Fly-Fishing in Wallowa County is not just the best fly-fishing in Oregon, but has a strong argument to be the best fly-fishing zone in all of the Northwest. Anglers have a plethora of options which include Wallowa Lake, Wallowa River, Lostine River, Imnaha River, Snake River, Grande Ronde, Kinney Lake, and the Wenaha River.

From the Wallowa Lake Chalets, the closest fly-fishing options are Wallowa Lake, Wallowa River, Lostine River, and Kinney Lake (all under an hour away).

The go-to river for half-day adventures has to be the Wallowa River, which is about 55 miles in length. The river flows through the Wallowa Mountains and joins the Grande Ronde River near the town of Minam. The Wallowa River is known for its clear, cold water and is a popular destination for fly fishing. The river is home to several species of trout, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and cutthroat trout, as well as steelhead and salmon.

The Minam Store which is located near the confluence of the Wallowa and Minam rivers is a great starting point to pick up flies and information. The store was originally built in 1896 to serve the miners who were working in the area, and it has since been restored and transformed into a rustic lodge and guide store.

Fishing on the Wallowa River is very accessible with lots of parking from the Minam Store to the town of Wallowa. For novice Fly-Fishing anglers, I highly recommend fishing the Mother’s Day hatch. This caddis hatch is prolific and it usually happens around Mother’s Day. A novice Angler can easily catch 20+ smolts and other juvenile fish in a couple of hours.