Winter Steelhead Fishing on the Wallowa River
Winter Steelhead fishing has been productive, for those using the right tactics on the Wallowa River and Grande Ronde River this year. The best success has been seen nymphing of course, but more specifically Euro Nymphing. Winding Waters Guide Paul Paggano and Devin Olsen were Euro nymphing on the Grande Ronde River a week ago and each landed a couple of beautiful Steelhead, while the rest of the anglers they spoke to were not having any luck at all.
Key Takeaways
- Winter Steelhead fishing on the Wallowa River is thriving — anglers using Euro nymphing techniques are seeing the best success, especially compared to traditional nymphing methods.
- The Grande Ronde River offers solid opportunities when water levels stabilize around 1,400 cfs, making it ideal for anglers ready to adapt to changing winter flow conditions.
- Local experts like Devin Olsen bring valuable insight into Euro nymphing tactics and fly patterns, such as the
Magneto Stonefly, which have proven highly effective for Steelhead.
- February and March are expected to be prime months for Steelhead on both the Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers as water temperatures rise and fish begin moving upstream.
- Staying updated on Creel Reports and river conditions can significantly improve your chances of success and help you plan the perfect winter fishing trip in Northeast Oregon.
Steelhead Caught on the Magneto Stonefly
Grande Ronde River Steelhead caught on Devin Olsen’s Magneto Stonefly pattern.
We are fortunate to have Devin Olsen , a member of the Fly Fishing Team USA living and fishing in our neck of the woods, NorthEast Oregon. He is a master of Euro nymphing and has written extensively about this style on his website http://www.tacticalflyfisher.com/blog/ I would highly recommend a look over there to learn more about Devin and all of his fly fishing tricks and tactics. He also has a number of great fly tying tutorials showing you in depth video instruction on how to tie all of his favorite flies. After you watch the tutorial you can purchase all of the necessary materials you need right there from his website.
The Wallowa River is fishing well right now. Temperatures in the upper 30s with nice color. Get out there and get those nymphs drifting. Paul caught this beautiful Bull Trout down there last week.
Wallowa River Bull Trout
We expect to be catching more Steelhead than Bull Trout in the coming weeks/months. There are a lot of Steelhead waiting, down in the Grande Ronde and roadless stretch of Wallowa river, for the right conditions to get them moving upstream. When they do, we expect to have a great February and March fishing for steelhead on the Wallowa River.
The Grande Ronde River is currently experiencing a little flush of water, after some warmer air temperatures and rain in lower elevations sent water running downstream over the weekend. When conditions improve, our Grande Ronde River rafting trips offer a fantastic way to experience the same waters from a new perspective once fishing season winds down. The cfs at Troy, Oregon was up over 2600 but is now on a nice slide past 2400 hopefully on down to about 1400. If it does continue on down you could see some good action down there using the right techniques.
Here is a copy of the current Creel Report from the Lower Grande Ronde River in Oregon and Washington. Take a look and make of it what you will.
Get out there and catch one for us. We always love to see pictures and hear your stories as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions anglers ask about winter steelhead fishing on the Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers, along with practical, experience-based answers.
When is the best time to fish for winter steelhead on the Wallowa River?
The prime winter steelhead season on the Wallowa River typically runs from late January through March. As water temperatures rise and flows stabilize, steelhead begin moving upstream, offering excellent opportunities for anglers using the right nymphing techniques.
What fishing techniques work best for winter steelhead on the Wallowa River?
Euro nymphing has proven especially effective for winter steelhead on the Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers. This method allows precise control of the fly’s drift and quick detection of subtle strikes, giving anglers an edge when fish are less active in colder water.
What flies are most effective for winter steelhead?
Patterns like Devin Olsen’s Magneto Stonefly have been highly successful. Stonefly nymphs and other weighted Euro-style patterns work well because they imitate the natural prey steelhead feed on during winter, especially in the Wallowa’s cool, clear waters.
What are the water conditions like in winter on the Wallowa River?
Winter conditions typically feature water temperatures in the upper 30s with good color. Periodic rain or snowmelt can raise flows, but when levels stabilize around 1,400 cfs, anglers can expect steady action, particularly when using nymphing techniques.
Can you catch other species while fishing for steelhead?
Yes. While targeting steelhead, anglers occasionally hook into bull trout, which share similar habitats. Although steelhead are the main goal, catching a bull trout is a welcome bonus during the winter season.
What gear should I use for winter steelhead nymphing?
A Euro-nymphing setup with a sensitive rod, tight line system, and weighted flies works best. Use fluorocarbon tippet for better sensitivity and stealth, and focus on maintaining contact with your flies throughout the drift.
How does Euro nymphing differ from traditional nymphing?
Unlike traditional indicator nymphing, Euro nymphing eliminates the use of a float, allowing direct connection to the flies. This increases sensitivity, reduces drag, and provides better strike detection—ideal for cold, slow-moving winter conditions.
What’s happening on the Grande Ronde River during winter steelhead season?
The Grande Ronde experiences periodic flushes of water from rain or melting snow, temporarily increasing flows. As levels drop and stabilize, steelhead activity improves significantly, offering great fishing opportunities for those using Euro nymphing and other subsurface tactics.
Where can I learn more about Euro nymphing techniques?
You can learn more from expert angler Devin Olsen at TacticalFlyFisher.com, where he shares detailed articles, tutorials, and videos on Euro nymphing and fly tying—perfect for anglers looking to refine their steelhead techniques.
How can I share my steelhead fishing experiences?
The team at Winding Waters River Expeditions loves hearing from fellow anglers. You can share your stories or photos by emailing info@windingwatersrafting.com—they often feature local fishing reports and updates from the Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers.
Email us at info@windingwatersrafting.com
When spring arrives, you can trade your waders for paddles and join one of our guided white water rafting adventures on Oregon’s most scenic rivers. Or explore further afield with our Salmon River rafting adventures in Idaho for a true wilderness escape.
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