(208) 806-1218

Our Middle Fork Salmon Fly Fishing Boats and Gear

The Boats

Drift Boats

Our Solitude River Trips drift boats used today are very similar to the original designs used to explore Idaho’s whitewater rivers in the beginning of the 19th century. Our guides pride themselves on a mastery of this timeless style of boating! You will not find a more nostalgic and unique experience than fishing dry flies from a Solitude drift boat on a Middle Fork of the Salmon River fly fishing trip.

These boats are extremely maneuverable and allow your guide to slice currents and hold you still in otherwise inaccessible fly water. Because of the Middle Fork’s tumbling, technical nature, we use MacKenzie style drift boats. You and your fishing partner will sit at the front of the boat, where you will take turns casting to endless Middle Fork cutthroat trout.

Fishing Rafts 

Our custom fishing rafts are smaller and narrower than conventional oar rafts, which allow the guide to maneuver them more like a drift boat.

The benefit of our custom fishing rafts is that two people can simultaneously fish aggressively (or relax) from both the front and rear casting decks. This allows for more fishing time for both anglers on board.

Please ask if you have any questions about about selecting your craft.  As water levels drop, it becomes impractical to use drift boats so during our late August and September fishing trips you will be fishing from a fishing raft only.

Summer Fly Fishing on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

The Gear

Orvis Endorsed

Solitude River Trips is the only Orvis Endorsed outfitter on the Salmon River. We provide high quality fly fishing gear for each guest on our Middle Fork Salmon River Fly Fishing trips. If you would like to fish your own gear here is a list of what we recommend. 

Fly Rod

A 4 weight rod, ~9ft is ideal for fly fishing from the boats on the Middle Fork. The 100+mile Middle Fork of the Salmon transforms from a large creek at the beginning of your trip (3 or 4wt rod most fun), to a sizable river in the Impassable Canyon (4 or 5 wt rod is best by the end).

Reels

There are many good reels on the market, and Orvis has some of the best. For durability and a great price, try the Battenkill reel. For a top reel in the industry, check out the CFO series.

Leaders & Tippet

Tapered leaders approximately 7-9 feet long, 6 lb 4X are best. These fish are not leader shy.

Wading

You will not need waders or hip waders! If you plan to wade during lunch or while we are at camp, the Orvis Clearwater Wading Shoe or similar water shoe or sturdy sandal is ideal.

The only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Outfitter on the Salmon River
All inclusive fly fishing

Flies

If you prefer to bring your own flies, here is a list of our top Middle Fork recommendations:

Early – Mid-Season

  • Kamikaze Salmonfly
  • Yellow Sally
  • Super Stimulator: royal, red, yellow
  • Trina’s Attractor

Mid – Late Season

  • PMX: red, orange, royal
  • Willy’s Ant: Purple, orange, peach
  • Chubby Chernobyl: royal, yellow, peach, purple
  • Morrish Hopper
  • Shroeder’s Hopper
  • Turk’s Tarantula

Late Season 

  • Para humpy: red, yellow
  • Joe’s Hopper
  • Spruce Moth
  • Freddy Hopper

Make sure to check out Rainy Creek Fly Co. for some hand tied flies by Solitude guide Mark Martin. 

For more information about flies and hatches, read our detailed explanation of the best flies to use fly fishing on the Middle Fork.

Our Middle Fork Salmon River Fly Fishing Trips

The only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Outfitter on the Salmon River
summer fly fishing in a wooden drift boat on the middle fork of the salmon river in idaho

Summer Fly Fishing | 

Our professional, Orvis Endorsed fishing guides will show you why the Middle Fork is a world renowned trout fishery. 

Duration

6 days/5 nights

Dates

Late June – August

$4950

per angler

anglers enjoying fall fly fishing on the middle fork salmon river in idaho

Fall Fly Fishing |

Our professional, Orvis Endorsed fishing guides will show you why the Middle Fork is a world renowned fly fishery.

Duration

6 days/5 nights

Dates

September

$4950

per angler

Contact Details

Solitude River Trips

P.O. Box 696 |  Salmon, ID 83467
+1 (208) 806-1218
solitude@rivertrips.com

           Orvis Endorsed since 2003

salmon river float trips