Music on the Main

Lil' Smokies in Action!

Exciting News! This coming summer we are offering the first WRO river trip with live music on the Main Salmon. Several members of The Lil' Smokies, a popular bluegrass/folk band from Missoula, Montana will be joining us on our August 17th Main Salmon trip. Their style ranges from traditional to progressive newgrass. While a treat to watch any time, we think that bringing them to play with the stunning backdrop of the Salmon River Canyon is taking it to another level. Check out The Lil' Smokies music on MySpace and see for yourself!

Take this scene: Add in a beautiful big Main Salmon beach, yourself enjoying a glass of wine and delicious food, and you have Music on the Main!

Why not make something that is already great even better? We did just that. Matt Cornette is one of the musicians in the band The Lil' Smokies. In addition to being a talented musician he is also a renowned chef at The Red Bird, one of Missoula's finest restaurants. Check out all the great reviews on Yelp! Matt will be planning the dinner menu on this special trip and treating your taste buds to incredible flavors and fine dining style. With a fine dining menu, fine wines, and great music; this trip is going to be hard to beat!

Call or email for more information. This trip may sell out quick. If this sounds like the trip for you, we recommend reserving your spot soon!

Contact Information

RSVP this event on facebook, and invite your friends!

More Main Salmon Action

Ducky Couch at Phantom Camp 1st Night

photo: Seth Tonsmeire

I just got back from another great Main Salmon trip. We had a group from Alabama this week. An extended Sharp family who were awesome. That family combined with a father daughter combo, also from Alabama, made for a great group. Tom and Brinkley Hutchings, long time WRO guests, were rowing their own boat this trip. They both did very well on the oars.

Big Mallard Action Shot

photo: Seth Tonsmerie

We had great weather with many highlights for everyone. The kayaks were a big hit with this group. Tom Sharp who kayaked most of the trip did manage to stay in his boat the whole time with no unintentional flips or swims, quite impressive for how he rode perched on the backrest in the kayak. For most of the other kayakers, I think they all got in a swim or two somewhere on the trip.

Black Bear, number 5 of 7 for the trip.

photo: Seth Tonsmeire

We had success with our fly rods at Chamberlin Creek, which was also a big hit. We also caught fish at Mallard Creek. We had intentions was doing more fishing the last afternoon at Bull creek, but the whole group was quickly side tracked, when a Gardner Snake was seen trying to eat a toad. It was an aggressive battle that lasted for some time. I think the snake finally decided that it had bit off more than it could chew and moved on. Everyone was definitely happy to see the toad hop off into the river after the battle. This battle was a very rare sighting and great entertainment for the last night. More photos of the Snake vs. Toad can be seen on our flickr photostream, as well as many other photos from the trip.

Snake vs. Toad (check back for the video of this epic battle)

photo: Seth Tonsmeire

Fun was definitely had by all. Next week we have beginner kayakers heading out on the Main Salmon and a good sized group launching on the Middle Fork. Should be a good week here at WRO.

Group Shot

photo: Seth Tonsmeire

Thats all for now. Hope your having a great day!

Seth Tonsmeire

RiverSide Kayak School

RiverSide Kayak School is a new section of Wilderness River Outfitters.  We have been doing kayak and canoe trips in the past, but we just got a little more serious about it.  There are now certain trips that are offered to kayakers, ranging from beginner to advanced.  I have been kayaking for around 10 years, and learned on the Main Salmon River in Idaho.  This river is perfect for someone wanting too learn how to kayak.  The warm water and fun but also gentle rapids make for the perfect combo for beginner kayaking.  We offer Main Salmon trips throughout the summer.   We now have a fleet of kayaks available for rent, as well as instructors can be hired.  So for someone wanting to start kayaking:  you can fly into Salmon Idaho, spend a day on our private lake with an instructor learning the roll and some basic paddle strokes, then jump onto a WRO six-day Main Salmon trip for a great introduction into the sport of kayaking.  Our specific trip for beginner kayaking is offered on August 25th, but a kayaker is welcome to add on any of our trips.  This trip is also great choice for someone who has kayaked before, but just wants some help getting more comfortable with class III rapids and basic kayaking skills.  From the Main Salmon there are trips that just keep stepping up in difficulty.  Middle Fork Kayak Camp is another RiverSide trip, this is an intermediate/advanced play-boating trip on the Middle Fork Salmon in June.  Trips also range to class IV-V for experienced kayakers, often providing raft support more than instructional kayaking on these runs.  Full web-page coming soon.  Feel free to call or e-mail me about different trips, pricing, kayak rentals, or any questions about RiverSide.

Seth Tonsmeire

(406) 579 -8677

seth@wildernessriver.com

Kayak Fleet

Jackson Hero – A full on river-runner.  Great for a beginner kayaker just learning, but also a great boat for running harder white-water.  This boat fits an average sized adult (140-190 lbs)

Jackson Fun (2) – This boat is a play-boat, but also paddles well down river.  If you are a go-getter beginner, this is great boat that will not slow you down in your progression.  Also a great boat for more advanced boaters that just like a little more room  than todays play-boats have to offer.

Jackson Star – This is one of today’s best play-boats on the market.  This boat will not hold you back from any of today’s newest play-boating moves, it’s a freestyle machine.  If you can keep up with this boats ability, your going to have a guaranteed good time.

Jackson Sidekick – This is a boat for the kids, or very small adults.  If you have a kid who really wants to learn how to kayak, throw him or her in this boat on any Main Salmon trip with an instructor and watch them go.

Jackson Rocker – This boat is designed for creek boating.  If you are a solid kayaker and would like to jump on a Jarbidge trip, this boat or the hero would be good choice.

Wavesport Project 52 – Another play-boat.  A good play-boat for an average sized adult.  This boat will not hold you back from any of today’s wave or hole tricks.

Pyranha S6 (190) – This boat is an older play-boat, but it was ahead of it time.  Still a great play-boat for a smaller adult or kids.  Once you have your roll down and want to start getting a little more playful, this could make a good choice.

Pyranha H3 (235) – This kayak is a great river-runner or big water boat for a smaller adult.  This boat has seen some river miles, it knows the way down.

*  Inquire about paddles, spray-skirts, helmets, and other kayaking accessories available. 

*  Kayaks also available for rent, even if your not joining a RiverSide Trip.

An Update From Idaho.

With the warm weather in February, many thought that winter was over. Turns out that I was skiing power again and waking up to zero degree mornings in March. The warmer February weather did not help out our early heavy snow-pack, but the recent weather change has put us back on track. The Salmon River Basin is currently at 94% of normal, the Flathead basin is holding at 89%, and the Bruneau and Owyhee river basins are holding strong with 95% of normal. The warmer weather in February did on the other hand give me a good window for working on the new WRO guide house. In legislative news, after getting shot down once, the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 did make it through the House of Representatives after some minor changes. This bill is now headed to President Obama, who is expected to sign without delay. With this bill passing, over a half million acres of beauty and prestige in the Owyhee Canyon Lands will be protected for future generations to enjoy. Throughout Idaho and Montana, with the snow we have thus far, many great river will continue to flow this summer. Despite the current failing economy. I have also included a picture of the progress I have recently made on my building project. I hope your having a great day.

Seth Tonsmeire

Middle Fork Kayak Camp

June 16th Kayak Trip!!!

June 16th on the Middle Fork of the Salmon is a great time for someone with some kayak experience to see the canyon. Higher Flows bring more waves and fun big water style rapids. Many great surf opportunities along the way, with the possibility of camping at Marble Creek. The rapid at Marble Creek hold one of the best surf waves in Idaho at the right levels. The Middle Fork is credited for having 100 rapids in 100 miles. Will Parham will be a guest coach along on this trip. You can check out a video of Will on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weY00ZrQ86c. There will also be other kayak instructors along if you need some pointers. As well as great kayaking, there will also be bocce ball, horseshoes, frisbee, beers with friends, and just a great time in general. This trip is promoted to kayakers, with rafts providing the camping support. If someone needs a break there will be room on the rafts, but the rafts are mostly there for camping support. Most people with adequate experience would most likely want to bring a play-boat for surfing, but river-running boats would be nice if your not into play-boating. We do have some kayaks for rent if you would like to fly to Idaho without a kayak. Any questions or want to join us don't hesitate to give me a call and reserve you spot. Space Limited. There is a discount rate on this WRO trip of $1,200 per person, which is a great deal on a 6-day all inclusive Middle Fork Salmon trip.

Questions:

seth@wildernessriver.com

cell- (406) 579-8677

Seth Tonsmeire