1-800-346-6277Middle Fork Salmon River Fishing Trip
$1733
Deposit: $450
Additional Costs:
Flight package from Boise; $4 per day USFS recreation demo fee
River Rating  | Minimum Age |
|---|---|
| Class III | 9 Years |
- Legend
- Directions
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Middle Fork Salmon River Fishing in Idaho - Overview
The Middle Fork of the Salmon is one of the original Wild and Scenic Rivers. In fact our Middle Fork Salmon River Fishing Trip is truly one of Idaho's crown jewels. Flowing through the largest federally protected wilderness in the continental U.S., the Middle Fork offers a rugged and varied terrain. Travel through pine-clad mountains, rolling grasslands and narrow gorges.
Although the whitewater on Idaho's Salmon River may be world renowned, simply put, the trout fishing on the Middle Fork Salmon River is superb, and offers some of the best cutthroat fishing in Idaho. Skilled anglers might expect to catch upwards of forty fish per day! The population of this unique strain of west slope cutthroat was almost destroyed by the end of the 1960s. A catch-and-release regulation was then imposed and that, along with the very limited access to the river and little angling pressure, has resulted in a river loaded with fish. Twelve- to fourteen-inchers are common, with an occasional sixteen-to eighteen-inch trout, a trophy to aspire to! Native rainbow trout, mountain whitefish and bull trout are also caught here, but single barbless hooks are required and no bait is allowed. The ease of fly fishing, combined with unsurpassed wilderness and abundant wildlife make for the Idaho fishing trip of a lifetime!
Middle Fork Salmon River Fishing in Idaho - Itinerary at a Glance
- Board a scenic flight to the put-in at Big Loon Creek where you'll be greeted by the guides for your Middle Fork Salmon River Idaho fishing trip
- Day one affords a variety of fishing locations such as Camas Creek, a favorite spot for brilliantly colored Westslope Cutthroat Trout waiting to voraciously devour each dry fly that is offered
- The Idaho fishing just keeps getting better on day two. We stop to see the ancient pictographs and fish the deep pools above Aparejo Point. We may anchor and fish the glassy smooth water above the Flying B Ranch for bull trout or Dolly Varden before we stop at Warm Springs Creek for a short hike to soak in a hot spring
- Amidst a flurry of Class III-IV rapids, we may stop to hike and fish along Big Creek, or continue float fishing down Impassable Canyon, with its steep granite walls and deep pools
- We'll challenge Impassable Canyon's rapids by paddling through Redside, Rubber and Hancock before coaxing the waiting cutthroat and rainbow trout from the depths of crystal clear pools before reaching the confluence of the Main Salmon River. Our Middle Fork Salmon River Fishing trip concludes at the Cache Creek boat ramp
- Testimonials
- Reviews
- Write a Review
"The guides are terrific in every way. They are highly skilled, friendly, interactive, etc. We, of course, also enjoyed the Middle Fork."
Jeffrey Bigman ~ Ormond Beach, FL
"The relaxed yet professional way the guides handled everything from the first evening's meeting to the last 'Thank you for boating with us' was wonderful; I never ever imagined being treated so well on a river trip."
Dave McDanel ~ Reynoldsburg, MA
- Weather
- Packing List
- Trip Planner
- Recommended Reads
| Average Temperatures | ||
High |
Low |
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65° - 80° |
45° - 65° |
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| Water Temperatures | ||
55° - 65° |
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Current Conditions
What to bring on the Middle Fork Salmon River Fishing Trip trip
This is a sample list. Please refer to your trip planner for a detailed list for your particular trip. If you do not already own any of the items on the suggested packing list feel free to call our office for suggestions. However, many of the items listed are available for purchase online in the OARStore. Please be mindful of the natural environment when purchasing items for your trip. Whenever possible, consider recyclable containers, rechargeable batteries, natural (non-toxic) sunscreens, lotions, biodegradable soaps, and so on.
Equipment:
- Water bottles: 2 each with a minimum 1-liter capacity plus 2 locking carabiners to attach them to the support boat
- Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries and bulb
- Plastic bags: large trash bags and zip-lock bags to separate clean and dry clothes from wet and dirty
- Camera and accessories
Personal Items:
- Sunglasses with securing strap and a spare
- Towel: small, quick drying, and washcloth
- Toiletries including biodegradable soap and shampoo with moisturizer (Nature's Gate is recommended by our guides)
- Sunscreen: waterproof and SPF 30 or higher
- Lip protection: SPF 30 or higher
- Moisturizing lotion or cream: 1 bottle (Skin tends to get REALLY DRY – this is a VERY important item!)
- Insect repellent (with DEET)
- Personal first aid kit (Band-aids, antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen, moleskin, eye drops, etc.)
- Spare pair of glasses and/or contacts (Blowing sand can cause problems for contact wearers)
- Cash for gratuities and goodies
- Fishing gear
Clothing:
- Long-sleeved shirt: 2 lightweight and light color for sun protection (UPF rated shirts are great)
- Long pants: lightweight and light color for sun protection (no jeans while on the river)
- Shade hat or visor with securing strap and a spare
- Bandanas
- Rain jacket & pants: waterproof (not water resistant) to protect you from the wind and splash from rapids, as well as rain. A hooded jacket is recommended as well as good secure closures around your head, neck, wrists, and ankles to prevent water from seeping in
- Swimsuits: 2 (two-piece suits recommended for women). Tankinis are a great option
- Underwear: quick drying
- Shorts: 2 pair lightweight, and quick drying
- Hiking shorts: 2 pair (some people prefer different shorts for the river and hiking)
- T-shirts or lightweight quick-drying tops: 3
- River sandals (such as Teva): 1 pair to wear in the boat and for short wet hikes
- Athletic shoes or lightweight hiking boots: 1 pair, comfortable and with good tread
- Hiking socks: 3-4 pair mid-weight
- Synthetic long underwear top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
- Fleece top & bottom: 1 set light to mid-weight
Additional Essentials for Fall:
- Extra pair of dry shoes for camp
- Wetsuit booties and/or neoprene socks
- Additional fleece top and bottom
- Warm hat and gloves: synthetic or wool
- Fleece vest
Optional Items:
- Sarong: also useful as a cover-up from the sun, when bathing or to discreetly change clothes
- Solar shower: small “solo” showers heat up faster and are easier to use
- Bathing towels/wipes: pre-moistened disposable wipes such as Coleman Swash Cloths
- Binoculars: small
- Whiskbroom: small (no long handle) to sweep wet sand off tent and ground cloth
- Splash jacket and pants
- Paddling gloves
- Lightweight cord and clothespins for drying clothes in camp
- Notebook and pen
- FUD, Feminine urinary device
- Fanny pack/day pack for people who enjoy hiking. It should be large enough to carry water, lunch and camera, as well as a warm layer of clothing for spring and falls trips.
- Fishing gear
Download our travel planner here:
Middle_Fork_Salmon_River_Fishing_Trip_Planner.pdf
Trip planner is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
