Salmon Come First

Whitewater rafting

Rafters will face new restrictions on sections of the upper Salmon River during salmon spawning season, including having to carry their craft around spawning areas.

The restrictions were announced recently by the U.S. Forest Service.

Ron Gillette, of Triangle C rafting company in Stanley, said customers will get less whitewater and expect to pay less, meaning revenue losses.

Forest Service biologists worry that float boats will scare salmon off their nests after the fish have made a 900-mile journey from the Pacific Ocean, said Bill LeVere, Sawtooth National Forest supervisor.

The area affected is a popular 10-mile day-floating stretch of the Salmon River east of Stanley along Idaho 75. Last year, three dozen salmon showed up to spawn, and 11,000 floaters used the river.

The number of raft trips will be restricted beginning Aug. 10. Portaging rules begin Aug. 21.