15 Instagram Feeds to Follow if You Love Rivers
Even guides, who are unplugged most of the summer, love Instagram for collecting adventure inspiration and connecting with fellow river lovers across the world.
Want to know who they follow? Here are some guide-favorite feeds…
1) Wild River Life | @wildrivelife
Adam, Susan, Juniper and Wallace (the wonder pup) travel the country in an RV as they paddle and explore America’s waterways. From California to North Carolina, with occasional international expeditions in between, Adam and Susan share their stories of living a life around rivers with grace, humor and humility. They also recently released a book celebrating Wild and Scenic Rivers called, Paddling America.
2) Dane Jackson | @danejacksonkayak
Just a crazy, big-line kayaker in a pink boat (in case you need to show your mom your lifestyle really isn’t THAT extreme).
3) Brooke Hess | @brookehess
Same goes for Brooke Hess—just a crazy, big-line kayaker in a pink boat. Also, validation for all the river women out there who get asked, “Aren’t you too small for that?”
4) Amber & Brendan Toner | @thebugparade
Amber and Brendan showcase how an adventurous fly fishing lifestyle doesn’t have to end with the addition of a wee one. Big trout with bigger scenery make this a favorite feed when I need inspiration to head out to the river.
5) NRS | @nrsweb
When was the last time you were on a river and didn’t use a single piece of NRS gear? From the world’s most ubiquitous river gear company comes an equally as diverse Instagram feed. From epic whitewater shots to picture-perfect Dutch oven meals and stories of their ambassador’s expeditions, there’s something here for the river lover in all of us. If you’re more into rivers for the fish, don’t miss their fishing-specific feed @nrsfishing.
6) Erik Boomer | @eboomer
Erik doesn’t post his gorgeous photos of Northern Lights, sled dogs and kiting often, but when he does my response is usually, “WHAT?!?” From Baffin Island to Idaho, Boomer’s river and arctic adventures have an expeditionary, old-soul quality to them.
7) Grand Canyon Trust | @grandcanyontrust
Sometimes it can be hard to remember the Colorado River watershed is a lot more than Lava Falls, Nankoweap and Deer Creek. The Grand Canyon Trust feed is like taking a basin-wide tour, from verdant high country to hot arroyos and hiking trails.
8) Dirt Bag Paddlers | @dbpmagazineonline
Since I was a sixteen-years-old and wistfully wondering what it was like to take a bootie beer (What the heck teenage self?! Gross is the answer), I’ve followed Dirt Bag Paddlers. There’s something about the blurry photos, cries of WALLACE and celebration of the chaos of boating that still gets me.
9) American Rivers | @americanrivers
If you love America’s rivers, you should love (and like) American Rivers. As one of the nation’s forefront river conservation organizations, American Rivers’ feed takes you on a tour of our country’s most precious resource: water.
10) Clinton Begley | @clintergalactic
As Executive Director of the Long Tom Watershed Council in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, Clinton Begley shows that a deep-rooted love of water can be both work and play. His kayak videos show the big lines and beat downs most of us experience, all within the vicinity of his office door. His collection reminds me you don’t always have to go “extreme” to understand and appreciate your local waterways.
11) Outside Hilary | @outsidehilary
A premier fly fishing guide in one of the nation’s troutiest states, Glacier-area guide Hilary Hutcheson shows us the fish beyond the surface of our favorite rivers, as well as the family and community behind #guidelife.
12) J Maxfield | @sleepygoat
Growing up in Moscow, ID and loving big whitewater, I never gave much thought to the levees and reservoirs around Lewiston. Sleepy Goat’s flatwater kayak trips and beautiful photography has helped me see the Snake River Canyon (and non-whitewater travel) through new eyes.
13) Kelsey Dzintars | @kdzintars_art
From Grand Canyon to the Middle Fork Salmon in Idaho, Kelsey shows you rivers (and her adventures exploring them) through a sundrenched artist’s eye.
14) Katie Cahn | @katiecahn
When I think of the Southeast I think of the best hush puppies I’ve ever tasted…not fly fishing. Katie Cahn, a Blue Ridge Mountain fly fishing guide, is changing that one brown trout at a time. Plus, her friendship with fellow fly fishing nut @oliviadwil gives us all #squadgoals.
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15) Caleb Norton | @c.nortron
From the Pacific Northwest to the desert Southwest, OARS river guide Caleb Norton shows a guiding lifestyle means finding water and wilderness wherever you travel.
River lovers can find endless adventure inspiration on Instagram. Get lost in these favorite hashtags for more:
#flyfishing | #guidevibes | #wearewater | #keepemwet | #whitewater | #guideidaho | #oarslife
OARS is on Instagram too! Follow at: @oars_rafting
