Included / Not Included –
Included: All meals while on the river, including lunch the last day, round-trip ground transportation from Stanley to the river and return to Stanley at the end of the trip, sleeping bag, deluxe soft pad, life jacket, roomy four person tent for every two people, camp chairs, dining table, complimentary water resistant duffle for your personal gear (size: 12"x24"), waterproof container for your day use items, eating utensils, drink cup, water bottle, plenty of ice, wine with dinner only, and an ample supply of cold beverages, and fishing gear. Two guests per boat and guide (when fishing package is purchased). If you have a favorite rod and reel, please feel free to bring it along.
Not Included: Transportation to and from Stanley, Idaho, meals and accommodations in Stanley, personal items, alcohol and additional wine (please bring your own), gratuities, licenses.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: In order to get to Solitude River Trips and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, you will need to make travel arrangements into Stanley, Idaho, via Boise and out of either Salmon or Stanley. There is an orientation meeting with the outfitter in Stanley the night before departure at 6 pm. Plan to attend. There are two travel options (see link below).
Getting to the Lodge: Solitude River Trips will drive you to the put-in from Stanley.
Departure Information: When you come off the river Solitude River Trips will drive you to either Salmon or Stanley (see travel options below).
Middle Fork Salmon Travel Options
Documentation Requirements:
Solitude River Trips requires having a signed assumption of risk form on file for each angler prior to the trip start date.
Travel Cash:
As there are no services or stores on the float trip, the only travel cash necessary for the trip will be guide gratuities.
Gratuities:
We recommend gratuities of 15% of your trip price. Gratuity for guides may be paid by check or in cash.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses can be purchased in advance of your trip by calling Idaho Fish & Game at 800.554.8685 or going to their website: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/. Children 13 and under do not need a fishing license.
Climate:
Expect warm days (60s to 90s) and cool evenings (40s to 60s), but always keep in mind that high mountain climate can be unpredictable and change rapidly!
Medical Facilities:
Medical facilities are not readily available during the trip. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the outfitter ahead of time.
In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.
Power and Communications:
There is no electricity in camp on the trip. Cell service is not available. If you’re keenly interested in staying in touch we suggest you rent a satellite phone.
Clothing:
Bring only limited clothing (see recommended packing list below), your toiletries, and on-going medications. Various items of clothing and river gear can be rented or purchased in Stanley, Idaho, where you'll stay the night before your river trip.
We recommend a layering system of clothing for most river days, so you can adjust your clothing as the day warms or the weather changes. On a typical day you would wear a swim suit or nylon shorts, a "quick dry" type top-short sleeve or long sleeve for sun protection, a fleece top (for the morning when it is cooler-it can be put into your "day" bag when it warms up) river sandals or tennis shoes that are comfortable when wet, a hat, sunglasses with strap and plenty of sunscreen. Follow the packing list below and you will have everything you need and not be over packed.
Laundry:
Laundry service is not available. Please pack accordingly.
Beverages/Alcohol:
If you enjoy a cocktail before dinner please bring your own liquor. This can be purchased in Stanley the evening before your trip. Beer and wine is provided with dinner.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Solitude will furnish all fly fishing gear for their drift boat trips including flies, however, you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you so desire. However, they do not furnish any tackle on their raft trips.
FLY ROD: A four or five weight rod in the 8 to 9 foot length.
REELS: There are many good reels on the market. It is important to match your rod to your reel.
FLY LINE: A good weight forward or double taper line.
LEADERS & TIPPET: Tapered leaders approximately 7 to 9 feet long are best. Leaders should be 5 or 6 pound, no lighter. Tippets should be no lighter than 4x with 3x being preferable.
FLIES: The Solitude guides will supply all of the anglers with a good selection of flies to use during the trip. But if you tie your own or want to purchase your own, here are some patterns:
Elk Hair Caddis Light & Dark 10-14; Schroeders Parachute Hopper 10-12; Royal Wulff 10-14; PMX Orange, Red, Olive 10-12; Freddy 10; Parachute Adams 10-14; Stimulator..Orange,Yellow & Green 8-12; Dave's Hopper 8-12; Royal Trude 10-14; Irresistible 10-14; Yellow Humpy 12-14
A few bead head nymphs;
MISCELLANEOUS: Remember a hook file, clippers, fly floatant and a pair of forceps/pliers.
Note: If you like to nymph fish then we suggest bringing ALL of your own tackle. The guides are dry fly fishermen, with only occasionally having to use an indicator fly with a weighted fly on a dropper.
Note: Solitude will provide you with a small, plush pillow. Many of the above items will go in your day bag, allowing plenty of room in your duffle. Solitude will also provide you with a duffel that you pack your gear into and take home with you at the trips conclusion. Cotton clothing is fine until it gets wet on a cool day. Nylon is a much better alternative.
Solitude will provide you with a complimentary water resistant duffel for your personal gear (size: 12" x 24"). Your personal clothes and items will be packed into this duffel for the trip, with the exception of your day use items. Your excess luggage will be stored with Solitude, and either brought to the take-out or stored in Stanley until your return. The load carrying capacity and space on the supply raft is limited.
Please DO NOT bring waders, fishing bags, or backpacks to hold fishing gear. Instead bring a small chest pack. Also do not bring waterproof bags, personal bags, suitcases, hip boots, large tackle boxes, stereos, tape decks, lap top computers or cellular phones. Do not store any glass items or food in your waterproof bags. Any breakables can be stored on their supply raft, or better yet, use a plastic container. Solitude and their guides WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE TO ANY ITEM IN YOUR DAY BAG.
