Floating and fishing the Grande Ronde

[bass2elk]

I am thinking about doing a float trip in a pontoon on the Grande Ronde River, I have never been there before but i hear the Smallmouth bass is second to none.  Any information about where to put in and take out would be helpfull. Anybody ever done this in a 9 foot pontoon?  What would be the best time to go.  Any information helps.

[jackelope]

I did it in a 16' driftboat. We put in up the Grande Rhonde River road and floated to Bogans. We were not smallmouth fishing but I did catch a 4 pounder inadvertently. We did it in August I think and the water got skinny in a few places. We ended up walking the boat in a few places. I would do it in my pontoon without thinking twice about it. If you're experienced on the sticks, you shouldn't have any issues. Bring a rope, you can always line it through if you're feeling sketchy about a run.
There is some great smallmouth fishing in there for sure.

[LuckyArrow]

While I was in school at WSU I floated this river several times in an 8' pontoon.  It's a BLAST!!!  A great float is to put in at boggans and float to shumaker grade.  It's about a 9 mile float with no road access.  You can also put in at Shumaker Grade and float to the mouth.  You need to be careful in this section though.  There is a set of rapids called "The Narrows" nothing real bad just a really narrow float between basalt cliffs.  It can easily be ported around though.  Boggans Oasis also offers shuttle services for vehicles.  Their website is  http://www.boggans.com/

[woodywsu]

I'm sure you can youtube grand ronde narrows and see what to expect below shumaker. Anywhere from the oregon border to shumaker would be a great float. Personally, I wouldn't be targeting smallies though.

[bass2elk]

Thanks for the info on Boggans shuttle service i was trying to figure out how i could get back to my car.  I knew my wife wasnt up for it.  If not smallies what other species and historically what is the best time to do it.

[woodywsu]

Steelhead fishing is pretty good down there right now and should remain good until it closes. Plus the scenary and wildlife are well worth the drive.

[huntnnw]

june thru august for smallies, depending on snow pack  and moisture the river can be really high in june

[bass2elk]

Is the section between Boggans and Schumaker Grade crowded in August thru September? 

[woodywsu]

doubtful

[WSU]

I doubt it is crowded.  I would guess you are more likely to be the only boat.  It isn't even crowded in November, December, January when it is full of steelhead.

[Madison]

well thats not entirely true.  It just depends on your definition of crowded.

there are steelhead in the river in August and Sept.  Water is usually low but you can find a few fish.  great time to skate a dry fly.

[Button Nubbs]

I watched lonny wallers video I think its called "steelhead dreams" there was a portion of the video that he was skating a dry fly. That was some of the coolest steelhead footage I have ever seen.