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Photo: Fishing for steelhead on the Grande Ronde River requires concentration, something easily lost in this surreal landscape. Photo courtesy Drew Winterer.

The finest meal, according to Lewis, is a steelhead trout fried in bear's grease. While the grease may be difficult to come by, steelhead are still swimming in the western rivers where Lewis found them. Of all the game fish that call the Lewis and Clark Trail home, the steelhead is one of the most awe-inspiring. First, steelhead grow big. The steelhead in the Columbia drainage average 6-25 pounds, with 30-pound fish possible. Second, they fight like hell. When they jump, you feel the sea in them. Known for spectacular acrobatics and vicious runs, steelhead trout send pulses racing. Third, these are some of the most beautiful wild fish in the world. Part freshwater fish, part saltwater fish, the steelhead represent Northwest fishing at its finest. One fantastic spot to chase these fish is the Grande Ronde River. While the Corps of Discovery did not have time to explore the many twists of the Grande Ronde River, do not make this same mistake. This wild river offers easy access into a unique world. The lower river has carved a marvelous canyon out of a high plateau of basalt flows, resulting in a crazy crooked riverbed twisting through a surreal landscape. Roads cannot follow the river for long here, due to the immense canyon walls and the dramatic turns.

Where to Fish Where to fish: The lower Grande Ronde River, Washington How to get there: To access the river, follow the Snake River Road south from Asotin, Washington. This road will eventually reach the lower Grande Ronde, some 15-20 miles later. At the end of this road, there are several car-camping sites. Another option is to take Route 129 south out of Asotin. This road takes you up onto the Snake River Plateau, then down a dramatic canyon to what is, more or less, the middle section of the Grande Ronde. This road remains one of America's greatest drives, with magnificent colors in the rocks at every switchback. Camping can be found along the river at the bottom of the canyon. Bogan's Oasis, the only commercial establishment in the area, sits on the south side of the Grande Ronde River on Route 129 and is a great place to stop for fishing information, a hot meal and the best home-made pie imaginable. What to fish for: Steelhead. Because of their spawning periods, the most ethical and conservation-oriented time to fish for steelhead is late summer, fall, and early winter. What to use: For flies, use streamers, egg patterns, and dry flies in the early fall. Lures and bait work the best for steelhead. Note: You must release all wild steelhead. They can be identified by their distinct presence of an adipose fin. Hatchery fish generally have this fin clipped, so that it is missing altogether or only a small piece of scar tissue remains. The adipose fin is the fin between the dorsal fin and the tail along the top or back of the fish. Other resources: http://www.traflyfish.com/