Fishing guides share takes on Wallowa fall steelheading

Published 8:58 am Thursday, September 8, 2016

Courtesy photo notforsale

Fall is the favorite time of year for many fishermen and women set on hooking steelhead in Wallowa County rivers. Joseph Fly Shoppe owner Rob Lamb says “the Grande Ronde is a nationally famous river for fall steelhead coming to the surface for flies.”

Wallowa County-based fishing guides agree that water temperatures have a lot to do with steelhead being more active in September and October, compared to winter and spring fishing when the fish are more likely to conserve energy and stay low in deeper water.

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6 Ranch fly-fishing guide James Nash answered the question of how different times of the year compare for steelhead fishing with the observation: “Winter steelhead fishermen endure bad weather as if the suffering grants them luck. Steelhead in the fall are best fished wearing short sleeves, sunglasses and contented smiles while a dry fly wakes across the riffle below, spey rod in hand — time well spent.”

Mac Huff, owner of Eagle Cap Fishing Guides, agrees that fall steelhead “can be very willing to respond to surface presentation,” but does point out that “steelhead fishing is a participation sport and whether or not the steelhead participate makes fishing a lot like farming: totally dependent on the weather.”

Paul Pagano, guide for Winding Waters River Expeditions in Joseph, says success in steelheading is all about presentation and knowing what the fish are up to.

“In the fall, steelhead are more likely to chase a swung fly or lure,” Pagano says. “In the spring they’re much more docile.”

Pagano says one thing that doesn’t change with the seasons is the rush of landing a big Wallowa County steelhead, no matter what tactic got the fish on the line.

Grant Richie, guide and owner of Richie Outfitters, notes on the Minam Motel, Raft Rental and Shuttle Service website that early steelhead season from late September through mid-October is one of his favorite times of year to be on the river, not just for the fishing but also abundant wildlife sightings and fall scenery.

Feisty fish, fall colors and shirt-sleeve weather await steelheaders on the Wallowa, Grande Ronde and Imnaha rivers. To increase your odds at feeling the thrill of your line ripping through the water connected to a freight train with fins, contact one of the local professional fishing guides based in Wallowa County.

Good luck out there.

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