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Physical challenge, unspoiled nature, and unforgettable moments.
5 Days of Steelhead and Chukar in Idaho’s Salmon River Canyon
For the second year in a row, Travel Fish Film joined White Pine Outfitters on an unforgettable cast-and-blast adventure, heading deep into the rugged beauty of Idaho’s Salmon River Canyon. With spey rods, shotguns, bird dogs, cameras, and a crew of experienced friends in tow—Bradley, Reilly, and Joseph—we were guided by White Pine’s top-notch team, Brian and Tyler, through five days of steelhead fishing and chukar hunting. Steelhead fishing and chasing wild chukar go hand in hand—it’s the epitome of pursuing all things wild! Wild chukar are among the most challenging birds to hunt, and for those who understand the draw of steelhead fishing, it’s not just the fish, but the places we travel to and the friends we share the journey with that keep us coming back. These wild landscapes, teeming with fish and birds, are humbling and not for the faint of heart. But with a little luck, discipline, and determination, the boxes get checked, and unforgettable memories are made in the rugged backcountry of the Pacific Northwest.
Day 1: A Solid Start
Our adventure kicked off as we loaded up the rafts and set out onto the river, leaving civilization far behind. Within hours, Brian swung up a beautiful steelhead, setting the tone for what we hoped would be a productive week. We floated and swung a few more runs before finding a perfect spot to set up camp for the night. As the sun dipped behind the canyon walls, we settled in by the campfire, excited for what lay ahead.
Day 2: Chukar Hunting, The Hard Way
We devoted our second day to chukar hunting, trading the free-flowing river for the steep and rocky breaks. Putting it mildly, the hike was a grind. The terrain was relentless, demanding every ounce of effort as we climbed and scrambled up and across the canyon. But, with the help of tireless and pursuit-driven wirehairs, their handlers, and a bit of determination, we managed to bag four birds by day’s end. Many opportunities at flushed coveys, but hooked more breeze than birds. Tired and a little sore, we returned to camp with stories to share and a deeper respect for the canyon’s rugged landscape as the red-legged devils laughed at us as we descended the breaks.
Day 3: A Downstream Journey
After a quick breakfast, we packed up camp and prepared for a long day on the river. We covered over 15 miles of water, swinging multiple promising runs along the journey. The river’s pace quickened, taking us through thrilling whitewater stretches as the canyon walls towered above. When we reached our next campsite, we were ready to relax and soak in the remote beauty around us. This canyon section felt even more isolated and untouched—a true escape into the wild.
Day 4: A Banner Day for Fishing and Hunting
Day 4 was lights-out — complete with fish in the net and birds in the bag, the one we’d all been waiting for. Right off the bat, we swung up two wild steelhead back-to-back in the run near camp. Joseph stepped in and battled a monster 32” plus hen, or as Tyler would call it, “a big ole’ egg wagon”. Bradley followed him in the same run, same spot, same swing, and hooked up into a beautiful, hot little buck. The adrenaline was kicking in, arriving back at camp for a 9 AM big breakfast and heading for the hills in search of birds. As if that weren’t enough, the hills were alive with the sound of coveys of chukar for the rest of the day in this new zone further downstream. Reilly hit an impressive triple—two shots and three birds down. By the end of the day, the birds didn’t stand a chance—we had a pile to prove it! Not only that, but some unforgettable memories also followed us back to camp. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a day when everything comes together.
Day 5: The Final Stretch
On our last day, we packed up camp early and braced ourselves for the longest stretch yet—27 miles down to the confluence with the Snake River. The class 3-4 whitewater rapids were exhilarating as we navigated the canyon’s twists and turns. Bradley and Joseph brought along their new Rio Craft Teton to test its ability down some serious rapids. It powered through the wave trains and maneuvered with ease. The powerful current carried us toward the finish line. By late afternoon, we finally spotted the trucks waiting patiently at the takeout. We were tired, but every bit satisfied as we loaded up, reminiscing on days filled with hard-won catches, flying feathers, challenging climbs, and the unbeatable company of friends.
This trip was everything we’d hoped for and more—a mix of physical challenge, unspoiled nature, and unforgettable moments. From Brian’s day 1 steelhead to a double steelhead on the swing, and Reilly’s triple chukar in that same day, it was a journey marked by adventure, laughter, and camaraderie. White Pine Outfitters delivered an exceptional experience, guiding us safely through 55 miles of wild river and steep terrain. And with guides like Brian and Tyler, who made every day count, it’s no wonder we’re already planning our next trip. Here’s to more unforgettable memories on the river with White Pine Outfitters!
More from Travel.Fish.Film. here!
More from White Pine Outfitters here!
5 Days of Steelhead and Chukar in Idaho’s Salmon River Canyon
For the second year in a row, Travel Fish Film joined White Pine Outfitters on an unforgettable cast-and-blast adventure, heading deep into the rugged beauty of Idaho’s Salmon River Canyon. With spey rods, shotguns, bird dogs, cameras, and a crew of experienced friends in tow—Bradley, Reilly, and Joseph—we were guided by White Pine’s top-notch team, Brian and Tyler, through five days of steelhead fishing and chukar hunting. Steelhead fishing and chasing wild chukar go hand in hand—it’s the epitome of pursuing all things wild! Wild chukar are among the most challenging birds to hunt, and for those who understand the draw of steelhead fishing, it’s not just the fish, but the places we travel to and the friends we share the journey with that keep us coming back. These wild landscapes, teeming with fish and birds, are humbling and not for the faint of heart. But with a little luck, discipline, and determination, the boxes get checked, and unforgettable memories are made in the rugged backcountry of the Pacific Northwest.
Day 1: A Solid Start
Our adventure kicked off as we loaded up the rafts and set out onto the river, leaving civilization far behind. Within hours, Brian swung up a beautiful steelhead, setting the tone for what we hoped would be a productive week. We floated and swung a few more runs before finding a perfect spot to set up camp for the night. As the sun dipped behind the canyon walls, we settled in by the campfire, excited for what lay ahead.
Day 2: Chukar Hunting, The Hard Way
We devoted our second day to chukar hunting, trading the free-flowing river for the steep and rocky breaks. Putting it mildly, the hike was a grind. The terrain was relentless, demanding every ounce of effort as we climbed and scrambled up and across the canyon. But, with the help of tireless and pursuit-driven wirehairs, their handlers, and a bit of determination, we managed to bag four birds by day’s end. Many opportunities at flushed coveys, but hooked more breeze than birds. Tired and a little sore, we returned to camp with stories to share and a deeper respect for the canyon’s rugged landscape as the red-legged devils laughed at us as we descended the breaks.
Day 3: A Downstream Journey
After a quick breakfast, we packed up camp and prepared for a long day on the river. We covered over 15 miles of water, swinging multiple promising runs along the journey. The river’s pace quickened, taking us through thrilling whitewater stretches as the canyon walls towered above. When we reached our next campsite, we were ready to relax and soak in the remote beauty around us. This canyon section felt even more isolated and untouched—a true escape into the wild.
Day 4: A Banner Day for Fishing and Hunting
Day 4 was lights-out — complete with fish in the net and birds in the bag, the one we’d all been waiting for. Right off the bat, we swung up two wild steelhead back-to-back in the run near camp. Joseph stepped in and battled a monster 32” plus hen, or as Tyler would call it, “a big ole’ egg wagon”. Bradley followed him in the same run, same spot, same swing, and hooked up into a beautiful, hot little buck. The adrenaline was kicking in, arriving back at camp for a 9 AM big breakfast and heading for the hills in search of birds. As if that weren’t enough, the hills were alive with the sound of coveys of chukar for the rest of the day in this new zone further downstream. Reilly hit an impressive triple—two shots and three birds down. By the end of the day, the birds didn’t stand a chance—we had a pile to prove it! Not only that, but some unforgettable memories also followed us back to camp. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a day when everything comes together.
Day 5: The Final Stretch
On our last day, we packed up camp early and braced ourselves for the longest stretch yet—27 miles down to the confluence with the Snake River. The class 3-4 whitewater rapids were exhilarating as we navigated the canyon’s twists and turns. Bradley and Joseph brought along their new Rio Craft Teton to test its ability down some serious rapids. It powered through the wave trains and maneuvered with ease. The powerful current carried us toward the finish line. By late afternoon, we finally spotted the trucks waiting patiently at the takeout. We were tired, but every bit satisfied as we loaded up, reminiscing on days filled with hard-won catches, flying feathers, challenging climbs, and the unbeatable company of friends.
This trip was everything we’d hoped for and more—a mix of physical challenge, unspoiled nature, and unforgettable moments. From Brian’s day 1 steelhead to a double steelhead on the swing, and Reilly’s triple chukar in that same day, it was a journey marked by adventure, laughter, and camaraderie. White Pine Outfitters delivered an exceptional experience, guiding us safely through 55 miles of wild river and steep terrain. And with guides like Brian and Tyler, who made every day count, it’s no wonder we’re already planning our next trip. Here’s to more unforgettable memories on the river with White Pine Outfitters!
More from Travel.Fish.Film. here!
More from White Pine Outfitters here!
Crossover gear that works hard no matter what you're hunting.
