Hughes River Expeditions

Hughes River Expeditions

Salmon River Rafting Trips

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Main Salmon Gear List

Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. provides:

  • All meals beginning with lunch the first day, and ending with lunch the last day of the trip
  • Coast Guard approved whitewater life jackets
  • Farmer John wetsuits (if necessary)
  • Freshly laundered sleeping bags, small camp pillows and thermorest self-inflating sleeping pads
  • Tents (a tent for 2 guests or a tent for singles)
  • Ground tarps
  • Camp chairs
  • Waterproof gear packs for your personal gear. Size of pack is 13.5″ x 26″
  • Day bags
  • Camera boxes (Pelican brand diving boxes)
  • Toilet paper
  • First aid supplies
  • Eating Utensils (cups, silver, plates)
  • Water bottle (1 per guest)
  • Unlimited potable water
  • Plenty of ice for beverages

You should bring:

  • Nylon shorts and/or swimming suit (1 pair for every other day)
  • T-shirts (1 per day)
  • Light weight pants (1 pair)
  • Nylon wind shirt/jacket
  • Good rain gear (jacket & pants) IMPORTANT! (can also be used as wind gear)
  • Camp shoes, lightweight (athletic or deck shoes)
  • River shoes (sneakers or sandals with heel straps)
  • Wool or Synthetic gloves/mittens
  • Wool or Synthetic socks with oversized athletic shoes or tennis shoes
  • Neoprene river shoes with good soles
  • Synthetic long underwear (tops & bottoms)
  • Wool or Synthetic stocking cap or balaclava
  • Jacket (pile or polar fleece) Pile or polar fleece pants are optional
  • Small flashlight or headlamp
  • Pillow case (from home – our camp pillows are small. You can stuff a pillowcase with pile clothing & our camp pillow to make a comfy pillow)
  • Towel, soap & toiletry items. Travel pack of handiwipes
  • Skin lotion
  • Waterproof sun screen & sun screen lip balm
  • Sunglasses with straps
  • Fishing gear with plenty of flies & lures (if you prefer your own, we do provide fishing gear)
  • Camera with extra battery and memory card
  • Your favorite beverages (canned when possible)
  • PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, ALLERGY MEDICINES, ETC that you need
  • Insect Repellent

Note:

Wool, synthetic, pile and fleece items are important as they provide warmth when wet. Cotton drains heat from the body when it gets wet, and should not be substituted for these items.Plan to “layer” clothing for maximum comfort. On the rafts, guides typically wear nylon shorts, T-shirt, cap and sandals, with rain gear and polypro underwear, etc. handy in one of our day bags in case of a shower or cool weather. Polypro long underwear is usually unnecessary on the Snake or Salmon Canyon in July or August. However, the weather is impossible to predict and you should come prepared. Key items for comfort on the river for cool, wet weather are a good rain jacket and polypro long underwear.

Hughes River Travel Bags

This cordura duffle fits perfectly into our river duffle bags. It also can be “carried on” the airlines so you eliminate the risk of your luggage not arriving with you for your trip. Purchase a bag now in our Online Company Store!

Main Salmon – River of No Return

  • Main Salmon Gear List
  • Main Salmon Trip Details
  • Testimonials
  • Main Salmon Photo Gallery

Book your trip online!

Questions about a trip?

Call 406-540-4450
We’re here to answer any and all of your questions or send us an email.

Main Salmon Map v2

Client Testimonials

Thanks again for a great river trip. You impressed a group of people who aren’t easy to impress! I’m looking forward to my next trip. Hope to see you soon.
M. Downer, Counsel & Secretary, American Funds Distributors, Inc., LA, CA (1992)
I want to express my gratitude and praise for the 3 guides Robbie, Doug and John. They were fantastic. At all times courteous, competent, knowledgeable, entertaining and generally awesome…. I will certainly be recommending Hughes to my friends and recommending that they request these particular guides.
T. Vivian, Seattle, WA (2013)
The guides were amazing, they tended to every need, every questions, Skip took great care of the fishermen, he never ran out of stories, Devon handled the kayakers with grace and skill,… she and Mike were so cool, Hugh was ever the gentle man, always able to tell stories about the canyon, Tony of course was always watching over everyone to be sure things went well and safe, Mike was so awesome, Jon can sure play the harmonica… and of course Marshall, he kept everyone laughing… Every meal w… Read more
L. Tate, Walla Walla, WA (2013)
I’m writing to thank you and your crew for our experience on the Salmon, Middle Fork, August 1-6, of this year. Your crew was beyond merely profession, rather somewhere over in the superb…. Not only the gourmet food… and the stacked Dutch ovens and all so tasty – Wow! I understand why so many among the guests were ‘old timers’ with you on that River….with wonderful memories.
E. Kehret, San Leandro, CA, (2014)
Rafting on the Grande Ronde was really nice. And bears, snakes, eagles, etc. made it all the more memorable. My kids had a great time! Musically, it was the bet yet. Thanks again for your vision of putting a jazz float on your itinerary.
D. Mendenhall, Lakeville, MN (2011)
From the dark depths, where the sturgeon swim, of the Salmon River, I am back to haunt you. Jack Giaputro made this incredibly cool and outrageous video of our trip. Only one word can describe it – bitchen!
J. Kaplan, Santa Monica, CA (2015)
Thank you for the incredible experience you provided Stoltz on the river.  We were impressed with your impeccable service, capable (and FUN) guides, beautiful meals, and spectacular camps.  We are still reminiscing…..  Stoltz is forever grateful for the amazing trip and hope to do more with Hughes in the coming years!!
Holgate, Boise, ID (2021)
Thank you for a great trip….Your guides and son Colin were great & getting to know them was a great part of the trip for me. Most of all it was a pleasure to be on the water with people who are so passionate about rivers & wilderness.
KC Bess, Jackson, WY (2014)
“Well, I am getting back into the swing of things here but it’s been tough to resist the temptation to sleep in my backyard, and I’m sure missing Buzz’s coffee.  Thank you for a fabulous adventure down the Owyhee!…The Canyon was beautiful beyond description, and the food and camaraderie fabulous.  You run a tight ship that doesn’t SEEM tight to your guests…always a great vibe on an HRE trip!”
S. Myers, Boise, ID (2016)
It was great meeting every one of you. You all helped make the river trip exceed my lofty expectations. Thanks!! And-good news-since the trip, I have almost broken the habit of walking 20 feet away, turning my back and then pee-ing.
T. Hartnett, Sedona AZ (2003)
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DSC 8356

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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.