Best Time To Go

As the seasons change, so does the river. In April, when the grass begins to grow at low elevations, elk, deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats are numerous near the river, and more approachable than at any other time of year. In early May, the large animals begin to drift to higher elevations, but wildflowers reach their height of color. Weather can be unstable this time of year. Temperature can be in the 70's, but be prepared for rain, too. Solitude on the river is greatest at this time. We put trips together by request at this time, rather than regular schedule.
 
River levels crest from snow melt between late May and mid June and in some years can be too high to comfortably float at that time. We do not schedule trips for this period until fairly late in the spring, so that we can estimate the remaining snow pack. In low-water years, however, this can be an excellent time to float.
 
During late June and early July, the river has begun to drop, but still is powerful. Our floating speed is greater, so we have more time for hikes during the day and in camp. In late July and August the river slows and warms, providing better fishing and swimming. We spend longer days floating. During July and August we will see other parties of floaters. We see golden eagles and sometimes deer or river otters in summer. We see bighorn sheep on the Main Salmon and Middle Fork, but other big game is less visible at this time of year. Our trips are regularly scheduled at this time.
 
By Labor Day, traffic on the river thins greatly. Days begin to cool and shorten, and there is a strong hint of high-country fall. The Lower Salmon is a very pleasant trip at this time, after the summer heat has moderated. In September it is still warm enough to swim and wiggle your toes in the sand - a last taste of summer. The first half of October is normally beautiful Indian summer. This is our most popular period on the Lower Salmon for sportsmen. Warm days, crisp nights, golden cottonwood and aspen, red sumac, Steelhead fishing, Chukar hunting, solitude - it's a good time to be on the river.

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Who should go?

We feel that grade-school age kids do fine on the Main Salmon. Because of the sandbar camps and warmer water, they usually enjoy camp time more on the Main than on the Middle Fork, where we often have a rocky shoreline at camp. By high school age, the challenge of more difficult whitewater or better fishing on the Middle Fork often is more attractive than the beach activities. We began taking our kids, now college-age, on the Main at 4 years, then on the Middle Fork at 7. Age is not a rigid indication of responsibility. With young kids, we can maintain safe conditions in the boats pretty well, but we need confidence that they will follow camp rules for their own safety.
 
A river trip can be very strenuous, or not at all - depending on what you make of it. Paddling an inflatable kayak or paddle boat every day, and extensive hiking from camp, can become a very vigorous trip. Riding on an oar boat and staying on the beach in camp does not require a great deal of physical activity. Anyone who feels that a group walk is too strenuous can remain with the boats. When people are concerned with how strenuous a river trip might be, we suggest the Main Salmon, during a time of moderate weather and water conditions. The sandbar camps are easier to negotiate and whitewater is more moderate on the Main. We expect to provide an extra hand when needed, such as getting on or off the boats or carrying a heavy duffel bag. We also have the option of staying in lodges instead of camping on the Main. We frequently have passengers in their 70s, and have taken people with physical disabilities.

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Daily Routine

We do not have a rigid schedule, but vary stops according to the interest of the group. We have breakfast about 7:30-8:00, get on the river about 9:30, stop on a sand bar for lunch and make camp on the river bank around 4:00-5:00. We may stop to look at old prospector's cabins, pan gold, pick berries, fish, look at Indian pictographs, soak in hot springs, or scout a rapid. During July and August daytime temperatures are usually quite warm, and swimming is popular. We spend more time floating in late summer, as current speed slows, than in the faster water of July.

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Campsites

Campsites are sand bars or grassy meadows at waters edge, often with a small stream flowing into the river. We carry portable toilets and fire pans and grates to avoid leaving fire scars in the camps. We carry folding chairs and dining tables, high-quality tents, and a large kitchen shelter in case of rain. Campsites are remarkably clean and litter-free, and we make every effort to keep them so. We do not share campsites with other groups except in an emergency.

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Meals

Because our boatmen take care of kitchen chores, inexperienced campers can have as much fun as old hands. Meals are carefully prepared over an open fire in traditional western manner. Dutch ovens supply fresh baked biscuits, cakes, and cobblers. Thick steaks and chops are grilled over the coals. Well insulated ice chests enable us to carry plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. We can modify our menu to accommodate special diets, if given sufficient notice. Meals are an important part of an outfitters services.
 
The carrying capacity of inflatable boats enables us to provide a high standard of wilderness cooking. Menus are planned to be varied, balanced, and appropriate to a back-country trip. We carry ice throughout the trip, so we have a full selection of fresh foods. After we set up the kitchen, we put out ice and snacks or soup while the meal is being prepared. Main courses such as New York steak, marinated chicken breasts, and fish are served with frozen or fresh vegetables and salads. We serve regional wines with dinner--another taste of Idaho.
 
Breakfasts include bacon, sausage, ham, with pancakes, omelets, muffins, fruit, juice, and coffee. A favorite is cheese and asparagus wrapped in ham with a white sauce, served with dutch-oven biscuits, honey, and fresh pineapple. We use dutch ovens nearly every meal, for main courses, desserts, and sauces. The kitchen box carries a good selection of spices and seasonings. We carry stoves, but a lot of our cooking is over an open fire. Our kitchen is clean, and meals are carefully prepared. We use melmac plates and cups (not paper), metal silverware, and dining tables and chairs. Dishwater is hot, Cloroxed, and double-rinsed. Most of our customers are surprised and impressed by our meals.

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Boats

Our boats are multi-chambered, inflatable, oar-powered rafts designed for whitewater. We have a licensed boatman and usually four passengers in each boat. For those who want to participate in the boat-handling, we take a paddle boat on most Middle Fork trips, depending on water conditions and interest of the group. On these boats, each person uses a canoe paddle, with a licensed boatman calling the strokes. This offers maximum contact with the water, excitement and teamwork. On Middle Fork trips we use a sweep boat to carry camp gear and supplies, which travels ahead to start setting up camp.
 
We sometimes bring inflatable kayaks or paddle boats on the Main Salmon, depending on interest and experience of the group. On our fall steelhead trips, we use rigid McKenzie fishing boats, while an inflatable camp boat travels ahead. We can also use the McKenzie drift boats or small, two passenger rubber boats on the Middle Fork for fishing, on special request.

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What will I need?

We furnish tents, life jackets, waterproof duffel and day bags, camera boxes and basic first aid equipment. We use two-person tents, which have floors and mosquito netting, (although mosquitoes are seldom around). We furnish self-inflating sealed foam sleeping pads. These pads are the most comfortable I have found, and eliminate pumping an air mattress. You may want to bring a ground cloth to keep your sleeping bag clean and dry if you decide to sleep under the stars without a tent, and a small pillow. Sleeping bags are available by reservation on a rental basis, to cover cleaning. A check list of suggested personal items is furnished with your trip confirmation.

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Group Size

Our Middle Fork Trips average about sixteen passengers, with some groups up to 24 passengers. Beginning and end of season groups are smaller.
 
Most of our Main Salmon trips are groups of 8-15 passengers, which we assemble, plus crew, traveling in 2-4 boats. Many of our floaters are couples and families.
 
We can set up a charter trip on the Main Salmon, in which you travel and camp only with your companions. On this type of trip we can modify our routine, including length of trip. We must have a minimum of twelve people for a charter trip. Larger parties can be accommodated if requested, up to two dozen people. Seminar and conference trips can be arranged.
 
The number of people seen outside our party varies with the time of year. River travel is very light during April and May. During June, July and August other parties will begin trips the same day we do, and we will occasionally pass these groups. River use thins again around Labor Day. The Forest Service limits access on the Middle Fork and Main Salmon.
 
River traffic on the Main Salmon is less than on the more publicized rivers. Much of the human activity can be avoided by floating in the spring or fall. These are off-season times and can be the best trips of all. The Lower Salmon is "undiscovered," one of the least-traveled of the major float rivers. We may not see another party during a days float on our September trip.
 
History, both human and natural, is an important part of a trip, especially on the Main Salmon. We make frequent stops at historical sites. You can browse through our "library" of books and maps to supplement informal discussions by boatmen.

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