Family Vacation Idaho

Each year the Idaho Bureau of Land Management (BLM) tries to put on an interpretive trip for local outfitters to keep everyone as informed as they can.  The trip is usually done on the Lower Salmon, however, because of high water levels the past few weeks it was moved to a lower section of the Main Salmon. Along with participants from many other outfitters were BLM representatives, a few from Fish Wildlife and Parks, and guest speakers from local Idaho colleges.  This trip is always amazing and we can't express how much we appreciate the exceptional and educational information they continue to provide.

On April 24th Andrew and I launched on the River of No Return at Carey Creek for the three day float. Throughout the days and evenings we were filled with information from our great guest speakers.  Lynn Danly did a show & tell about the noxious Yellow Star thistle weed that is prominent in the Clearwater, Salmon, and Snake river Canyons. The Yellow Star thistle is detrimental to native plant species.  In an attempt to eradicate the invasive plant the Idaho BLM is implementing control strategies such as the introduction of the yellow star thistle bud weevil as a matter of biological control. The star thistle is just one of several noxious weeds the BLM is trying to manage.

Next we heard from a geologist named Keenan. He gave us information on the different rock formations, how old these rocks might be and why the formations changed as we proceeded down river.

Then we heard from Craig Johnson, a Fisheries Biologist.  He told us about the different fish species like steelhead trout, sockeye salmon, and Chinook salmon.  He also talked about land based animals such as elk, otters, and bighorn sheep.  If anyone sees bighorn sheep, especially in the Lower Salmon, region he would like to know the day, time, location so that he can track their movements over time.

Others like Joe O’Neal and Lavern gave us information on how to keep our rivers and lands clean and what future plans BLM will be trying to accomplish for the good of rivers runners and land users.  All of us need to do our part in helping BLM to accomplish their goals.

Idaho Afloat very much appreciates the BLM’s hard work for this very informative trip.  We intend to relate all this information to our guests so they too can appreciate our wonderful outdoors. We would love to share more of what we learned with you, so if you're looking for a great family vacation in Idaho give us a call!

Thank you,
Andrew Hogben and David Colbert