Going to N.E. Oregon?

Question

Going on rafting trip this June on the Grande Rhond River In N.E. Oregon.I'm from the midwest and never rainbow and steelhead fish.Any suggetions?

Answer 1

First off a few questions seeing as I am a native to this river system i need to know wich part of the river you will be flaoting, what kind of fishing rig you plan on using and if you haven't found a guid yet i would like to set you in the right direction of finding a good guide... I know most of them realy well...

I personaly like to use a may fly from Wallowa down to Troy when floating further downstream I swithc to an open face 5'6" pole with salmon eggs (Potskies seem to work the best) if the fleis don't seam to be working then switch to the eggs,,,they are an oold relialbe in the area...Jigs, and Super Dupers don't seam to do well on this river but RoosterTails and spinners do a wonderful job.

Also If memory serves corectly Steal head are out of season in july...stealhead season runs from late september to early april...but i might be wrong seeing as i moved a few years ago and don't keep up on the regs...but i do know this much stealhead rerquire a special tag to catch and or harvest them. the daily bag limit of ranbow trout is 5 from a river and 10 from a lake per person.

here is a websight with a number to contact a guide that i have used in the past..he is very informative and will know exactly what u will need for gear and tackle...pluss they have a tackle shop at the start point of the float trip....
http://www.grandronde-river.com/

please let me know if this was helpful, and also keep me posted on how your trip whent, I miss the waters of North eastern Oregon.
Also might I make a suggestion to stop by Wallowa Lake and fish for some Kokenee whil you are up that way...Kokenee are land locked salmon that put up a hella good fight, and are yummy eatings

Answer 2

Without a doubt, You are do best if you hire a local guide ! They will know the river and they will know where the fish are. Steelhead and rainbows position themselves in VERY specific and strategic locations and unless you know almost exactly where they are, you'll NEVER catch one . Steelheads and Rainbows are the same basic fish ... Steelheads have spent a few years out in the ocean though. Catching them is very difficult and a guide, for a "newbie" is essential. Tight Lines !

Answer 3

I'm assuming this is a 'guided' trip and not a private party. I would contact the guide company and inquire about fishing while on the rafting trip. Depending on the time of year, water clarity, licensing considerations, fishing rules (on some rivers you are not allowed to fish from a drifting boat) your fishing options could be great, or next to nothing. Contact the rafting company.

Answer 4

Bad idea. Go to Maine.