For those who prefer warmer climates than the North Pole’s -40 degree temperature or who don’t have a desire to take their family into Polar Bear roaming territory, Idaho’s famous Frank Church Wilderness Area is worth considering. The wilderness area, or “The Frank” as it is commonly referred to, covers 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness area. Within the region are thousands of springs (both hot and cold), countless wildlife (elk, black bear, and moose), and – perhaps the greatest attraction of all – America’s best river trip: the Middle Fork of the Salmon.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon is a 100-mile stretch of river that begins its journey high in the alpine range and ends at the confluence with the Main Salmon River. Stemming from cold springs, mountain lakes, and the purest snow melt, the Middle Fork is nationally recognized as a superb fishery with amazingly clear water and beautiful cutthroat trout.

A trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon is more than just a check-off on your bucket list. Those who find themselves floating through the Middle Fork canyon are often lulled back year after year. It is a place that defines the word solitude – in it’s truest form – and provides one of America’s few examples of pure, rugged, unaltered, natural beauty. It is a place that leaves impressions, but one that has not been impressed upon. Rather, its visitors leave with a new appreciation or renewed sense of life after their 100-mile float through the Franks proudest work of art.

Solitude River Trips offers six-day rafting and fly fishing trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Owned and operated by river veterans Al and Jeana Bukowsky, their trips, like the river they operate on, are top-notch and true classics. Using an outfitter like Solitude makes an experience down the Middle Fork of the Salmon even more rewarding. Their hospitality, genuine love for the river, experience, and gourmet camp cooking makes it easy to absorb the Middle Fork canyon without worries.

On a select number of their trips, Solitude offers an option to stay at one or both of the Middle Fork’s two remote wilderness lodges. The Middle Fork Lodge, located roughly one third of the way down the river, is typically a first or second night on the river. The Flying B Ranch is located roughly two thirds of the way through the journey. Both lodges are located on the banks of the river and provide a comfortable way to spend a night in the Idaho wilderness.

For more information about rafting or fly fishing on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon, contact Al and Jeana of Solitude River Trips at 1-800-396-1776 or visit them online at www.RiverTrips.com.

It is these moments that, in Idaho, come frequently but leave one speechless. It is difficult to find words that describe the beauty of Idaho. Fortunately, photographer Matt Leidecker, takes the work out of finding those perfect words. His images of Idaho capture the states incredible beauty perfectly. Living in Sun Valley, Matt is in an ideal location to capture some of Idaho’s most beautiful places.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon, which is a popular multi-day rafting trip that takes visitors 100 miles from start to finish, is where Matt first began his photography career. Working as a river guide he considered the canyon a secondary place to call “home”. An avid adventurer, he loved to explore new hikes and found many scenic views over-looking the river.  He currently has two publications about the Middle Fork of the Salmon: a guidebook and a photo journal called “Impassable Canyon”. Both are tributes to the enormous amount of knowledge of this area Matt has obtained through his continuous exploration of the river canyon.

Below: Matt exploring a high-country lake in the Sawtooths.

Off the river, Matt is well known for capturing fabulous shots of the nearby Sawtooth Mountains as well as various peaks around the Sun Valley area. When he’s not photographing the natural landscapes of Idaho, Matt is often hired as a wedding photographer. He’s currently working on a new comprehensive guidebook to the Sawtooth Mountains that should be out by July 1, 2012.

For those floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon make sure you pick up a copy of Matt’s guidebook to the river canyon. It’s available at Riverwear in Stanley and also online at Matt’s website, www.mattlphoto.com. He can also be reached at 208-720-4712 or matt@mattlphoto.com.

Sawtooth & Alpine Lakes:

Round trip to Sawtooth Lake – 10 miles

Round trip to Alpine Lake     -   8 miles

Intermediate hiking and moderately strenuous

This is a not to be missed hike in the Sawtooth Mountains that includes everything you would want to see on a hike in the mountains.  The trail starts at the Iron Creek trailhead which can be accessed by driving 2 miles West of Stanley on Highway 21 then driving about 3 miles on a dirt road to the Iron Creek Trailhead and Campground.

This hike is starts in the forest and at about 1 mile it opens up into a beautiful alpine meadow.  It continues on into the forest again and begins to climb a bit for about 2 more miles.  After crossing the creek in an open alpine basin, the trail climbs more abruptly on switchbacks to the turnoff to Alpine Lake which is about ¼ mile off of the main trail.   The trail continues on up for approximately another mile or so switchbacking back and forth on a ridgeline with incredible views of the mountains and valley below.  At the top the trail passes a small lake and a few hundred yards farther it opens up on Sawtooth Lake and Mt Regan.

Fourth of July & Washington Lakes:

Round Trip to Fourth of July Lake – 3.6 miles

Round Trip to Washington Lake —  5.6 miles

Easy hiking at about 9,500 foot elevation

This is a great hike for a taste of what the White Cloud mountains on the East side of the Sawtooth Valley are like.  The elevation is higher than the Sawtooths, the geology is different and the sense of being in the mountains is overwhelming for such a short hike.  The access road for this hike is located about 15 miles south on Highway 75 from Stanley to the Fourth of July Creek Road.  Drive about 10 miles on a dirt road which can be a bit bumpy to reach the trailhead.

The hike starts in the forest and reaches Fourth of July Lake at about 1. 8 miles where the lake, the meadow around the lake and the mountain views are incredible.  Washington Lake is about another mile over a small pass and down a bit from there.  It is in a tighter basin with views as great as those at Fourth of July.

Marsh Creek (headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River):

Easy hiking for any amount of mileage as the trail follows the river and a turn around can be done at any time.

The trailhead can be reached by driving northwest from Stanley on Highway 21 to the turnoff for Lolo Campground and Bradley Boy Scout Camp.  Turn off the highway and follow the dirt road a mile or two to the trail head which is beyond Lolo Campground.

The hike follows Marsh Creek which is one of the two main tributary streams that form the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.   At about 1 ¼ mile, the trail crosses the stream on a bridge and from there on it opens up in some areas with views of surrounding mountains and at other times it is in thicker forest, but is always follows the stream.

At about 5 miles Marsh Creek meets up with Bear Valley Creek to become the Middle Fork of the Salmon.  The confluence of these two streams is called “The Big Hole” and is a great place to eat lunch and turn around for the return trip.

For more information and a great map of hiking and mountain biking trails look for “Sawtooth & White Cloud Mountains” trail map produced by Adventure Maps.  It can be purchased at McCoy’s Tackle shop, online at www.adventuremaps.net or sales@adventuremap.net or by calling 1-800-849-6589.

When I have a day or a week off my first choice is to hike in, study the water as I am eating my lunch to determine the best way to fish. I must admit that the incredible beauty of Central Idaho sometimes  distracts me from my fishing , especially when I see Big Horn Sheep walk up to the far shore to get a drink or watch elk graze in the meadows. And as I look back, one of life’s greatest treasures is to have been able to share these experiences with my Children as they were growing up.

So, if you are planning a trip to our area be sure to stop by McCoy’s Tackle and Gift Shop for the best selection of flies and lures for this area. We can show you what works best at the time you will be fishing here and give you some tips on the best way to use them. As an ORVIS dealer we have a great line of rods, reels and can easily put line on your reels for you. If you are looking for a convenient travel rod with a sturdy  case, contact us before your trip and we can get you the appropriate set up for this area and have it ready to fish on your arrival. Or if you don’t want to travel with your gear we have both Fly Rod’s and Spin Rods to rent. We have Outdoor Clothing and accessories, T-shirts and very informative Maps and  books about the area. Looking forward to seeing you on your next vacation. We are located in Stanley, Idaho, one block off HWY 21, across from the Post Office.

Jane Mc Coy the long time owner of Mc Coys Tackle has a great fly selection and always knows what the fish like at any goiven time.  Jane always has a warm smile and  abig Idaho greeting for all who enter her shop. All of the Solitude River Trip guides buy flies at Mc Coys on a regular basis.

“The Middle Fork of the Salmon – framed by the Sawtooth and Salmon River Mountains in the heart of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho – remains a stronghold for native west slope cutthroat. And anglers could hardly hope for a prettier place to pursue this most becoming salmonid.”

Through in-depth interviews with many of fly fishing’s acknowledged gurus, the book beyond standard guides to convey the very essence of the recommended locations. Readers can vicariously cast mouse patterns to fifty-pound taimen in the wilds of Mongolia, wrangle with wily permit off the Florida Keys, and match the hatch on Montana’s Armstrong’s Spring Creek….and watch brightly colored Middle Fork cutts rocket up through the river’s clear waters to take a well-presented caddis imitation. The essays include a cultural/natural history of each destination, along with colorful anecdotes based and authorities’ experiences. Full of engaging fish tales, the book also provides adventurous anglers with enough travel-and-tackle information so that they, too, can start planning excursions to go fish around the globe.

For both armchair travelers and avid outdoorsmen who may have already started a checklist of their own, Fifty Places To Fly Fish Before You Die maps out the Meccas of the fly-fishing world. It’s been one of the best-selling fly fishing books since A River Runs Through It was released in 1976.