Insider Info
BRAD SNOOK
COOWNER, SPORTS CORRAL
A native of Joseph and 1981 graduate of
Joseph High School, Brad Snook decided at
an early age he would move away from his
homeland and set roots in California.
However, that proved to be a short-lived
experiment because within three weeks
Snook was on the telephone announcing
he was returning “home” to Wallowa County.
His vocation most of his life has been
working at the family-owned Sports Corral,
in Joseph, where hunters and fishers from
near and far gather to buy hunting and
fishing licenses, buy hunting and fishing
gear of many brands, and “talk story.”
“Fishermen like to talk,” says Snook. “There
aren’t many who don’t mind telling a story
or two. I’m a pretty good source of
information (regarding best places to fish),”
says Snook. “I talk to fishermen every day.”
More than once, says Snook, people have
asked if warranties are available to cover
fishing poles they inadvertently had cast
into the icy waters of Wallowa County
waterways.
If you’re wondering, the answer is “no.”
HUNT AND FISH
Hunters fortunate enough to draw elk or deer hunting tags for any of
Wallowa County’s eight hunting units, might not bag the big one, but
are sure to enjoy the diverse landscape.
Fishermen year-round are challenged to fish for kokanee in Wallowa
Lake, hoping to land a world-record landlocked salmon from this
deep, glacially formed lake.
HUNTING
Bagging a large-antlered Rocky
Mountain Elk in Wallowa County can top
one’s adrenaline charts. The four major
elk hunting seasons here include an
elk/deer archery season; two bull hunts;
and one hunt for cow elk. Ri
e buck
season lasts from early to mid-October.
Free hunting guides published by the
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
include hunt dates for the seven upland
game birds harvested in Wallowa County.
WHAT DO YOU TELL OTHERS ABOUT
WALLOWA COUNTY?
“I tell them I lock the doors after work, and
within 10 to 30 minutes I can be out bird
hunting, fishing, and enjoying our awesome
out-of-doors.”
FISHING
Lake shing, including in waters
stocked with rainbow trout (including
Wallowa Lake), is popular throughout the
year. Steelhead season runs from early
September to mid-April with peak
seasonal returns from the ocean in the
Grande Ronde, Wallowa, and Imnaha
rivers predicted in advance. Chinook
shing in the Imnaha and Wallowa rivers
is dependent on downstream sh counts,
but can be opened for short seasons.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT
WALLOWA COUNTY?
“I love the outdoors. A friend and I are
building a cabin out of Imnaha. I also enjoy
the small-town atmosphere. People talk to
each other in a more personable,
respectful way.”
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32 | WALLOWA COUNTY VISITOR GUIDE 2015 | www.wallowa.com