Middle Fork Salmon Trips
The MIDDLE FORK of the SALMON RIVER, Idaho
A
major headwaters section of the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48
states. Designated by Congress in 1968 as a Wild and Scenic River, bounded
by four National Forests and the Idaho Primitive Area, it is truly great to
experience Nature at her best. It boasts the second-deepest canyon of any
North American river. From our put-in below Dagger Falls, at Boundary Creek*,
to our take-out on The Main Salmon, at Cache Bar, 100 miles later, the river
drops over 3,000 feet. From riffles to falls, there are 341 rapids sufficiently
exciting to have designations---23 Class III, seven Class IV.
You may choose to run the river in a McKenzie drift boat where you and another
guest will enjoy a deluxe fishing trip with a professional guide. The drift
boat allows a fly fisherman to stand comfortably to fish. For those who want
to learn, our full-time guides are excellent instructors. The fishing is catch
and release, and experienced anglers have caught as many as 100 fish in a
day. Or, you may choose to ride in an oar-powered raft in which the guests
relax and enjoy the rapids and scenery while the guide rows them down the
river. Or, you may choose a paddle raft in which the guests help get the raft
through the rapids with our expert guidance. Each craft is designed with safety
and comfort in mind.
You'll see osprey, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, cliff swallows, dippers,
killdeer, kingfishers, merganser, chukar, grouse, doves, owls, and humming
birds. Our guides will help you spot bighorn sheep, otters, pika, and colorful
ground squirrels. We occasionally see (or see evidence of) black bear, mule
deer, elk, moose, coyote, cougar, bobcat, and mountain goat.
Its spectacular scenery, breathtaking rapids, beautiful campsites, caves and
falls and hot springs, rich history of miners, military, and Indians, ancient
pictographs, great hiking trails, fantastic fishing---all of the river's features
are well known to our guides and are happily shared with our guests. With
all the beauty and excitement that Nature affords, many of our guests' most
pleasant memories of their Middle Fork adventures are of the care with which
they were treated by our guides---the setting up of camp, happy hour, and
those fabulous meals. We feature the finest in outdoor cooking: menus featuring
steak, chops, Dutch-oven biscuits and desserts, and fresh salads, served in
fine Western manner.
If you look for excitement, relaxation, solitude, companionship and fun in
a trip, The Middle Fork of the Salmon, Idaho, has it all. This is truly the
premier whitewater trip of the Northwest. It's called "The River of No Return,"
but you'll want to return many times.
Bus service and car shuttles are available when you arrive in Idaho. If you
fly commercially to Boise or Sun Valley, bus service is available to Stanley,
to the put-in, and from the take-out to your destination. Shuttle fee and
plane fare are not included in the trip cost.
The night prior to the start of the trip should be spent in Stanley to assure
an early start the next morning. We recommend Mountain Village Lodge (800-843-5475)
or Red Fish Lake Lodge (208-774-3536). Advance reservations are required.
* We leave Stanley as close to 8:30 AM as possible. Water levels determine
our launch point. If we bus to Boundary Creek, we cover the transport costs.
If we must fly in to another launch site, each person must cover his own airfare,
usually around $50 per person.
Trip Start Dates On or about June 17. July 12 July 20 July 28 August 5 August
13 August 21
2004 Rates Six-day, five-night trip, per person...
2004
Rates
Fishing Trip: $2450 + 9%(state tax and federal use fee) = $2671
Rafting Trip: $1600 + 9% = $1744
Combination Trip: $1780 +9% = $1940
