For the week of August 14 - 20, 2002

Salmon return to ancestral spawning beds

Salmon River restrictions in place

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Salmon floating regulations

In order to provide quality floating opportunities and protect salmon spawning areas, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area has implemented the following floating restrictions:

·  The river is open from Stanley to Mormon Bend and from Yankee Fork to the outfitter lunch site, near milepost 208.5 on Highway 75. There is a mandatory portage around the spawning beds at Indian Riffles, 16 miles downstream from Stanley. The portage starts at Lower O’Brien Campground and follows the Robinson Bar road for approximately a half mile.

·  All floating access is at designated put-ins and take-outs only.

·  Floating is prohibited from the Buckhorn Picnic Area (five miles south of Stanley) downstream to Stanley, and from Mormon Bend Campground downstream to Sunbeam.

·  Floaters must have a self-issued permit while floating. Permits are available at designated put-ins.

·  Boaters are required to take out upstream of Torrey’s Hole at the outfitter lounch site. This site is signed on the river as a take-out, and is located near milepost 208.5 on Highway 75.

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

Their 900-mile upriver migrations complete, threatened chinook salmon have begun to spawn in the upper main stem of the Salmon River near Stanley.

This wild chinook was among the first to return to the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River this summer. Express Photo: Greg Stahl

In order to provide good floating opportunities and to protect salmon spawning areas, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area has implemented floating and fishing restrictions to protect spawning activities.

That means rafters and kayakers must adhere to river closures, mandatory portages and self-issue permit regulations.

The fish that return to the Salmon River are summer chinook. They spawn in the main stem of the river, which is popular with floaters. One salmon spawning nest, called a redd, has been discovered upstream from Stanley, and others are expected soon in other river reaches.

The presence of the redd triggered implementation of the regulations.

According to SNRA Deputy Area Ranger Lisa Stoeffler, this is unusually early for spawning to begin.

"This is earlier than normal, but we expect a lot of fish back again this year, so it’s not too surprising," she said.

In light of the low water and salmon restrictions, many rafting outfitters change their focus from whitewater adventure to salmon education.

Sawtooth Adventure Co., as an example, will host endangered salmon tours. Sawtooth Adventure Co. is one of approximately four outfitters in the area.

"Trained salmon specialists will give a detailed history along with current issues facing the chinook while visitors enjoy a day of rafting and portaging around sensitive salmon breeding grounds," according to a press release from the outfitter.

Additionally, Idaho Rivers United is ramping up for the third annual Sawtooth Salmon Festival on Aug. 24 in downtown Stanley. The event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., will feature sockeye and chinook education, Native American dance, salmon tours, music and food.

 

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