3-Day Salmon River Canyons Guided Steelhead Fishing Trip

We are the only outfitter that targets steelhead exclusively with spey rods on the Lower Salmon.   We believe the process of fishing a swung fly will have a deep impact on your life.  The process allows all of us the ability to build a deeper connection with the places we guide.  We look forward to sharing these experiences with you.

You can expect to fish 5 to 7 runs in a day or areas on the river that carry a swung fly across the current.  There is nothing like catching a steelhead on a swung fly, but the journey is a commitment. 

We refer to steelhead as “Unicorns” because of the scarcity within our ecosystems.  They are aggressive and large which makes the fight particularly memorable and rewarding. With steelhead fishing, success is not measured in high catch rates rather success is measured in the innate ability to stick with the process. 

Oftentimes, multiple days are required to hook a steelhead on a swung fly, but the rush and effort of battling a steelhead are worth the effort after dedicating hard-earned time to the grab.  Even when a fish is lost after a grab, that sensation will be engrained in your memory. 

As they say, it is better to have swung and lost than to have never swung at all. Swinging for steelhead is more about the journey, listening to and feeling the river, playing with physics in nature, observing wildlife, feeling alive with the cold air and warm sun, accepting whatever conditions are in the moment.   When preparation meets opportunity and the fish grabs the fly,  the experience will be unforgettable and euphoric (all that time you put in, finally paid off!)

White Pine targets steelhead using a swung fly with spey rods.  Spey rods are two handed rods and very in length, the rods we use vary from 12.6’-16’.  Many lines  are used for the modern spey rod set up, the types depend on the season, angler skill set, and water conditions.  We primarily use three set ups:

• Skagit (heads are short) they carry large weighted flies with a verity of sink tips, requiring stripping more running lines between casts. 
• Scandi lines are slightly longer heads that carry light poly tips and medium/small flies well, require less stripping running lines between casts.
• Mid belly lines carry poly leaders and a variety of tips with small/medium sized flies well while requiring minimal stripping between casts.

The mechanics of the cast involve roughly 80% power coming from the lower hand pulling and 20% power coming from the upper hand pushing to throw line almost perpendicular to main river current. 

The current then pulls the fly line down river in a sweeping motion (the swing) until the fly line is parallel with the bank.   At the end of the "swing", the angler strips in the running line while taking a couple steps down river and repeats the process.

With this method the fly is presented to the fish in a broadside fashion.  We are searching for a fish willing to move and grab a swung fly. 

The formula is simple: 

• Cast
• Swing 
• Step 
• Repeat

Until .... Grab... and Grin!

When a steelhead grabs a swung fly all things in life come together and seem to make more sense.  Don’t overthink it, put in the time, smile often and love the process.  Yes, it takes grit and focus to hook a steelhead but most things in life worth getting hooked on demand the desire to stick with it mentality.

Itinerary

Each day on the river, plan to float 3-5 miles.

The evening before your trip

• Meet the lead guide at White Pine Outfitters in downtown Moscow, ID for a pre-trip meeting (7 pm).
• Dry bags will be distributed and last-minute questions you may have will be answered.
• Pack your bags for the morning, learn about what to bring, learn about what to pack.

Day 1

• Eat breakfast at the Hotel Restaurant.
• Our lead guide will meet you at the hotel at 6 am for the shuttle drive to Hammer Creek put-in. (Approximate driving time of 2.5 - 3 hours).
• Stop in Cottonwood or Grangeville, Idaho on the way for last-minute purchases
• Arrive at put-in, meet the crew, get fitted with a lifejacket, and listen to safety talks.
• The trip launches and we have lunch on the river.
• Arrive at camp and enjoy a great dinner prepared by the crew.

Day 2

• Warm breakfast in camp.
• Pack-up personal gear.
• A day of fun on the river (lunch on the river).
• Arrive at camp, set up for the evening, more fun and great food.

Day 3

• Warm breakfast in camp.
• Pack-up personal gear.
• A day of fun on the river  (lunch on the river).
• Approximate 3-5 miles on the river.
• Take out and jump in the van for a 2.5-3 hour shuttle ride back to the Monarch hotel with one of the guides. 
• Book a trip for next month prior to leaving the river!!

The rest of the crew will be sticking around to de-rig and haul gear back to the boathouse.

The price shown is per person for the full advertised number of days, however, does not include the Hotel stay in Moscow. 

Price does not include guide gratuity (15-20% is customary) or fishing/hunting licenses and permits. Trips must be booked at least 120 days in advance. 

Available launch dates are below:

Fall - Steelhead trips, Cast and blast 
October 20th October 27th

Trip Provisions

ALL TRIP PROVISIONS

For all trips, White Pine provides the following to each guest:

ADDITIONAL MULTIDAY TRIP PROVISIONS

On multiday trips, White Pine provides the following to each guest:

ADDITIONAL FISHING TRIP PROVISIONS

On fishing specific trips trips, White Pine provides the following:

Preparing for your Trip

LIABILITY WAIVER 

Due to the potential risks of the outdoors, everyone is required to sign a standard liability release form sent in a confirmation at least thirty days before the start of your trip, acknowledging awareness of and acceptance of the risks associated with the trip you have selected. The guides and White Pine Outfitters will attempt to meet all schedules, but assume no responsibility for inconvenience or expense due to delays or changes.

HEALTH AND AGE  You should be reasonably healthy because river trips require a certain amount of physical exertion. We suggest a minimum age appropriate for each of our specific trips. There is no upper age limit. Pregnant women and individuals with heart trouble should get physician approval before embarking on any river trip.  Persons with handicaps and challenges are welcome on our trips, we will need to talk with you to be sure we can meet your special requirements and needs for safety.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING (AVOID COTTON)

Cool weather can occur on any trip regardless of the time of year, it can be quite chilly when it's overcast, breezy, or raining, even in August.  The right clothing can make your river trip comfortable even in unfavorable weather.  Clothing on a river trip must have the ability to keep you warm even if it gets wet.  Synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene, capilene, Synchilla, and polyester pile will keep you warm when wet and will dry quickly.  Wool will keep you warm when wet, but takes longer to dry.  Cotton does not keep you warm when it is wet, but it can keep you cool when it’s hot.  Warm and sunny weather is more likely to occur on a summer trip down the Salmon River, cold and rainy weather will be more likely in the fall and winter. 

FISHING & HUNTING LICENSES

If you plan on fishing you will need to purchase an IDAHO fishing license.  

If fishing for steelhead, purchase an additional IDAHO steelhead/salmon permit. 

If trip is a Cast and Blast, purchase an additional IDAHO hunting license and upland game bird permit.

Purchase these licenses online at the Idaho Fish and Game website and printing a copy or you can get one at Tri-State Distributor's in Moscow before your trip and include license numbers in the liability form.  

BEVERAGES

Dehydration is always a concern on a river trip, thus we encourage you to drink lots of water and we ask that you bring two unbreakable water bottles that hold a minimum of one quart each.  Juice and coffee will always be available at breakfast and tea (black & herbal), and hot chocolate will be available at camp in the mornings and evenings. Gatorade mix and water will be available at all meals (including lunch) and whenever we are at camp.  White Pine Outfitters provides limited amounts of beer and soda (approximately 2 cans per person per day).  You may bring as much additional beer and soda as you want, but we do request that you buy these in aluminum cans.  White Pine Outfitters also provides a modest amount of wine to have with dinners.  If you wish to bring your own favorite wines or if you want to bring hard liquor you are welcome to do so.  We will provide a safe place to store these glass containers.  A liquor store is located in Moscow close to the hotel and is open Monday - Saturday (Closed Sundays). Wine and beer can be purchased in any grocery store (Winco is located next to the hotel and is open 24 hours a day).

PACK LIST

*We recommend that you separate any important medication into 2 containers and allow us to carry 1 container in our well-protected First Aid Kit.  We will need to know of any health concerns you have prior to the beginning of your trip, so we can be prepared.

GRATUITY 

Our guides work very hard to provide a great trip for you.  At your discretion, a tip (20%) may be left with your trip leader and will be appreciated by all of your crew.

RESPONSIBILITY 

White Pine Outfitters acts only in the capacity of agents for the participants in all matters relating to transportation/accommodation/and other related travel services, and assume no responsibility however caused for injury, delay, loss, or damage to person or property in connection with any service, including but not limited to that resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, government restriction or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit over which they have no control.  Prices and dates subject to change without notice.  If, as occasionally happens, we must cancel a trip because there are too few participants, we will attempt to notify you as soon as possible and suggest that you transfer to another trip.  Reasonable changes in itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of participants, including cancellations due to water fluctuations, insufficient bookings, and other factors.

• After submitting a booking request, we will call you as soon as possible (usually within 24-48 hours) to collect information about you and your group, learn about trip intentions and goals, and answer any questions you may have.
• We will send an email with:
• An invoice with the total amount due for the trip. 
• Liability forms that need to be forwarded to guests on the trip.  These are required before any client can participate in a trip.  Sign these online.
• All licenses should be purchased and information included in the liability forms.
• Trip specific information, including location, meet time, maps, etc.
• After a 50% deposit is paid for the trip, or the full amount for trips less than 30 days out, we will assign a guide and block off your requested trip date.
• After 30 days, the remaining amount on the invoice and liability forms are due.

Day Trip Cancellations

Final payment is due 30 days before the date or your trip.

Reservations made 30 days or less before selected date required the full payment at time of booking to confirm your date.

All deposits are non-refundable.  

If the trip is cancelled within 30 days of your date, you must pay for your trip. 

Day Trip Reschedule

If you need to reschedule your trip, please contact White Pine Outfitters by phone (208-883-3900) or email (info@whitepine-outfitters.com) as soon as possible to ensure a date is available.

White Pine Outfitters may assess a $150 fee for rescheduling.

Any cancellations made less than 30 days of your scheduled arrival, or you do not show on the day of your trip will result in forfeiture of the full payment.

Multi-Day Trip Cancellations

If you find it necessary to cancel your trip please notify us as soon as possible. All deposits are non-refundable. If you cancel your trip more than 120 days prior to your departure date we will retain your deposit and credit it toward a future trip with White Pine Outfitters. If you cancel 120 day or less but more than 60 days prior to your launch date you must pay 50% of the trip price. If you cancel within 60 days of your trip departure, you must pay the full trip price. This cancellation policy applies per person. We regret we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies. Because of this, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and travel insurance (see Travel Insurance).

Travel Insurance / Life Flight Insurance

Your pre-trip package will provide more information on the rigors of the trip you have chosen. Even though we make every effort to insure a safe trip for everyone, we strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings, and your vacation by purchasing a traveler’s insurance policy. Should you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to illness or injury, a trip cancellation policy will cover your non-refundable payments in most cases. If you become ill or injured while on a river trip, evacuation may be prolonged, difficult and expensive. Many trip insurance policies cover such events. If you choose not to purchase travel insurance you will be asked to sign a waiver. Baggage and cameras are carried entirely at the owner’s risk, and White Pine Outfitters Inc. accepts no responsibility for lost, damaged, or delayed property. We recommend TRAVELEX.