Main Fork Salmon River Trip

Teaching Gemma to flyfish on the Main Fork of the Salmon River on an OARS Rafting Adventure

We spotted our first black bear from the raft, a dark shape moving confidently along the shoreline. It paused to sniff the air, completely unfazed by our presence as we floated by in quiet awe. The question, half-joking and half-wishful, made its way around the boat: “Can we pet them?” The answer, of course, is a clear no. As curious and calm as they might seem from a distance, black bears are wild animals with instincts that deserve respect. Watching it move effortlessly along the riverbank was a reminder of how wild and untouched this stretch of the Salmon really is.

Sliding into the Salmon River for my first ever run in a kayak was equal parts excitement and nerves. The current grabbed the boat right away, quicker and stronger than I expected, and I could feel every ripple and surge through the thin hull beneath me. The paddle felt steady in my hands as I caught my rhythm, skimming over swirling eddies and dipping into small standing waves. Even the smaller rapids felt magnified from the kayak's low seat, the water rising up and splashing across my bow with every bounce.

Paddling into Black Creek Rapid in an inflatable kayak added a whole new layer of intensity. The river narrowed and the current surged, pulling me quickly toward a series of crashing waves and sharp drops. Each wave felt bigger and closer from the low seat of the kayak, and the water slapped hard against the bow, spilling over the sides and soaking my lap. I dug my paddle deep to stay upright and on line, weaving between rocks with fast, reactive strokes. The kayak bucked and twisted through the wave train, every hit jarring but exhilarating.

There’s something special about a family that floats together. On the Salmon River, every rapid becomes an opportunity for bonding, every wave a chance to share in the adventure. From the quiet moments of paddling through calm stretches to the chaos of navigating bigger rapids, each twist and turn brought us closer. We leaned on each other’s experience and laughter, learning to read the river as one. The shared splashes, the collective cheers, and even the screams in the rougher water became part of the family story we were creating.

The air was filled with the echoes of screams and shrills as we plunged into the next set of rapids. The boat bounced through the waves, sending water crashing over the sides, and the excitement was contagious. Every dip and turn through the fast-moving water seemed to amplify the shrieks of exhilaration from everyone on board. Some were caught off guard by the sheer force of the current, while others let out triumphant cheers as we powered through each wave.

The Class 2 rapids were a playful introduction to the river's energy, and we quickly found ourselves sharing the splashes as the raft bounced through the waves. The water was cool and refreshing, sending sprays over the sides as we paddled hard to keep our rhythm. Each wave hit us with a burst of cold, catching everyone off guard in the best way — laughter echoed across the raft as we dodged rocks and maneuvered through the swift water. It was the kind of rapid that had us working together, yet still feeling lighthearted, with just enough challenge to make every splash feel like a victory.

Black Creek Rapids hit with a surge of power as the river squeezed through a narrow passage between towering rocks. The raft plunged into the main current, pushing us toward a series of jagged boulders and steep, breaking waves. The boat bucked and swayed, dipping through the first set of waves as the cold water crashed over the sides. We paddled hard to keep our line, avoiding the dangerous rocks that lurked just beneath the surface. Each stroke brought us through another wild wave, the raft lifting and falling with the rhythm of the river.

We set off from the put-in, the crisp morning air filling our lungs as we pushed off into the Main Fork of the Salmon River. The water was clear and cold, flowing smoothly at first, as we made our way through the calm stretches of the river. But it didn’t take long before the river's power became undeniable. The first set of rapids approached quickly, the roar of the water growing louder as the current picked up. We paddled into the rush, the boat lifting and plunging with the waves as the first few rapids tested our coordination and nerve.