Hughes River Expeditions

Hughes River Expeditions

Salmon River Rafting Trips

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Hughes Guides

Jerry & Carole

Jerry Hughes & Carole Finley

Jerry & Carole at Cook Creek Camp on the 1978 National Geographic Society Hells Canyon trip featured in America’s Majestic Canyons (1979).

Jerry Hughes is a native Idahoan who made his first rafting trip in 1963. He has worked asa licensed guide since 1967. Jerry played football for the University of Idaho Vandals and also earned a Bachelor Degree in Business and a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Idaho. Past member of the Idaho State Bar.

Carole Finley was raised in northern Idaho. Carole is an experienced river guide. Jerry and Carole worked together on river crews beginning in 1973 before launching Hughes River Expeditions in 1976. Carole holds degrees in History and Economics from the University of Idaho. Master heavy duty seamstress fabricating gear in the company’s Lolo boat shop.

Colin Hughescolin-guide-profile

Grew up on the rivers.  Started “officially” working with HRE at age 14, and through the years has taken on more responsibilities.  Colin is Vice President, Designated Agent and Operations Manager of HRE. A proud University of Idaho graduate in Conservation Social Sciences with an emphasis on Recreation, Resources and Tourism.

Hobbies include snowboarding, upland bird hunting, and fly fishing.  Colin would love to guide you fly fishing for wild cutthroat trout on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, or Selway River, or for smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and sturgeon on the Salmon River Canyons.

Megan Hughes

As the HRE Office Manager she Manages payroll, books, and more. Lewis & Clark State College and Montana State University – Billings graduate in Dental Hygiene and Health Care Administration.  She gives back to the guiding community by volunteering on the board of directors of The Redside Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the health and strength of the guiding communities in Idaho and Montana. Loves the river. Colin and Megan have a home in Lolo, MT, 5 minutes from the HRE warehouse.

Tony Herold

Broken hand in the batter’s box ended what should have been college baseball opportunity, turned him to river guiding. Bachelors Degree in Outdoor Recreation from University Idaho. Top notch fishing guide, gear boatman, plus rowing & paddling. “Glue guy” during the summer Middle Fork season.  Tony lives in Stanley, ID.  He is an EMT, Volunteer Fireman, and works in the local construction industry. Tony is world-class on a snowmobile.

Josh Edmunson

Accomplished at many occupations including carpentry, custom furniture building, big game guide, river guide, and personal trainer.  You can find his incredible work on instagram @8.8.8_milling.custom.woodwork. Josh also works with his father’s custom home building business, and they operate a custom sawmill in New Meadows, ID. Quarterback on Council High’s 2006 8 man football State Championship Team.  Expert on all crafts. BBQ ace.

Hardy Bender

University of Alabama graduate in Computer Sciences.  Comes from family history of whitewater rafting in the West.   High energy, and always positive.  Expert gear boatman, oarsman, paddle raft captain.  Adds a “Southern Flair” to many river menus.  Loves river time.

Hunt Paddison

Experienced boatman on Selway and Salmon Rivers.  Excellent, enthusiastic fly fishing guide. Another University of Idaho alumni to add to the HRE roster.  We are excited to have Hunt on the HRE crew for the Selway.

Gus Schubert

Loves big whitewater! Experienced on Selway, Salmon Canyons, and Middle Fork. Versatile. Excellent fishing guide, and just as good, running gear boats, rowing, or paddling. The only problem with Gus … he’s a University of Montana Griz!

Joey Filmanowicz

Working with HRE since 2017. Bachelor Degree from University of Colorado, Environmental Science. Enjoys creating pottery and tie die, rock climbing, fly fishing, rafting, hiking and other outdoor activities. Guide on all sections of the Salmon. Joey is an amazing resource for exciting new recipes and custom menus to accommodate dietary needs/requests.

Mira Warnermira werner

An Idaho native who spent her summers as a kid playing on the Clearwater river.  Mira’s love and appreciation for water has only grown over the years. Mira loves learning new things and excels in the kitchen.  She enjoys working on a team and HRE has become a secondary family to her.

Adam Hahn

Grew up fly fishing in SE Idaho on the upper Snake and Henrys Fork. Developed a love for the river at a young age. Graduated University of Idaho, Recreation 2018. Expert fly fishing guide, and on all HRE river craft. Frequent gear boatman. Grew up ski racing. Loves to play guitar.

Nate “Mad Dawg” Hutchison

Grew up in Kamiah, ID. Phenomenal baker/cook. Started his guiding career on the Lochsa. Veteran guide on the Middle Fork and Salmon River Canyons. Versatile member of the Hughes Crew.

Seth Tuttleseth tuttle

Grew up In Forks Washington on the Solduc River. Kayaking, fly fishing, and skiing ace. Forest Resources degree from University of Idaho. Off season ski instructor and traveler. Veteran guide on the Middle Fork, Main Salmon and Salmon Canyons.

Jason “Bucky” Farr

Grew up in Utah. Great skill set including boating, welding, construction and more. Phenomenal guitar player with the voice of an angel. Avid snowboarder. Versatile member of the Hughes Crew. Loves river time!

Noah Carr

Grew up in Boise, ID. Grew up rafting all over the state of Idaho. Veteran Main Salmon and Salmon River Canyons guide. Loves a good IPA. Ace on the water and in the warehouse.

Ryan McNamara

University of Montana, Bachelor Degree in Ecological Management and Restoration. Guide on all sections of the Salmon. Avid skier & outdoorsman. Regular off-season repair and maintenance expert in the HRE shop.

Chuck “Moose” McDonell

Veteran guide on all Idaho rivers in addition to Montana’s Flathead, and Eastern Oregon streams. Owners of C&T Car Sales, Moscow, ID. Has worked on the Hughes Crew since mid-80’s.

Ashley Hughes

General Studies and Master’s Degrees from University of Idaho. Attended Culinary School, Seattle Art Institute. Won National Outdoor Recreation Award for FFA. Rowed Crew for Washington State University. Grew up on the rivers. Runs the best river kitchen in the business. Ashley is a Mental Health Counselor in McCall, ID. She also creates incredible self-care products (bath bombs, lotion bars, shower steamers and more) with her business Bertie Beauty (named after her beloved aunt Bertie). You can find her products on instagram @bertiebeauty. During summer, she splits time between HRE, Bertie Beauty and her counselor duties. Culinary resource for dietary requests.

Mark Macedo

Worked with HRE from age 15 to present. Experienced guide on all three sections of the Salmon. Graduate of University Idaho, Conservation Sciences with an emphasis on Hydrology. Mark finds time to fit in trips around his career as an electrician.

Steve Wassmuth 

Retired educator who has guided every summer for many years. Grangeville, Idaho native, and veteran guide on Idaho rivers. Steve is welcome when he can fit trips into his summer plans.

Mike Wassmuth

Grangeville, Idaho native who has guided for over 30 years. Great to have Mike on the Crew. He is welcome when he can fit in trips each summer.

Mike Woodman

Retired teacher, basketball & football coach in the states of Idaho & Montana.   Mike has worked with HRE for over 25 years.  He is an avid hiker, fisherman, and outdoorsman in general.  He is a graduate of Great Falls College Montana State University.  His basketball number is retired and hanging in the Great Falls Gym.  Mike has coached State Championship basketball teams – both boys and girls – in Montana and Idaho.

Martin Moore

MartinColorado State University alumni. Currently, Contracts Manager for Scientech, an engineering consulting business. Idaho resident since 1988. River guide since 1979. Started with Hatch River Expeditions guiding on the Green, Yampa, Colorado and Middle Fork of the Salmon Rivers. Guiding with Hughes River Expeditions for 30+ years.

“The Hughes Cavalry”

Alumni who we call on to save the day.

Bob “Buzz” Brunzell

BS Physical Education and Masters in Sports Science. Coached an 8 man football State Championship team at Cambridge High in 1982. Also coached successful 5A Girls Basketball program at Eagle High. Bob was an Assistant Coach at the 2015 McDonalds All American Girl’s Basketball Game. On the Hughes Crew since 1978.

Racheal Herskowitz

Middle Fork Salmon ace. She has guided on MFS for many years. You will enjoy her company on the river. Rachel works as a Traveling Nurse when she isn’t in the Frank Church Wilderness. We feel lucky to have her on trips when her nursing schedule allows.

Jacob Smithjacob smith

Experienced guide. Jacob has worked on the Salmon River for over a decade and grew up right on the shores of the headwaters in Stanley, ID.  Jacob lives in Boise, ID and is a Boise State University Grad.  We forgive him for that and love having him on the crew!

Dagny Duetchman

Dagny Deutchman has been boating in the Frank Church Wilderness over a decade. Since the age of fifteen Dagny has spent every summer of her life out on the water. There is no other place she would rather be. Although Dagny has mainly guided on the Main Salmon river and the Middle Fork of the Salmon river, she has also boated in Montana, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. In the off season you can find Dagny pursing a PhD in Sleep and Mindfulness. She loves a good story, handwritten snail mail and cooking for friends and family on the weekends and dancing the night away. She looks forward to taking you and your loved ones on a magical Idaho river trip.

Rob Duran

RobbieBachelor Degree in Outdoor Recreation, University Idaho. Guitar man! Experienced Middle Fork Salmon and Salmon Canyons guide. Lives in McCall, ID. Rob is a licensed building contractor, and works with several other construction companies. He has guided snowmobile trips several winters at Brundage Mountain Ski Area.

Hugh Cooke

hughBachelor and Master degrees in Business Management and Recreation Administration. Previously worked in national operations with the US Ski Team. Assoc. Director of alumni Relations U. Idaho, and adjunct faculty member in Parks and Rec. Served on NBC Sports staff past three Olympic Winter Games in ski racing broadcast booth. Third decade guiding in Idaho, nearly 20 years on the Hughes Crew.

Jon Totten

jon tottenYou will enjoy Jon. Jon has fun, works hard, and loves backcountry and rivers. Worked at North Idaho College teaching Outdoor Recreation. Guided with HRE for several summers, while he split time with an ownership role on a Caribbean Sailing business. Jon recently started his own business, Dogsmile Adventures, a nonprofit in northern Idaho that focuses on therapeutic sailing. We are so excited for Jon’s new adventure and hope he can pitch in on a trip or two annually.

Chris Guarino

Chris has landed the high tech job of his dreams.  He is a graduate of the University of Idaho.  Chris is a fabulous basketball player and enjoys rafting, hiking and traveling internationally.  We hope to have him work the occasional trip when it works out for him.

Bob Madrazo

Hughes Guide Bob Madrazo

Retired teacher/ special education director/ alternative schools principal. Bob, throughout his career, worked closely with emotionally disturbed and “at risk” students. Holds numerous educational degrees and credentials. Played college football. Split time between sailing and his home on the banks of the Rogue River in Oregon. 35+ years guiding with Hughes River Expeditions. Ace fishing guide.

Doug Rigby

DougGrew up in Challis, ID. BA in Philosophy at Boise State University. Veteran guide on all Idaho rivers since 1986. Married and living in Boise with wife Mary, a family physician and graduate of Cambridge High School.  Plumbing contractor.  Doug is always welcome when he is available.

Bob Sevy

Bob SevyVeteran Idaho river guide/outfitter, and lifetime friend. River historian and fantastic fly fishing guide.

Eric Nichols

EricComputer Systems Degree Idaho State University. Computer technician St. Lukes Hospital in Boise.

Kevin Trainor

Hughes Guide Kevin TrainorBachelors degree Dartmouth, and Juris Doctorate U. Idaho. College rugby. US Marine Corp Viet Nam photo recon pilot. Commercial pilot, married to Linda (RN) 40+ years, two grown daughters who love to raft. Guide since 1985, with HRE since 1999.

Julien Patrick

JulienCouncil, ID. Julien Works part time on the Hughes Crew when he isn’t busy with his family’s drywall contracting business. Biggest smile on the crew! Julien likes “river time”

 

Norm Klug

Norm KlugCollege and semi-pro football, fought three years with Black Belt Karate Studios, Chicago. High school PE, Chemistry, general science teacher. School administrator Clarkston High, WA. Football, basketball and track coach. Masters Degree PE LaCrosse State University, and School Administration degree Washington State. Co-owner Personal Perspectives Northwest. 20 plus years on the Hughes Crew.

Gary Klug

Gary KlugPlayed Division III college football and baseball in WI. Forty three-year career in education with PhD in physiology from WA State U. Held teaching and research appointments at University’s of Colorado, Konstanz (Germany) and Oregon. Retired from U of Oregon as Head of the Human Physiology Department. HRE guide for almost two decades.

Captain Tom “Wolfie” Wolf

Hughes Guide Tom WolfMet Jerry in 1978 on the Middle Fork. Started working with Hughes River in 1985. Currently guiding June to October at a fly out lodge in Alaska and spending winters in Puget Sound area saltwater and freshwater guiding.

Ryan Honsinger

RyanHMechanical Enginnering U. Idaho. Hughes Crew MacGyver for 8 years, we all wondered if anything would work after he left. Using his degree in SLC. We miss you Ryan, come back for a trip here and there.

Ryan Diehl

Bachelor Degree in Outdoor Recreation from University of Idaho. Played football for Idaho Vandals.  Masters Degree in Outdoor Recreation from Utah State University. Director of the Outdoor Recreation Program, Montana State University, Bozeman.  Ryan and Rebecca and their children live in Waitsfield, VT, where they own and operate Wilder Farm Inn.

Mark Tabor

tabor

Living in Cambridge, ID. Retired after managing the Selway Lodge for over a decade. Always welcome on the Hughes Crew. Veteran boatman on all sections of the Salmon river.

 

 

Hughes Crew Remembrance

Traves Olson

Hughes Guide Traves OlsonOffensive lineman for Idaho State Bengals. Finance Degree, Idaho State University, and MBA, Boise State. 18 years on Hughes Crew. Married to Julie Robertson, and Dad to wonderful twin daughters – Brooke and Sarah. Worked winters in Chile as a fly fishing guide for 5 years. Travis was a terrific river guide, and a much loved friend of the Hughes Family.  He passed due to brain cancer.  Traves will always be part of the Hughes Crew Hughes Family and fondly remembered by countless river guests and friends.  We miss the “Big Guy”.

John “JC” Cole

jc

World Traveler and received a BS from U. Vermont. High school biology, chemistry, ecology, and geology teacher for 27 years. Coached high school football, girls basketball, swimming & track. Developed Sun Valley Community School outdoor program, and was academic director for Sun Valley Ski Education Association. Idaho river guide for 40+ years. Died at his mountain home outside Council, ID. Amazing and well lived outdoor life.

 

About Hughes River Expeditions

  • Hughes Guides
  • Hughes River Expeditions History
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  • Hughes River Expeditions in the Media

Client Testimonials

Thanks to the great Hughes crew!
Nichols, Langley, WA (2021)
“Thank you so much for a truly spectacular 5 days on the Salmon River.  We had high expectations, having heard rave reviews from family and friends, and you exceeded them all!  Our trip was a perfect combination of fun, beauty, sunshine, great food, wonderful company, exercise and relaxation.  The highlight, of course, was the superb team of Ashley, Buzz, Hardy, Hugh, Mark, Rob, and Tyler.  Their expertise, sense of humor and uncanny ability to real everyone’s needs perfectly made for an… Read more
A. Davison, New York, NY (2016)
…the trip of a liftetime…. I miss it all more than I imagined….Marilee and I have so much respect for the guides as professionals but even more so as very special people of impressive character… The river was gorgeous…the food was amazing…. Hope also to see you all next year.
E. Koch (2019) 
We just wanted to thank you for the trip of a lifetime (although we plan to try again next year). We had a marvelous time on the Middle Fork. Your staff was incredible. The entire experience was life changing. Thank you for sharing the beauty of Idaho. Thank you for introducing us to some wonderful new friends – the guide crew… You will hear from us soon when it’s time to make reservations for next year.
M. Graham, Barrington, IL (2004)
We are so grateful to you, Colin, Hughes Crew, and good companions for the memorable Owyhee float.  We expected an experience of a lifetime, and our wish came true!  The Owyhee River is not to be missed  (even if a 10 year wait for water  is necessary).   And we will also pass the word that this area is worthy of protection.
S. Miller, Idaho Falls, ID (2016)
I would like to extend our thanks for an outstanding experience. The crew we had on our trip was absolutely great—fun, interesting, entertaining and each one had the uncanny ability to anticipate our every need.
H. Reifschneider, President, All Kitchens of America, Boise, ID (1989)
“Thank you for your help in making possible the celebration of my 67th birthday on the Salmon River…. I enjoy supporting and booking family run businesses like yours.  From all the information about the trip, to help on gear list and lodging, you have made this planning fun and easy.  You can tell that this is a first rate river expedition.”
S. Husmann, Orange Beach, AL (2016)
You guys probably get this kind of mail all the time, but WHAT A GREAT TRIP!!! I particularly appreciate you steering us to the Salmon Canyon, as it was ideal for our group. The whitewater was daunting enough to challenge the boys and provided them with a positive first experience in kayaking. Loved the sand beaches and the great campsites. We thoroughly enjoyed the guides. All of them were cordial, entertaining, and very patient with the younger children. The food was outstanding, but you knew … Read more
J. Points, Tulsa, OK (2000)
Just wanted to say thanks for the best trip of my life. Amazing part of the country. I hope to do another trip…
B. Butler, Dagsboro, DE. (2012)
What a great pleasure it was to boat the Middle fork with you and your crew. I cannot think of one thing more you could have done to provide better service or make the trip any more enjoyable. I thought I previously had experienced quality service on river trips, but Hughes River Expeditions proved the others to be rank amateurs.
D. Clayton, Kingston, RI (1986)
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© 2023 Hughes River Expeditions
406-540-4450 • email us • 6400 Caras Lane • PO Box 218 Lolo, MT 59847-0218
Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. is operated under special use permits through the Bureau of Land a Management & United States Forest Service.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.