The Grande Ronde River (/ɡrænd rɑːnd/ or, less commonly, /ɡrænd raʊnd/) is a tributary of the Snake River, 182 miles (293 km) long,[3] in northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington in the United States. It drains an area southeast of the Blue Mountains and northwest of the Wallowa Mountains, on the Columbia Plateau. It flows through the agricultural Grande Ronde Valley in its middle course and through a series of scenic canyons in its lower course.
The Grande Ronde River rises in the Blue Mountains near the Anthony Lakes recreation area in the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest in southwestern Union County approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of La Grande. It flows generally north along the east side of the Blue Mountains, then east, past La Grande, then generally northeast through the Grande Ronde Valley in a meandering course between the Blue Mountains and the Wallowa Mountains, receiving Catherine Creek east of La Grande.
Approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Minam it receives the Wallowa River from the southeast, then receives the Wenaha River at Troy just south of the Washington border. It crosses into southeastern Washington, traversing the extreme southeast corner of the state and entering the Snake from the east, approximately 5 miles (8 km) north of the Oregon border and 15 miles (24 km) downstream from the mouth of the Salmon River. It receives Joseph Creek from the south 2 miles (3.2 km) upstream from its mouth on the Snake.
The mouth of the Grande Ronde River is at the Snake’s river mile 169, which is 493 miles (793 km) from the mouth of the Columbia River.[6] River modifications
A diversion channel approximately 5 miles (8 km) long in the Grande Ronde Valley east of La Grande allows the river to bypass a long meandering loop, providing access to its water for irrigation.
History:
In the early 19th century, the valley of the river was inhabited by Nez Perce, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Cayuse tribes of Native Americans. Numerous archaeological sites are on the public land around the river.
The Grande Ronde River was given its name sometime before 1821 by French Canadian voyageurs working for the Montreal-based fur-trading North West Company.[7] Grande Ronde is a French name meaning “great round”.[8]
A portion of Grande Ronde and its valley were part of the Oregon Trail. It was first used by settlers in 1844 when Moses “Black” Harris led his party to the river from Fort Hall and then turned northwest to cross the Blue Mountains. Harris’ navigation would be subsequently repeated, becoming a regular part of the Oregon Trail.[9]
In 1988, the United States Congress designated about 44 miles (71 km) of the river, from its confluence with the Wallowa River to the Oregon–Washington border, as the Grande Ronde Wild and Scenic River, as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
The river today is a popular destination for hunting, especially for game animals such as mule deer, elk, black bear, cougar, and bighorn sheep. Fishing, rafting, and hiking are also popular along the designated Wild and Scenic portion of the river. Most of the middle reaches of the river are inaccessible to motor vehicles.
Fish:
The Grande Ronde River supports populations of spring chinook salmon, summer steelhead, bull trout, mountain whitefish, as well as other species. The river has a sport steelhead fishery and has some tribal fishing for spring chinook.
When: October
Days: 4
Anglers: 4-6
Price per Angler: $3,200
Your trip starts at the boat launch in Minam, Oregon where the Wallowa and Minam Rivers meet. This puts you at the beginning of quite possibly the best dry fly steelhead skating water you have ever seen in the lower 48. We will arrange your shuttle so you will have your car at the take out. The shuttles cost $100 per automobile.
On the Water:
35+ miles of water will be covered in 3 nights and 4 days by fishing the entire way while a designated gear boat with 2 staff members packs and moves camp approximately 7-10 miles per day. For every 2 anglers, there will be 1 guide. Flies are provided.
At the Camps:
The dining room sits under a wall tent along with the kitchen. All meals are provided except breakfast the first morning and dinner the last evening. We do not provide alcohol. All meals are warm, hearty, and skillfully made. We utilize Dutch ovens and propane stoves. Your provided camping accommodations are four-season tents. These double occupancy tents are supplied with cots, pads, and a heater. Our evening stories are told around the campfire that sits on top of a fire pan. We set up at camp a toilet and its own privacy tent. The handwashing station is always available and warm.
We take out at the Powatka Bridge 7 miles above the town of Troy.
We practice no-trace camping and pack everything out with us.
You may choose to overnight in La Grande or Minam and here are a few options:
www.bestwesternoregon.com (541) 963-3100
www.royalmotorinnlagrande.com (541) 963-4154
Your vehicle will need to be shuttled to the take out. This will be an extra cost to you. We will make the arrangements for you on the morning of the trip when you arrive.
Extra costs:
Fishing licenses – With Columbia Basin Endorsements
Gratuity
Pack List:
We provide you with two dry bags. One is a duffel size bag that goes down to camp ahead of you and the other is a smaller dry bag to carry things (like a change of clothes in case you get wet) on your guide boat.
Clothes:
- Fleece
- Polypropylene
- Warm socks
- Camp shoes
- Stocking cap
- Baseball cap
- Polarized sunglasses
- Wading boots felt or cleats
- Waders (high quality)
- 0* sleeping bag and a packable pillow
Toiletries:
- Sunscreen
- Biodegradable soap
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Medications
Fishing:
- 6 or 7 weight fly rod
- Interchangeable tip fly line
- Sink tips
- Nippers
- Forceps
- Steelhead flies
- Tippet 0x
- Leaders
- Camera
- Tackle bag
- Water Bottle
When: October
Days: 5
Anglers: 4-6
Price per: $4000
Your trip starts at the boat launch in Minam, Oregon where the Wallowa and Minam Rivers meet. This puts you at the beginning of quite possibly the best dry fly steelhead skating water you have ever seen in the lower 48. We will arrange your shuttle so you will have your car at the take out. The shuttles cost $175 per automobile.
On the water:
35+ miles of water will be covered in 4 nights and 5 days by fishing the entire way while a designated gear boat with 2 staff members packs and moves camp approximately 7-10 miles per day. For every 2 anglers, there will be 1 guide. Flies are provided. This is a perfect trip for 4 anglers.
At the camps:
The dining room sits under a wall tent along with the kitchen. All meals are provided except breakfast the first morning and dinner the last evening. We do not provide alcohol. All meals are warm, hearty, and skillfully made. We utilize Dutch ovens and propane stoves. Your provided camping accommodations are four season tents. These double occupancy tents are supplied with cots, pads, and a heater. Our evening stories are told around the campfire that sits on top of a fire pan. We set up at camp a toilet and its own privacy tent. The handwashing station is always available and warm.
We take out at the Powatka Bridge 7 miles above the town of Troy.
We practice no-trace camping and pack everything out with us.
You may choose to overnight in La Grande or Minam and here are a few options:
www.minammotel.com (541) 437-4475.
www.bestwesternoregon.com (541) 963-3100
www.royalmotorinnlagrande.com (541) 963-4154
Your vehicle will need to be shuttled to the take out. This will be an extra cost of around $100 to you. We will make the arrangements for you on the morning of the trip when you arrive.
Extra costs:
Fishing licenses – With Columbia Basin Endorsements
Gratuity
Shuttle
Pack list:
We provide you with two dry bags. One is a duffel size bag that goes down to camp ahead of you and the other is a smaller dry bag to carry things (like a change of clothes in case you get wet) on your guide boat.
Clothes:
- Fleece
- Polypropylene
- Warm socks
- Camp shoes
- Stocking cap
- Baseball cap
- Polarized sunglasses
- Wading boots felt or cleats
- Waders (high quality)
- 0* sleeping bag and a packable pillow
Toiletries:
- Sunscreen
- Biodegradable soap
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Medications
Fishing:
- 6 or 7 weight fly rod
- Interchangeable tip fly line
- Sink tips
- Nippers
- Forceps
- Steelhead flies
- Tippet 0x
- Leaders
- Camera
- Tackle bag
- Water Bottle
We will meet at 8 am at the Minam boat launch. It is easy to find and here are the directions from Portland:
Welcome to Minam. The boat launch is on the left before the Bridge.
You may choose to overnight in La Grande or Minam and here are a few options:
www.minammotel.com (541) 437-4475
www.bestwesternoregon.com (541) 963-3100
www.royalmotorinnlagrande.com (541) 963-4154
Your vehicle will need to be shuttled to the take out. This will be an extra cost of around $100 to you. We will make the arrangements for you the morning of the trip when you arrive.
