1 of 2 Go to page. Sometimes we spend the better part of a week on location, waiting for conditions to improve. We were surprised at its size, well over 100 feet wide in most places, with a lot of white water. Our first assault on the river left us perplexed neither of us had so much as a strike. A breathtaking 27-minute flight from McCall. The river does have bull trout as well, and a few squawfish are caught occasionally. After we get more info from you, we can give you a good idea on what it will cost, even if you dont have all the details pinned down yet. I continued upstream, and saw my companion, rod held high, hooked up to what seemed to be a pretty decent fish. Day 7 Float the last section of the Middle Fork to the confluence of the Salmon River. August 14 19 (full). I am assuming that most of the airstrips are a no go once the snow moves in? I haven't heard about fires this year but from what I understand frank church has gotten pretty smashed by wolves lately. Quick-Fix Car Camping: Overnighters that Wont Burn a Bunch of Gas, Stewardship and Trail Maintenance Volunteer Opportunities, Inland NW Trails and Conservation Coalition, Negative Splits New Back to Nature Trail Run Series, Outdoorsy Summer Camps in the Inland NW 2021, Camping Destinations via Hike, Bike, or Bus, Sandpoints 3/4 Minus Cykeltur gravel ride is back for 2023. All fish must be released immediately, as this has been a catch and release river since 1973. There are six main tributaries that fish well along the way that are also good wade options to compliment your drift fishing. Step into the pristine Frank Church Wilderness and experience a hunting excursion like never before. Finally, I had hit the proverbial honey hole, and released a half dozen 14-inch to 16-inch trout. $25 per plate Big Creek It's the only way to fly. From the air, we flew over terrain that I had previously hiked, and the brute topography became much more apparent-the rocky scree, the chisel-cut cirques, the rushing waters, scars of fires, new growth saplings like small radish shoots in a backyard garden. Before setting out, Dan, the head wrangler, gave us a quick pep talk. Our first glimpse of Big Creek was a shock. We dont have a deadline. Tackle: A simple 5-weight rod with a floating line is fine for the cutties, but bring a 7-weight with a sinking tip if youre targeting bull trout. June 9 14 (full) You can expect to be at the take out between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Do you have any advice for targeting the bull trout? And some days you just dont catch fish, I dont care how skilled you are., The memory of Brooks statement relieved my frustration of my poor success. Book Your Jet Boat Tour! Flying between the peaks, I felt like I could reach out and touch the ridgelines. Every once in a while, one makes a haphazard course correction, lands on the water, and almost instantly disappears in the rise form of a trouts mouth. Shuttle arrangements can be made for your car by the outfitter on the evening prior to launch if needed. We can fly from almost anywhere, but our planes are based in Salmon, Idaho, so thats where youll get the best pricing. When hes not working, hes tying flies, catching smallmouth bass, hunting for elk and mule deer in the high country, or planning his next big DIY adventure. Dad booked flights with two bush pilots and arranged for some cowboys already in the area to haul gear and provisions from their out-of-season hunt camp. . (avg. Above us, a large elk herd was grazing atop one of the towering peaks already covered with a light dusting of snow. Since there are plenty of variables, we suggest you give us a call. Lets see yours? The fish are not overly-picky, so high floating foam and heavily dressed dry flies and attractor patterns are the most popular fly designs. If you are someone who loves to throw dry flies and are seeking a fully-outfitted, wild, multi-day float trip, then this trip is a must! I finally found the secret. He smirked. July 21 26 (full) There are only seven launch dates between early June and mid-August, so booking well in advance is extremely important. Jim and his brother Justin worked with us to . For your convenience, Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a direct and secure ACH platform a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. The United States Congress designated the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in 1980 and it now encompasses a total of 2,366,757 acres. Just having the opportunity to float this wild and scenic river is the real value of this wilderness trip. Fly from the United States on Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier and more. Glancing out the window, I shouted to my companion Good Lord, I hope our pilot doesnt plan on landingthere.. They are based out of Challis. Sat 5/27. CLICK HERE TO VIEW YELLOW DOG GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICIES. The outfitter does have dry bags if needed. Still, it was hard to remain calm about what was happening or what could happen at any moment. We can fly from almost anywhere, but our planes are based in Salmon, Idaho, so that's where you'll get the best pricing. Has anyone used one of the many aircraft charters for the Frank Church wilderness? In the fading light of the second day, I wade downstream into a rolling series of pockets and pools, each trench not especially deep but secluded, terrific holding water for an ambush predator. price over the last 2 weeks) Anxiously awaiting the planes arrival, we discovered why this particular strip was named Soldier Bar. At the very edge of the runway stood a stark white stone monument, perhaps 10 feet in height, with a bronze plaque embedded in the front. Rent This Rod F orty-eight hours earlier, my dad, three friends, and I boarded two bush planes in McCall, Idaho, for a 45-minute flight into the unknown. Flight from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport to Portland. Day 1 Arrive at Stanley, Idaho, and overnight at the Mountain Village Resort. I said to myself. A 200-Foot DropFor some reason, although the hornets buzzed around us, they refrained from biting. into the Wilderness. The pilot taxied down the bumpy strip of grass (each mole hill lifted us a bit off the ground) and then, with a surge of propeller, we rose over a line of pine trees. Its a false charge. Good deal one-way. After a few casts to my right, I step farther downstream and make a few casts to the left, but theres nothing in the first hole. You will see evidence of them in the stories of their pictographs that still remain vividly drawn on the canyon walls. Main Salmon "River of No Return" 5 or 6 Day Wilderness Rafting Trip w/lodge stay Places to stay in the area or at your place looking for cost information on guides, 2023 The Sportsmans Guide, Inc.1-800-882-2962|, Forward-Facing Sonar is Changing Much of Fishing. Kill kit weights and ideas. Middle Fork of the Salmon River Float Trip | Yellow Dog Unbiased, Honest And Transparent Knowledge On Lodging And Fly Fishing At Middle Fork Float Trip At Zero Extra Cost To You! If you want to get away, there may be no better place in the lower forty-eight states. How often while doing other things (washing the dishes, watering the plants, talking to a friend) are we divided in thought, splintered in action, so absolutely unable to make that same pronouncement with absolutist union: I am scrubbing the toilet. The take-off from Idahos Challis International Airport on the cool September morning in our overloaded Cessna was thrill enough. What was it about fishing that compelled me to do something that I found terrifying? We were winging it (pun intended), not even telling our friends visiting from Florida about our final destination: the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness for 72 hours of wild-trout-fishing madness. Copyright 2023 Free Range American. . These hunting grounds are nearly 20 miles from the nearest road, so you can hunt for days without seeing another hunter. price over the last 2 weeks) Jul 1, 2017 #1 Hoytxl2009 Member. Boats and Equipment Non-anglers are welcomed, and there is a non-fishing rate available as well. EXPERIENCE IDAHO WILDERNESS! has been guiding hunters and anglers in the Franks Middle Fork Elk Zone for decades and offers guests a variety of hunting and fishing options, from fully guided trips to barebones tents-and-chow packages, like we did here. If the main river does become off-color or dirty after a substantial rain which is very, very rare during the summer months these tributaries clear quickly and can provide excellent small stream fishing. Last summer, three friends and I flew into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. Other destination airports that are also options for renting a car and driving include Idaho Falls, Idaho (3.5 hours), Missoula, Montana (5 hours), or Bozeman, Montana (6 hours). If you have timing constrictions that you are worried about, give us a call and well work on a solution. There is also a protected run of wild steelhead and Chinook salmon that come into the river later in the summer. We then banked into three looping turns that brought us to the field where wed land. Participants were asked to choose one out of four expereinces for a chance to win the trip of a lifetime for themselves and a guest of their choice. Middle Fork aviation is top notch. I'd recommend either finding a pack bridge or not bothering with crossing the main river, depending on which airstrip you fly into. "The Middle Fork of the Salmon is ranked in the top three rivers in the world for its pristine nature," said Steve Lentz of Far and Away Adventures. The outfitter can accommodate any specific meal requirements, and all food is served in a healthy and sanitary manner. But gaining access to this remote wilderness can be a challenge with no roads, people have only a few options with the main ones being flying and boating. You will fly-in, hunt on horseback, and spot-and-stalk trophy mule deer. Idahos Frank Church Wilderness area and the Sawtooth Mountains are certainly one of the most secluded and rugged regions in the lower 48. The wilderness area is located on the Kern Plateau at the Southern end of the Sierra Nevada mountainsonly. . Contact Us Its a fun map and gives some good reference, but it obviously should not be used for navigation! This would be my first trip out there so i am looking at it as a scouting trip that I can hunt on. Accessible only by jet boat, raft, airplane or seasonal ATV road, Mackay Bar Ranch is one of the most unique getaways offered in the lower 48 states. Killed the pilot in the first plane. (Each guest brings their own pillows and sleeping bags.) If you are a bird-watching enthusiast, you have the opportunity to observe killdeer, ospreys, belted kingfishers, common mergansers, water ouzel, red-tailed hawks, golden eagle, bald eagles, grouse, chukar, and great horned owls. Three natural hot springs located on the river rejuvenate your soul and provide a hot rinse. If asked what I was doing, I could respond, I am flying.. If a cancelled package is resold by either the outfitter or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee. I try coaxing it out but never see it again. July 13 18 (full) This is the problem with the Frank..everyone wants to get away in a "wilderness" hunt and they all either start at the same trailhead or fly into one of the limited airstrips. Dad swore hed someday return, and a visit from his friend, his friends son, and his sons friend was the perfect excuse to make it happen. Hunt availability: Mid-September through mid-October. You will see evidence of them in the stories of their pictographs that still remain vividly drawn on the canyon walls. A 4 or 5-weight rod with a floating line is absolutely perfect for the river. Herd #s and trophy quality is far below what it once was, but its still great country and can be a fun hunt. Both guests sit towards the bow on a padded bench seat a setup that is designed for safety in the whitewater stretches. And, honestly, its fish aren't terribly impressive, at least when measured by their size. There are also a couple of hot springs along the way that offers a chance for a hot wilderness shower or bath. Meet-and-greet outfitter meeting at 6:00 PM at the River 1 Store. The wheels contacted the ground, and I was shocked by how smooth the touchdown and taxi to the end of the runway felt. My dad stands up slowly, but I stay stock-still, frozen in place. Loading our gear we managed to squeeze Dan in with his saddle and tack. I cast again. A bus will be waiting for the group with fresh pizza for lunch. An hour later, the five of us stand in the living room, decompressing and wondering what to do with the rest of our day, when my dad speaks up. Rain still continued to plague us, and we fought showers off and on all day. . This airstrip is one of a small handful located in the Frank Church Wilderness. After we passed by the smokejumper training course, pulled into the little mountain airport, and explained our true intentions, they scrambled for their phones, leaving a flurry of voicemails and text messages: Honey, I might not have cell reception for a few days.. He was in charge of the entire detail horses, logistics, cooking, etc. July 5 10 (full) The Frank Church Wilderness features more than two million acres of protected wilderness, it's the largest connected wilderness area in the lower 48. Boundary Creek is a tiny little stream, and as such, it sees very few anglers. Camp each evening is always situated near great trout water, so you may also wade fish in the mornings around breakfast and each evening. A full kitchen and large dining table are set up each evening for your comfort, allowing you to sit back, relax, or wade fish at each camp. Thread starter Hoytxl2009; Start date Jul 1, 2017; 1; 2; Next. The undisrupted nature of the water and country, and the lack of fishing pressure, makes wild cutthroats rather naive to the presence of some 6-foot-tall things walking in their river and the reality of artificial flies. Gem Air pilots have been taking hunters into the backcountry with Idaho hunting flights for decades, and wed be happy to help you get to your hunt too. My fear, though, couldnt prevent me from whats statistically the most dangerous type of flying. 14, I began casting slightly upstream, mending line as the weighted nymph approached. You will definitely not go hungry on this trip. We climbed back aboard our steeds, and started back downstream fishing off and on, but without any spectacular success. The fishing was great; the wilderness offered so much-wild raspberries, splendid wildflowers, plentiful deer, occasional elk, a few (thankfully) rattlesnakes, and the always intimidating piles of bear scat, plus cougar tracks and wolf howls in the night. An Ugly Fly PatternThere, nestled in the palm of his grimy little hand, was one of the ugliest patterns Id ever seen A huge size 8 or so, tan and yellow in color, with a ratty tail. We take turns; each angler gets six casts, and if he cant close the deal, the angler on deck gets the run of the hole. In addition to holding westslope cutthroats, its also home to one of the most iconic fish species in the Rocky Mountains, the bull trout, as well as a distant cradle for spawning chinook salmon and a handful of steelhead, which arrive after traveling upstream hundreds of miles from the Pacific Ocean. The hotel in Stanley has Wi-Fi and good cell reception, but that ends once you hit the river canyon. . In the case of cancellation by the client, both deposit and final payment may be transferred to another guest or angler for those same (original) dates if facilitated and arranged by the client. Thirty minutes or so after leaving Challis, heading due north at 3,000 feet altitude, a dirt landing strip was seen below. Go. The rooms are around $100.00 for double occupancy (not included in the package). For Spring flights, we prefer you give us at least two weeks notice, but if you call us up the day before and ask for a flight, well do everything we can to accommodate you. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Meanwhile my companion had other ideas, and thought a bright attractor pattern might be the answer. All trip cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. They do this trip top-notch. The main river also typically clears quickly in the summer months after a storm. At the end of the strip, the plane turned into the grass to make room for our counterparts just minutes behind us, and as we deplaned and began throwing luggage from the cargo hold to the ground, two cowboys and a few pack mules headed our way. You will find pure-strain West Slope cutthroat, rainbows (believed to be juvenile wild steelhead), and a few cutbow hybrid trout. Thanks for all the information. They'll take you deep into the Frank Church Wilderness . This follows large forest fires in the Frank Church Wilderness which removed large forested sections. Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation Tight Lines Outfitters are the best in the business. We snacked on bacon as we situated our gear in our temporary living quarters, soaked in the magnitude of the moment, and in keeping with the song Whiskey for Breakfast, popped open a bourbon bottle. I travel down side channels, my dad moves slow in the main stem, and the other three leapfrog one another working upstream, plying every riffle, run, and tributary mouth, but every hour or so we reconvene to discuss successes, failures, and what flies are working best, as well as to place a few friendly wagers. The modern-day drift boat designs used throughout the U.S. West originated from the wooden McKenzie-style boats used by this outfitter on this river. Book With Yellow Dog Today. If a cancelled package is resold by either the outfitter or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person Yellow Dog cancellation fee. Same Day scheduled delivery for a $5.95 fee for non-members*. General Information The front range, because it is more accessible, has a shorter rifle season but also has an archery season for elk and deer. The closest major airport to Stanley, Idaho (where your trip originates) is Boise, Idaho. Cant wait to go again. Jean H. Great fishing trips dont just happen. . All trip cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. Here you will board one of our jet boats for a memorable ride through the heart of the Frank Church Wilderness, where photo opportunities seem to be everywhere as you pass through the beautiful Salmon River canyon. Ive watched you on television fishing shows, I said, and you never seem to have an off-day. Im backpacking into Big Creek for a fishing trip in August. . . For about what it costs to fly to Africa you can spend several days calling and shooting jackals. Two single engine planes coming in one right behind the other, first plane lands and second plane comes in long and lands on top of the first plane. In the rare event that there are insufficient reservations for the launch, the outfitter reserves the right to alter the departure date or location, or to cancel a trip entirely. Washington. One Day Ground delivery for a $19.95 fee for non-members. The outfitter will block off rooms for your group, but you must call at least two weeks prior to your launch to book the room. This fishery has been managed by the state of Idaho as a catch and release fishery since 1973, making it one of the best fisheries in the northwest for both numbers of fish and for consistently good action on a dry fly. Were shot up into the sky; we glide (hopefully) gently down. Non-Angling Activities and Options August 14 19 (full), 2024 Trip Dates Great for moving 3-4 hunters, depending on weights and gear. Well, my dad says while getting a head start. I spent many days in there guiding where we didnt see a thing, and I knew the entire drainage i hunted very well from living in it from August through November for 3 years. Soon we realized what an imposing piece of real estate the Frank Church is, with mile after mile of utter desolation. Forty-eight hours earlier, my dad, three friends, and I boarded two bush planes in McCall, Idaho, for a 45-minute flight into the unknown. But its hard to figure out pricing until we know how many people are flying, what sort of gear you have, and which strips you want to get in and out of. Convenience fees may apply for other payment methods. Read Next: Alaskan Woman Shoots Record Caribou on Solo Hunt 4 Months After Bear Attack. Deer isnt really great in a lot of the area early, until they get pushed down and group together with weather, otherwise they stay very high and spread out, and without horses and knowledge, they can be tough to hunt up high in the early season. You may unsubscribe from these communications at anytime. Embark on Adventure in Idaho's Frank Church Wilderness. The round trip cost of the air charter is $375.00 per person. During your fishing day, all of the boats typically gather for a lunch buffet of freshly prepared salads, sandwich makings, chips, cookies, and cold beverages. Located in central Idaho, The Frank Church Wilderness sprawls over nearly 2.4 million acres and, except for the bumpiest road in America-The Magruder Corridor-its conjoined to the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness (1.2 million more acres); together, they make a vast spread of wild about the size of an East coast state. Its my first and only encounter with what Im convinced was a monster Big Creek bull. Eventually, we flew into the Big Creek drainage, and every once in a while I saw an outpost along the riverbank, another bush plane resting on the fringe of an airstrip, or, at one point, a string of hikers with brightly colored clothes and packs in single file amid a burnout. I cant see the snake, but I can hear his rattle. But his Humpies and Royal Wulffs didnt produce either. Trying to decide if its worth the cash. If you cannot get into Boise by 2:00 PM to make the charter, you will need to either stay in Boise the night before or rent a car and make the three-hour drive to Stanley. Ben Romans is a passionate hunter and angler living in Boise, Idaho, with his wife and two young boys. We dont recommend bringing big bulky things (like coolers) because its likely to require a larger plane than you would otherwise need. Not . There were no radio control towers to relay approach instructions or clear for landing authorizations, so it was up to each pilot to assess the situation. July 5 10 (full) The fishing on the Middle Fork of the Salmon is excellent for experts and beginners. (avg. Fly from San Francisco from $51, from Ontario from $52, from Los Angeles from $53 or from Dallas from $63. for the bulls. Im the first one geared up. Idaho River Rafting with Mountain River Outfitters offers the BEST River Experiences on over 400 Miles of Idaho's Legendary White Water Rafting. These two intrepid young men later, in the dead of an Idaho winter, would pack up the tents and other supplies, and transport everything back to Challis. Or the second. He hasnt yet had enough. Ill be in the lead, and will give you all the help I can.. Round-trip flights to Cabin Creek airstrip run around $920 to $1,050, minimum two people per flight. It was a peaceful, serene, smoke-filled scene, although spotting a yellow Piper Cub sprawled out in pieces at the end of one runway did give me pause. You will need a drivers license or state ID to obtain a fishing license. Just as the first hints of daylight appeared on the horizon, we pulled up next to the hangar and watched confused looks wash over our cohorts faces. A pitch-tent toilet is provided at each camp, and showers are available twice during the five-day excursion. At a weight of perhaps 800 pounds, the creature came within a hare of smashing me flat. Middle Fork of the Salmon River Float Trip (Frank Church Wilderness, Idaho) Thats because all hunts tend to be different from one another. Jess and Dorothy Taylor owned and operated a hunting outfit from the ranch before the University of Idaho purchased the property in 1969. The Frank Church Wilderness features more than two million acres of protected wilderness, it's the largest connected wilderness area in the lower 48. While we reserve the right to remove or modify comments at our sole discretion, the Sportsman's Guide does not bear any responsibility for user comments. We pointed out features to one another; our gracious pilot told us the names of peaks and the years of various burns; he also asked again and again if we all felt okay (Im holdin on, was my reply); we flew past our landing strip to have a look at a raging fires progress. Arnold gets my vote, more a family owned business.
