| Grand River steelhead fishing in Paris, Ontario is the | | | | water-line. Platform rafts are for fishermen wishing to |
| place to be. It offers a wilderness setting with low | | | | cover large distances with minimum wading. The |
| trip expenses… and a great adventure. | | | | Grand River Rafting Company has platform rafts |
| Discover Grand River steelhead fishing… Southern | | | | available for guided fishing trips, but they are not |
| Ontario’s unknown best! In a little town called | | | | available for self-rentals. |
| Paris the steelhead trout migrate up from Lake Erie | | | | The steelhead trout caught range from 12 to 30 |
| to the barricading Paris dam. From the dam down, | | | | inches in length… and their weight easily snaps |
| fishermen can experience excellent spring and fall | | | | poorly managed lines. The spectacular runs and |
| steelhead fishing. | | | | pole-bending hurtles makes this rainbow trout a |
| On the Grand River, explore steelhead fishing with | | | | sportsman’s delight. Even the casual observer is |
| float, fly or spin cast… all the techniques offer the | | | | amazed at the large pods of steelhead sitting on the |
| chance to experience a “fish on”. Sunday to | | | | bottom. An excellent observation area for viewing |
| Friday is the best time because Saturdays often | | | | steelhead pods is along Whiteman’s Creek just |
| experience heavy weekend canoe/kayak traffic | | | | above the Grand River. This section is now posted |
| from paddlers exploring this unique river. | | | | and permission must be gained from the Five Oaks |
| The combination of swifts and pools in the Grand | | | | Christian Centre. |
| offers the perfect trout habitation. The middle Grand | | | | For fishermen visiting the Paris area… |
| is a river of pools and swifts… drastically different | | | | accommodations, restaurants and shops offer |
| then the Caledonia section. The average depth is 2-3 | | | | excellent service and food. Lures, fly-tying material |
| feet, with deeper pools at eight feet. The rocky | | | | and fishing equipment can be obtained from “Big |
| bottom is a boulder range of stones… creating | | | | Catch” bait & tackle along the Grand River. As |
| natural steelhead habitat. The food supply of | | | | well, this fishing shop rents out equipment and tackle |
| minnows and crayfish make this river a | | | | to visitors wishing to try a day’s fishing. |
| “steelhead paradise”. To insure healthy fish | | | | The Grand River has won numerous conservation |
| populations, this section from Paris to Brantford is | | | | and management awards. It has almost 200 shoreline |
| zoned as barb-less, bait-less, catch & release. | | | | miles and is the largest river in Southern Ontario. It is |
| For the fly fisherman the Grand River offers lots of | | | | one hour from Toronto or London with the 401 and |
| maneuvering space. The Grand is wide, putting | | | | 403 highways providing easy access. This short |
| distance between the fisherman and snagging trees. | | | | traveling distance allows urban fishermen to get up in |
| This is an excellent river to wade, but private | | | | the morning… spend the day fishing… and be in |
| ownership restricts easy access to many sections. | | | | their own beds at night. |
| Chest waders are recommended for positioning | | | | For local accommodation and food, fishermen can |
| around the pools. All fishermen should use the | | | | choose from the beautifully restored 19th century |
| waist-belts on the chest waders when wading… | | | | Arlington Hotel to the rustic countryside River Ridge |
| because a fall in the fast swifts can quickly change a | | | | Bed and Breakfast. If looking for a different flavour in |
| great time into a fatal ending. | | | | town, dinner at the southern-style “Camp |
| A safer way to fish the Grand is with 14 ft platform | | | | 31”offers an excellent taste bud experience. |
| rafts. They are very similar to a “clack” boat, | | | | The Grand is a unique river… it has all the amenities |
| but more stable and quiet. The platform deck space | | | | nearby within a wilderness setting. A fisherman can |
| is about 64 sq ft allowing two people to fly fish, plus | | | | choose to float fish, spin or flies… wade or drift… |
| guide. The drift speed of these rafts offers | | | | spend the day or stay a night. Whatever the choice, |
| numerous casting opportunities and the elevated | | | | steelhead fishing on the Grand River is something no |
| platform position allows a better vision of the | | | | one should miss. |