My first trip to the Grande Ronde was a wild one. Left Puyallup just after noon and tied flys on the way over as my friend drove.... Arrived about 8 o'clock pm at Boggins ... Spent the night in the trailer and floated down from Boggins to shumaker grade on Sunday. Had one on in an early drift for 4 - 5 minutes when the fish decided that it was time to kick it into high gear and the hook just pulled out after the strong surge upstream. I Didn't get one to hand until the end of the day ... A beautiful 7 pound hen .... Took 5 pictures and released her. She gave me a great fight with at least 6 jumps. Probably the prettiest steelhead I have ever seen, bright with just a hint of rose on her gill plate. It is amazing to think that that fish traveled 460 miles up the columbia, up the snake, up the grande ronde, to take my purple egg sucking leech. It felt so great to release her ... I hope she spawns successfully and comes back as a two salt fish. We drove home after getting off the river at 5 pm, getting home at 1 am ... What a day!
The river was fairly crowded as there were many occupied drifts ... But we would just pass by to the next one. I don't think I have ever seen as many two-handed rods in my life. 70% of the rods on the river seemed to be two handers ... I was using my Sage 896-rpl. It seems the fish were just starting to come back on the bite after being off with rising river that started a few days before. Should be good this weekend. We saw at least 100 deer, a gold eagle, old homestead sites, water ouzel and beautiful scenery. Going back next year but will turn it into a 4 day affair. Tight lines ... Steve
