Copyright 2012 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Grande Ronde River
Washington
The Grande Ronde River begins in the Blue Mountains
of Oregon and flows for about thirty miles into the Snake
River in the Southeastern corner of Washington. We
have a separate section on the Oregon portion of the
river. Fly fishing the Grande Ronde River is a very
unique experience. Most all the Washington section of
the river flows through a rugged wilderness canyon area.
Steelhead begin entering the Grande Ronde River as
early as October. The exact timing and numbers of
steehead that enter the river from the Snake River
depends on the water level and temperature. The best
steelhead fishing usually doesn't begin until late October
or early Novermber.
The Grande Ronde River flows along a valley that's far
below the top of the rock canyon walls that surround it.
The river has a rock bottom that's very slick. The stream
can be divided into three sections. The uppermost two
can be reached by descending down into to a deep
canyon and the lower section from roads that provide
easy access.
The upper section in Washington is called Bogans
Oasis: You access this section by going down a steep
mountain road called Rattle Snake Grade. This section
fishes best in the early part of Spring. Steelhead
hatcheries are located upstream in Oregon. There's a
take out about 10 miles downstream at Shoemakers
Grade.
Shoemakers Grade can be reached by gravel roads
from Anatone. This is anther steep dropoff from the
canyon rim and one that can be very slick after a rain.
This section has a road that parallels the river for
several miles. I's a very popular section of the river for
good reasons. There are usually a lot of fish caught
here. The lower end of this section flows through a very
narrow canyon with class 5 rapids called the Narrows.
We suggest you only pass through this section with an
experienced guide or by portage around the area.
The lower section is only about 4 miles long before it
enters the Snake River at Hellers Bar. It can be
accessed from both sides of the river by road. Needless
to say, this is a popular section to fish.
Seasons:
Also see "Seasons" on the left side of the page
Spring:
Fly fishing the Grande Ronde River continues into April.
Summer:
Fish can be caught as early as June but the best
steelhead fishing starts in September. Smallmouth bass
fishing is great in the Summer months
Fall:
October and November continues the great steelhead
fishing.
Winter:
Fish are in the river all Winter. Fishing depends greatly
on the weather and accessibility.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
Washington
The Grande Ronde River begins in the Blue Mountains
of Oregon and flows for about thirty miles into the Snake
River in the Southeastern corner of Washington. We
have a separate section on the Oregon portion of the
river. Fly fishing the Grande Ronde River is a very
unique experience. Most all the Washington section of
the river flows through a rugged wilderness canyon area.
Steelhead begin entering the Grande Ronde River as
early as October. The exact timing and numbers of
steehead that enter the river from the Snake River
depends on the water level and temperature. The best
steelhead fishing usually doesn't begin until late October
or early Novermber.
The Grande Ronde River flows along a valley that's far
below the top of the rock canyon walls that surround it.
The river has a rock bottom that's very slick. The stream
can be divided into three sections. The uppermost two
can be reached by descending down into to a deep
canyon and the lower section from roads that provide
easy access.
The upper section in Washington is called Bogans
Oasis: You access this section by going down a steep
mountain road called Rattle Snake Grade. This section
fishes best in the early part of Spring. Steelhead
hatcheries are located upstream in Oregon. There's a
take out about 10 miles downstream at Shoemakers
Grade.
Shoemakers Grade can be reached by gravel roads
from Anatone. This is anther steep dropoff from the
canyon rim and one that can be very slick after a rain.
This section has a road that parallels the river for
several miles. I's a very popular section of the river for
good reasons. There are usually a lot of fish caught
here. The lower end of this section flows through a very
narrow canyon with class 5 rapids called the Narrows.
We suggest you only pass through this section with an
experienced guide or by portage around the area.
The lower section is only about 4 miles long before it
enters the Snake River at Hellers Bar. It can be
accessed from both sides of the river by road. Needless
to say, this is a popular section to fish.
Seasons:
Also see "Seasons" on the left side of the page
Spring:
Fly fishing the Grande Ronde River continues into April.
Summer:
Fish can be caught as early as June but the best
steelhead fishing starts in September. Smallmouth bass
fishing is great in the Summer months
Fall:
October and November continues the great steelhead
fishing.
Winter:
Fish are in the river all Winter. Fishing depends greatly
on the weather and accessibility.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Summer Run Steelhead (native and hatchery) Smallmouth Bass Size Medium Location Southeastern Washington Nearest Towns Clarkston Anatone Season Lower River Catch and Release Only) Fishing season open June 1-April 30 Access: Good but some of the river is roadless Non-Resident License State of Washington Weather National Weather Service Link USGS Real-time Stream Data: Troy Oregon Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies |
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Pacific Coast Steelhead Flies
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |