Boise is a great town. We spent a few days out there, last Fall, before running the Middle Fork.

That property that Gary Taylor leased at Big Lost Creek is the Probst property that Ed and I own. My dad and I built those tent platforms and the cook shelter that you guys used to use.

I never see any of those guys, anymore, and I'm not sure any of them are still working the river. Last I heard of CJ, he was working for TWRA.

If you ever get around to running the Middle Fork, I can heartily recommend September. The weather was beautiful, and we had the river to ourselves. And it would be an ideal level for a drift boat.

We befriended a group of cat-rafters from Boise who go that time every year. They're a group of a dozen or so, and they all apply for a permit, and so far, each year for about 15, one of them has drawn one. Then, usually 6-8 of them end up going.

Being a principal, their timing may not be good for you, but if you're interested, I could give you their contact info.

Jack

Ah, that's it.  I guided on the Hiwassee, too.  Sort of.  Back around 1992, there were only four guides allowed on the river (Tony Wilson, Ronnie Hall, Gary Taylor and me). 

I was partners in a business with Ed McAlister, the guy who owns River Sports Outfitters in Knoxville.

We purchased the Probst property at the confluence of Big Lost Creek and the Hiwassee, and worked with various groups, offering rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater boating, etc.  And we also offered guided fly fishing, but more as a place-holder thinking we'd grow it in the future.  But we got distracted and, now, simply enjoy the property.

I built and used a Tatman drift boat in the business, which is why I''ve been on this board, because I had to replace the bottom a couple of years ago.

And then, I'm friends with Don Denney and some of those Athens TU guys, and have posted on Don's Hiwassee news group.

And then, I knew Tic and CJ and Dane Law and the Hiwassee Outfitter's guys, etc. back in the day.

Plus, I volunteered through TU and Charlie Chimelewski's (sp?) brook trout restoration efforts.

So it could have been through any of those guys that we met or knew of each other.So what are you doing in SW Idaho?  And what a great place to be. 

I canoed the Middle Fork, last Fall, with Ed McAlister and three other Knoxville area boaters.  I have a post, somewhere, on this board asking questions before the trip and giving a follow up trip report.

Have fun out there.

Jack Rose