The best fishing in idaho

period.

Why go fishing with salmon river drifters?

Our Guides

We are lucky to be surrounded by an amazing group of guides who love to fish, love to be on the river, and love Idaho. It’s well known throughout the nation that to be a guide on Idaho’s Salmon River you need to be mentally tough, an amazing boatman, and an even better fishermen. The group of guides we have beside us are all of those things, and we’re proud to have them on our team!

The Fishing

Fishing on the Salmon River in Riggins is something special! We have nearly year-round fishing opportunities—and great ones at that! Whether you prefer the hot summer sun, crisp fall mornings, or cool winter days, you can bet there’s a steelhead, smallmouth bass, Chinook salmon, trout, or even a sturgeon swimming around, ready to bite. There’s almost nothing more “Idaho” than catching fish on the Salmon River!

Conservation

We are passionate about preserving the Salmon River and its multiple different fisheries. Our guides practice ethical fishing techniques, handle wild fish & fish we plan to release with care, and educate anglers on sustainable fishing practices. The Salmon River is a high-risk and delicate fishery. We promote a culture of love and respect so this river that’s both yours and ours thrives for future generations.

our lifestyle

We have dedicated our lives to Idaho Outfitting. We have a deep rooted love for sharing the Salmon River Canyon with others. We wouldn’t be raising our family here if we thought this wasn’t the most amazing place in the world.

Our philosophy

“The guest always comes first.” We don’t see you as just a date on the calendar—each guest has a different skill level and unique goals, and it’s our job to tailor each trip accordingly. Our Salmon River fishing trips aren’t “one size fits all”—they are customized experiences designed to match your individual needs. From selecting the perfect guide - to adjusting fishing styles, we tailor every detail to give you a successful & unforgettable day on the water. We recognize that “our” backyard is just as much yours as it is ours.

Our fishing trips

When?: Late September - Late March

How Long?: Full day Trip (10 hours). Multi-Day camping trips available in the early fall!

Where?: We operate on 63 miles of fishable river all accessed directly from our office in Riggins, Idaho.

Why?: Steelhead are some of the hardest fighting and most exciting to catch freshwater fish around! The scenery is pretty amazing too!

Techniques?: We back troll plugs, drift bait, drift floats, and Spey Fish.

When?: Late June - Late September

How Long?: Full day Trip (8-10 hours). Ask about our overnight trips!

Where?: Salmon River near Riggins, Idaho.

Why?: Smallmouth bass fishing trips are perfect for both experienced & beginner anglers! Some days it’s hard to not catch them!

Techniques?: We fish conventional baits such as soft plastics, swim baits, topwater, and crank baits. Fly fishing trips available too!

When?: Late September-Late October & Mid May-Mid June

How Long?: Full day Trip (10 hours).

Where?: Salmon River - Riggins, Idaho. We fish different sections of river depending on if it’s the Spring Salmon Fishing Season or Fall Salmon Season.

Why?: Who doesn’t want to catch a King Salmon on the Salmon River?! These fish are amazing, resilient, and exciting to fish!

Techniques?: We primarily backtroll & stationary fish plugs & bait. If you come in the Fall Season we target Steelhead, too!

Lets go fishing.