Located in northeast Oregon, the Grande Ronde River has more picture perfect steelhead swinging water than almost any river in North America. In 1988 this tributary of the Snake River was designated a Wild and Scenic River by Congress. The massive basalt canyon walls that rise several thousand feet from the river are home to a wide array of wildlife including bighorn sheep, elk, deer, turkey, upland game birds, and numerous raptors. The main draw for anglers, however, is the summer-run steelhead that inhabit this river start “running” in late September that go through the spring. These anadromous fish are most accessible with floating lines, dry flies and wet flies from when they show up to early November. The water starts to cool off in November and sink tips are used to get the flies down into the Steelheads strike zone. Bull Trout also inhabit the Grande Ronde River.
The Grande Ronde is one of the top fly fishing steelhead rivers in the West. It has a large run of wild fish, supplemented with hatchery fish. There are “A- run” fish that are 21-29 inches, two salt fish that are 27-34 inches and very stout and an occasional “B-run” fish that run between 30-40 inches. Early October, with water temps in the upper forty to low sixties is the perfect time for chasing steelhead with light single-hand, switch, or Spey rods.
If catching a steelhead on a dry fly is on your fly fishing bucket lists or you have already done it and you HAVE to do it again, the Grande Ronde is a great place to make that happen. We have a skating and twitching dry fly that was perfected over years of Dry Fly Fishing. Grande Ronde steelhead are renowned for their willingness to come up to these skated dry flies and small traditional swung hair wing Steelhead flies. Imagine a 30” steelhead launching itself at your October Caddis as it skitters and gurgles across the surface of the river. This is truly one of the biggest adrenaline rushes an angler can experience in their lifetime.
Because the Grande Ronde is a medium-sized river with lots of traditional swinging and skating water, it is an ideal place to learn to use the smaller Spey and switch rods we favor (11’-13’, 6,7 & 8 weight rods). Our guides are accomplished two-hand casters. We can help you experience this enjoyable method of fishing whether you are a beginner, or an experienced two-hander looking to tune up your Single Spey. We strongly recommend a two handed casting lesson from Boise River Guides before you join us on the river.
Lodging is available in the area to fit any budget. You can go rustic, renting a wall tent, complete with wood burning stove, or rent a multi room house with amenities.
Fishing days can be either walk and wade trips, or float trips. When the water is up we like floating. We use self-baling rafts fitted with fishing frames to transport us form one picturesque run to another.
If you want to experience western steelhead fishing at its finest, we recommend that you spend at least 2-4 days with us. This will give you a chance to slow down, relax, and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery, as well as increase your chances of catching that lifetime steelhead on light tackle.
Bookings are limited so contact us early to reserve your Grande Ronde fishing adventure.
