Fly Fishing the Middle Fork Salmon River in Summer
Cutthroat trout were once the dominant trout species of the western United States. In fact, cutthroat were the first salmonid chronicled by Lewis & Clark on their historic journey west. Among the angling cognoscenti, cutthroat hold a warm spot. They are a beautiful fish, often sprouting intense yellow, orange and red shades. And they are very willing to take a dry fly.
While progress has not been kind to the cutthroat, the Middle Fork remains one of their great strongholds. Since 1973 a catch-and-release, single barbless hook only policy has allowed the trout to thrive. Middle Fork cutthroat average 12 to 15 inches in length, with some up to 20 inches and more. Framed by the Sawtooth and Salmon River Mountains in the heart of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho, the Middle Fork provides a stunningly beautiful backdrop for pursuing this most becoming salmon.
The cutthroat of the Middle Fork are very surface-oriented; in fact, we only fish with dry flies! Standing in the bow of Solitude River Trips drift boat or on one of custom fishing rafts, you'll cast easy-to-follow attractor patterns -- Stimulators, Schroeder's Hoppers and Parachute Adams - against granite walls, behind mid-river rocks and along the seam lines of back-eddies. More often than not, your casts will bring a vigorous rise. The crystalline waters of the Middle Fork often let you follow the action from when the fish begins to move for the fly to when it takes. Because the fish are very opportunistic, they're willing to take flies on top throughout the day, whether there's a hatch on or not-and in summer, the hatches of caddis flies can be so prolific that you can barely open your mouth, unless you want to taste what the trout are eating!
Thanks to the cutthroat's cooperative nature, there are few better places to introduce newcomers to fly fishing than the Middle Fork. It's a wonderful thing to watch a spouse or son or daughter make a cast, set the hook, and play their first fish in.
YOUR DRIFT BOAT FLY FISHING TRIP INCLUDES...
All meals while on the river, including lunch the last day, round trip ground transportation from Stanley to the river and return to Stanley at the end of the trip, sleeping bag, deluxe soft pad, life jacket, roomy four person tent for every two people, camp chairs, dining table, complimentary water resistant duffle for your personal gear (size: 12"x24"), waterproof container for your day use items, eating utensils, drink cup, water bottle, plenty of ice, wine with dinner only, and an ample supply of cold beverages. We provide premium Orvis® fly fishing gear as part of the package, though if you have a favorite rod and reel, please feel free to bring it along.
COMBINATION TRIPS: For families or groups that include eager anglers, combination fly fishing/rafting trips are available. Anglers will spend extra time at productive fishing spots, and meet up with the rafters at the appointed camp spot.
Want a small group fishing charter on our summer trips? With 10 people you can charter anyone of our June, July or August launches (based on availability). Give us a call and we can explain pricing and details.
Print out a Reservation Form for this trip.
"Being on the Middle Fork of the Salmon was the best time I have ever had with my two young sons. By day six everyone was calling it the trip of a lifetime!"
Terry Mc Donell, New York
Editor, Sports Illustrated
