Day two in Northeast Oregon’s Minam Motel found me awfully comfortable and gently woken by the gang of wild Turkeys that freely roam the grounds. Looking outside my cabin window the confluence of both the Minam and Wallowa River’s become the Grande Ronde River. By 5am the outside temperature hovered around the 30s, I could hear Sammy Davis Jr belting out, “ Mr. Bojangles ”as I suited up for an early quest for legendary Steelhead many of which had migrated several hundred miles back to home waters. My second morning continued my education as I waded out into the converging rivers throwing my own Steelhead patterns created just for this trip, water temperature mid 30s....

Within minutes another nice Rainbow attacked my offering and my spirits climbed as my fingers and leg’s began to go numb in the icy morning chill. After working the area behind the motel and deciding it was perhaps too shallow for the big Steelies that were in the area, it was time for breakfast with Chuck and Dawn. After two day’s I had lost many flies in the shallows and asked Chuck to give me the tour! Just behind the Motel exists a side or spur railroad track running next to the Grande Ronde River where many deep holes were occupied with Steelhead. Chuck and his boys hooked up a pickup truck that the railroad maintains and off we went on about a five mile ride into and area not easily found unless one hiked it. I had high hopes of testing both my new patterns and Bamboo against these worthy opponents, on the trip down the track several serious fishers were already working good holes and had Steelhead to show for it.

The driver of our railroad pickup truck decided to pull over and chop some fallen logs that were blocking the right a way, I jumped out with Chuck and for about thirty minutes we chopped and moved the logs off the track before continuing on. When Chuck found his favorite holes occupied by other sportsmen we settled on an area where many Steelhead had been caught and we went to work. During a period of several hours of working the entire area and it’s deep holes with my own patterns and local egg patterns, no hits or bumps for the San Francisco fly writer dude...

Local Steelhead Techniques

As is the case in many Steelhead fisheries including California’s Sacramento River, locals on shore use heavy bobbers or floats with 8 to 10 weight rods. The idea is to find a hole and almost like still water fishing let an egg pattern down deep and wait for action. This kind of fishing is not my kind of fly fishing and I suffered because I used all my fly fishing skills ( such as they are!) To attempt fooling these brawny big boys and failed. I did while working especially deep get one good slam and the fish quickly spit out my creation and that was that. Now if I were not a hard headed old geyser addicted to ancient fly methods perhaps the outcome would have been different.

The best aspects of day two were getting to know my host Chuck and examining a hatchery released small Steely I fooled while wild turkeys criss crossed the river. Bald Eagles cruised above looking for breakfast, White Tail deer seemed everywhere. Chuck pointed to a mountain range a few miles away and said, “ See that hilly area Dan, that is where Dawn bagged her first Elk, your supper last night...” We worked the several miles near the rail road tracks while Chuck explained that his family began the motel in the early 1950s when logging was still going on. In that time the local population was much greater, towns of any size are over 35 miles away!. One can still see evidence of clear cutting here and there, but by no means is the pure natural beauty affected as mother nature does her slow regenerating dance... The color of the river’s as season’s progress is a fine barometer of possible angling opportunities. By the end of the second day I began to feel the magic of an area where high peeked mountains kiss clear blue skies. As I warmed up in my cabin that evening I could have sworn I saw the shadow of Dean Martin leaning against the porch whispering, “ When the Moon hits your eye like a pizza pie...”

Day’s three and four

I began day three with my own amateur water tests and found both the Minam and the Wallowa River’s incredible pure! I’m by no means anything but a rank amateur scientist, but I always bring water test kits on every fly trip. Chuck had mentioned he and Dawn often drank directly from the Minam without filtering? I can confirm the waters near the motel are as pure as any I have ever tested! Looking up at all the straight up peeks around the motel it was easy to see why early native Indians cherished the area, Chief Joseph’s battered people must have lived a near perfect life before lying new comers destroyed their legacy for ever....

The abundance of native fishes and animals only five hours from sprawling Portland is gratifying for this sportsmen, one can experience true unspoiled mountain ranges and the sight of cliff crawling Big Horn Sheep less then 1 hour from the Portland airport or train station. Locals are allowed to keep two hatchery Steelhead and it quickly became apparent how important this seasonal harvest is as many Oregon sportsmen and woman adhere to traditional hunter gatherer lifestyles.

Wild mushrooms, many kinds of wild berries, spices, deer, elk, fish allow this healthy existence. It was a thrill to have Dawn serve morning pancakes with her own home made berry syrup...

Not far from the motel a park exists where access to a few miles of meandering river is an easy walk, Chuck dropped me off and arranged a pickup later in the afternoon. I love to throw flies alone in waters I don’t know well. After hiking in a mile or so, I found areas with many rainbows and deserted sandbars, on the way out I came across three young men just finishing a campfire with fresh Steelhead on a spit.

I asked them to give me the fire and they threw in a nice Steelhead steak. As the bright Oregon Sun crawled back into the mountains, I warmed my cold hands on the hot coals and dined like a prince of the wilderness..

Those hardcore fly fishers who love to catch and release many pretty rainbows all summer would be well served to give Chuck and Dawn a buzz, if Steelhead are your choice and you follow locals in their bobber set ups, you will catch outstanding bright colored fish! If your feeling like taking a ride back to 1955 and commingling with the original Rat Pack, I suggest contacting the Mayor of Chuckville or the Goddess, thanks again Dawn. Contact Chuck & Dawn on the web at www.minammotel.com E-Mail [email protected] Phone: 1-877-888-8130 Minam Oregon.

KAREN’S COMET STEELHEAD FLY
( Dedicated to my dear friend Karen Graham)