Grande Ronde River - Fly Fishing in Idaho and Washington

Overview

The Grande Ronde is a fast flowing, gentle river that flows through northeastern Oregon and southwestern Washington. Warm water makes the scenic Grande Ronde River one of the finest steelhead fishing rivers in the Pacific Northwest, and it's also a great river for small mouth bass fishing. Trips are offered from late June through early September. Most fishing trips on the Grande Ronde River depart by request.

 

• Trip Duration: 3-5 Days
• Trip Length: 34-81 miles
• Season: June-October
• Begins in: Lewiston, Idaho
• Ends in: Lewiston, Idaho
• Closest Airport: Lewiston, Idaho or Spokane, Wash.
• Highlights: Superb steelhead fishing, good small mouth bass fishing.
• Other Highlights: Cultural history, mountain canyon scenery, abundant wildlife and great hiking.

Details

The Grande Ronde River flows through Oregon and Washington and is one of the finest and most productive steelhead rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The Grande Ronde originates in Oregon's Elkhorn Mountain Range and eventually flows into the Snake River in Washington. The Grande Ronde offers fishermen a unique fishing opportunity due to the amount of dry fly Steelhead fishing action available on this beautiful and scenic river. If you have never experienced the thrill of watching a Steelhead explode out of the water chasing a dry fly, you are truly missing out on one of fishing’s finest spectacles.

The wild Steelhead in the Grande Ronde typically range from 5-10 pounds. Since the Grande Ronde maintains warmer water temperatures through November, it is one of the finest steelhead rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The Grande Ronde is also able to provide the die hard Steelhead fisherman with a 38 mile stretch of roadless river that sees very little pressure during the low water months of September, October and November. Our guide’s intimate knowledge of this stretch of river allows our guests to navigate and fish trophy waters that few have ever had the pleasure to experience.

The Grande Ronde boasts an extraordinary small mouth bass population and we can fish for them with fly fishing or spin gear. June, July and August are the best months to chase these fighters. Plastics and jigs in all varieties are sure to keep the fishing active all day. For the fly-fishing enthusiast we focus on running streamers and poppers through pools and pocket water. Most fish are in the 1 or 2 pound range, with some 3 and 4 pounders being caught. The occasional rainbow trout and Steelhead are hooked while fishing for smallmouth.

Fishing for Steelhead, Smallmouth and Rainbows on the Grande Ronde River is a scenic and relaxing wilderness fishing trip. ROW's expert fishing guides will help you find and catch plenty of fish on this beautiful and remote river.

Portions of the Grande Ronde River are protected by Congress through the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Abundant wildlife, beautiful campsites, good hiking and scenic mountain canyons are other highlights of a fishing trip on the Grande Ronde River.

These trips target aggressive summer-run steelhead with a fly. These wild fish typically range from 5-10 pounds on the Grande Ronde. Since the Grande Ronde maintains warmer water temperatures through October, it is one of the finest steelhead rivers in the Pacific Northwest.

Small mouth bass can be found in abundance on the Grande Ronde and we can fish for them with fly fishing or spin gear. These feisty fish put up a good fight and are a lot of fun to catch. Fishing for small mouth bass and steelhead on the Grande Ronde River is a relaxing wilderness fishing trip. ROW's expert fishing guides will help you find and catch plenty of fish on this scenic river.

Portions of the Grande Ronde River are protected by Congress through the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. Abundant wildlife, beautiful campsites, good hiking and scenic mountain canyons are other highlights of a fishing trip on the Grande Ronde River.

Be sure to ask about our fly fishing package options for Idaho, Montana and Oregon.

FAQ

ROW Adventures and the USDA Forest Services: Equal Opportunity Provider Statement