>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

A DAY ON THE RIVER: Anthony West of Joseph was one of about 21 anglers who rode the year's first Fish Train Saturday. West said the rainbows and white fish were biting better than the steelhead. (The Observer/BILL RAUTENSTRAUCH).

- Bill Rautenstrauch

- The Observer

A woman riding the Wallowa Union Railroad and Minam Motel's "Fish Train" down the Wallowa River Canyon last Saturday said making the trip was her way of slowing down and freshening her perspective.

"I come here a lot, every chance I get," said Peggy Kite Martin, wife of railroad track supervisor Dan Martin. "It's nice to get away from it all, to just take things slow for awhile and watch the river go by."

Kite-Martin didn't have a pole with her, but about two dozen people on board did.

Kicking off the Eagle Cap Excursion Train's 2007 season, they rode deep into the canyon, getting off at likely looking fishing holes along the way.

The quarry was steelhead. A few anglers got lucky.

Kain Shodin, 12, of Summerville, reeled in his first steelhead ever. It was of the wild variety, not a hatchery fish, so he had to let it go.

But that didn't bother the boy, who was enjoying the day with his father, Jesse.

"Catching him was exciting, adrenaline-pumping," Kain said. "If it had been a fin-clipped hatchery fish, I still would have released him so somebody else might have the chance to catch him."

The Minam Motel and the railroad partner this time each year in the Fish Train.

The motel organizes the trips; the railroad, owned by Union and Wallowa counties, provides transportation into the rugged outdoors. Grande Cuisine of Elgin caters lunch.

Each Saturday through March 31 this year, plus four Sundays, the Fish Trains will take passengers from Minam down-canyon to those vaunted fishing holes.

On the morning run, anglers are dropped off at any one of six stops between Minam and Kimmel. 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, again picking up anglers who want to change locations. At Kimmel, it reverses direction, rolling back to Minam, picking up the participants and taking them to their vehicles.

People headed back after Saturday's run said they had a good time.

"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."

Chuck Fleser, owner of the motel, said recent high water is dropping and fishing conditions on the Wallowa should steadily improve.

He said 21 anglers signed up for last weekend's trip, plus some people with other interests.

"It was a great kickoff," he said. "I'm very pleased."

Reservations are required for this year's Fish Trains. To make one, call the Minam Motel at 541-437-4475 or 877-888-8130.

Fleser said the number of anglers each day will be limited to 25.

"I'm holding it there because I don't want to crowd the canyon," he said.

The year 2007 is a year of big changes for the Wallowa-Union Railroad.

In 2006, the railroad finally managed to purchase from Union Pacific the short but crucial length of track that completes the link between Wallowa County and Union County.

Before, excursionists boarded trains in Wallowa or Minam, both in Wallowa County. Trips down the Wallowa River Canyon ended short of Elgin.

But with the addition of the "Elgin piece," Elgin becomes a Union County terminus. Officials believe interest and ridership will increase.

Also this year, the railroad is set to replace its aged cars with newer, more efficient ones purchased with a ConnectOregon grant.

The cars are being shipped now, and will be on the local track soon.

Recently, the Wallowa Forest Products mill in Wallowa decided to stop shipping lumber out by rail, making the excursion side of the business all the more important.

Going into its fourth full excursion season, the railroad plans to launch more than 30 sightseeing trips, more than half of them originating in Elgin at the western end of the railroad.

For a complete schedule, go to www.eaglecaptrain.com.