River Thoughts of a Steelhead Bum

A good return and good times

I’m fortunate to spend most of my Fall season rowing folks down the Grande Ronde River in Southeast Washington. I started fishing here with my dad when I was 11 years old, and after landing my first steelhead the following year, I’ve been obsessed with the pursuit of anadromous trout around the West. I started guiding the Grande Ronde in 2018 and have since spent countless hours fishing this river with clients and friends.

I’ve always thought this to be one of the most unique and scenic fisheries in the region. Every bend on the river offers a picturesque view the seemingly belongs on a postcard. Towering basalt canyon walls, abundant wildlife and the high desert landscape easily distract you from the elusive steelhead making their migration upstream. Every day I take a moment to look up and appreciate how special a place it is.

It's always an interesting transition going from targeting trout all summer to their ocean-run cousins. 7 and 8 wt. rods come down from the rack and the 5 wt. rods go into storage. A size 6 fly is now small to me, and I haven’t touched a spool of 4x tippet in weeks. Many trout anglers measure success by how many hit the net, while with steelhead we’re just hoping for an opportunity to encounter a single fish. While it may not be for everyone, I look forward to this every year.

The last few weeks have been pretty typical for me. Some days we get multiple shots at fish per angler, others you may get one or none. Regardless of the increase in fish returns, steelhead fishing is not a numbers game. You must be ok with not catching fish. I’ve gone days, even weeks without hooking a steelhead. Stick to trout fishing if you need to put a dozen fish in the net every day you go out. Don’t get me wrong, I love trout and always will. But it only takes that one tug from a pissed off chromer to make my day or even whole season.

With more fish returning than we’ve seen in quite a few years, I’ve noticed a substantial increase in angler traffic. It’s easy to get frustrated by busy rivers, people fishing in “your” spot, and not having the entire river to yourself. Some days you may need to get creative. Find new water, fish a different stretch than you’re used to, or immerse yourself among the other anglers and make it work. If you’re going to race down the river to beat everyone else, don’t be upset when you’re off the water with half a day left to fish. You could just hang back, chat with other anglers, maybe learn something and make a new friend? Remember, we’re all out there trying to do the same thing. It sure isn’t always about sticking every fish in the river.

If you see us down there this season, say hello or give us a wave. We’re always having a good time and should be easy to find!

Kenyon