Choosing an Outfitter

If there is one thing true in today's tech-savvy world it is this: a slick website can make anyone look good. Thus, judging one outfitter verse another via their websites can be a daunting task. This is especially true if you are new to the activity or haven’t received a recommendation from friends. Every season, at least one major magazine or newspaper publishes a “how to pick an outfitter” article chock full of softball questions that don’t accomplish much. With some time to kill at the Boise airport, I asked myself: What five REAL questions would I ask outfitters if I knew nothing about them?

#5. Can you send me your menu?
Any entree that contains the word “imitation” is a bad sign. Canned three bean salad is a bad sign.

#4. If I can’t go with your outfit, who would you suggest I call?
Great companies don’t hesitate to recommend other great companies. The best ones are often full and want you to have the best trip possible and will tend to recommend peers.

#3. What is your company’s policy about your staff using tobacco products?

#2. What do you charge?
Be suspicious of low prices and curious about high prices. There are only so many ways to save money in outfitting. Guide to passenger ratios, guide wages (you want well paid, knowledgeable guides), food costs, length of trip. Prices substantially below the norm are red flags.

#1. What kind of wine do you provide and where does it come from?
In my opinion, this is one of the best questions you can ask and it will tell you a lot about the care and detail that goes into an outfitter's planning. Idaho is not on the list of the world's famous wine regions. This is one of those attention to detail queries and deserves a good answer beyond “we serve the best from Idaho.” Even if you don't drink wine, ask the question.

Julie and Beau - Tying the Knot!

Julie Guthrie and Beau Larkin are tying the knot! Julie has been an Idaho River Journeys guide since 2002 and Beau guides for Rogue River Journeys and has also run a trip on the Main Salmon with IRJ.

After five wonderful years of friendship and two memorable years of courtship the couple will be married this June in Montana. Julie and Beau met in a University of Montana program that focused on American land and resource use and how to strengthen the communities we live in. As the two of them explored these ideas, it brought them closer together as they learned and shared. Three years of close friendship followed and their time was filled with hiking, boating, plant and bird spotting, and music appreciation.

Several years back, however, things took a turn as they decided their friendship had some real relationship potential. Beau popped the question at a beautiful dinner last May just before Julie left for guiding season. It was a long summer apart with a happy reunion in August full of excitement as the two started planning their wedding.

The ceremony will take place nestled in the foothills of the Mission Mountains overlooking Flathead Lake, a beautiful place that is special to both of them.

The couple plans to honeymoon at Chico Hot Springs and float the Flathead River. Beau will then go work another season on the Rogue while Julie takes her first year in seven years off from guiding and focuses on her new career as a nurse.

From all of Idaho River Journeys, congratulations to Julie and Beau!