Salmon River Outfitter – About Us

Solitude River Trips specializes in guided Middle Fork Salmon River fly fishing and Salmon River rafting vacations in northern Idaho. We are seriously dedicated to providing the most comfortable, convenient, and unforgettable wilderness experience in North America.

Willi and Kat Cannell

Owner/Outfitter

Willi’s family relocated from the coast of Maine to Ketchum, Idaho when he was 10 years old, and he’s been playing in the Idaho wilderness ever since. Willi raced and coached alpine skiing, loves fly fishing, backcountry skiing, birding, pack rafting, traveling around the world to compete in paragliding competitions and ultra-running races, and is now foremost a father.

Kat Cannell grew up on a family ranch in Stanley, Idaho. She’s an accomplished long distance-distance horseback rider, a photographer, a leader of Ride For Redd, a founder of the Evolo Center for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and foremost a mother.

Willi bought Solitude River Trips in 2013 from Al & Jeana Bukowsky, who started the company in 1990. After a hundred trips down the Middle Fork, and a hundred more trips across mountains, rivers, and the skies around the world, it’s the mythical element of journeying through the deepest and most diverse canyon in the country that continues to grow Willi’s passion for outfitting on the Middle Fork.

“I love outfitting on the Middle Fork because I know that every person who comes down the river with us is making the world a better place just by showing up with their friend, families, and with the brave connection with their selves that’s necessary for going on a long trip in the deep canyon, into the navel of the world. My incredible guides and I make it as comfortable, safe and convenient as possible, and let the beauty do the rest.”

– Willi Cannell

“There’s a language that doesn’t use words that, like the salmon, we all know how to speak if we would just slow down to listen.”

– Kat Cannell

Originally formed in 1976, Solitude River Trips is a constant innovator of Safety, Service, and Backcountry Gourmet. We are proud of our challenge to provide the best Wilderness experience and adventure vacation in the West.

Many of the members of the Solitude community return for Salmon River rafting and Idaho fly fishing with us time and time again, relying on Solitude’s unwavering service, food, and fly fishing guides.