Fish thrive in Metolius

The number of fish spawning in the Metolius River took a significant jump this year, according to a report on counts of redband trout redds.

Redds are places where fish burrow into streambed gravel to make nests where they hatch their eggs.

Brad Houslet of the Sisters Ranger District released the report on 14 river sites, which showed a 38 percent increase over the previous spawning year (1996-97) and a 62 percent increase over the 1995-96 season.

The river was walked bi-monthly and the redds were counted. Ninety percent of the redds were upstream of the Camp Sherman Bridge. This area, down to Allingham Bridge, was closed to fishing from November until late in April. The closure, implemented for the first time last winter, appears to allow for more successful spawning.

Closing the area also cuts down on possible disruption of redds by folks fishing in the river.

It is hoped this all will lead to more adult fish in the Metolius River and better fishing. Similar increases in redds were found in tributaries of the Metolius River. Abbot Creek was up 30 percent and Lake Creek showed a 33 percent jump over the previous year.

Roger White, at the Camp Sherman Store, was elated at the news.

"These are the best results for redds in years," he said.