sup middle fork salmon river

[boyyyd]

curious about any knowledge on this river in regards to ideal water level flows and attempting to time that - a good month to shoot for - which of course is weather and snowfall dependent but on average what's a good time to shoot for?

also, the rapids. are any must portage for a whitewater sup? understanding experience is pretty high, water levels change, learning the lines.

just looking for input if any one has run this river on a sup.


much thanks!

[MT4Runner]

Do you SUP class IV? If not, go in late August/September.

[boyyyd]

we have. of course, rivers can be finicky. some rapids flow better higher then get holed out at lower flows.

[boyyyd]

if august typically has good water flowing for sup'n I'm fine with that. I'm not out to prove anything to anyone. just looking to keep advancing and do some new terrain.

[MT4Runner]

I've only kayaked it once. At 4.0'. It was freakin' incredible. Nothing to enormous and pushy, but Velvet, Pistol, and Tappan(s) can be meaty.

Late May/June have much higher flows and colder weather.

Good luck, you'll love the MF!!!

[boyyyd]

much thanks. truthfully I don't expect to find many who have sup'd it but it's worth the effort. I suspect we will be pulling out and scouting anyway and going from there.

again, thanks!

[boyyyd]

when did you see 4’ flows?

[kayakfreakus]

Originally Posted by boyyyd

much thanks. truthfully I don't expect to find many who have sup'd it but it's worth the effort. I suspect we will be pulling out and scouting anyway and going from there.

again, thanks!

Actually pulling a permit seems to be the most difficult part, Idaho water levels and weather are super hard to predict. Would shoot for a permit in early July and if you get one at any time make it work. Decent ability to scout and walk around rapids, but lower water seems like it would be painful on a SUP if you happen to fall into the rio. Medium water would be interesting but possible with support. Would love to see a SUP on high water

Not sure what would be the best water level but would guess 1.5-3ft for a SUP.

[briobebop]

My daughter, https://www.camilleswan.com/, and I ran the middle fork last year around the 1st of July. She ran everything on her SUP. Check out her blog and contact her directly for more info on the experience.

[GeoRon]

I've done the MF 19 times. About half in kayak or squirt boat.

Last autumn I did kayak self support at lower water than any previous kayak trip. The rapids were less flushy than 2' flows or higher. The drops were sharper(steeper and abrupt) but shorter in general.

I don't SUP but I'd think medium flows would be preferred for selecting less abrupt, predictable, straighter and smoother lines. Is it on a SUP better to deal with wave after wave or stopper hole after hole for rapids.