Salmon River Drifters

Salmon River Drifters runs full-day drift boat trips on a 63-mile stretch of the lower Salmon River between the Vinegar Creek and Hammer Creek boat ramps, launching out of Riggins, Idaho. The steelhead season runs October 1 through March 31, with guides targeting both harvestable hatchery steelhead and wild B-run fish by back-trolling plugs, drifting bait, or fishing floats; a separate fly-fishing option is offered for the same water. Trips run 8 to 10 hours, meeting at 6:45 a.m. Mountain time, in a heated drift boat that seats two anglers standard with room for a third. Guides also book multi-day steelhead floats and day trips for spring Chinook salmon and smallmouth bass on the same river. A trip includes a guide, conventional tackle, snacks, coffee, water and soda; anglers supply their own Idaho fishing license and steelhead permit. Wildlife commonly seen along the run includes deer, elk, bald eagles and river otters.