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Idaho Outfitters Welcome You
In the premiere edition of the
Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association (IOGA) E-Newsletter, learn about Idaho's famed
steelhead fishing and prepare for Idaho's exciting
winter backcountry sports. Idaho Outfitters and Guides give you the inside track on where to find the outdoor excitement you are looking for.
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The Steelhead Are Running
Idaho being the only inland western state where you'll find steelhead means a unique and exciting fishing experience. Fall is a perfect time to fish for steelhead. Counts of this ocean-going species of trout are closely
monitored by
Idaho's Department of Fish and Game and are looking up this year.
According to state sources, this year's steelhead counts look good after getting off to a slow start. Ed Schriever, regional fisheries manager of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at Lewiston reported that the preseason forecast of
140,000 fish has been met. He also stated that the steelhead are well distributed throughout the state and fishermen are doing very well. 140,000 fish, he notes, is well above the ten-year average. For the most accurate and up-to-date fish
counts, visit
www.cqs.washington.edu/dart/dart.html
Considered one of the world's premier sports fish, steelhead make an amazing journey of determination and fortitude, swimming some 800 miles upstream and climbing some 4,000 feet in elevation across several dams to reach their Idaho
spawning grounds on the Snake, Salmon and Clearwater Rivers. "This is a fabulously strong animal that deserves respect," says Chris Swersey, owner of
Silver Cloud Expeditions in Salmon. In addition, he says, understanding this species and its habitat is crucial to successfully catching a steelhead.
People from all over the region flock to Idaho in the fall for a chance to fish for these marvelous creatures, and Idaho's Outfitters and Guides give them the experience they are looking for. "Fall is a great time to spend outdoors," says
Swersey, who says his guests appreciate the opportunity to get away from the crowds and have some elbowroom where they can fish. Silver Cloud Expeditions provides them with the right equipment and gear, drift boat or rafting
equipment, and great meals on one-day or multi-day trips. Multi-day trips provide the ultimate experience along the Wilderness section of the Salmon on which Swersey operates. "People are interested in catching a steelhead first and
foremost," says Swersey, adding that "it can be a lot quicker to meet with success if you hire a professional guide. It takes a lot of patience, years of experience. Someone who has spent a lot of time on the river will be able to provide
the best chance to catch a fish."
On the Clearwater, Scott Blahnik of
Scott's Guide Service (Orofino), offers fishing excursions on his 20-ft drift boat. Possibly the largest drift boat in the state, Blahnik can take four people at a time for a for a peaceful, aesthetic day float along the
Clearwater. Peaceful, that is, until they hook into a steelhead. "Then it gets crazy," he says. The last two or three years, he says, have seen record returns of fish along the Clearwater, which draws fishermen from all around the region.
"The Clearwater is a once-in-a-lifetime fishery," he says, pointing out that the B/run strain of steelhead that return there average 14 pounds, which is larger than those in most rivers. Blahnik also points out that, unlike other areas ,
this stretch of the Clearwater doesn't freeze over, allowing steelhead fishing throughout the winter months.
At
Wapiti River Guides, former wildlife biologist Gary Lane incorporates information on the region's other wildlife, ecology and native cultures into half-day to week-long camping, steelhead fishing, or hunting trips along the Salmon
River near Riggins. "We pay a lot of attention to the native cultures," says Lane. "Their worldview is more harmonious to how we live on the planet than ours." Wapiti River Guide guests can also combine steelhead fishing with Chukar
hunting, or enjoy a bi-cultural presentation of wolf ecology on the lower Salmon River. Another unique feature is their 18-foot, self-bailing dory boat, designed and built by Lane, which offers a smoother ride than the more traditional
raft.
Wherever you fish on Idaho's rivers, a professional outfitter can help maximize your experience. For a complete listing of Idaho outfitters, visit
IOGA on the Web at
www.ioga.org.
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Let it Snow!
More than a classic holiday song, "Let it Snow" is Idaho's winter season mantra. Known for world-class ski resorts, Idaho offers exceptional opportunities for telemarkers, Nordic and alpine skiers, snowboarders,
snowshoe trekkers, and snowmobilers to experience Idaho's backcountry winter wonderlands.
At
Deadwood Outfitters, enjoy the ultimate backcountry snowmobiling experience, with seemingly endless miles of groomed trail, beautiful scenery, and lots of powder. A rustic lodge and cabins awaits you one mile from the Frank Church
River of No Return Wilderness boundary halfway between Cascade and Stanley. The only way in during winter is 25 miles on a groomed snowmobile trail. Once you're there, enjoy the cozy cabins, a wood fired hot tub, and full gourmet meals
that power you out onto the hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails that meander over approximately 300 square miles. These trails are also perfect for cross country skiers and snowshoers.
Dawn Carter, proprietor of Deadwood Outfitters, grew up in the business, taking over its operation with her husband in 1994. "My favorite part is sharing the experience of living in the mountains with our guests," says Carter, who
points out that the average snow fall at the lodge is between 5 and 7 feet. "Our clients enjoy getting away from the crowds and fighting the lifts. The opportunities in other areas just aren't comparable." Frequently, says Carter, guests
snowmobile in from Cascade to Deadwood, spend a night or two, then go on to Stanley for a night or two, and proceed on all the way into Lowman. "The amazing modifications to snowmobiles make the experience really nice for families."
For those looking for an unmotorized experience, try backcountry hut or yurt skiing with
Sun Valley Trekking. Skip the crowded resorts, lift passes, and crowded lift lines, and enjoy fresh powder. With five huts scattered around the mountains around Sun Valley and Redfish Lake in Stanley, telemarkers, alpine tour
skiers or snowshoers can enjoy the pristine winter wilderness, comfortable lodging and home cooked meals. Sun Valley Trekking's huts and yurts all offer wood floors, bunk beds, sleeping pads, wood burning stoves, saunas or hot tubs,
and cooking and cleaning gear. "We have huts and yurts that can accommodate anyone's needs and desires," says Francie St. Onge, owner of Sun Valley Trekking. "Some huts are easily accessible, while some of the high huts take a bit more
effort to get to." Sun Valley Trekking has 8 guides available to make your experience safe and fun, whether you plan a half-day, overnight or multi-day excursion.
The experience, she says, combines her passion for teaching back country skiing, avalanche forecasting, and being in Idaho's backcountry. She also offers a woman's hut skiing trip – affectionately dubbed "Chicks on Sticks" – for women who
don't want to feel pressured to "keep up with the boys." You don't have to be an expert skier to enjoy the experience. Trips are customized for the clients, and proper equipment is available for rent through them or most of the outdoor
stores in town. Weekends and holidays book up quickly, so plan early to book your trip. A fully guided weekend trip, including your accommodations and food costs about $150 per person per day. Hut rentals for do-it-yourselfers who want to
go it alone run about $30 per person per night.
For the ultimate backcountry ski adventure, try heli skiing with
Sun Valley Heli-Ski, the oldest helicopter skiing operation in the U.S.
"The helicopter is the ultimate ski lift," says owner Mark Baumgartner. With the largest terrain available in the lower 48, taking a helicopter gets you to where the skiing is best in a matter of minutes. While daily heli skiing is their
bread and butter, Sun Valley Heli-Ski has recently added access to the Smoky Mountain Lodge, a private lodge in the heart of the national forest ski terrain. Enjoy the creature comforts of home accessible only by helicopter, with a
private chef, and world class heli skiing to make it an unforgettable experience.
Heli skiing trips are uniquely customized to fit skiers' abilities with snow conditions for the safest, most enjoyable, most exciting ski experience. With more than 750-square miles of terrain in the Smoky, Boulder and Pioneer Mountain
ranges that include inviting, low-angle slopes, there's something for everyone in the family.
"Heli-skiing is the best way to experience untracked snow," says Baumgartner, who likens it to a clean sheet of paper to an artist. "The helicopter is just the tool that allows a tremendous number of choices."
For a free copy of Idaho Guided Outdoor Adventures, visit us on the Web at
www.ioga.org.
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MEMBER
NEWS
Don't forget to register for the
IOGA winter meeting!
December 8-10, 2004
DoubleTree Riverside Hotel
208-343-1871
Boise (Garden City)
Special room rates are available for IOGA members.
For registration and information, contact idoutfitt@cableone.net or call Janey at the IOGA office (208.342.1438).
Credit Card Registration Payments Are Accepted.
AGENDA
Mon., Dec 6
IOGA Board of Director's meeting
Tues. Dec 7
IOGA Board meeting continues
Committee meetings begin at 2 pm
Wed., Dec 8
10 am: Hunt & River Section
Noon: General session & luncheon
2-5:30 pm: Section meetings
Enjoy our evening presentation by Clark Heglar, who will portray one of Idaho's most colorful characters, Robert "Two Gun" Limbert, the man from the Sawtooths. This presentation is made possible by the Idaho Humanities Council.
Thurs., Dec. 9
Exhibitors available all day
Website evaluation session
Special use permit panel discussion
Operations Network round table discussions
Luncheon, awards ceremony and short presentation
IOGLB Interagency meeting
Women of IOGA
IOGA 50th Anniversary Party
Fri., Dec. 10
Better Business Bureau presentation
Frank Church Wilderness outfitter meeting with Forest Service
New board member orientation and board of directors meeting
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Help us find a name for our new e-newsletter!
Click Here and send us your suggestions for an appropriate name for our e-newsletter, and you'll be entered to win a free registration to the IOGA Winter Meeting or the equivalent in IOGA Bucks. IOGA Bucks can be used toward future
membership dues! Please make sure and include your full name, organization name, and the best way to reach you in your e-mail.
We welcome you ideas and story suggestions.
If you have any questions about this publication, please contact Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net.
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OUR MISSION
IOGA is committed
to the conservation and enhancement
of quality outdoor experiences
on Idaho's lands and waters.
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