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Steelhead 101 in Troy: A Canyon, a Community, and a Cause
By Rob Bitney, Vice President, Association of Northwest Steelheaders
There’s something about fishing in a canyon that settles deep into your bones. Maybe that’s why the Steelhead 101 in Troy, Oregon, also known as the Grande Ronde Rendezvous, has become one of my favorite annual traditions. I had plenty of time to ponder it on the long drive to Troy—miles of ridge-top highway, a twisting descent into the river corridor, and that familiar feeling of slipping off the grid where your cell phone becomes nothing more than a clock and a camera.
Maybe it’s because my earliest memories of fishing were formed in another canyon—the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone Park—where I cut my teeth learning the craft. Or perhaps it’s that Troy reminds me of the small Montana towns of my youth. Whatever the reason, the pull of the Grande Ronde is strong, and the opportunity to help teach our Steelhead 101 clinic while supporting ODFW’s early-returning, line-caught broodstock program made the journey impossible to pass up.
Collaboration at Its Finest
This year, 16 students traveled from across Oregon—including as far as Florence—to join the Steelhead 101 class. The Rendezvous as a whole saw incredible participation, with roughly 60 folks joining us for Friday night’s dinner. ODFW staff delivered presentations each evening, and their steady presence throughout the event strengthened the connection between anglers, agency, and resource.
ODFW’s Kyle Bratcher summed it up perfectly when he shared afterward:
“I had a lot of participants approach me to let me know how much they value the experience. This is clearly because all of you showed up and put ODFW’s best foot forward. The Steelheaders have been key to making this one of the premier outreach events in Oregon.”
We’re proud to have supported the event again this year—both with volunteers and by helping fund the communal meals that fuel long days on the water.
Why the Grande Ronde Matters
For those unfamiliar, the Grande Ronde is a tributary of the Snake River—eight dams and about 450 river miles removed from the ocean. The fact that any fish return at all borders on miraculous. This is one of the many reasons the Association of Northwest Steelheaders has long opposed the four Lower Snake River dams; rivers like the Grande Ronde show what is possible when fish can still persist despite enormous barriers. One can only imagine the potential of a world-class fishery should those dams someday come down.
ODFW’s broodstock program on the Grande Ronde, which relies on line-caught early returning hatchery steelhead, is one tool for sustaining this fishery. Collecting these fish in such a remote location is no easy task—especially in the face of perennial budget challenges. Rather than stepping back, ODFW stepped forward and partnered with us to add the Steelhead 101 class, bringing more people into the effort to protect this canyon gem.
A Weekend of Learning—and Fish
The Steelhead 101 class spanned two days: an instructional session followed by mentored fishing on the river. While only a few students landed fish, the enthusiasm was universal. One participant caught his first steelhead ever and generously contributed it to broodstock—exclaiming the now-famous Troy phrase: “Tube ’em!”
In one of the weekend’s highlights, Leslie McCall landed her first Grande Ronde steelhead—once again out fishing her husband Jeff. Stories like that are why we keep coming back.
Connection, Conservation, and Community
Each night concluded with presentations from ODFW staff and invited guests, covering topics ranging from bighorn sheep recovery to invasive species in the Snake River basin to the mysterious lake trout of Wallowa Lake. These talks were more than informative—they reminded us how interconnected these ecosystems are, and how much work remains to protect them.
Already Looking Forward to Next Year
Even now, with the memories still fresh, the canyon is calling me back. The Grande Ronde Rendezvous is more than a fishing event; it’s a celebration of community, conservation, and the shared responsibility we all have to Oregon’s fish and wildlife.
Thank you to every volunteer, every participant, every ODFW staff member, and every Steelheader who made this year’s event such a success. As Kyle noted, this event shines because of the collective effort behind it.
We’ll be thinking about next year—and how to make it even better. Until then, may the canyon keep calling to you too.
