Snowpack levels are below-normal – as you may have heard from the media – but let’s
keep things in perspective! Idaho’s legendary rivers still will have plenty of water flows for a fun-filled summer season on whitewater day trips, week-long wilderness adventures, drift and jet boat fishing trips and more!
With snowpack levels at about 75 percent of normal in the Salmon River Basin and Clearwater Basins, outfitters won’t have to worry about delaying the start of the whitewater season because of scary, high-water peaks that aren’t safe for the general public. So that opens the door for booking trips earlier than normal.
Right now, the melt has begun early on Idaho’s famed whitewater rivers. Experts recommend booking trips in April to capture the best experience possible for guests to match their interests. Outfitters are still taking reservations for limited openings on week-long trips on the Middle Fork Salmon River, Main Salmon – River of No Return, Hells Canyon of the Snake and Selway River.
“I don’t worry about the Main Salmon – it always has enough water,” said Ari Kotler, owner of SOAR Northwest, an outfitter on the Main Salmon-River of No Return and National Wild and Scenic Selway River. “Looking at the Pacific Northwest, we’re not as bad off as the other states. We’ve still got spring weather ahead of us. That can make a big difference on our summertime flows.”
“We are in better shape than most places in the West,” added Ron Abramovich, snow survey expert, now retired. In his blog, snowweatherandflow.blog. “The recent
winter storms are just what’s needed to slow the melt, add a little moisture to the snowpack, and rain on the soils as the snow melts. A cool wet spring would be ideal along with spring storms.”
Abramovich referred to recent storms that brought more than a foot of new snow in the Boise Mountains, and Salmon River Mountains. More precipitation is forecast
by NOAA National Weather Service in the 8-14 day forecast for this week.
Day trip outfitters on the Payette River are expecting a full season. Boaters on the Payette River benefit from upstream storage in Lake Cascade, now 96 percent full, and Deadwood Reservoir, 91 percent full, which will release consistent, boatable flows all summer for guided whitewater trips on the South Fork, Main Payette and North Fork “Cabarton” section.
“The reservoirs are in good shape, so I think we’ll have a pretty steady season on the Payette,” said Kenneth Long, co-owner of family-owned Cascade Raft and Kayak. “I feel fortunate that we got enough precipitation to fill the reservoirs, even though a lot of it came as low-elevation rain instead of snow.”
Long noted that the Payette is runnable now, so he encourages people to book day trips early to ensure people get their preferred dates. “We’re good to go!” Long says.
Jess Baugh with S&S Outfitters is looking forward to a strong season on the Salmon River and Hells Canyon. “I’m a glass half-full kind of guy, so I think we’ll be all right,” he said. “I’m hoping we have a cool and wet spring to give us a little more cushion.”
S&S Outfitters offers scenic jet boat scenic tours and fishing trips in Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America, where the bass fishing can be very hot – one fish per cast. Anglers also can try to catch sturgeon, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. S&S Outfitters launches jet boat trips from Hells Canyon Dam, Riggins, and Pittsburg Landing. With S&S, you also can book a Salmon River trip incorporating an overnight stay at the Ram
House at Mackay Bar or China Bar.
“My advice is to book early this year,” Baugh said.
Jocylyn Truppi with Mountain River Outfitters offers a wide variety of trips on the Main Salmon and Lower Salmon Gorge, from day trips to two-day trips, 3-4 day trips and 5-6 day trips. “My goal is to give people river time, however it works for their schedule. We also like to book company trips and nonprofit groups.”
“We’re excited about the upcoming season, we’re looking forward to it,” Truppi says. “Lower-water years present a unique opportunity. The water will warm up sooner, I love the beautiful mirror-like glass between rapids, more technical rocky rapids, it’s all good!”
Mountain River Outfitters has some openings in late August; Inquire for more details.
Fred Taylor, owner of Salmon River Drifters, is also stoked for a good season. Fishing may be better earlier than normal with less peak flow. “The Salmon River is a big watershed – we will be fine, we’ve always got water,” he said. “It’s going to be a great season!”
A number of Main Salmon outfitters offer “row-your-own” trips, including SOAR Northwest. SOAR offers trips for $900 per person for people who have their own rafts and have experience on the Salmon River. The outfitter brings all the food and group gear, so the trip participants just need to bring their own boats.
Middle Fork Salmon River outfitters also are looking forward to a great season. “Low snowpack doesn’t mean no water,” said Skip Volpert with Idaho River Journeys. “The Middle Fork has a great base flow that allows us to do trips through the month of September.”
Volpert recommends booking early with Middle Fork outfitters before the openings are gone.
“This year, we’re taking more bookings earlier in late May and early June,” he says.
Bridget Guthrie, co-owner of Solitude River Trips, agrees. As the only Orvis-endorsed fishing outfitter on the Middle Fork, Solitude prefers to guide their guests in drift boats as water flows allow in June and July. They still have openings for a Middle Fork fishing trip in early June.
“There’s nothing like fishing from a drift boat on the Middle Fork,” she says. “They’re magic.”
See Raftidaho.org to check on outfitter pricing, trip dates available and more information.
Source: Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association Press Release and Photo