STEELHEAD HEADQUARTERS 1950s STYLE!

It’s 2007 a new century rolls on with all it’s modern magic except in Hell’s Canyon, Eagles Cap wilderness in Oregon where time has stood stark still since the 1950s... The Minam Motel & Market resides on the confluence of the Minam and the Wallowa River’s. Those who seek World Class Steelhead action while traveling in old world comfort via a restored train that hugs the river will be awed! Sea run trout become Mike Tyson on juice when they return as the photos confirm. I personally witnessed many large healthy steelhead caught within a mile of the motel! You will begin your adventure with Chuck, Dawn & Lisa and a fine assortment of 1950s ghosts guest’s like Frank, Dean, Sammy wondering the grounds with wild turkeys, deer, bear, elk... Old growth lumber built this 1950s little jewel complete with original appliances, Chuck & Dawn restored the operation and Lisa live direct from Los Vegas greets weary travelers with a smile!

Early last year I spent a week with Chuck & Dawn and their wild turkeys outside my room, in the mornings it was sublime. One can watch the two rivers just outside your room as the clean air fills your lungs. I can’t recommend this time warp highly enough especially this year with the addition of a restored train taking anglers down the river like sultans on a safari. If you’re a bird watcher, botany maniac, fly fisher, steelhead chaser, water lover, outdoors men? My friends it don’t get much better then life in Chuckville no matter what time of year! Those who seek serious rainbow action look no further. This motel exists out in the wilderness some forty miles from nearest sizable hamlet, one can drive through incredible scenery and then pull in to 1955 just as it was. You have pets, no problem in fact Chuck insists you bring Fido and Fluffy, your tired of the same old franchise motel that looks and feels like every other? This motel and surrounding wilderness remains just as the creator designed it Pilgrims! I recall the sounds and smells pure wild as my hosts Chuck & Dawn spoiled me like crazy. Dawn shared the Elk she bagged and his honor the Mayor of Chuckville kept me laughing and wishing I was a resident of Chuckville?

Preferred Techniques

If your adept at traditional steelhead techniques using long 10 weight spinning outfits, throwing red row balls of various descriptions or tying gobs of red salmon eggs on hooks and using floats of many kinds, this is your kind of place my angling friends. I found it a challenge with my hard headed fly only methods, I tied several patterns featuring ultra bright red feather concoctions. My conclusions if the flies are big and gaudy enough they will take steelhead if worked deep enough. Getting deep is the key for any feather users from what I have seen in the field, it can and is done with much skill. Those who adhere to the catch and release only mantra like yours truly can still enjoy everything about this great fishery except we put them all back all the time... I make no judgements in regard to real outdoors men satisfying the hunter gather impulse and putting wild game on the family table. In all my travels locals take pride in the wild game available as I still do collecting mushrooms, wildflowers, herbs. In this day and age many of my younger fly fisher friends are just a little too sensitive hey sports fans...

This is a family oriented fly fishing trip friends, the train that runs right next to the river is wonderful for all members, great food, views to die for and complete comfort. I loved that train ride when t was only a rough car, now its first class old school. If your tired of fly venues that all seem to be chasing after the same bone? Bring along the ball & chain and the pooch Call the Mayor of Chuckville, tell him Wolf sent you...

Serious wilderness adventure with all the usual suspects including wild turkeys outside your room and your gracious hosts Chuck, Dawn, Lisa. How serious of a steelheader are you Cowboy? Contact [email protected] Phone toll free 877-888-8130.

DAWN’S SUNRISE#2
( Dedicated to the Goddess of Chuckville...)