Jet Boating on the Salmon

andrew12gauge · Feb 20, 2019

Anybody with any experience running the salmon river upstream from vinegar creek during spring bear seasons? What is the river like that time of year? I have a 16 ft hewes rogue runner with a 115 hp outboard with a jet pump, would that be enough boat for that river during spring runoff? Thanks in advance for any advice given

jetsled · Feb 20, 2019

Done it several times. Depends on water flow and how experienced you are. I wouldnt even consider it with that setup during spring runoff. And if you've never run that stretch you should be VERY experienced running whitewater before tackling the lines in there. I've run it from 2500-30k cfs. Big water, rocky, and the lines change with cfs.

customweld · Feb 20, 2019

Very technical water. I agree with Jetsled, not with that set up or spring flows.

idhikker · Feb 20, 2019

Is the Main technical and/or treacherous during the fall? What about with the commercial jet boat entities?

I've enjoyed my time spent hiking, rafting, and jet boating in there. I don't own a jet boat myself but I've gone with a company.

jetsled · Feb 20, 2019

That stretch is extremely technical and varies from chocolate, stick filled soup in the spring to bony and rocky in the fall. There are several commercial outfits that run it full time. If you referring to hunting season, there are at least 3 outfitters that hunt it and its literally un-huntable from the bottom without stock. 3-4k foot climbs to get into elk/deer country. I tried it 1 year when I was young and dumb and have never even considered it since.
P.S. All three outfitters run stock making it very difficult to even compete on foot. Be a blast to do a guided trip in there. Open up your checkbook though.

andrew12gauge · Feb 20, 2019

>Done it several times. Depends on
>water flow and how experienced
>you are. I wouldnt even
>consider it with that setup
>during spring runoff. And if
>you've never run that stretch
>you should be VERY experienced
>running whitewater before tackling the
>lines in there. I've run
>it from 2500-30k cfs. Big
>water, rocky, and the lines
>change with cfs.

Now see this is why I asked before doing it, I was thinking somebody has to have some experience in there and can tell me my odds of survival. I'd say from your answer that those odds are not great lol. I'll stay away.

jetsled · Feb 20, 2019

I've been on that stretch about a dozen times in 2 different boats and in that sample size, 1 boat sunk, and 3 others hit rocks and did major damage. I didnt witness any of this actually happen, but heard about it at the ramp. Maybe I'm bad luck lol.

Mallards_Only · Feb 21, 2019

So, are you saying it's treacherous/dangerous regardless of boat size/set-up or just with the set-up he proposed?

jetsled · Feb 21, 2019

Oh course it's tough regardless of setup. Does having a 20'+ plus whitewater boat and a 3 stage make it easier...sure. My point is, it's not a place to drop in at the end of the road and "check it out." Spend some time on the lower river, know your boat and flows, and be careful. It's a great section of river.