Adventuring Made Simply with a Guide by Your Side

Adventuring Made Simple with a Guide by Your Side

By April Whitney and McKenzie Kraemer

The McCall area has been a mecca for adventure for well over a century. Experienced outdoor enthusiasts have honed their skills and knowledge over many years of trial and error, learning from friends, family, other veteran outdoorsmen and women, and challenging themselves to continue exploring.

But you don’t need to be a lifelong adventurer to be drawn to the outdoor lifestyle. You can tap into that immense experience and knowledge thanks to an abundance of experienced guides and outfitters in our area. Guides make it possible to learn the tricks of the trade – or to sample a wide variety of outdoor activities in a low-stress way.

Local, specialized knowledge – and an infectious passion for having fun in the outdoors – is what you get from professional guides. So what are you waiting for? Start with one of these great guided options and experience the outdoors in a whole new way.

Guided Flyfishing Trips

The modern, DIY version of learning to fly fish is fairly straightforward: watch some YouTube videos, take notes on what gear to buy and how to cast a fly rod. Maybe you even Google “fly fishing near McCall” and find some tips on which flies to try in a handful of nearby locations.

So, you pack up your new gear, head to your waterway of choice, and…now what? What part of the lake or river do you fish from? Where do you cast your fly? How long do you stick with one spot – or fly pattern – before trying another? This is the specialized, localized, internalized, optimized knowledge that you can only find in a seasoned angler. If you don’t have a knowledgeable friend with the time to show you the ropes, a guided experience can really help you get off on the right foot.

A smart first move is to pop into Drift West. Your first steps inside will reveal what looks like a typical fly shop with gear and apparel on display, but operations manager Franklin Dyer says the most important “products” they offer include local knowledge and a knack for truly listening to their guests.

“We’re probably going to askyou more questions than you are ready for, but we want to figure out what it is you really want to do – because you might not know,” says Dyer.

Questions might range from how much physical activity a person is capable of, whether they like the idea of a motorized adventure like Jet Boating, or whether they prefer more of a quiet, wilderness escape that allows them to learn more about the local area and its history.

Drift West is a concierge service – a consortium, of sorts – for outdoor outfitters, so they have a bead on all the guided adventures offered in the area and can recommend the best excursions for different types of people.

For the true first-timer, Drift West might set you up with a three-hour workshop with all gear provided. These sessions cover the basics on equipment, knots, insects, which flies match up to the insects in the wild, and casting lessons. They also focus on what to do with your fly once it’s on the water, which Dyer says is actually more important than the cast itself, “We want to teach you how to get a drag-free drift with a good presentation where the fish will actually eat it.”

For those who’d prefer to dive right into a fly fishing excursion, the guides at McCall Angler will incorporate that same teaching into a half day (four hour) or full day (eight hour) guided float.

“If you’ve never fished before, what you’re going to get on a guided trip is: you’re going to have somebody who is a professional at what they do, they’re going to give you casting lessons, they’re going to teach you those knots, they’re going to teach you about insect life, and you’re hopefully going to catch some nice fish in a beautiful area.”

Dyer admits a person can do that all by themselves, but their learning curve will be steeper and their success rate likely a lot lower.

“The amount of learning you can get done in a half a day trip would probably take the average person a week of going out and doing it every day by themselves.”

Drift West can hook you up with trips guided by a broad range of local and regional outfitters. Options include high mountain lakes and pristine rivers where you’ll fly fish for brook trout and native rainbows, single-day steelhead and bass trips on the Salmon River, drift boat tours in the lower Salmon River canyon, whitewater rafting on the Salmon River, Hells Canyon and Lower Salmon jet boat tours, and scenic canoe tours on the meandering section of the Payette River just below McCall.

Drift West will be open seven days a week during the summer season (10 am-6 pm Monday through Saturday and 10 am-5 pm on Sundays) and is located at 122 E Lake Street, right next to Albertsons. drift-west.com

White Water Rafting

We’ve all heard the adage “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” Heraclitus said that somewhere between 544 and 483 BC, but it still rings true today. And no one knows more about how the river is always changing than a river guide.

“I have probably been on more than 800 river trips, and I have seen something new every single time,” says Kurt Armacost, co-owner of Hells Canyon Raft. His guiding career began at age 16 when he started working for the family business. In 1996, he and his wife Heidi took over management of the company and have continued the tradition of introducing (or reintroducing) guests to the wonders of Idaho’s rivers.

“Every time you go out it is a different experience,” says Heidi. “From the water level, to the animals you see, to the people and personalities on the trip, no day on the water is exactly the same.”

And while that ever-changing experience keeps guests coming back time and again, there is one constant that is the backbone of every trip…the guides.

“A river guide has the unique ability to don many hats,” says Lauren Demo, co-owner of Salmon Raft. “Guides are expert whitewater navigators, backcountry chefs, constellation spotters, historians, bartenders, and beach game instigators – oscillating between roles throughout the trip.”

A guide can make or break the experience, says Demo, which is why rafting companies like Hells Canyon Raft and Salmon Raft work so hard to find, train, and retain their amazing guides. In addition to being personal recreation directors, guides are also well versed in swiftwater rescue and backcountry emergency response.

“It takes a lot of expertise and a lot of river miles to learn how to safely navigate whitewater,” says Demo. So, while the charisma of a guide shines, behind the scenes there is a lot of training, a lot of expert knowledge, and a lot of hard work that goes into every day on the water.

“Our guides are our family,” says Kurt. “They have this amazing ability to put in 12 to 14 hours every day and make it look fun and easy.” Which is just one of the reasons why a few days on an Idaho river is unlike any other experience. “It is just such a unique vacation,” says Heidi. “You actually get to be on vacation the entire time…everything is taken care of for you.”

In addition to rowing guests down the river and regaling the boat with tall tales and fun facts along the way, guides take care of just about everything on the trip. Meals are cooked, cocktails are mixed, tents are set up and taken down, boats packed and unpacked each day…all by your guides. “I joke that you just need a swimsuit and a toothbrush because everything else is taken care of for you,” says Demo.

“You really don’t have to think about a thing,” says Heidi. “Everything is laid out for you, all of the logistics taken care of. So really the hardest thing you have to do is decide if you want to go fishing, go for a hike, or sit back and read a book.”

And that is when the magic really happens. “There is an amazing thing that happens when people really start to disconnect from devices, from work, from all the noise,” says Demo. “They actually start to connect to one another.” It happens between families and friends, and it happens with complete strangers on the same trip.

“One of the things I love to see is multi-generational families come on a trip,” says Heidi. “Everyone has the room to do what they want – fish, hike, read, enjoy a sunset – but they are all still together. No one has to stay back – everyone gets to go all the time and participate in everything at the level they want to.” On the boat, on the beach, at meals, around the campfire. Everyone is together with very few distractions.

That connection also happens with different groups on the same trip. “It’s always really cool to see people exchanging contact information and giving hugs after a trip,” says Demo. “We have actually had people who live on opposite sides of the country meet on one trip then come back together for another trip years later.”

Who wouldn’t want to wax poetic about that kind of experience? Disconnect to reconnect. All made possible by some stunning whitewater and charismatic, hard-working outfitters. Maybe Heraclitus came up with his famous line while dreaming about being a river guide.

Now what? How to book your river trip

Booking a river trip is like talking to a personal concierge. If you call a company like Hells Canyon Raft and Salmon Raft you are going to talk directly to an owner. They are experts at helping you find the right trip and pair you with the right people.

Each rafting company holds permits on different stretches of water and can take 3, 4, 5 or even 6-day trips. The first step in booking a trip is to figure out how long you want to go and on what river. From there, find a reputable outfitter who offers those options.

We recommend getting in touch with one of these specialists to help you plan the trip of a lifetime:

• America’s Rafting Company (idahooutdoortours.com) Multi-day trips in Hells Canyon and on the Salmon

• Hells Canyon Adventures (hellscanyon.biz) Single & multi-day rafting in Hells Canyon with jet boat return

• Hells Canyon Raft (hellscanyonraft.com) Multi-day trips in Hells Canyon and on the Salmon

• Mountain River Outfitters (idahoriver.com) Multi-day trips in Hells Canyon and on the Salmon; Day trips on the Salmon

• Salmon Raft (salmonraft.com) Multi-day trips in Hells Canyon and on the Salmon

• Tamarack Resort (tamarackidaho.com) Day trips on the Cabarton stretch of the Payette River

Guided Lake Experiences

Payette Lake is a showstopper. More than 10,000 years ago this centerpiece in downtown McCall was carved by a glacier that left 5,330 acres of pristine water with 22 miles of shoreline. At its deepest point, Payette Lake is 392 feet deep…a perfect home for the famous (and friendly) lake monster, Sharlie. And while this stunning alpine lake can be enjoyed from a beach or dock, we also love getting out on the water for a new perspective – and new appreciation – of all this lake has to offer.

McCall Lake Cruises

Like the lake it calls home, McCall Lake Cruises’ signature vessel, The Idaho, commands attention. Built in 1982, this 62-foot vessel weighs just under 50,000 pounds, earning it the award for largest vessel on Payette Lake. “We can notch that bad boy up to about five miles per hour,” says Steven Lee, co-owner. “But it is definitely faster if you go downhill.” Wink, wink.

The Idaho offers a unique way to get out on the water. A lake cruise is all about kicking back and soaking in the views, the people around you, and the local lore. “It is such a different experience cruising on the boat than standing on the shore,” says Kelsey Parke, co-owner. That was one of the things that drew owners Kyle and Jade Enzler, Steven and AJ Lee, and Ryan and Kelsey Parke to the business. Having taken the reigns of McCall Lake Cruises from Brett and Doris Armacost in 2022, they are excited to continue the legacy built by the Armacosts and make seeing Payette Lake from the water accessible to all.

“We love the easy access a lake cruise offers to the water,” says Ryan. “You may not want to rent and drive your own boat or have the time to commit to a full day on the lake.” This is when a lake cruise is a perfect choice. “It is great for all ages,” he says. “It is low risk, it is low impact, it is relaxed, and it is fun!”

Each cruise lasts about 90 minutes and can accommodate up to 65 people. “We do two or three cruises seven days a week from May until about the middle of September, depending on water levels,” says Steven. Midday cruises are full of local history and fun facts as told by the experienced staff. Sunset cruises often have music – sometimes live music – and more of a happy hour vibe. “One of the best things we see happen no matter what time of day you cruise is watching people get on the boat as strangers and leave as friends,” says AJ.

In addition to daily public cruises, McCall Lake Cruises also offers private charters for weddings, graduation parties, retirement parties, birthday parties, business events, and more. “It makes a great venue,” says AJ. “The scenery, the camaraderie of a group experiencing something fun and new together really makes it unique.”

McCall Lake Cruises offers a full bar onboard as well as local and domestic beer and wine selections. Snacks are also available for purchase. Private charters can work with local catering companies and restaurants to host more robust food offerings. Guests at the Scandia Inn, Nordic Inn, or JASK rental properties can enjoy 15 percent off cruise tickets. To book a cruise or reserve a private charter, visit mccalllakecruises.com

Payette Pedal Party

If you have spent any time in McCall in the summer, you know that there is just something special about being around the water. The lake makes memories that last a lifetime. For Sarah Lenda, owner of Payette Pedal Party, that feeling you get on the water is something that has stuck with her. “Growing up here, I worked at a lot of places in McCall, but I loved working summers at Mile High Marina,” she says. “There is just something really special about McCall in the summertime. This is where my heart is and I never want to spend the summer months anywhere else.”

After college, Lenda was on a trip with some friends when they went on a pedal boat. “We just had the best time,” she says, “and afterwards that experience really got me thinking about how great this could be on Payette Lake.” She knew there weren’t a lot of charter options on the lake and felt that a pedal boat would be a great addition to the mix. “I am really offering something a little bit more intimate,” she says, “but with a Jimmy Buffet kind of vibe.”

So, she commissioned a boat, got her captain’s license, and launched the Payette Pedal Party in the summer of 2022. Each tour is two hours long and can take up to 15 guests. Ten pedal stations with comfy beach cruiser seats surround a bar top and there is space up front to sit and lounge if you just want to relax and enjoy the ride. “Pedaling is fun, for sure,” says Lenda, “but we have a motor on the boat to help you out when needed.”

Payette Pedal Party runs public cruises daily, but you can also charter the entire boat. Both options give guests the freedom to choose what they want to do while on the water.

“Some people just want to do an easy cruise,” says Lenda. “Others really want to stop at a public dock and jump in the water.” And both are possible! And however you choose to pedal party, the experience is one-of-a-kind. “It can be a booze cruise with a designated driver, a fun family outing.” she says. “You get to make each cruise your own.” And do it together. “It is great because there is also an element of teamwork. It is a lot of laughs and a lot of joy.”

With Bluetooth on board, ice for bring-your-own beverages and food, and an experienced crew to take you around the lake, the only thing left is to sit back and enjoy. “It is a really unique way for friends, family, or perfect strangers to get together and just enjoy each other’s company,” says Lenda. “It’s something different, and whether you are a kid or an adult, it’s the kind of activity that everyone can do.” And as a bonus, if you have a home or are renting a home on the lake with a dock and charter the entire boat, the Pedal Party can pick you up!

This summer look for fun events like beer and wine tastings along with the regular line-up of public cruises and private charters. Visit payettepedalparty.com to make a reservation and see what events are in the works.

The Payette Pedal Party is currently the only pedal boat of its kind in Idaho and operates from Memorial weekend through Labor Day weekend. “My hope is that this becomes something that is an engrained part of McCall’s summer culture,” says Lenda. “If you are in town, the pedal boat is just something you have to do before the summer ends.”

Valley Wake Charters

Kerry Lofy has been on the water most of his life. From waterskiing and wakeboarding growing up in Wisconsin, to surfing in California during his college years, to teaching wake surfing on Lake Tahoe, there isn’t much water he hasn’t mastered. And now Lofy and his wife call Donnelly home, bringing their knowledge and expertise to Idaho to share their love of watersports with Valley Wake Charters.

“There is something really cool about surfing in the middle of land-locked Idaho,” says Lofy. “To get a surfing experience without having to be in an ocean, battling other people and sharks and cold and swells is pretty amazing.” In 2022, he and his wife started Valley Wake Charters, offering not just surfing lessons but waterski and wakeboard lessons, as well as an option to book a chartered trip for anyone wanting to get out on the lake with an experienced boat driver.

“We have a lot of people who want to get out on the water and learn to surf,” says Lofy, “but we have just as many people who simply want a chartered boat for a sunset cocktail cruise.” And Valley Wake Charters does it all. Two-hour, four-hour, sunset, sunrise…any hour on the lake is an hour well spent. They are also able to provide charters on both Payette Lake and Lake Cascade.

This season they are hoping to expand by offering teen wakeboard and wake surf camps. They also offer a “Women’s Wednesday” open to only the ladies. “My wife drives the boat, and it is great because it feels less intimidating,” he says. “It is a great way to enjoy the sport in a relaxed atmosphere.”

Whether they are teaching lessons or just cruising the water, the one thing that is always top-of-mind is respect for the lake. “We know there is a stigma about wake surfing,” says Lofy, “and we take our responsibility as educators and experienced recreationalists seriously.” Lofy has his captain’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard and has certifications in boater safety. “Part of what we do is demonstrate how to responsibly enjoy these fun activities,” he says. “We know the local rules and regulations, we know where the no-wake zones are, we surf in the middle of the lake rather than close to shorelines and docks.” Lofy says on top of people wanting watersports lessons, he also works with clients to show them how to operate their private boats safely on the water.

One of the best things about booking a lesson or charter is that everything is included. Lofy says they provide all of the top-of-the-line equipment and lifejackets, plus your very own boat and driver. “Just come with your swimsuit ready to have a great day on the water.”

To book a session with Valley Wake Charters, visit their website at valleywakecharters.com.

Horse Back Riding

For Sky Wilson, taking care of horses is a labor of love. The daughter of two trail ride and rafting guides, she grew up on horseback, with guiding in her blood.

Wilson had spent five years guiding for Ya-Hoo Corrals before she and her father purchased the family-owned operation from its long-time owners in 2019. She shared their vision to provide a fun and memorable family experience and to share her passion for the outdoors, horses, and the western way of life.

“I love working with people and being able to share my knowledge and my experience with others,” says Wilson. “It’s satisfying to watch them learn and grow and enjoy something that I love myself.”

Ya-Hoo Corrals offers 90-minute trail rides – perfect for new riders or those looking to get back in the saddle again – as well as a four-hour option for those looking for a longer option. The longer rides cover more terrain, offer more scenery, and boost the guests’ chances of spotting local wildlife like moose or Sandhill crane.

When Paddy Kinney hit the trails last summer with his school-age son and niece, it had been about 10 years since he’d been on a horse. He appreciated the ease of the experience and the focus on safety.

“From showing up to letting the little kids ride on the pony before we left, to getting pictures in the wagon, getting a helmet, it was SO easy and super fun for everybody,” said Kinney.

“The guides were really knowledgeable, and they teach you how to get in the saddle and adjust the stirrups,” adds Kinney. “They give you some really good ground rules on how to rein the horse and how to let the horses pass. And then the horses themselves are really well trained and well suited for beginners so there was never even a moment where it was scary or felt out of control.”

Seven-year-old Oliver Kinney agrees. He went on two trail rides with Ya-Hoo Corrals last summer and said his favorite part was feeding the ponies before the ride and getting to see Payette Lake from the trail. “I thought it was real fun,” added Oliver, who plans to tell his friends, “It’s not that scary on a welltrained horse.”

Wilson says those well-trained horses are a more important asset than most people realize. The former owners of Ya-Hoo Corrals spent 25 years selectively breeding horses to be well suited for trail rides, and Wilson credits those well-built and sound-minded horses as a key part of the great experience she offers her guests.

“With my history of having been there and done it for as long as I have, and knowing the horses the way I do, I can figure out how to match riders to the right horses and arrange the group to make sure everyone has a great ride,” says Wilson.

Ya-Hoo Corrals offers trail rides for ages six and up, but there are still some fun options to get the little ones in on the experience. Pony rides at the corrals are available for children five and under, and little kids can hop on a horse-drawn carriage ride with a chaperone for no extra charge. Ya-Hoo also offers a horse-drawn carriage ride + BBQ dinner experience. (kids 5 and under are free, including dinner!).

Ya-Hoo also offers private rides on an hourly basis that can include skill building or more advanced riding.

Paddy Kinney thinks a guided trail ride is a wonderful way to experience horses and would recommend the Ya-Hoo Corrals experience to anyone looking for a fun new way to adventure.

“Just being able to drop by, with no expertise – but a curiosity and desire to do something new – and to be able to go out and ride a horse up a beautiful ridge, look out at the lake and just be ‘in it’…and then jump back in your car and leave – without doing any of the grooming and de-saddling and brushing and feeding and cleaning – is an awesome way to get exposed to something like that.”

Ya-hoo strongly recommends reservations 3-5 days in advance during peak summer months. Ya-Hoo is located at 2280 Warren Wagon Rd www.ya-hoocorrals.com 208-634-3360.

Zip Line Tours

“It is a completely different perspective,” says Morgan Fuller, Director of Guest and Recreational Services at Tamarack Resort. “Seeing the mountain, the valley, everything from above is so different than what you get from the ground.”

The Zip Line Tour at Tamarack Resort is a unique opportunity you won’t find just anywhere. “There is something about trusting the line to hold you,” says Fuller. “It sounds a little dramatic, but it really is a way of ‘letting go’ and giving yourself over to the experience.”

Tamarack’s thrilling, action-packed zipline tour includes eight zip lines and two suspension bridges covering 3,500 feet of stunning mountain terrain. Fly over creeks, canyons, and forest while enjoying stunning views of Lake Cascade and the valley below.

Each tour starts at the Services Building where you get to meet your knowledgeable guides and other members of the group tour. Up to eight guests go on each tour and Tamarack runs about six tours per day.

After orientation is complete and the gear is distributed, the group jumps on the Tamarack Express to start the tour. While some zip line tours are just that, zip lines only, Tamarack’s tour includes almost two miles of trail hiking. “The great part is that it is all downhill,” says Fuller. “Sometimes it is just 100 yards between lines, but in other sections there is a good half mile between zips.”

Lines one and two are designed to get guests comfortable with ziplining and run a bit lower and slower than their subsequent counterparts. The third line starts on a platform and ends on a platform. “This tends to be the first true test of wills, says Fuller. “There is the great, suspenseful build-up before stepping off a ledge and letting the line zip you across the mountain.”

Lines four, five, and six are the longest with incredible views as you traverse over Serenity Canyon. Line five is especially scenic, landing you at the top of a Ponderosa Pine. “That one is always a thrill,” says Fuller. “It doesn’t matter how many times you do it!”

Line seven is the fastest topping out at speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour before taking you to the idyllic eighth line. For the last zip, guests start along a suspension bridge that leads to a platform. The line takes you over a creek with little waterfalls before landing on another suspension bridge.

Aalong the entire tour are wonderful, experienced guides to entertain you (and keep you safe) along the way. “This isn’t an impersonal tour where we just help you off a platform,” says Fuller. “Our guides make it a true experience and for a few hours, everyone is immersed in the tour…and terrible guide jokes.”

Tamarack’s zip line guides aren’t just knowledgeable when it comes to the equipment and infrastructure, they also offer a wealth of knowledge on local flora, fauna, and recreation. “We are usually picking berries along the way, smelling Ponderosa Pines (they smell like vanilla or butterscotch depending on who you ask), talking about what everyone is going to do later that day or later that week and offering local tips and recommendations,” says Fuller. But underneath all the fun is a solid serious side that puts safety first. “In between jokes,” says Fuller, “our job is to help people. Not just with equipment, but a lot of what we do is help people push past their fear and really have fun doing something new.”

Fuller says there is not much better than seeing a guest start out a bit timid or unsure about going on the first zip to hooting and hollering down the mountain having the time of their life. “There is a lot of teamwork, a lot of camaraderie, and some relationship building happening on every tour,” she says. “I’ve seen friendships cultivated on a tour, people overcome their fears on a tour…it is really an amazingly fun job.”

Want to book a tour? Visit tamarackidaho.com to make your reservation. Tours tend to fill up fast on the weekend, but Tamarack runs their zip line tours from the last week in May (weather dependent) until the snow flies in the late fall so there is ample time to find a tour that works with your schedule. One note: the zip lines do have a pretty precise height and weight requirement. Guests must be between 85 and 260 pounds and clock in at under 6 foot 10 inches tall. For questions, you can call the Resort at (208) 325-1000 or visit tamarackidaho.com

Feeling inspired by these amazing guides and outfitters? Keep that energy flowing with a few ideas about how you can be your own guide. Visit our “Trip Ideas” section at visitmccall.org and get the inside scoop on local disc golf courses, scenic chairlift rides, self-guided bike tours, hiking trails, water trails, and so much more.

Responsible Recreation

A great bonus of choosing a guided adventure is that local guides have a wealth of knowledge on how to Recreate Responsibly and are eager to share that with their clients. Leave No Trace principles are of the utmost importance to protect and preserve the landscape and recreational areas we all love.

Learn more about how you can do your part by visiting lnt.org or recreate.idaho.gov

We would also like to invite you to make the McCall Promise – a pledge to show your love for McCall and leave this place better than you found it.