Author Archives: grant

Packrafting Joseph Creek . . . Almost: March 2012

Part One:  Scouting the trailhead Since my first float trip down Joseph Creek last year, I have looked forward to doing a second trip.  The first trip was in inflatable kayaks at 200 cfs.  It was a fun and challenging … Continue reading

Posted in Joseph Creek, packraft | 6 Comments

Tying the Double Bunny

One of my favorite streamers is a Double Bunny.  It is simple and effective.  I have caught bull trout, rainbows, smallmouth bass, and steelhead on this fly.  Once fish get to a certain size they eat other fish.  If you … Continue reading

Posted in Fly Tying | 3 Comments

Testing NRS packrafts on the Wenaha: March 4, 2012

Although I had heard of a packraft before, they did not really catch my interest until I saw Greg Topf with one on the Wenaha last year.  I was intrigued, but felt a little weary about their durability.  When I … Continue reading

Posted in packraft, Wenaha | 6 Comments

Winter rafting, camping, and a little steelhead fishing with the kids on the Grande Ronde: February 2012

Taking kids on outdoor adventures is usually fun and often rewarding in different ways, but it is always more work.  I had been hankering to take our boys on a winter steelheading, rafting, and camping trip down the Grande Ronde … Continue reading

Posted in Grande Ronde River, Wallowa River | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Kayaking the Wallowa River and hiking out to Palmer Junction: February 1, 2012

Kayaks are fun.  Even at the beginning of February when icicles obscure the face of our eastern Oregon basalt and snow covers the banks of the river. Granted, the one day Jeff and I had schedules that coincided for a … Continue reading

Posted in Grande Ronde River, Wallowa River | 5 Comments

Minam River-Bowman trailhead to North Minam River to Red’s to Moss Springs trailhead: September 2-5, 2011

For my third hike this fall into the Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Minam River I decided I would do a long hike.  Or an average hike in terms of trails leading to the Minam River in the Eagle Cap … Continue reading

Posted in Minam River | 6 Comments

Fishing the Minam River-Buck Creek Trailhead to Minam River August 27-29, 2011

I decided I would try the Buck Creek Trailhead as my next jumpoff point into the Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Minam River.  This trail is about 12 miles and goes over 8,000 ft high Burger Pass.  It reaches the … Continue reading

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Exploring the Minam River and the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Hiking Cougar Ridge: August 20-21, 2011

I have neglected exploring the Minam River.  The Wenaha is close and it is familiar, I don’t have to worry about what I will find.  I know the river well and out of habit I often go there because it … Continue reading

Posted in Minam River | 2 Comments

Buck Ridge to North Fork Wenaha Falls: August 6-7, 2011

The North Fork of the Wenaha river has eluded and surprised me many times.  My first attempt at just getting there was thwarted by snow when I nearly slid my pickup off the mountain side.  I tried to crawl the … Continue reading

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Joseph Creek: Hiking the Warm Springs Trail: July 30 & 31, 2011

All of my previous trips into Joseph Creek have been in the spring or fall.  The water temperature gets high in the summer for trout and it is best to leave them alone until cooler temperatures return to the water … Continue reading

Posted in Joseph Creek | 3 Comments