From The River...

Happy New Year 2012

Rick Hedding — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:32:49 GMT

     Happy New to all. 2012 is here with great thoughts of steelhead fishing on the Grande Ronde River. December saw the river at minimum flows (700 cfs) and lots of ice. I did make a trip down to the river on Dec 18th and managed to catch a nice native buck bobber fishing through the ice chunks. The river was frozen over at multiple places, not allowing for a float, so I walked the bobber and jog down the cable hole and was reward with my last of 2011 steelhead.
      The 2011 spring steelhead season was excellent when the conditions were ok, but higher than normal runoff and high spring water limited our number of days on the water. I had some great guys from San Diego come and fish early in the spring, and luckily they were here for good water days. I'm glad for Dave and Jim that they did find good water conditions and willing steelhead coming to the fly after coming all the way from California. (Read down the blog for their trip highlights.) I also had Chuck make it all the way back from Charlotte for his fourth trip to the GR. He also found eager steelhead coming to the fly. He had a great trip and even saw a hugh bull elk down the canyon stretch. Dave and Jim are heading to the OP this spring, but Chuck is on his way back the end of Feb. We scratched through the rest of the spring season with a fish here and there, but nothing stellar like previous spring seasons. This youngster was happy with his 1st steelhead would you say?

     The high water continued everywhere in the West all the way until mid July. After the water fell into fishable levels, the summer smallmouth fly fishing was outstanding for about 3 weeks, but losing a month of summer fishing days was tough. We did see lots of nice smallies come up for the Mighty Mouse, and we even caught a Largemouth bass. Rare indeed.(Read down the blog for more info) With all the spring water we had, the scenery and foliage was lavish and green like I have never seen before in July. The water fell to the mid 600's cfs and continued until the 1st week of October when we finally got some rain.

    The fall steelhead season began with two flushes of water the 1st week of October and brought some chrome steelhead into the GR from the Snake. We had good fishing until mid November when the water temps dropped into the 30's and fishing slowed way down. I had another special trip this fall with Bob and Richard all the way from Connecticut. The two day trip was full of "ews and ahs" with the majestic scenery and mountains the West has to offer. The trip was magical, as a son bringing his father out west for a classic steelhead trip of their lifetime. They were blessed with big steelies coming to the net for Richard on the float and for Bob on the spey. Truly a trip to remember until my last days on the river. A big thanks to Bob for sharing this special time with his Dad and myself. Here is a great pic with smiles that sum up there west coast steelhead experience.

   First and foremost thanks to God for his blessings of my family and all my friends. Without him none of this would be possible. Thanks to all for fishing with me this year on the fabulous Grande Ronde River. There were many stories told and memories made in 2011, but hopefully with better water conditions in 2012, there will be lots more stories to be told and pictures of bright steelhead brought to hand........rick

Update on Fall 2011 Steelhead dates

Rick Hedding — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:32:40 GMT

The last week I have received a boat load of calls and emails looking for a October date to go chase steelies on the Grande Ronde River. Unfotunately I only have one day in October still left not taken which is an excellent date, October 20th. The first week of Nov has the 2nd still open and then the following week opens up a little more until the Thanksgiving weekend. If you have even an inclination of booking a trip this fall, please contact me as soon as possible. Best way is by phone this time of year as we are chasing Elk in the blues one day, chukars on the breaks the next, swinging flies on the Snake, etc. 509-869-1444 You can also email, but there might be a day or two before response. Thanks again and hope to see you on the GR this fall.....Rick

Update on Fall 2011 Steelhead dates

Rick Hedding — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:32:39 GMT

Grande Ronde Steelhead First on the fly 2011

Rick Hedding — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:51:09 GMT

Last week with the tad of rain and the big flows from the Snake, I took a shot at an early chance to get after the steelies with a fly. Yesterday I fished in a nugget run I have for the early season. On the back side in the shade a few miles above Boggans, I hit a nice 28" wild hen on one of Hyatt's steelhead muddlers. The first swing gave a big tug and splash, but a miss. Not the second time. Swing, hang, and BANG! Fish on. She ran down in the fast water to the slower tailout water where I quickly forced her to the bank and removed the steel from the steel. Looks like a start to a great season. All my Oct dates are full, but I do have great Nov dates open. Please check my calendar page for open dates or give me a call. See you on the river....rick

Smallies off the Hook and a Largemouth?

Rick Hedding — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 02:43:15 GMT

The last week or so has seen off the charts fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the Almighty Mouse. Lots of thanks to Tim and Tyler putting the smack down on lots of big smallies the last few days. Way to go you guys.

I had a freak encounter last weekend with the catch of a Largemouth Bass, yes Largemouth and here are the pics. It had some open sores but no worse for the wear. Fought ok, but no bulldogging like a champ smallmouth. This is the first LMB I know of being caught in the GR and have asked around to find no others. Heard of a few being caught in the Snake, but never in the GR. Check out the pic.

We have about a good week or so left of the outstanding smallmouth surface action. Come and down and let me show you the work of the Almighty mouse in action.....rick

I think I got a big smallie DAD!

Rick Hedding — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:13:04 GMT

The water finally crept under 5k cfs this weekend so I took my two younger kids for a float and fishing trip. Renee, 8 yo, maned the front of the Lavro in style, even napping under the umbrella for a couple miles. Armed with a spinning rod and a crawfish plug, she landed 8 smallies, including this 18" "Bad Boy Smallie", as she called him. Job well done Renee.

I did manage to make a few cast here and there during the day, but with the water at 5k cfs, being on the sticks and fishing was almost impossible. I did manage to nab a toad of a smallie on Al the mouse. He was a 20" plus trophy smallie. He jumped 5 times and pulled down my 7 wt steelhead rod with attitude too the max. This is my trophy fish for the year I'm an sure. And I could not be more please to share it with my kids. Hope to see you fishing soon. Please practice catch and release of the big smallies, and limit your kill. Enjoy a great shore lunch with these tasty fish and do your part in saving many salmon and steelhead of the years to come..........rick

Happy 4th of July 2011 Fall Steelhead Season Grande Ronde Special

Rick Hedding — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 19:04:04 GMT

Hello fellow fishermen,

As I sit here and write this entry, the last post to the blog shows 68 days since my last posting on the upcoming summer smallmouth season. Funny thing, the Grande Ronde is still way above fishing shape and I have still yet to float the river chasing smallies since it opened a month ago. I am not booking any additional summer bass trips at this time to accomodate all that have rescheduled to fish in safer water conditions, a wise decision for sure. Thank You for understanding. If the water gets back in shape and I get some open dates, I will post them immediately. Now for THE GOOD NEWS! The high water flows we are seeing still into July equate for a possible early start to the fall steelhead season. The traditional prime time for fall steelheading is Oct thru Mid Nov. I have some of these dates still available and like every year I fill these prime dates rather quickly. This season I want to try and fish the last two weeks of September in search of the early returning, big steelhead that Oregon Fish and Game have been broodstock reintroducing for the past 5 plus years. These fish come back early as bright 8-12 lbs and are an absolute trophy steelhead for the Grande Ronde River. Because we will be fishing earlier in the season during the more difficult low flows and warmer water temps, ALL TRIPS BOOKED FOR SEPTEMBER 2011 WILL BE HALF PRICE. That's just $225 for any date in September. All other trips this year will be $450 per day. This is for up to three anglers(two in LOW water please). As always I provide the best in quailty equipment from the boat, gear, and flies,( all tied specific just for your day on the water), to a wonderful shore lunch with all the fixings. All you need is a WA fishing license with Steelhead tag and CR endorsement. If you are interested in a trip, please check my calendar page and look for any green or blue dates as these are still open. Have a safe and Happy 4th of July.....rick

Here comes the Smallmouth Bass Season Starts June 2011

Rick Hedding — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:49:00 GMT

The 2011 Smallmouth Bass fishing season is about to get going starting the first week of June. With a little cooperation from the river, we should see another excellent season of fast and furious topwater action for the fiesty smallmouth bass. Bass trip are a great time to learn new techniques, and allow for a great way to teach young fishers the ropes of fishing from a drift boat. 50 fish days are not uncommon, with early season fish being the best chance at a true 5 lb smallie on the fly. After July 4th, the water warms to swimming temps and the fish become more adapt to the early morning and evening activity periods. One of the best parts of any Grande Ronde smallmouth trip is the great shore lunch made from the days catch. Smallmouth fried tacos and a fresh salsa salad are a hit with everyone. If you're not into fish, than how about a fresh grilled homemade smoked german sausage with a sweet pinapple chutney sauce. As good as lunch sounds, the catching is even better. Don't miss out on a great smallmouth trip this summer. Check the calendar page on the website to see open dates..........See you on the river.....................rick

Mark and Ben Schemmel Summer 2010

Grande Ronde River Steelhead Fishing 2-24-11

Rick Hedding — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:51:00 GMT

The steelhead fishing at the Grande Ronde has been lots of fun for all the past two weeks. Both fly casters, bobber and jig guys, and egg soakers have been having good days. I had the great fortune a few weeks back to make some new friends from San Diego. One of the guys, Jim K., was on his first steelhead outing and better yet, he's going after the steelhead with a fly rod. The task of catching a steelhead on a fly is the holy grail to most fly fishers. Here is the kicker to Jim's trip, he had never touched a flyrod before in his life. Now that is a challenge. Jim's first day was pretty much learning how to handle the rod, work the line some distance, and being prepared for the opportunity. Day one finished with Jim catching a few sucker fish, but no steelhead for Jim, but our partner, Dave S. pulled through with this beauty of a wild fish. Not bad for his first GR steelhead. Dave is an accomplished steelie fly guy with fish caught from BC, but his first GR steelhead is a trophy for sure. Here is Dave with his precious GR wild steelhead for the day.

Day two started off with a bang, on the third drift, Jim had his first steelhead on the ropes. Unfortunately this steelie taught Jim the lesson that steelhead have lots of pent up energy, and in one quick run, the all mighty steelhead won the battle. The line snapped and the fish was free. A disappointment well taken, Jim's desire was now never stronger to catch a steelhead. Dave pulled through with with another nice steelhead later in the morning. After a nice bbq shore lunch, we headed to the next run. Jim jumped in the run and not a few drifts later, "FISH ON" was being proclaimed by the angler. A serious battle ensued with a myriad of runs and spectacular leaps, the fish was brought to net. With his newly honed fly fishing skills, Jim landed his first steelhead ON A FLY! Just two days after even trying this crazy and addictive lifestyle, he broke into the club with flying colors. This is a huge accomplishment for even the seasoned fly fisher. Not bad for a beginner, hey Jim! WAY TO GO! Here is Jim in his crowning moment in his fly fishing career. Now what Jim? Bonefish on the fly in Belize, Kamchatka rainbows, Taiman toads of Mongolia? Let me know and I'll be there!

Look at that smile! By the way, Jim was using my new Loop switch rod he took to casting with very well. Thanks Big Joe up at Castaway's in C'dA.

The next third morning started off with Jim having the hot hand on a wide open bite. Jim landed two more steelhead, while Dave brought to hand two more also. At one point we even had a true double on the fly. A rarity indeed, but it seems to happen more and more each season. We finished the day at noon with another nice bbq shore lunch as the rain came in hard. What a trip for two guys from SD. I'm sure these vivid memories will flash in their minds many, many times in the future, especially Jim "touching the steel" for the first time. Thanks again Dave and Jim for making me the luckiest guy on earth. Please come back and visit soon, the steaks will be waiting!

I have quite few trips with guys lust like Jim looking for the first steelie on the fly. It's going to be tough to beat Jim's story. Keep checking back for more stories and updates. See you on the river.........rick

Grande Ronde Steelhead Fishing Report 2-7-11

Rick Hedding — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:19:00 GMT

The steelhead fishing has picked up significantly in the past few days. Yesterday my clients landed 10 steelhead on flies. The bite will be on for the next month and half. If you have not already, reserve your spot before they are all gone. Last years in feb and March had 21 double digit fish days. Don't miss out. Check my calander page for open dates....Fish On!!!!!!!....rick

New Videos on Northweststeelheadfishing.com

Rick Hedding — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:05:00 GMT

Great news everyone. I have added 4 links direct to Versus Network for the Seasons On The Fly episode covering the Grande Ronde River with Gonzaga Coach Mark Few, Wendy's Entrepid Dan Nagy, and host Greg Heister. If you have a few minutes, you can get the basics of the Madison Special story and see lots of steelhead being landed on her special fly.

Grande Ronde River 1-21-11 River report

Rick Hedding — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:01:00 GMT

The Grande Ronda has dropped below 7K cfs and will slowly continue. It has been raining steady most of the day, but should be dropping some more this next week and all bets for next weekend are good. Drive safe.

Grande Ronde River Steelhead Fishing Update

Rick Hedding — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:07:00 GMT

The Grande Ronde river is dropping into shape and should have excellent steelhead fishing opportunities maybe by the weekend, if not by next week. Please check my trip calendar page for open dates. FISH ON!

Thank You Clearwater FlyCasters

Rick Hedding — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:23:00 GMT

A big thanks to Doug, Cliff, Jim, and all the members and guest that hosted my daughter Madison and myself last night at the January meeting in Moscow. Madison tied some of her famous bugs and I spoke on the spring techniques we use for catching the greatest of gamefish, the steelhead trout. Thanks again to Clearwater Flycasters......rick and madison

2011 Grande Ronde River Steelhead Fishing

Rick Hedding — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:14:00 GMT

I would like to start out by thanking everyone who spend the days chasing the steelhead with me on the GR. The late winter/spring 2010 season was a huge success with a 5 fish limit and lots of great battles, big grins, and full smokers. The fall 2010 season ran the full race. We experienced days of beautiful sun and temps in the 70's, as well as classic steelhead days of rain and wind. Probably the best thing about the fall fishing was the extraordinary size of the fish. The run of the mill typical GR fish @ 5-7 lbs were 8-10 lbs this season. The 10 lb trophy native steelhead that we have come to love gave into better ocean conditions, as this year they were in the 13-15 lb range. YES, on the GR. 15 lb steelhead do exist. I personally taped two 35" fish and a 37" hen that were amazing specimens of what a tried and true steelhead come through in our dreams. The work ODFW has done remarkably well in returning more of these great Wallowa strain steelhead back to the river earlier in the season. Hats off to ODFW!!!! Now to 2011

The 2011 GR steelhead season is just about to start up. I will begin booking trips on Sat Jan 15th for the upcoming February and March dates. With almost 200k steelhead in our part of the Snake River, the Grande Ronde Spring season should be as stellar as the last.(Spring 2010 was ridiculously fun for all.) If you are interested in a fantastic Grande Ronde steelhead trip this spring, DO NOT wait to book. I will be full again this year with just prior clients, college class, and spring baseball. Hope to hear from y'all soon.....rick The river should be fishing in the next week, look for an early season report to follow soon.

2010 Grande Ronde Fall Steelhead Fishing Wrap Up

Rick Hedding — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 23:42:00 GMT

The fall season came to an abrupt halt on Wednesday just before the big Thanksgiving 2010 holiday weekend. The fishing this fall was again full of all the great reasons we have to come to love chasing these remarkable fish during the splendid fall colors. While not the fantastic catch rates we saw last fall, fish was still very fine to say the least. This year we saw the average size of fish grow dramatically from recent years. Most of the steelhead have been in the 28" and above this year, compared to the normal 5 pounders we are a custom too. This year was also the season of the wild fish. With over a two to one native catch rate, we touched many wild fish. WILD BIG FISH. I wish I could show you pics of the 37" and twin 35" hogs that were landed in the middle of November. The river is frozen as you can see in the pic. Maybe we will be fishing soon. Look for my Holiday special blog coming this week to get in on a great present for the fisherman in your family.....GO ZAGS!

Final Grande Ronde Steelhead Openings Nov 2010

Rick Hedding — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:44:00 GMT

Tomorrow the 22 of Oct starts a 16 day set floating the Grande Ronde river in search of the mighty steelhead trout. The 1st day open is Nov 7th at this point. Please check my calendar page for more dates. IF you need to get a hold of me, please be patient as some nights I might not even open the email. Please feel free to call and leave me a message at Boggans 509-256-3372 or my cell 509-869-1444......See you on the river..........rick

Grande Ronde Steelhead Update 10-17-10

Rick Hedding — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 01:42:00 GMT

I started up the 2010 Grande Ronde steelehad guiding season on Sunday the 10th and fished the last six days. The bite has been ok with 5 -10 fish per day, mostly on spinners, spoons and plugs. Fly fishing has been difficult with the low, ultra clear water. Things should blast off the next fews weeks with lots of fish starting to make their way into the river each day. I do have some trips open starting the 7th of Nov. Don't let another season go by with a steelhead trip on the scenic Grande Ronde River.......rick

2010 Grande Ronde River Fall Fishing Opportunities

Rick Hedding — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:26:00 GMT

The 2010 steelhead run is well ahead of schedule and the counts are well above the 10 year average. My kids and I have been catching some really nice, bright 10 lb keepers as well as the standard 5 lb early season A run fish right here at the Snake Clearwater confluence since the start of August. These fish will soon be headed up the Grande Ronde River towards our waiting drift boat. I have over half of the fall season already booked, so if this is your year to go, please make contact soon.

Smallmouth Swimming Fishing Fun on the Grande Ronde

Rick Hedding — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:16:00 GMT

Another great week smallmouth fishing on the Grande Ronde with lots of smallies on the surface fly. One particular trip this week was constant topwater action with the mighty mouse for two advanced gr steelhead fishers. At the end of the 13 mile 10 hour float, and about 40 fish, they were worked over hard, sore hands and sholders, but still wanting one more cast with the mouse in the dark. Last smallmouth report for two weeks. Spending next week chasing salmon on the upper big c. fish fish fish