Wapiti Meadow Ranch Fly Fishing... An Angler's Paradise - Orvis Endorsed

We are proud to have been accepted as one of the very few Orvis Endorsed Fly-Fishing Lodges. Orvis bases their endorsement on the high quality of sportfishing available, as well as on the high quality of amenities offered in lodging and dining.

With over 50 miles of freestone stream fishing in and adjacent to the largest Wilderness area in the Lower 48, Wapiti Meadow offers both beginning and experienced fly enthusiasts the best in wade fishing on the headwaters of the legendary Salmon River system, including the blue-ribbon cutthroat waters of the mighty Middle Fork. Nine lakes accessed by horseback, foot, or 4x4 trails provide opportunities to enjoy the alpine reaches of the spectacular Salmon River Mountains, as well as its stream valleys. Secluded, unspoiled, and people-free, the pure waters of this most remote area in the Rocky Mountain West offers the best in wild sport fishing.

Many streams, numerous high mountain lakes and the ranch pond ensure variety in a full week of fly fishing adventure.

Streams
Our guides are thoroughly knowledgeable about every inch of our fine trout streams, which are included in a 1000 square mile outfitting area stretching from the South Fork of the Salmon River on the West to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River on the East. All our streams can be accessed by day-trips, with the Middle Fork, Indian Creek, and Lower Pistol Creek being in quick reach via air. Two days of fishing with an overnight camp on the Middle Fork, just a 15 minute flight from the ranch (or two days on horseback!), is included in the week-long fly fishing package. One day of Middle Fork fishing with the round-trip air charter flight is included in the three day package. All other streams are accessed by 4x4 or a quick stroll out your cabin door.

Lakes
A hike to "No-Name" Lake, where the absence of any trail testifies to the few people who ever enjoy its deep green waters and bountiful supply of native Cutthroat, takes you past Middle Lake and just over the ridge from Fish Lake, all of which are excellent fishing and offer guests the opportunity to be in as remote a spot as is possible in the Lower 48. These
and most other lakes are day-trips from the ranch. We offer some, deep in the River of No Return Wilderness, that can be accessed by horseback and camping.

Pond
The ranch pond supplies us with nice Brook Trout (nicer by the year, since we try to catch-and-release those) and tremendous Rainbow (both of which spawn there, although we have an aggressive stocking program for the Rainbow). The pond is not large, but it is perfect for teaching fly techniques, polishing skills, and supplying wonderful breakfast side-dishes freshly baked or fried, and delicious appetizers or first courses smoked for dinner.

We always catch and release on streams, as well as our high mountain lakes, but our pond is there for the angler who loves to taste as well as catch.

Tackle
With our Orvis shop, where you can purchase all your "tip end" supplies, we also offer a selection of the finest Orvis rods and reels with which you can experiment on our waters. Use of the rods and reels is complimentary for all guests who book any fly-fishing packages, including day-trips. The shop is also stocked with all manner of Orvis equipment which is available for sale or to order.

Fishing Regulations
Fishing on all streams and lakes is open from late May though October. Flyfishing is best on our streams after mid-July, when Spring run-off has abated and the waters have cleared. A fishing license is not needed on the private ranch pond, but all other fishing requires a license for persons 14 and over. These are available locally.

Fully Guided Fly Fishing vacations are avaialble from mid-July to Mid-September:
6 Night Week .........$2,250 per person
3 Night Stay ..........$1,500 per person
One-on-One ..........$100 daily surcharge

Inclusive of all lodging, meals, two-on-one guiding for fly fishing and instruction, horseback riding, use of newest Orvis rods and reels and flight to and from the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with an option of one day or an overnight and two days of fishing there.

In addition to our fully guided fly fishing vacations, which we recommend for the novice fly fisher or those who have never fished western streams before, we have the following fishing plans from which you can select an option best suited to your experience and pocketbook.

NON-GUIDED FLY FISHING OPTION

Fish all or part of your vacation without guide services but with access to all our local and wilderness streams and lakes.  This option is perfect for the experienced fly fisherman who arrives at the ranch with his own transportation to access the full array of our local streams. Our equipment, which is included in the fully guided plan is available for rent to our unguided guests.

6 Night Week ........$1,500 per person
3 Day Stay ..........$1,000 per person
Each Day of Guided Fishing ..........$150 surcharge
Fly-out to Middle Fork .............$100 per person round trip (2 person min.)
Equipment rental and sales from our on-site fly shop...

We plan to make at least one booking (from one to four people) available each week for unguided vacations beginning this summer. For those who feel they can be successful  on our western waters without a guide, there is also the privilege of enjoying Wapiti Meadow's fine cuisine and comfortable quarters. They can also select to be guided a day or more, then fish on their own for the remainder of their vacation. For our non-guided guests who wish to fish our great Middle Fork of the Salmon River waters, we will be happy to arrange flights to and from the stream on a daily basis.  We can also make arrangements with our air charter service for flights into remote backcountry locations for any number of days of unguided fishing.

SEMI-GUIDED FLY FISHING OPTION

Fish for a day or two or more with a guide, then strike off on your own to enjoy the solitude of our backcountry streams and lakes. We can schedule guided days at the beginning of your stay so you can learn the area and the waters here. You may wish to schedule a guided day or days for the Middle Fork, our "fly-out" blue ribbon cutthroat river.

ONE-ON-ONE GUIDED FLY FISHING OPTION

For those vacationing without a fishing partner or those wishing for even more intensive instruction or interaction with their guide, we offer a one-on-one guided fishing option. We will be happy to "pair up" single fishermen with another guest that is fishing alone if we have two such visitors at the same time.

Learn to Fly Fish at Wapiti Meadow

If you have always wanted to fly fish but have been unable to find the right teacher and
time to learn, consider a vacation that will offer the best of instructors who are eager to share their skills with beginning and novice fishermen and fisherwomen.

Our Orvis trained guides look forward to working with those who have never even held a fly rod, as well as with those eager to improve their skills. We have such a broad variety of water - from small streams to the big water of the mighty Middle Fork, from our stocked pond to the spectacular high-mountain lakes in the alpine reaches surrounding the ranch - that novices can learn casting skills, float tube techniques, water reading expertise and fly selection in a unpressured atmosphere.

If full days of concentrated instruction and fishing seem too "heavy", we have all the other activities of a full service guest ranch at your disposal - mountain trail riding on gentle, trail-wise hoses; hiking; exploring ghost towns; gold panning; lawn sports; a hot tub with the best view in the valley; and lounging on the cabin or lodge porches. Scenery, wildlife, wild flowers and birds - they all turn the learning experience into a wonderfully relaxing vacation.

A Relaxed Weeks' Course in Wild Water Fly Fishing

SUNDAY: Arrive at the ranch by mid-afternoon, settle into your cabin and meet your guide for the week. He will help you obtain your fishing license before you meet with
fellow guests for a selection of wines or beers, hors d'oeuvres, and enjoy the first of many "hearty gourmet" meals.

MONDAY: Meet with your guide before breakfast to discuss the day's plan, select appropriate equipment, and gather your fishing supplies for the day. Your guide will introduce you to the concepts of reading the water and becoming familiar with the stream entimology and the selection of appropriate flies. He will teach you to cast, and how to release your fish without damage.

TUESDAY: Take off to one of our high mountain lakes for a day of float tube fishing, casting for rainbow or cutthroat. You and your guide can decide which destination will suit you best, taking into consideration the altitude, difficulty of hike, and type of fishing that each offers. After a day in the alpine reaches of the mountains, you'll return to the ranch for yet another gourmet feast in the elegant Wapiti Meadow dining room.

WEDNESDAY: Board a backcountry air charter at the Johnson Creek airstrip. You and your guide will be virtually alone on the Middle Fork banks, fishing blue-ribbon cutthroat waters with only an occasional sighting of rafters floating downstream. That night you can enjoy a large, comfortable (stand-up room) tent with cot and 4" thick foam mattress on which to spread your sleeping bag while your guide prepares bacon-wrapped, seasoned filet mignon for your dinner.

THURSDAY: Today you may hike from camp to deep pools that are set like jewels in the necklace of the stream for excellent fishing on smaller water. After opening your lunch hamper and enjoying another afternoon of working you way back to camp through riffles and pools, you will be met by your air charter and whisked back to the ranch for a welcome-home gourmet dinner.

FRIDAY: You will explore one or more of the many streams on or adjacent to the ranch for your final day of fishing. Unpressured and in a beautiful environment with a one-on-one or two-on-one relationship with your teacher, you will find that you have become a fly fisher with techniques and experiences that can only be learned in a natural setting with no limit set on the "time in the classroom".

SATURDAY: After breakfast on Saturday morning you will either fly or drive back to civilization, the culture shock softened by your memories of a sport well mastered and a week spent in comfort amid the most wild and rugged mountains in the Lower 48 States. No high-school gymnasium clinic can compare!

If you have traveled with a non-fishing companion or family, they will have enjoyed
unlimited and individualized mountain trailriding or a week of relaxing with a book, hiking maps, a mountain bike and visiting with like-minded fellow guests in the comfort of a ranch, set like a jewel in the middle of a picturesque wilderness valley.

Ranch Activities.... a variety for all:

Horseback Riding
Certainly no other backcountry activity can spark your imagination and sense of adventure as does riding the trails on a good horse. Let your horse watch the trail so you can lift your eyes and discover the scenery. Our horses are professionals; gentle, sure-footed and experienced on mountain trails. We are frequently complimented on our "relaxed and responsive" horses, and we feel that our program creates and keeps them this way for each successive rider throughout the season, whether experienced or more fledgling in ability.

All our rides are accompanied by at least one licensed guide. We have a brief orientation to introduce our guests to mountain riding techniques before we tackle our first trail, and we make sure that first day that you have the horse and saddle that's just right for you.

Riding Adventure Vacations are available June-September:
6 Night Week .........$1,500 per person
3 Night Stay .........$1,000 per person

Inclusive of all lodging, meals and unlimited, personalized guided horseback riding.
Individualized pack trips are available for limited numbers of guests and limited dates at $150 per person per day surcharge.  All riders are invited to fly fish as well. There is a $150 per person per day surcharge for guided fishing.

Walking and Hiking
Enjoy a leisurely stroll over our gentle rolling paths. Pat the velvet muzzle of friendly horse as you walk along the zig-zag fence row. Stop and sit a spell on a sun-warmed rock and let your eyes drink in the vibrant green of swaying grasses sprinkled with a rainbow-profusion of colorful wildflowers. For those with a faster pace on their minds, you'll find mile upon mile of forest trails winding their way through the surrounding mountains.

Guides are available if you want to roam off the ranch or if you just like to have an interesting companion who can tell you more about this wonderful environment.

Lawn Sports
What is your pleasure? You'll find a court for basketball, volleyball and badminton. Quieter action is available with horseshoes and croquet. Choose your favorite and have a ball!

Photography
There's and infinite number of backcountry subjects to capture on film. Amateurs and professionals alike have found Wapiti Meadow to be a photographers paradise. Camera safaris can be planned in advance.

4x4 Sightseeing
Several ranch vehicles are available for guided excursions both on-ranch and off.

Wild Salmon Spawning Stream
Each year, around mid-July, adult salmon colored with a brilliant spawning-orange, return to Johnson Creek. For a 6-8 week period, you can witness their ritualistic mating dance over the spawning gravel that lines the stream. Take a seat on the bridge or at stream side and enjoy a few quiet moments contemplating the secrets of life.

Panning for Gold
Follow in the footsteps of the first valley settlers and join us on a gold panning expedition. You never know when a flash of color will appear in your pan. Barry has his secret honey holes where he rarely misses some show. A flake of gold, however small, makes a great souvenir of your backcountry explorations.

Mountain Biking
The trails and old mining and logging roads that spider web the Johnson Creek valley are motor vehicle free and offer a variety of terrain and challenge for the mountain biker. We have bikes available, with reservations at the time of booking, for those who wish to make a whole cycling vacation or others who simply want some variety.

Snowmobiling
Suit up for some white and wild excitement! We have over 100 miles of groomed trails starting right at the ranch. With the right snow conditions, dozens of small feeder roads provide miles of additional trails to explore. Licensed snowmobile guides are on staff, primed and eager to hit the trails at no extra charge.

Cross Country Skiing
Ski here and feel like it's just you and Mother Nature. Wapiti Meadow has mile after mile of groomed ski trails and backcountry powder leading from your doorstep.

Executive Retreats and Family Reunions
Reserve the entire ranch for your exclusive use. Wapiti Meadow understands the needs of professionals and executive-level decision makers. Our spacious facilities and quiet surroundings are conductive to productive conferences with ample resources to provide settings for multiple small work groups. We offer a unique experience for groups of up to 16; meeting space away from the interruptions of your office and access to a diverse array of re-energizing activities and relaxation. We have the perfect facility and variety of activities to accommodate and entertain extended family reunions.

May - October: $1600/day/group (up to 8); $150/day/each person above 8
November - April: $800/day/group (up to 8); $75/day/each person above 8

Includes: Full and exclusive use of all facilities, including all meals, hors d'oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine at cocktail hour and with dinner.
Guided riding and fly fishing are available in season for an extra per person/per day charge.

We are proud to have been accepted as one of the very few Orvis Endorsed Fly-Fishing Lodges. Orvis bases their endorsement on the high quality of sportfishing available, as well as on the high quality of amenities offered in lodging and dining.

Wapiti Meadow's log and stone lodge is the heart of our operation. First-time visitors are usually amazed to find such a comfortable blend of homespun western charm and gracious Virginia antiques. From curios and historic treasures to fine china and crystal goblets, the richness of mountain country folklore reaches out to welcome you. The subtle taste of elegance and style makes this a natural setting for fine relaxation and pleasant conversation.

Spanning the entire length of the lodge is our broad front porch, a favorite gathering spot before and after dinner. The old fashioned swing is a wonderful place to curl up with a good book on a lazy afternoon.

The Great Room provides the perfect backdrop for an after dinner cup of exotic-blend coffee. Several comfortable couches and easy chairs focus on a mammoth stone fireplace. The warm glow of flames sets just the right mood while you listen to the fish tales of yesterday and today. This is the place to find an intriguing book from our substantial library, pick a board game from the Game Cupboard, or try your hand at our player piano.

There are few pleasures in life finer than the deep relaxation to be found in the warm, whirlpool waters of our Hot Tub. Indulge yourself and soak your cares away while watching horses graze in our grassy meadow. Our hot tub has hosted many memorable conversations and there's simply no better place to view a mountain sunset.

Tanning aficionados will find our redwood sunning deck and a number of more private locations perfect for absorbing the warmth and golden color from our bright summer sun.

Private Guest Cabins
You get much more than just a bedroom at Wapiti Meadow. Enjoy your own stunning panoramic view of the timbered mountains flanking this magnificent valley. When you
 first open your door, you'll be greeted with fresh flowers, snacking goodies, a refrigerator filled with soft drinks, your own coffee maker, and a fruit basket brimming with seasonal selections.

All our cabins are light and airy, each with an ambiance all its own. Newly carpeted and refurbished, they boast of both electric baseboard heat and a functional wood
stove resting on a stone hearth. You will find your cabin scrupulously clean and the decor warm and inviting. With separate
 bedroom(s), a modern bath, large living room, fully equipped kitchenette, and daily maid service, you'll find every comfort and convenience to make your stay a pleasure.

Living rooms are furnished for relaxing (both mind and body) with a sofa, easy chairs, and convenient tables. A game or
dining table sits just in front of the picture window in each cabin. Indulge yourself with a quiet afternoon nap or host a gathering of new friends.

Although there is no real need for the kitchenette facilities, we've found guests
appreciate a refrigerator for midnight snacks. We'll keep your cabin stocked with your choice of complimentary fruit,
 snacks, and soft beverages. Most guests enjoy the convenience of their own coffee maker and we also have fresh baked goods in your cabin for a before-breakfast snack with your coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

Accommodations
Executive Suite: This suite is located in the main lodge and includes two bedrooms, a large sitting/living room and spacious bath. Access to all the lodge amenities is immediate. 2 bedrooms, 2 twin beds, 1 full bed.

Ponderosa Bungalow: The Ponderosa Pine is one of the predominant trees in our magnificent forest. The Bungalow characterizes the heyday of Idaho logging. 2 bedrooms, 2 twin beds, 1 queen.

Lafe Cox's Cache: Named for the man who helped so many people discover the Wilderness in his 40 years operating Cox Dude Ranch, this cabin celebrates the world of packers, guides, and wilderness explorers. 2 bedrooms, 1 queen, 2 twins.

Thunder Mountain Cabin: Zane Grey catapulted this area to fame with his novel on the famous Thunder Mountain gold rush of 1901. This cabin commemorates the brave men and women who prospected and mined this rugged land. 1 bedroom, 1 queen.

The Rendezvous: The mountain men had to develop a special harmony with Nature. The adventure of these spirited trappers and hunters comes to life once again in The Rendezvous. 2 bedrooms, 2 twin beds each.

Dining at Wapiti Meadow Ranch

Elegant dining is a Wapiti Meadow trademark.

Beautiful surroundings, fine service and a creative chef make mealtimes a pleasure. Our dining room seats 18 comfortably. Service is on fine china with silver appointments, and the glow of warm candlelight sets the mood. We enjoy creating a beautiful table.

Gourmet Cuisine
We believe good food is one of the great pleasures in life. Extraordinary care is taken in selecting the finest quality foods available to provide interesting and artfully created gourmet cuisine. Always a part of any daily fare are fresh baked goods, crisp exotic salads, mountains of tasty cookies, and sinfully delicious desserts.

Our award-winning, classically trained chef, Shannon Gibbons, is an honors graduate of the Western Culinary Institute and a member of the American Culinary Federation, as well as the ACF Chefs de Cuisine Society. In addition to preparing our traditional "hearty gourmet" dishes, she has developed a wide variety of menu items exclusively for Wapiti Meadow, utilizing the freshest of seasonal fruits and vegetables and products indigenous to the Rocky Mountain area.

Imagination and variety go into every meal, we provide three memorable meals a day, including such entrees as: Marinated Grilled Flank Steak Roast Cornish Game Hens with Cranberry Glaze Grilled Fresh Salmon on a bed of Belgian Endive with Lemon Dressing Savory Prime Rib

High Country Appetites
Crisp clean mountain air and invigorating activities stimulate appetites... and that's something we understand here at Wapiti Meadow. Most of our guests remark on the gusto with which they meet their meals, and rarely does anyone hold back. Indulge yourself... and enjoy!

The After-Dinner Light Show
Sit back and relax to enjoy your dessert on our spacious front porch. You'll have a front-row seat for Idaho's spectacular night-sky presentation... dark and deep as the blackest velvet, yet alive and brilliant with the Gem State's finest jewels. You've never seen a starry night until you've seen one from Wapiti Meadow.

Come join us!!

Your Hosts Barry Bryant & Diana Swift

East met West when Barry Bryant, a fourth generation son of the Idaho backcountry, combined his skills with those of Diana Swift, an east-coast horsewoman who ignited the dream that became Wapiti Meadow.

Diana, a graduate of Northwestern University, divided her time between homes in Virginia and Washington, D.C., where her gourmet catering business launched a career into the world of professional entertaining. Life on her farm in Virginia hunt-country was the trigger for her involvement in outdoor recreation. For 25 years she challenged her abilities with classic fox hunting, dressage competition, and trail riding the foothills of the Alleghenies. Repeated visits to the River of No Return Wilderness fueled her dream to relocate there and build a home and business, helping to open the doors of this pristine Wilderness to others.

Barry's life brings a unique blend of experience to Wapiti Meadow. A graduate of Washington State University with a degree in business administration, Barry can draw on his intermountain corporate experience as well as his life in the Idaho backcountry, hunting and fishing this area for over four decades. Barry knows the country like the back of his hand, and understands the ways of the animals who live there. He is also a licensed backcountry pilot, and loves to share his enthusiasm, and knowledge of flying with guests.

Personal Commitment

We understand that modern travelers appreciate comforts and amenities once considered outrageous luxuries for the backcountry. We have focused every aspect of our accommodations and service to that end. Wapiti Meadow's founding premise is simple: Provide a high-quality experience for a very small number of guests.

Our maximum capacity is 15, and we've spared no effort to insure that we meet the standards of a world-class vacation retreat.

Wapiti Meadow is a commitment to the future. From opposite ends of the country we have watched the nation's natural resources and open spaces disappear. We are dedicated to protecting at least our corner of the world for you and for generations to come. As strong advocates of wilderness ethics and intelligent management of our natural assets, we also understand that a viable state economy is a vital factor in conservation. Wapiti Meadow strives to help develop Idaho's potential as a international vacation destination. We are working to help reach these goals through our cooperative efforts with:

U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game, Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, Dude Ranchers Association, Idaho Guest and Dude Ranch Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce, Cascade Chamber of Commerce