Middle Fork River Expeditions
Middle Fork River Expeditions

Dutch Oven Cooking

April 7th, 2014

There is a skill to cooking with dutch ovens, and one needs to know the basics before becoming a pro with these dutch ovens.  The basic run down is you bake just like an oven, but place charcoal briquets on the top and bottom.  The usual amount depends on if it is aluminum or cast iron Dutch Oven, but usually 8-10 briquets on the bottom and 16-20 on top, depending on wind and air temp, will do the trick.

A good trick for making cakes is you place a soaked paper towel in Vegetable Oil on the bottom of the Dutch Oven.  Then place the cake mix in the DO, then put on the lid and wait til you smell the cake the second time, and then they are usually done.  Flip it out of the DO, let it cool and gently remove the paper towel and presto, you good to go.

Come join Middle Fork River Expeditions this summer and learn how to cook with Dutch Ovens.

We hope to see you on the river enjoying tasty DO meals every night.

Yours for rivers, Ellsworth

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Five Must-Ask Questions When Selecting an Outfitter for a Family Whitewater Rafting Trip

March 15th, 2014

By Ciao Bambino!

A whitewater rafting trip with kids is one of the best active family vacations around. These trips are available around the world, so you may not have to travel far to join one. A bigger issue is deciding which company to trust for the experience. I’m using the word “trust” intentionally here. Whitewater rafting trips involve real risk and selecting the right outfitter is serious business.

Add kids to the mix and the decision is more complicated. Not all outfitters are created equal when it comes to ensuring that a trip is kid-friendly. We had a phenomenal experience rafting down the Main Fork of the Salmon River with Middle Fork River Expeditions. Our fun, safety, and comfort was 100% due to the quality of our outfitter.

I asked James Ellsworth, the owner of Middle Fork River Expeditions and a longtime rafting expert, for his suggestions about the must-ask questions when families choose a whitewater river outfitter. Here’s what he had to say:

1. How long have you been in business and what is the average of the years your guides have been guiding?
You want to go with an outfitter who has a track record and moreover, a company that uses experienced guides. Middle Fork River Expeditions’ guide average is 15 years.

2. Do you have a kid-friendly menu?
There are no other options outside the food that is provided on a rafting trip so it’s important to have a selection of adult and kid-friendly fare. Too gourmet doesn’t work and too simple means the parents will be bored with the food.

3. Do your trips cater to families?
Catering to families means having kid-friendly supplies and a game bag for camp, as well as having guides who understand that kids need special attention. A mix of younger guides is great for teenagers and guides should be excited to organize everything from freeze tag, musical chairs, i.e. fun for kids during the time off the river.

4. Do you provide everything for the trip, including all camping gear?
Middle Fork River Expeditions has extremely nice equipment from the rafts, to the tents, to the sleeping bags. They provide everything which makes it easy for families to participate without a long list of additional expenses. If you do plan to use sleeping bags provided by an outfitter, make sure they are washed after every trip.

5. Are you’re your guides swiftwater rescue certified?
Adequately trained guides are a must. Visit Wilderness Rescue International for more information.

Get More Tips Around Family Adventure Vacations
The Smart Parents Guide to Family Adventure Vacations is an excellent source for information on how and why to take an adventure trip with kids. Some of these trips are active and some just involve heading to remote destinations. Either way, our guide provides a great foundation to get the planning process started.

Ciao Bambino! is a leading family travel brand and global family travel planning website featuring curated family-friendly hotel reviews and a comprehensive family travel blog offering tips, news, and narratives related to traveling with kids of all ages.

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Idaho snowpack promises awesome whitewater in 2014

March 11th, 2014

BOISE, Idaho — (March 6, 2014) — Idaho mountain snowpack levels and anticipated streamflows in the popular Salmon, Snake, Lochsa and Payette river basins are ranging from 90-120 percent of normal, which should provide for a stellar, fun-filled whitewater river season in the summer of 2014, officials said Thursday.

“Our bookings are very strong this year and we feel lucky to have such a fabulous snowpack, especially compared to much of the West,” said Peter Grubb, owner of ROW Adventures in Coeur d’Alene. “Folks planning to raft in Idaho this season shouldn’t wait much longer before signing up.”

Idaho’s snowpack levels are much stronger than levels well below 50 percent in California and Nevada, Grubb notes.

Idaho is known nationally as the “whitewater state” with more than 3,000 miles of thrilling whitewater rapids, the most of any state in the lower 48. Thousands will take week-long wilderness river vacations on the Salmon River, the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, the Selway River or Hells Canyon of the Snake with Idaho outfitters. Whitewater enthusiasts also will book day trips on the Payette, Snake, Salmon, Lochsa, St. Joe and Moyie rivers with Idaho outfitters. Great water conditions will benefit jet boat trips as well on the Salmon River and in Hells Canyon. Now is a great time to reserve your spot for a unique and unforgettable vacation, outfitters say.

A wet month in February featuring precipitation levels exceeding 200 percent of normal in the Boise and Snake river basins and 150 percent of normal in the Salmon and Payette River Basin is what boosted snowpack levels to what they are now, experts say.

“It’s all good news! It just keeps getting better every day,” said Ron Abramovich, water supply specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “We need the cool temperatures to continue in the mountains and normal precipitation levels to continue in the spring to maintain these forecasts.”

Main Salmon and Payette River outfitters are excited about the snowpack levels, too. “The Main Salmon River has an amazing snow pack this year so rafting season is going to be great: big water, beautiful sandy beaches and exciting rapids,” said Mary Wright of Silver Cloud Expeditions. “The word is out. We have several full trips already and are looking forward to a fantastic summer. Now is the time to plan your family vacation.”

“The water outlook on the Payette River system looks solid at over 92 percent of normal,” said Kenneth Long of Cascade Raft and Kayak. “There is still plenty of time to collect a bit more precipitation, which will put the icing on the cake. Both rafting and kayaking look great for the entire summer, with super whitewater levels on the South Fork through Labor Day and on the Main Payette through mid-September.”

Deep snowpacks in the Upper Snake Basin should provide enough flows for the Bureau of Reclamation to provide boatable flows through the white-knuckle Murtaugh section near Twin Falls this spring. That’s always a bonus for whitewater boaters.

The only downside this year are below-normal snowpacks in the Owyhee and Bruneau river basins, which are 52 and 68 percent of normal right now. Those rivers may not get high enough for rafting this year, but should be doable by kayak.

For more information about booking an Idaho whitewater river trip, go to www.idahorivers.com or call 800-801-5146.

Ciao Bambino and MFRE

December 4th, 2013

Check out the article on MFRE in Ciao Bambino.

http://ciaobambino.com/family-rafting-trips-idaho-middlefork-river-expeditions/

Enjoy!

Enjoy your favorite water activities with expert guides at Middle Fork River Expeditions

June 7th, 2013

Enjoy your favorite water activities with expert guides at Middle Fork River Expeditions
Summary: the following article is written about a company that offers memorable trips down the Middle Fork & Salmon Rivers.

Many people love water sports and activities. Adventures like rafting, boating, fishing can be trips of a lifetime. However, safety and security should always be in mind when taking an outdoors trip. While taking a river rafting expedition, it is very important to get training so that you may reduce the risk of injury. While planning a river rafting trip, you need to do your research about the trip you plan to take. There are many factors to consider when taking an outdoor expedition including safety.

Middle Fork in Idaho is a place where you can enjoy your favorite water activities with friends and family. With Middle Fork River Expeditions, you will have a guide that will show you all there is to know about river rafting, safety and emergency training. We are completely licensed and offer valuable guidance to tourists who are visiting here.

If you also enjoy water sport activities, then we will surely help make your trip wonderful. You just need to contact us whether you are planning fishing or rafting trips on Middle Fork Salmon Rivers. We have a team of qualified guides who will take tourists on expeditions.

Some of the adventurous river activities for tourists are fly fishing trips, paddle rafting, drift boat fishing, inflatable kayaking, and stand up surfing. You can enjoy these activities in the great outdoors along with gourmet food. They are very thorough and experienced in river rafting and the above mentioned activities. Our team is very friendly and is always ready to show you a great time on the open river.

For any type of family rafting trips or fishing, you can contact us. We have years of experience and expertise. We are completely credible and licensed so you know you can feel safe while having a great time. For more details about our expeditions and activities you can enjoy, go to www.idahorivers.com .

Yours for rivers, Ellsworth

iMFRE River trips on the Middle Fork Salmon River

Grand Canyon of the Salmon River

May 16th, 2013

The Main Salmon River in the Wild and Scenic Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness should be changed to the “Grand Canyon of the Salmon River” as it’s canyon walls are deeper than Grand Canyon in Arizona and also the second deepest in all of USA. Only Hell’s Canyon is deeper. Main Salmon outfitters are currently coming out with a marketing strategy to give this canyon it’s true name, the Grand Canyon of the Salmon River.

For more details, visit this blog for updates.

Best, Ellsworth

Hen Wen on the Main Salmon River

Have an enjoyable and unforgettable rafting experience with Middle Fork River Expeditions

May 1st, 2013

Have an enjoyable and unforgettable rafting experience with Middle Fork River Expeditions
Summary: This article is written about excellent guiding services for drift boat fishing, paddle rafting, standup surfing and various other adventurous water activities in Middle Fork River, Idaho at very reasonable prices.
Water rafting is one of the most popular water sports and vacations. This is a great experience that is both fun and adventurous. The best thing about this activity is that you can enjoy it without having any experience and skills. However, to maximize your experience on your trip and to avoid unpredictable accidents, you need the help of a professional and experienced guide. With the help of professionals, you can gain your rafting skills and experience the great outdoors.
There are numerous outfitters available today that offer excellent guiding services at reasonable prices. If you want to find a reliable and experienced one, you can search the internet. Middle Fork River Expeditions has more than 30 years of experience guiding people on exciting and adventurous trips. They have a great team of certified and experienced guides who specialize in providing the best guiding services to people of all age groups. The company will understands that rafting is an exciting but adventurous experience with possible dangers. Their main goal is to make your water activities experience memorable, enjoyable and safe with their excellent services. When you choose their guides, you are guaranteed to have an experience of a lifetime.
The company offers their excellent guided trips on various expeditions. Some of the activities are:
1. Drift Boat Fishing
2. Inflatable kayaking
3. Standup Surfing
4. Middle fork river rafting
They have a large collection of well-maintained and up to date boats including Hyastack, Rubber rapids, Velvet Falls, Pistol Creek, Redside and many more. You can choose the finest quality boats for Middle Fork River rafting as per your requirements. Their courteous guides will become your educator and friend to enhance your rafting experience to a great extent.
Their guides will not only help you in making your fishing Idaho trip enjoyable, but also introduce you to cutting-edge rescue tricks and methodologies that will help you during emergency situations. All their guides are licensed and certified by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. So, you can ensure that you will get proper assistance and training for rafting.
Aside from rafting, they also offer a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, yoga, boating, camping, hiking and many more to make your white water rafting trip fun-filled and memorable.
To learn more about them and their incredible services, feel free to visit their website at https://www.idahorivers.com/.

Cheers, Ellsworth

Have an enjoyable and unforgettable rafting experience with Middle Fork River Expeditions

Middle Fork Outfitters Association

Experience an adventure of a lifetime with Middle Fork River Expeditions

April 19th, 2013

Experience an adventure of a lifetime with Middle Fork River Expeditions

Summary: The following press release provides information about the best outfitter in Idaho that will make your vacation exciting with wild river rafting service.

Many people love to spend their vacations in the outdoors. There are many different trips and adventures you can take where you can hone in on your outdoor skills. But, rafting is considered to be one of the best experiences. There are many locations you can choose for rafting, but the Idaho River is one of the best locations where you can escape and enjoy the outdoors.

Spend time with friends, family and colleagues on a rafting vacation where each of you can participate in an exciting adventure. There are several outfitters, but if you want the best experience where you can learn all there is about river rafting, then Middle Fork River Expeditions is the best stop for you.

We are one of the leading outfitters in Idaho that offers a high standard of river rafting trips. It’s a trip to remember with us because you get to experience the river and gain a few skills along the way. Our professionals have more than 10 years of experience on the rivers so you can rest assure that you are safe. Our guides are First Aid and Swiftwater Rescue V Certified. They are also licensed by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board.

Our rafting salmon river guides are experienced in leading groups on expeditions and will provide wilderness emergency training. You can choose from 4, 6 or 10 day whitewater rafting and fly fishing adventures. You will also experience rafting on gin-clear water through canyons that are deeper than the Grand Canyon.

Our middle fork rafting professionals excel in providing customized educational opportunities to agencies throughout the world. We will take pro-active steps and you will have more river craft options than any other outfitter which generally includes fly fishing drift boats, wooden cories, oar-powered rafts, inflatable kayaks, paddle boats & stand up paddles.

Whether you are looking to take a vacation or start a career, our Middle Fork of the Salmon River professionals will provide you with the most instrumental experiences that will help you to shape your skills. We will provide you with everything including tents, sleeping bags, 2 pads, pillow, dry bags, wetsuits and splash gear. You will only have to bring your personal items.

To check out what our guides have to offer plus the different expeditions available, go to www.idahorivers.com. We are there to answer all of your questions.

Dory Fishing on the Main Salmon

Dory Fishing on the Main Salmon

Experience the best of Middle Fork Salmon River rafting with experienced guides!

April 18th, 2013

Experience the best of Middle Fork Salmon River rafting with experienced guides!

Summary- The following article is about a licensed and bonded outfitter in Idaho that runs river rafting trips in the Middle Fork & Main Salmon Rivers.
Are you adventurous and love the outdoors? If so, then you must try river rafting in Idaho! Of course such a daring and exciting activity should only be done with the help of experts if you are going river rafting for the first time. It can be quite dangerous to take on river rapids if you are new to rafting. Experts always recommend starting out with experienced professionals who will not only guide you, but will treat you as a friend as well.
Choose Middle Fork River Expeditions for an adventure of a lifetime. What makes this outfitter one of a kind? It is their passion, experience and vast knowledge of the Middle Fork & Main Salmon Rivers. They have a team of gifted guides who are passionate about leading trips. These guides are not only assisting you on your trip, they are your friends joining you on an amazing journey.
The outfitter has more than 30 years of experience in Middle Fork Idaho. Many guides of MFRE have at least 10 years of experience on the rivers and are Swiftwater Rescue V Certified through Wilderness Rescue International along with First Aid. You can rest assure knowing that you’re in good hands because their professionals are all licensed by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board.
Here are a few exciting parts of Middle Fork salmon river rafting that you will enjoy:
1. See free-flowing and crystal-clear rivers, a starlit sky and abundant wildlife
2. Hear crackling campfires, cascading whitewater
3. Smell fragrant sage and pine, fresh mountain air and the aroma of Dutch oven cooking
4. Taste mouthwatering, fresh and plentiful food prepared for your satisfaction
5. Feel the refreshing river that lulls you to sleep, the beauty of the largest wilderness area in the U.S. and experience a river-side shot hot spring shower
Whether you are planning for a trip with a group of friends or family rafting vacations, their services are open to all! You can choose from 4, 6 or 10 days of fly fishing adventures and whitewater rafting. You will be supplied with all the essential amenities such as tents, 2 pads, dry bags, splash gear, sleeping bag, pillow and wetsuits as well. With their lodge to lodge dory trips available on the Main Salmon River, you can safely enjoy and enhance your vacation.
The company is permitted to run on the Salmon Challis National Forest under a special use permit. To learn more you can fill out a reservation form on their website, www.idahorivers.com. Their experts are there to take you on an adventure of a lifetime.

Yours for rivers, Ellsworth

Family Adventure Travel on the Middle Fork Salmon RIver in Idaho

The River Company

April 17th, 2013

Canyons River Company is one of the few Middle Fork outfitters based out of beautiful McCall, Idaho. Canyons was founded in 1985 by white water legend, Les Bechdel, and in 2010 the outfit was passed on to Greg Mcfadden, a long time Canyons boatman. Bechdel’s history of first descents, international kayaking championships, and publications about river safety, has shaped Canyons River Company into one of the industry’s most trusted  destination kayaking outfitters. Aside from sharing all the magic that the Frank Church Wilderness and Middle Fork has to offer, Canyons guides are known for their paddling expertise.

Along with Middle Fork River Expeditions, Canyons River Company is one of the few Idaho outfitters offering an extended 11-12 day Middle / Main Salmon River combo trip; a great experience for those who need the full Salmon River corridor meal deal. If you can’t make it onto one of MFRE’s launch dates, Canyons River Company is an exceptional alternative.

See you in the Middle,

Sparrow

 
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