Our Middle Fork Salmon Fly Fishing Boats and Gear
The Boats
We proudly offer Middle Fork Salmon Fly Fishing trips in both McKenzie style wooden drift boats and custom designed inflatable fishing rafts. We often get asked which craft is better for fishing the Middle Fork and our answer is usually “both”. The drift boats and fishing rafts each have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to targeting the native cutthroat and rainbow trout of the Middle Fork.
Drift Boats
The McKenzie style drift boats our guests enjoy today have been used to fish the Middle Fork for over 100 years. These floating pieces of art are handbuilt (some by our own guides) and provide a truely one of a kind experience. Because of the skill involved in piloting these boats down the river there are very few drift boat guides and it is a unique opportunity to ride in one. Our guides pride themselves on the 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. This allows the angler several casts into pockets of water where an angler in a raft may only get one shot. 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. This allows the guide to focus his attention on the sole angler. The guide is able to put the angler in the best possible spots giving them the best oppotunity to catch fish.
When your partner is up fishing you will have time to sit down and take in the beauty of the Middle Fork. Remember, a fishing trip on the Middle Fork is about much more than the fish. Immersing yourself in 2.3 million acres of the Frank Church Wilderness is the most transformative and memorable part of decending the river.
Fishing Rafts
Our custom fishing rafts are smaller and narrower than conventional oar boats. These inflatable rafts have solid alluminum floors with casting braces in the bow in stern giving each angler a solid platform to stand and fish.
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.
Because of the complexities involved in fishing two anglers at a time, we require our guests to wear personal flotation devices AT ALL TIMES while fishing in a fishing raft.
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 5 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.
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
Duration
6 days/5 nights
Dates
Late June – August
$4950
per angler
Orvis Endorsed Since 2003
Solitude River Trips
P.O. Box 696
Salmon, ID 83467
(208) 806-1218
solitude@rivertrips.com
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