where and when
We start our trips from Stanley, Idaho, located approximately 135 miles east of Boise via Highway 21, and 60 miles north of Sun Valley via Highway 75. Please contact the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley for overnight accommodations before and after the trip. Their phone number is 1-800-843-5475 or visit them online at www.mountainvillage.com. You will need room reservations for the night before your scheduled launch and also for the night that we get off of the river. Make your reservations as soon as possible as the Mountain Village Lodge fills up quickly for the summer season. Remember to tell them you are floating with Middle Fork River Tours .

We will greet you for a pre-trip orientation meeting at 8PM the evening before your scheduled launch behind the Mountain Village Lodge office at the picnic tables. At this time we will give you the waterproof duffel bags, help you pack, and go over our low-impact camping routine.

We will leave Stanley at 8AM the morning of the launch and take a bus to the river put-in at Boundary Creek. Transportation will be provided back to Stanley after the trip, arriving at the Mountain Village Lodge between 5:30 and 6:30 PM on the last day.

water levels
Certain water levels require us to fly to the Indian Creek Airstrip to launch. Indian Creek is inside of the wilderness area and has no road access. If we have to fly in to launch, there will be an additional charge of $70 per person for the flight.

getting to Stanley, Idaho
Most folks fly into Boise and then either rent a car or take an air taxi flight to Stanley. United, Delta, Northwest, Alaska , Southwest, American West, Horizon, Frontier, and Sky West are the carriers that service Boise.

Renting a car
It is a 3+ hour drive from Boise to Stanley via Highway 21. The drive is very scenic and winds through the Boise National Forest and over high mountain passes. There is no car rental agency with a drop system in Stanley . The best rates we have found are with National 800-227-7368 / www.nationalcar.com, Thrifty 800-367-2277 / www.thrifty.com, or Budget 800-527-0700 / www.drivebudget.com. If you have a large party, you can rent or charter a van through Sun Valley Express 877-622-8267.

Air Taxi Flight
Salmon Air Taxi offers flights from Boise to/from Stanley and Salmon. They have a desk at the Boise airport. It is a 40 minute flight and is the fastest and most convenient way to and from Stanley . Flight cost per person is about $200 round trip. You would also have the option to fly out of Salmon Idaho after the trip. This will save you some time on the bus. Please ask us about the Salmon to Boise option. You can contact Salmon Air Taxi at 800-448-3413 / www.salmonair.com.

If you fly into Stanley, the Mountain Village Lodge has a courtesy van that will pick you up at the airport. Just ask the pilot to give them a call.

If you drive to Stanley , you will be able to park your car at the Mountain Village Lodge at no charge.

We have a secure, locked storage room at the Mountain Village Lodge for luggage and other items that you do not want to take on the river.

menu
Our river menu is designed to include the highest quality foods. We strive to make the meals innovative and delicious. All recipes are freshly prepared on the river and our kitchen is literally a traveling bistro. The menu ranges from traditional western to European gourmet cuisine. Although we prepare for the hearty eater —because, hey, you’re on vacation— there are always enough choices so that vegetarian and low-fat dieters can also enjoy satisfying and healthy meals. If you have specific dietary needs or food allergies, please be sure to let us know.

A selection of upscale wines will be served with dinner and a light cocktail bar is provided for happy hour. Our bar consists of Bourbon, Gin, and Vodka with appropriate mixers. Please feel free to bring your favorite wine or liquor to enjoy during the trip. Pop, beer, and juice are also provided—we budget 2-to-3 cans of pop or beer per person each day. If you will be drinking more than this amount, please bring along more to suit your needs. Pop, beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased in Stanley before the trip. However please note that the Idaho State liquor store in Stanley is closed on Sunday.

clothing
Weather conditions in the Middle Fork canyon can change rapidly. Being prepared will ensure your comfort no matter what the weather conditions (it has snowed on us in August!). We provide raingear if you don’t have your own, but the proper layering of clothing under the raingear is essential. Although cotton is great on a hot day, it is nonfunctional on a cold, wet day. When cotton clothing gets wet, it stays wet and will pull the warmth right out of you. Synthetic thermal long underwear and pile fleece garments are wonderful for the river — they wick moisture away from your skin, helping to keep you warm, even when wet, and the material dries very fast. We strongly recommend that you have at least one pair of mid-weight, synthetic, thermal underwear, top & bottoms, and either a wool sweater or pile fleece jacket for your trip. If you live in a warm climate and cannot find these items locally, you can go on-line to www.rivertraveler.com and find clothing made for the river adventures. There is also the Riverwear store in Stanley that stocks this clothing for summer floaters.

fishing
The Middle Fork is renowned for it’s westslope cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. Please bring rods in a hard case to prevent breakage while in the rafts. You will need to pick up an Idaho fishing license the evening before the trip in Stanley . Fishing regulations are catch and release only with single barbless hooks. We do not provide fishing rods or tackle but rental equipment is available in Stanley.

Fly Sizes 10-14; Rod Wt. 4-5; Tippet Size; 3X

There is a Stone Fly hatch the first two weeks of July. Grasshoppers start coming out in early August. Generally, most attracter patterns work well throughout the summer. Here are some recommendations.

Nymphs are not typically as productive as dry flies but a beadhead pheasant tail or prince can be tied onto a dry fly as a dropper and this combo works well.

Although the Middle Fork is ideal for dry fly fishing, spin casting can be lots of fun. Typical trout lures work well such as; Mepps #2, Roostertails, etc.

If you would like to read about the Middle Fork and it’s history before the trip, there is a great book available. It is The Middle Fork, A Guide; by Johnny Carrey and Cort Conley, published by Backeddy Books. A US Forest Service waterproof map is also available. We can provide both of these to you. Please give us a call at 1.800.445.9738 or e-mail to order. The book is $20 and the map is $9, please add $3 shipping.

cancellation policy
Because of our limited season and trip size, if you have to cancel, all fees are non-refundable. However, if we can refill your cancelled seats at full price, we will refund all fees received less the deposit amount of $400 per person. We strongly advise that you purchase travel insurance to protect your investment in this trip. Please contact CSA Travel Protection at 800-348-9505 or on-line at www.csatravelprotection.com.

gratuities
Our crew is an extremely hardworking group of guys and gals and their enthusiasm will enhance your trip. They are appreciative of any gratuity that you might extend to them. Typical gratuities range from 10% to 15% of base trip cost.

packing list