Middle Fork River Expeditions
Middle Fork River Expeditions

Middle Fork Salmon River Fy Fishing Tackle List

February 12th, 2011

Recommended Tackle for Fly Fishing on the Middle Fork

McCoy’s Tackle Shop, Jane McCoy owner, Ace of Diamonds Street in Stanley has an excellent selection of Middle Fork flies & tackle. 208-774-3377.
• Fly rod (4 to 6 weight) (8-9 feet long) (2, 3, or 4 piece rod)
• Reel & line (4 to 6 weight, double taper floating line)(balanced to rod – size should match line & rod weight)
• Protective case for rod (rod/reel cases are ideal – the reel stays on the rod in the case)
• Vest or tackle box with flies, leaders, dry fly and line dressing (wax or silicon)
• Leaders (6 to 7 ½ foot tapered leaders size 3X or 4X) and tippet material 4X or 5X to add onto tapered leaders
• Clippers for trimming leaders
• Forceps, or other tools to grasp the hook shank for releasing fish
• Needle nose pliers, forceps, etc. to bend hook barbs flat
• Polarized glasses with croakies

Suggested Dry Flies. (generally sizes 8-14)
Humpy (yellow, orange, red) Royal Wolff
Goofus (Improved Humpy) (yellow, orange, red) Buck-tailed Caddis
Irresistible Elkhair Caddis
Stimulator (stonefly immitation) size 8 & 10 Royal Coachman
Sofa Pillow (stonefly immitation) size 8 & 10 Adams
Renegade Parachute Hopper
Dave’s Hopper Giant Stonefly
Suggested Wet Flies (Early morning or late evening in low light, use wet patterns with a long leader. Add extra tippet to achieve a longer leader.)
Marabou muddlers Wooly bugger
Wooly worm (black, olive) Muddler minnow
Brown & black leach
Nymph fishermen should have imitations for mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies.

The Wilderness Society benefit Middle Fork/Main Combo

February 11th, 2011

Join The Wilderness Society (TWS) on the Middle Fork and/or the Main Salmon River’s in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area, the largest roadless area in the US. Help raise money for TWS efforts as all proceeds from this trip will benefit The Wilderness Society. James Ellsworth, owner of Middle Fork River Expeditions and a member of TWS President’s Council, has donated this trip to TWS. Bill Meadows, President of TWS, enthusiastically endorses this extraordinary outdoor experience and encourages your participation. Bill joined the TWS trip in 2010 and his write up can be seen on the TWS website blog.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon and Main Salmon Rivers in Idaho are the premier wilderness rafting trips in the US. Join us in 75 miles of the Middle Fork and/or 60 miles on the Main Salmon River. These Wild and Scenic free-flowing rivers penetrate the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area, the largest roadless wilderness area in the US at 2.3 million acres. The fantastic river canyon is the second deepest in North America, deeper than Grand Canyon. The Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Main Salmon are unspoiled, remote and roadless so you can be sure you will “get away from it all”. Simply put, these are the best river runs in the West!

Middle Fork River Expeditions, a licensed and bonded outfitter, has run safe and well-managed river trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. We are celebrating our 31st Anniversary in 2011 and invite you to share this experience with other family or friends. Our equipment is specially designed for wilderness whitewater rafting, and offers mild and wild boat choices (Mckenzie Drift Fishing Boats, oar boats, paddle boats, inflatable kayaks and stand up paddling surf boards). Our river guides are seasoned professionals, licensed by the state of Idaho and First Aid Certified. They are expert river runners, magnificent cooks, great storytellers, and knowledgeable, helpful outdoorsmen.

Join The Wilderness Society and Middle Fork River Expeditions for a magical wilderness river vaca-tion in September 2011! Somebody said it from last years trip “It feels great to have an amazing vacation and know at the same time you are benefiting a wonderful organization like The Wilderness Society.” Come join us, there are no strangers here, only friends we have not met.

MIDDLE FORK SALMON ITINERARY
 Please arrive in Stanley, Idaho on August 31. Stanley is a 45-minute flight or 2 1/2 hour drive from Boise or a 1 hour drive from Sun Valley. We have a pre-trip orientation at the MFRE Warehouse at 7:30pm the evening before the trip begins. We will get acquainted, answer questions, invite a TWS staff person to talk about the region’s amazing wild lands, and have a short orientation to show you how to pack the waterproof gear bags we provide for your personal gear. Please note lodging in Stanley is on your own. We recommend the Sawtooth Hotel at 208-721-2459 or the Mountain Village Lodge at 800-843-5475.

Sept 1 – 3
We will take a short 22 minute flight (5 seater Cessna 206 or 9 seater Islander) to Indian Creek on Sept 1. Upon launching our rafts you’ll enter a river with sparkling clear waters that careen through boulder-choked rapids with names that guides speak with reverence, such as Jackass, Ski Jump, Dejavu and Tappan Falls. Stops at mountain hot springs and pioneer homesteads provide the perfect balance to the on-river excitement. Evenings find us relaxing by the campfire, playing horseshoes and listening to the river and watching for shooting stars!

Sept 4 – 5
As we drop in elevation, the river widens and the spruce forest opens to vistas of pine-studded mountains and we enter Impassible Canyon, where no trails can be cut as the sheer walls go up over 6,000 feet. Between rapids, you’ll drift quietly over deep pools of transparent water, home to native cutthroat and rainbow trout. Hikes underneath Waterfall Creek and up to Veil Falls are highlights for many of our guests.

Sept 6
The last day has some of the best and biggest rapids of the trip, which is a wonderful way to end a week in the largest wilderness area in the continental US. We either continue (on Main Salmon River) or drive back to Stanley, arriving between 4-6pm for the night before heading home in the morning. Tonight join an optional “farewell” dinner in Stanley which is on your own. If you continue on the Main Salmon you will spend the evening in the canyon with the guides and await the Main Salmon River Only people the next morning.
(overnight in Stanley is not included)

FOR MAIN SALMON PARTICIPANTS ARRIVING SEPT 7
 Please arrive in Salmon, Idaho the night before the trip begins on Sept 6. Salmon is an hour flight from Boise, which costs approximately $190/person and can be arranged through Sawtooth Flying Service (800-798-6105). We have a pre-trip orientation at the Stagecoach Inn (208-756-2919) at 7:30pm the evening before the trip begins. We will get acquainted, answer questions, and have a short orientation to show you how to pack the waterproof gear bags we provide for your personal gear. Please note flight from Boise to Salmon and lodging at the Stagecoach Inn is arranged on your own.

MAIN SALMON RIVER ITINERARY
SEPT 7- 10
Upon launching our rafts at Corn Creek, 3200 feet above sea level, we journey into the pristine heart of the Frank Church Wilderness, each day brings new discoveries: exciting rapids like Salmon Falls, Big Mallard and Growler, historical sites such as Buckskin Bill’s homestead and Jim Moore’s place (maybe you’ll find the fortune he buried in the hillside!), and the much anticipated Barth Hot Springs. Avid hikers may enjoy a challenging climb to Rabbit Point, where the beautiful views are well worth the effort of getting there. The fishing is excellent during these days, and on trips in July and August, warm air and water temperatures encourage frequent refreshing dips in the river. Evenings find us relaxing by the campfire, playing horseshoes and listening to the river and watching for shooting stars! On Sept 10 we overnight (or camp tonight based on availability) at the Mackay Bar Ranch for showers and beds and a festive farewell dinner with the guides.

Sept 11
We say farewell and take a morning flight by Cessna 5 seater airplanes to the Boise Airport. We should arrive by 10-11am so schedule your flight after 12 noon. If you drove to Salmon for the meeting and did not drive we can fly you back to Salmon instead of Boise, just let us know.

COST
MIDDLE FORK ONLY – 6 days
Sept 1-6 – $1850*
$125 for flight from Stanley to the river at Indian Creek

MAIN SALMON RIVER ONLY- 5 days
SEPT 7-11 – $1500*
$200 for flight from Mackay Bar Ranch to Boise International Airport.

MIDDLE/MAIN COMBINATION TRIP – 11 days
SEPT 1-11 – $2500*
$325 for flights above.
* plus 3% USFS user fee & $4.00 per day USFS fee demo

What to Expect on the Main Salmon River

February 9th, 2011

WHAT TO EXPECT
Expert Leaders
Middle Fork River Expeditions attracts gifted guides for whom leading trips is their passion. Middle Fork River Expeditions guides positively elevate your experience by being educators, companions, and the best of friends. Most MFRE guides have 10 or more years experience on rivers and all are First Aid Certified and licensed by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board.

Boats & Rapids
The Middle Salmon rapids are rated 1 to 3 on a scale of 1 to 6. You’ll run these rapids with the aid of ex-perienced, professional, licensed guides. Most guests ride in our oar powered self-bailing rafts. For the more adventurous we run a paddle boat, no experience required as your boatman steers at the stern while you and your newfound friends paddle. And when water levels permit (usually in July and August only) you can try out our single or 2 man inflatable kayaks. This year we are bringing along an inflatable stand up paddle board to try around camp and in some of the flatwater sections. We bring on some departures a wooden dory and also a fishing drift boat. We will rotate in/out of all boat types throughout the trip. Of course the Stand Up Paddle Board is optional!

River Requirements: Minimum age is 12 in June, and 5 in July and August. Please note, all participants must be able to swim, be in good physical shape and be able to self rescue.

Hiking & Hot Springs
There is plenty of time and numerous opportunities to hike during your trip. Among the river’s points of interest are the Golden Eagles nestled in the ledges above Little Squaw Creek; Barth Hot Springs where the early scow captains soaked their tired muscles; Campbells Ferry Pack Bridge; Jim Moore’s Place an early day prospector and trader; Lemhi China Bar where from 1882 to 1884 oriental miners worked this bar extensively and Five Mile Bar the home of the river’s most famous resident, “Buckskin Bill”.

Fishing
The Main Salmon has some great fishing opportunities. Fishing is for Cutthroat Trout, Rainbows and Small Mouth Bass. An Idaho State fishing license is required and may be purchased in Salmon, Idaho before the trip. Kids 14 and under can fish without a license. Spinners or Fly Rods work.

Fishing Dates
If you would like to do a fishing only trip just call and we can provide drift boats for easy access to the best holes on the river.

Camping
This is one of the best parts of the trip, to be lullabied to sleep by the sound of the river. We provide all camping gear for you, including sleeping bag, 2 pads, pillow, 4-man tent, rain gear tops and bottoms and all camp equipment. In the evening, we set up a camp and have chairs to relax in for meals. We bring along a wilderness porta-potty and place it in a private place with stunning views. We practice Leave No Trace camping ethics, so you are sure to learn a lot about this on the trip and be able to take some of these new skills home with you. The Main Salmon is a very pristine river and there is no bathing allowed in the river and must be done above the high water mark with biodegradable soap. We do bring along a cou-ple of sun showers for you to use if you wish.

Food
We provide healthy and delicious meals, accompanied with lots of salads, fresh fruits and vegetables. We also use as much organic produce/products as is available in central Idaho. Our goal is to have you eat healthy meals so that you feel good and refreshed during the day with lots of energy for fun in this remote wilderness setting. If you would like a copy of our menu please call us. Vegetarian’s welcome and meat eaters alike! There are also always snacks available during the day.

Eco Focus
MFRE carbon offsets all our river trips through the purchase of Green Tags, which accounts for transpor-tation to/from the river, as well as how much charcoal we burn. We also recycle everything from the trips (glass, plastic, aluminum etc.), including food waste which is fed to pigs at a local farm and/or composted or used in worm bins. We also recently purchased a 60 gallon vegetable oil tank to burn used cooking oil from the Mountain Village Restaurant in Stanley in our Ford F350 Diesel truck used to transport our equipment to/from the river. We also follow Leave No Trace Ethics and purchase all guest households a yearly membership to Idaho Rivers United, a non-profit organization whose focus is Salmon Recovery on the Salmon River.

Weather
Idaho weather can be variable and vigorous. So come prepared with warm and cold weather clothing. There is no such thing as bad weather if you bring the right clothing. Synthetics are best for layering and keeping you warm in all weather conditions. Weather during the daytime is 75-95F and evenings 40-60F, depending on the weather. All June and Sept trips are typically cooler at night and you must bring warm gloves, ski hat and long underwear synthetic bottoms.

Main Salmon Dories = Pure Elegance on the River

February 7th, 2011

We have brand new Fly Fishing Drift boats on the Middle Fork and wood Dories on the Main now, so it is a really amazing new way to experience the rivers. The drift boats on the Middle have large fishing casting braces that are padded for easy casting.

The huge rocker on the wooden Dories makes the wave trains on the Main Salmon just amazing. It feels like being in a gondola in Venice but you are floating on a historic wooden boat in the largest roadless wilderness area in the us, seeing incredible historic relics of a time past and meeting present day pioneers along the way. Dave and Sue at Yellow Pine Bar makes knives with mountain mohagany handles all from the old cable at Campbell’s Ferry. Heinz and Barbara at Buckskin Bill’s and Phyllis and Doug at Campbell’s Ferry share their intimate knowledge of the canyon with us. After riding a Dory on the Main you will think the elegance and grace and style of the Dory is far superior than a rubberized raft. In fact I’ll make a bet with you that you even call regular rafts “ugly” after riding with us down the Main Salmon.

Main Salmon River Details and Itinerary

February 4th, 2011

The Main Salmon River Details are as follows.

MEETING PLACE: Stagecoach Inn, Salmon, Idaho (flight is $190 from Boise)
MEETING TIME: 7:30 PM, the evening before your trip
RETURN PLACE & TIME: 10-11 am arrival at Boise Airport by Cessna Airplane from the river
RIVER RATING: Class III
RIVER MILES: 56 river miles
PUT-IN: Corn Creek
TAKE-OUT: Mackay Bar Ranch
AGE LIMIT: Minimum age is 5 (12 at high water)
TRIP LENGTH: 5 days

ITINERARY
 Please arrive in Salmon, Idaho the night before the trip begins. Salmon is an hour flight from Boise, which costs approximately $190/person and can be arranged through Sawtooth Flying Service (800-798-6105). We have a pre-trip orientation at the Stagecoach Inn (208-756-2919) at 7:30pm the evening before the trip begins. We will get acquainted, answer questions, and have a short orientation to show you how to pack the waterproof gear bags we provide for your personal gear. Please note flight from Boise to Salmon and lodging at the Stagecoach Inn is arranged on your own.

DAYS 1 ~ 4
Upon launching our rafts at Corn Creek, 3200 feet above sea level, we journey into the pristine heart of the Frank Church Wilderness, each day brings new discoveries: exciting rapids like Salmon Falls, Big Mallard and Growler, historical sites such as Buckskin Bill’s homestead and Jim Moore’s place (maybe you’ll find the fortune he buried in the hillside!), and the much anticipated Barth Hot Springs. Avid hikers may enjoy a challenging climb to Rabbit Point, where the beautiful views are well worth the effort of getting there. The fishing is excellent during these days, and on trips in July and August, warm air and water temperatures encourage frequent refreshing dips in the river. Evenings find us relaxing by the campfire, playing horseshoes and listening to the river and watching for shooting stars! On night 4 we overnight at the Mackay Bar Ranch for showers and beds and a festive farewell dinner with the guides.

DAY 5
We say farewell and take a morning flight by Cessna 5 seater airplanes to the Boise Airport. We should arrive by 10-11am so schedule your flight after 12 noon. If you drove to Salmon for the meeting and did not drive we can fly you back to Salmon instead of Boise, just let us know.

Main Salmon River in Idaho

February 2nd, 2011

Idaho’s rivers access some of the most pristine terrain in the country. They are home to abundant flora and fauna, an impressive network of hiking trails, and some of the country’s best whitewater. No river displays all these characteristics quite like the Main Salmon River. The Main Salmon is the longest un-dammed river in the U.S.A, and also boasts the second deepest canyon. The Main Salmon offers free-flowing Class III whitewater that’s great for any age and experience level, big sandy beaches perfect for camping and playing, beautiful mountain scenery, abundant wildlife, and a natural hot spring are all hallmarks of the Main. Perhaps inappropriately dubbed the “River of No Return” by early river runners, the Salmon is in fact a river you’ll want to return to again and again.

Trips are 5 days of exciting river rafting, wilderness camping, fine fishing, and visiting historic home-steads along the way. Our equipment is specially designed for wilderness whitewater rafting, and offers mild and wild boat choices (oar boats, paddle boats, inflatable kayaks and stand up paddling surf boards!). We also bring along an 18 foot Wooden Dory named Hen Wen and fishing drift boats on most departures. Our river guides are seasoned professionals, licensed by the state of Idaho and First Aid Certified. They are expert river runners, magnificent cooks, great storytellers, and knowl-edgeable, helpful outdoorsmen.

Join Middle Fork River Expeditions for a magical wilderness river vacation this summer!

MFRE is Dog Friendly on the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers

January 27th, 2011

If you wish to bring your pooch on the Middle Fork of the Salmon or the Main salmon this summer, it is possible with MFRE. You just need to give us a resumer for your pooch and see if h/she is a good fit for a river trip. If they are, then they need a life jacket and we need to double check everyone else on the trip is ok with a dog on the trip. We sometimes bring along Corndog, Dusty’s Dog or Sammy, Scott’s dog. Dogs must be well behaved and not beg and be good with people of course. It is a great way to bond with your dog and the family. They are great to have along, we are dog friendly. That said, we have only had a few trips were people brought there dog, and it always works out that the other guests love them.

Come join us this summer and don’t leave your well trained dog at the kennel!

Yours for rivers, James

ISUP the Middle Fork Salmon and Main Salmon This Summer

January 19th, 2011

MFRE purchased two C4 Waterman ISUP’s (Inflatable Stand Up Paddle) Boards last summer and had a ball! It was amazing to surf on the river in the calm sections and around camp at night. You can kneel and use a kayak paddle, stand up adn use a ISUP paddle, or lie down and paddle like a surfboard.

It’s amazing to experience the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in this way. It is even better yet on the Main Salmon RIver where the water temps are warmer and there are huge beaches to camp on. This makes the perfect place to learn this new and fantastic sport in the largest Wilderness Area in the US. The Main Salmon River Canyon is deeper than Grand Canyon. Both rivers have loads of hot springs. Imagine, ISUPing down the river to a natural hot spring shower that is natural and on the riverside. You paddle up and jump under the 104F waterfall and receive a back massage from the pounding of the spring on your back. Then jump back on the ISUP and peel out into the current from the eddy and head downstream. Sounds like a dream but that is what is happening out there is you just allow yourself to take a leap from fear and embrace the wilderness. The ISUP is one more tool in the quiver of river craft that MFRE provides to give you the ultimate experience.

Come Join us this Summer!

You’ll get those ripped abs you always wanted while ISUPing the Salmon River.

Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2011

May your new year be full of happiness and Joy and health in Abundance.

Yours for rivers, James

 
Home | Dates & Prices | Cancellation Policy | Travel & Lodging | Pack Your Bags | About The River | Activities | Blog | Contact Us