| The Grand River has won numerous conservation | | | | more stable and quiet. The platform deck space is |
| and management awards. It has almost 200 shoreline | | | | about 64 sq ft allowing two people to fly fish, plus |
| miles and is the largest river in Southern Ontario. It is | | | | guide. The drift speed of these rafts offers |
| one hour from Toronto or London with the 401 and | | | | numerous casting opportunities and the elevated |
| 403 highways providing easy access. This short | | | | platform position allows a better vision of the |
| traveling distance allows urban fishermen to get up in | | | | water-line. Platform rafts are for fishermen wishing to |
| the morning... spend the day fishing... and be in their | | | | cover large distances with minimum wading. The |
| own beds at night. | | | | Grand River Rafting Company has platform rafts |
| Fishermen can choose to float, fly or spin cast, with | | | | available for guided fishing trips, but they are not |
| all techniques offering the chance to experience a | | | | available for self-rentals. |
| "fish on". Sunday to Friday is the best time, because | | | | The steelhead trout caught range from 12 to 30 |
| Saturdays often experience heavy weekend canoe | | | | inches in length... and their weight easily snaps poorly |
| kayak traffic from paddlers exploring this unique river. | | | | managed lines. The spectacular runs and pole-bending |
| The combination of swifts and pools in the Grand | | | | hurtles makes this rainbow trout a sportsman's |
| offers the perfect trout habitation. The average | | | | delight. Even the casual observer is amazed at the |
| depth is 2-3 feet, with deeper pools at eight feet. | | | | large pods of steelhead sitting on the bottom. An |
| The rocky bottom is a boulder range of stones... | | | | excellent observation area for viewing steelhead |
| creating natural steelhead habitat. The food supply of | | | | pods is along Whiteman's Creek just above the |
| minnows and crayfish make this river a "steelhead | | | | Grand River. This section is now posted and |
| paradise". To insure healthy fish populations, this | | | | permission must be gained from the Five Oaks |
| section from Paris to Brantford is zoned as barb-less, | | | | Christian Centre. |
| bait-less, catch & release. | | | | For fishermen visiting the Paris area... |
| For the fly fisherman the Grand River has lots of | | | | accommodations, restaurants and shops offer |
| maneuvering space. The Grand is wide, putting | | | | excellent service and food. Lures, fly-tying material |
| distance between the fisherman and snagging trees. | | | | and fishing equipment can be obtained from "Big |
| This is an excellent river to wade, but private | | | | Catch" bait & tackle along the Grand River. As |
| ownership restricts easy access to many sections. | | | | well, this fishing shop rents out equipment and tackle |
| Chest waders are recommended for positioning | | | | to visitors wishing to try a day's fishing. |
| around the pools. All fishermen should use the | | | | For accommodation and food, fishermen can choose |
| waist-belts on the chest waders when wading... | | | | from the beautifully restored 19th century Arlington |
| because a fall in the fast swifts can quickly change a | | | | Hotel to the rustic countryside River Ridge Bed |
| great time into a fatal ending. | | | | & Breakfast. If looking for a different flavour in |
| A safer way to fish the Grand is with 14 ft platform | | | | town, dinner at the southern-style "Camp 31"offers |
| rafts. They are very similar to a "clack" boat, but | | | | an excellent taste bud experience. |