I just got a driftboat and would like to float around Riggins, but am a bit leary of jumping in with both feet before I get some experience. If anyone is familiar with the area, and can suggest a good put-in point and take-out point for a 4-6 hour float with no major hazards that a novice could attempt, I'd really appreciate it.

I don't have anyone who will be joining me on Saturday, so also need to know how easy it will be to handle the boat, both in water as well as during the put-in and take-out. Is it feasible to try this solo and still be able to fish, or should I wait till I find someone to join me. Obviously that would be my preference, but it being Easter weekend is making it hard to find someone, and I don't especially want to wait

I've done the town down drift a few times and it was cake. I love Salmon.. I come over every year to elk hunt up by Middle Fork Peak.
Good place.

Make sure that you know what your takeout loooks like from the water!! Very easy to miss takeouts if you don't recognize it.

If your new on the sticks its not a good idea to do it by yourself. Its also not easy to fish and row at the same time. Combine those two issues and your looking for trouble. Riggins has several floats that are not all that hard, but do require intermediate rowing skills. I would suggest Island bar to Shorts bar as a first float. ( short float just above town)

Steelhead are a done deal now.. There will be some Salmon to catch in about the 2-3 week of May. With the lower flows we are sure to have this year should be some good drift boat flows this year so wait until then. PM me and we will let you know a few days when we will be there and can maybe show you the ropes.

If you really need to go for a float now, grab a buddie and float from Swans falls to Walters ferry and try for a few bass. Thats pretty safe and you can catch some fish also.

Seastrike is talking about a different part of the Salmon river than you are Rob.. he is talking about by the town of Salmon I imagine as the float from Riggins to Lucile ( below town) is without question the hardest float in the Riggins area.. 3 class 3-4 rapids on that float. Time zone, Chair cr. are both bigtime. Don't do that whatever you do.

Why not float the area around Challis instead? Fish should be moving through there starting aroumd now. The water is alot tamer then that whole Spring Bar to Lucille area, and most of the fish are upstream of that area anyways.


vince

Good idea about Challis. I may give it a shot next Wednesday. If you, or anyone can suggest a specific put-in or take-out spot and how long the float might last, I'd appreciate it. Also if anyone knows if anyone offers shuttle service, that would be helpful too.

I'm taking B-runs advice and will float the Snake near my home for the shakedown tomorrow...then we'll see if the Salmon is ready for me...