Catch the train to Wallowa steelhead

LA GRANDE, Ore. — A train is taking fishermen into an 8-mile roadless stretch of river to meet steelhead making their last surge up from the Grande Ronde River.

The Wallowa Union Railroad fish train heads down the Wallowa River Canyon, dropping off anglers at likely fishing holes on the downstream trip and picking them up on the return.

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train is organized by the motel, complete with food service. Each Saturday through March 31 and on four Sundays the Fish Trains will take passengers from Minam down-canyon to fishing holes.

On the morning run, anglers are dropped off at any of six stops. The train heads back to Minam, stopping along the way, moving passengers from spot to spot.

Later in the afternoon, the train heads back down-canyon, picking up anglers who want to try their luck elsewhere along the route.

A portion of the canyon is accessible by four-wheeler or motorcycles, although the vehicles must be parked at the end of the trail.

At Kimmel, it heads back to Minam, returning anglers to their vehicles.

“I go just about every year. It’s a great way to fish, see the river and meet people, too, said Bo McLendon of Cove. I’ve met people from all over the place.”

Last weekend, about a third of the anglers on the train caught steelhead, although most of them at least caught trout.

Reservations are required and passengers are limited to 25 a day to avoid crowding. Cost is $50 for a daylong trip or $30 for a half-day.

Last year the railroad bought the stretch of track from Union Pacific that completes the link between Wallowa and Union counties.