainly, but also other varieties. By the thousands, and from tiny hatchlings to very large adult fish apparently ready to be introduced to the Metolius.
All in all, it’s a great way to spend a day.
-JFT
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