Photo Contest Results

First I would like to thank everyone that participated in the WRO 2008 photo contest.  There were many photos submitted, which make for a good contest.  We had Shannon Miller, a local Salmon photographer help with the judging, to make the contest fair and non-bias opinion.  She had a hard time judging with so many great photos to chose from.  The photo that was chosen for first place was taken by Kate McSpadden on the Upper Alsek River in Kluane National Park, Canada.  The view from camp that evening was hard to beat.

First Place:  Kate McSpadden (Free River Trip)

Second place was a great action shot caught by Courtney Coen.  Sevy Falls is hidden down in the desert canyon of the Jarbidge River in Southern Idaho.

Second Place:  Courtney Coen (50% discount)

Third place went to Bob Carlson.  Bob was on another one of our far north trips the Tatshenshini River.  This photo was taken on one of our lay-over days at Alsek Lake.  Alsek Lake is located in Glacier Bay National Park Alsaka.  There is no better way to see Glacier Bay National Park than a river trip.  If it looks like there are lots of people and not much stuff on the boat, its because we are just out for a cruise on the Alsek Lake and return to our camp afterward.

Third Place:  Bob Carlson (25% discount)

Here are some other photos that deserve at least honorable mention:

   Photo:  Nick Wild, Walker Glacier (Tatshenshini)

Photo:  Colin Wild, Walker Glacier (Tatshenshini)

Photo:  Kate McSpadden, Lowell Lake (Upper Alsek)

Submitted by Fred Knier.  He is in the picture though, must have had help.

Thanks again to everyone that participated!!! Hope you enjoyed the Photos.

Seth Tonsmeire

WRO Drift Boat Options

WRO will now be offering drift boat options.  We now have two Koffler aluminum drift boats for people who have a special fishing interest.  Each boat can carry two passengers.  On the Middle Fork of the Salmon a drift boat makes for an unparalleled trout fishing experience.  Being able to hold in a particular fishing hole better than a raft makes catching fish much easier and even more enjoyable.  On the Main Salmon we will be offering some late season steelhead fishing trips.  Steelhead are an anadromous (ocean going) rainbow trout.  Like salmon, steelhead also return to their original breeding grounds to spawn. Unlike salmon, steelhead usually do not die after spawning, and can even rejuvenate and return to the ocean and start the cycle over.  Steelhead range from 20-40 inches in length and can weigh up to 20 pounds. Combined with an aggressive and territorial demeanor, steelhead are prized by anglers for their size and strength in fight. A major migration artery for both native and hatchery steelhead, the Main Salmon in the fall is an ideal sport fishing river trip.  Steelhead trips will be offered in early November on the Main Salmon River.  Call to check on date and drift boat availability on the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers in Idaho.

Seth Tonsmeire

The Snow is Falling.

In central Idaho the snow has finally started to pile up.  It was a little later than normal, but now winter is here in full force.  The last two days the Lost Trail Ski Resort (Salmons local mountain) has counted 28 inches of new snow, with lots more fresh the week before.  Me, my family, and a hand full of other WRO crew have all been enjoying the great powder days lately.  This also bring fourth a bright light on next summer.  More snow now mean more water in the rivers next summer.  In Idaho the Salmon River Basin is now at 90% of normal snow pack right now.  The Bruneau and Owyhee River basins are currently well over a 100% of normal snow pack, this is good news. It means good chances of having water in the desert for next years spring river trips. The Flathead River Basin in Montana is 78% of normal so far, with still plenty of time to get up around 100%.  SNOTEL for Alaska is not currently available, but I will guarantee those glacial rivers will have plenty of water. This data can be found at NRCS SNOTEL (www.nrcs.usda.gov).  I will keep you posted on snow packs for WRO trips through out the winter.  In the photo Matt Westfall, a WRO guide from Salmon.

Seth Tonsmeire

WRO Building Project

The beginnings of the addition to the warehouse have been a struggle to finish all the needed dirt work and concrete before winter sets in for good.  It has been a mild fall around Salmon, which has been nice for the project.  Today though there has been a change in the weather, I woke up to 4 inches of snow and its still coming down.  A couple more things with the septic system and the framing should begin later this week.  Hopefully we can get the framing done quickly, so we can move into the shell and work in the indoors since it will be the middle of winter before long.  With colder weather and snow in the future, will make for a good challenge to build anything.  I am very excited to be building my own house, which will surely be a great learning process.  The addition will be 1200 sq feet, with 600 in the basement.  The addition will be one bedroom, small office, one bathroom, small kitchen, and in the basement will be a living room with hopefully a ping-pong table.  I have a spot for a horseshoe pit out back and might try to put in a Frisbee golf course in the lower field.  The new addition should make for a fun guide house for the following summers, and lucky for me year around.

Seth Tonsmeire

Amy's First Steelhead!!!

Me, my sister, and my mother went out steelhead fishing this fall for Amy's birthday in October.  We got down to a favorite fishing hole on the Main Salmon later in the afternoon.  Having not done much steelhead fishing before I got my new drift-boat we were trying a couple of different methods trying to get one of those elusive steelhead on for Amy on her birthday.  Not long after being in the hole, she looked back at me and said, "I think I may have something."  Sure enough she did have a wild Idaho steelhead on.  When the excitement hit the boat it was a little chaotic, not going to tell you otherwise because it was.  After this wild steelhead fought all the way to the boat, I got it with the net.  It was a wild fish, so we let it swim away to continue on with its migratory path.  Here is even picture evidence that this is not just another fish story.

Seth Tonsmeire