Salmon River / Stanley, ID. Outing
Date: Sept 19-20, 2015 MDT
Trip Sponsor: Jim Kazakoff 208-968-2276 or Jim.Kazakoff@gmail.com
Information and online registration at Salmon River Outing
Google Map: (Upper O’Brien Campground)
The September BVFF outing will be held in the Lower Stanley / Salmon River country. Fall should be a great time to be in the mountain area, with perhaps a hint of cooler weather on the way. Fishing opportunities in the region are available for both river and still-water anglers. The Salmon River has Cutthroat, Rainbow, and Bull trout. It will be too early for fall steelhead. Water flows should be low, allowing relatively easy wade fishing. Valley Creek and the Yankee Fork (Salmon River) is also nearby. For those preferring still water, there are a number of lakes that are within a drive striking distance, including Stanley Lake, Little Redfish Lake, and Bulltrout Lake.
Full Disclosure: Although I have fished the Salmon River near Stanley in the past, I have little experience with it. Here is some information I have researched:
NOTE: IDF&G plants trout in the river, typically +- 10 miles around Stanley. Fishing further from Stanley is recommended.
Section 5: Torrey’s Hole to O’Brien Campground: Torrey’s Hole is a major recreation access point for river outfitters. The river above Torrey’s is white water (caution—experienced rafters only), below it is slower. There is approximately 2 miles of this stretch that could be floated w/ a small pontoon boat. Torrey’s Hole is located at milepost 210 and 9.7 miles above Squaw Creek.
Section 6: Lower Stanley to Sunbeam Hot Springs: Boney pocket water, a favorite for rafters in high season, but likely too low in September to see many rafts or boats. Sunbeam H.S. is 12.6 miles below Stanley.
Section 7: Sunny Gulch Camp Ground to Stanley: Thin pocket water. Not recommended.
DIRECTONS:
Highway 55 to Banks, Highway 21 to Stanley. Turn North on Highway 75. Upper O’Brien Campground will be our BVFF rendezvous site.
For those who enjoy an après fishing soak, Sunbeam Hot Springs is nearby (12.6 miles from Stanley).
ACCOMODATIONS:
Upper O’Brien Campground: $13/Day and $5 for extra vehicles. First-Come-First Served. Water available, vault toilets. There are 9 campsites, more sites available at Lower O’Brien Campground. There are other campgrounds nearby.
Directions: From Stanley, go northeast 14 miles on ID 75. Turn south on Forest Road #454, the Robinson Bar Road.
This will be the “base-camp” where we will meet Saturday evening for a group dinner.
Hotel/Motel: For those not wishing to camp, there are accommodations in Stanley and Lower Stanley. Some options:
Sawtooth Hotel: (208) 721-2459
Stanley High Country Inn: (208) 774-7000
Mountain Village Lodge: 1-866-599-66741-866-599-6674
SATURDAY DINNER:
I will be planning a group dinner and social gathering at the Upper O’Brien Campground.
Schedule and details to follow.
