2008 Newsletter

After getting off to a somewhat "rocky" start, our 2008 season finally got rolling and took on all the familiar comforts of good food, good friends and good fishing.

The extremely heavy snows of last winter hit us with a double whammy of a landslide that blocked the road to base camp and a deep snowpack that didn't want to melt. On the plus side, the river was healthy throughout the summer, with plenty of westslope cutthroat lurking in its water.

One benefit of being in the high country as the snow initially recedes is the large number of early season wildflowers. We saw many this year that are usually gone by the time we arrive. Wildlife, too, were abundant - especially moose. It sometimes seemed that they were around daily to vex us with breaking fences, surprising anglers and generally presenting many excellent photo opportunities. Speaking of photo ops, check out the new pictures in the Gallery.

Along with the pleasure of being hosts to many of our long time guests, and meeting new ones, we managed (at last) with the help of some friends, to accomplish a major project that has needed attention for quite some time. We put a new roof on the Lodge. Gone is the old cedar shake roof that annually required more and more maintenance, in its place is now a sturdy green metal roof that matches the cabins, the washhouse, and the barn. The beginnings of this necessary chore go back to 2002 when the metal roofing was flown in by helicopter. However, much of what was needed was packed in on horseback this summer. There is a picture of the new roof on this page. We hope to add a slide show documenting this labor intensive effort.

Winter 2009 is off to a roaring snow filled start and threatens to rival last year. In the midst of all the plowing, shoveling, and chopping, it is hard to keep in mind that this "winter wonderland" will translate to next summer's cool flowing river. In closing, our thanks once again to our old friends and new for the opportunity to show you all our little piece of Idaho.

Will and Barbara