This is America’s Best Wild River Trip | DIY Idaho | 5 days Fly Fishing Hiking & Backpacking

If you pack smart and plan accordingly you are sure to leave with a lifetime of memories. Folks this is going to be 5 days fly fishing one of the most remote drainages in the lower 48.
This is truly the fantasy land most outdoorsman only see in dreams. The landscapes taken out of a Tolken tale will make you fell small at every step and the raw elements will remind you how insignificant you truly are. Even though the surroundings are sure to take the breath away, each step ought to be taken with the utmost care. Always keep you gaze keen on the horizon because no matter how vast, there is a good chance you are not alone.
In a lot of ways, this set of challenges may seem insurmountable for the adventurous angler..
But there is good reason fellowships continue to make the pilgrimage to these wild lands. Thriving native fish still swim strong all throughout these emerald waters. Despite the growing list of obstacles brought on by modernity, relics of yesteryear can still be found at the top of these skeleton systems. Apex predators mix with seasonal residents to give a fleeting glimpse of much wilder times in the not so distant past.
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Points of Reference:
Day 1 (it started so well)
3:35 - Who is Sam?
6:30 - Hike in
8:00 - Bear Corner
11:25 - Arrive at Camp
14:00 - Fishing Starts
24:22 - Streamer "how to"
28:16 - Storm hit
30:43 - The river sucks
Day 2 (picking up the pieces)
33:47 - Foggy morning
36:49 - Fish still exist
45:21 - Leaving fish to find nothing
51:36 - Eating our sorrows
Day 3 (This is better)
57:05 - Thats a lot of bull trout
1:06:36 - What did we just catch?
1:11:52 - Frogs and bears
1:16:08 - Bear Safety
1:24:47 - We are out of here
Day 4 (We left fish to find fish)
1:30:32 - Yankee Fork Dredge
1:33:39 - Plan A
1:41:11 - Plan B
1:42:18 - Plan C
Day 5 (Saving the trip)
1:45:45 - Hiking in
1:49:42 - WE FOUND TROUT
1:57:09 - Salmon?
2:08:01 - Its all over
Trip Research:
www.westernrivers.org/discove...
www.westernrivers.org/project...
www.westernrivers.org/project...
www.westernrivers.org/project...
idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingp...
www.yellowdogflyfishing.com/d...
idahoriverjourneys.com/middle...
www.idahorivers.org/news/2022...
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-c...
www.idahoconservation.org/blo...
idahocapitalsun.com/2022/05/2....
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wil...
visitidaho.org/travel-tips/tr...
yankeeforkdredge.com/
www.tu.org/magazine/conservat...

[@atorrealba6314]

What a treat!! Never stop fishing, never stop filming. One of, if not the, bestest yet!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! Seriously your support means the world!

[@alcoholfree6381]

I used to be like you guys, total gonzo fly fishing nut, but now I’m 70 with lots of medical problems, and am unable to wade at all. I enjoyed your video. At the end of my fly fishing career I only fished for big Salmon and Steelhead, seeking fish that went deep into the backing or took it all and broke me off heading back to the ocean. The World’s best steelhead were on the Dean River in BC. Unfortunately the fishing has declined severely. Keep up your adventures.

[@FLYALLSZN]

The goal is to one day make it up to places like BC and hunt for those migratory monsters!

[@chalillo2268]

@@FLYALLSZN I'll recommend you the Clearwater river in Idaho is famous for its B run steelhead, is a awesome river for those that are into two handed rods! And plenty of wide banks for the beginner!

[@dontaylor7545]

I am 72 and I lived in Idaho for 65 years. I fished most of the water you showed, loved seeing it again, especially Marsh Creek and it's stellar westslope! Nice job, thanks!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@hardingmasonry]

So impressed how elegant your words are. You bring such a welcoming tone to any adventure! I can't wait to read your first book and have really come to love your adventures. Tight lines

[@michaelmoore7543]

I don’t know how I found this channel but I’m so thankful KZbin recommended it. Beautiful sights and amazing fish

[@FLYALLSZN]

Glad you found it Michael!

[@eddiebingbong7977]

Amazing film! The highs and lows of fishing are what keeps you coming back for more!!!

[@FLYALLSZN]

That is how these kind of trips go! Lots of highs and lows

[@djsnay8000]

Amazing video and keep them coming.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed!

[@RosinFlyFishing]

Lol enjoyed the mild self deprecating comment about listening to you narrate for 2+ hours 😂 I appreciate your hustle both in the fishing and in the editing and narrating. Seeing those chinook there was pretty special, and your reactions were so genuine, I love it. Thanks for the effort and the content :)

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! That far into the interior of the US is so cool to see!

[@scottrick5190]

Fantastic Mike, thanks for sharing your adventures!

[@FLYALLSZN]

SCOTT!! Of course! So glad you like them

[@andrewpezdirtz6598]

Love these longer videos. Amazing

[@FLYALLSZN]

Love making them! Thank you so much Andrew!

[@Mtn-Fly]

Man this gets me so pumped for summer. Great job man!

[@FLYALLSZN]

It is right around the corner! Now is the time to tie bugs and train for the backcountry!

[@alcoholfree6381]

The rule of 7, earned from way too many days fishing for big fish, 1/7 days may be phenomenal, 3/7 days you will catch some fish but after hard work, and 3/7 you get skunked. These men seemed to do better. They made a fun video!!

[@jeremiahhedeen3879]

new sub....and I'm really enjoying what you call nerdiness, but your love of fish and explaining the salmon and how important seeing them return that far from the ocean is really amazing, so awesome, thank you for the great content!!

[@FLYALLSZN]

I really appreciate that Jeremiah! Some people don't have the attention span for that! I sure enjoy researching it.

[@shane_c]

I just got here. Dude the vocabulary usage is top notch. I love it. Art in itself.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Shane!!

[@haroldjones2513]

What another great video Once again amazing ❤️

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Harold!

[@Samwacker15]

Such a great video Mike! Nothing better on a cold Chicago morning than living the fishy dreams through you! Really appreciate the information on species.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Sam! Has me reminiscing on summer days as well

[@kelleynelson8059]

I don’t even know that much about fly fishing but I love being outside and I love the long form way that you’ve document of the trip and I’ve been watching every minute of the video when I have time throughout the day and is bringing me a lot of relaxation and enjoyment

[@NHBackcountryGuide]

Good friends are hard to find let alone finding one that's as enthusiastic about the same pursuits. I hope you guys get to do this every year for the rest of your lives.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Very hard to find John! I am lucky to have Sam go through grind with me!

[@Daniel-td1ou]

Thanks for taking us on your adventure. Beautiful scenery and trout.

[@carywood3946]

Another awesome video dude.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!!

[@daveboise9868]

Great editing, awesome narration, and fantastic content. Thanks for taking me along on the journey. Basically my home water in the summertime for the past 20 years....and my home pizza place. You just can't count on the fish in that system as they move a lot. There one week, gone the next. Makes me wish I was young again. Cheers

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Dave!! It can be challenging to track them down!

[@garyrafferty7625]

Thanks for an honest and sobering view into true wilderness fishing... vice those who just show their highlights and trophies.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you Gary! Not always the most positive picture, but it adds a dash of reality to what we do.

[@tommytrout]

Excellent video. I watched the whole video in one setting and that says a lot of how it kept my interest to keep watching. Great work on the video capturing, editing and narration. You both did a great job and tight lines to you.

[@mikeeckenrodt4762]

Awesome!!! Thanks for taking us on your trip! I loved the two hours!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Of course Mike! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@gkfrandsen7739]

You have a fantastic talent for narration, and I enjoy watching all your videos. Fishing is only apart of the entire outdoor experience and natural beauty of the chronicles you create. Wonderful

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! I do my best to highlight it all

[@chasegoode683]

Been excited for this video!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you Chase! Hope you enjoy!

[@steveverwiel9593]

Spent a great evening travelling with you guys on this adventure! Well done!

[@FLYALLSZN]

So happy to have you along for the ride Steve!!

[@bobfly9109]

Gratuliere zu diesen tollen Abenteuer! Klasse Fische und grandiose Natur. 👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@FLYALLSZN]

Ich verwende Google Translate, also entschuldige ich mich, wenn dies keinen Sinn ergibt. ABER! Vielen Dank! Es war wirklich ein wildes Abenteuer.

[@leemowers9395]

Thanks Mike for a great type II adventure. Thanks to the sponsors.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Of course Lee! So glad you enjoyed!

[@PaulRowan]

West cuts in your own private Idaho. Keep on keeping the Adventure On Mike. Love the scenery and ambient into music BTW... I need to get a link to that... Imparting with wisdom gained and my younger self and note to self and others - You think, you have time, but you don't. Time is like a river, you can never touch the same flow twice. Get out there and get on to the getting and get the doing done, live that dream and enjoy the smell of fish fingers, bruised ankles and knees. You may be a little sore, however you made memories and have a great story to share about that adventure on. Happy Hiking and Recon Release & Remember.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Paul! Couldn't agree more!

[@robinson8888]

What a brilliant film, thank you.

[@FLYALLSZN]

So glad you enjoyed it!!

[@billwarganich1875]

Awesome guys . You have to follow your passions in life . Only way to live .

[@FLYALLSZN]

Could not agree more!

[@TylerEmmel]

Loved the video of you and Sam down on the Rio Grande, cannot wait to watch this adventure!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you Tyler! That was a fun adventure!

[@michaelcanonico926]

Oh to be that young again!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Doing our best while we can!

[@ravingdog24]

Idaho is my new home. Just beginning to get to some of our waters

[@WesternPaFlyFisher]

The wife and I watched the full video last evening. Very nice adventure. Cheers.

[@FLYALLSZN]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@NoDunksInc]

52:11 Great shirt!

[@FLYALLSZN]

The pod is dope! Would support with more merch in the future

[@izakwalker6286]

Hyping me up to fly fish and explore new water this year.

[@FLYALLSZN]

That is what it is all about! So glad you enjoyed

[@TheJTTaylor000]

It’s 3:25am. I just finished this incredible journey. Incredibly edited documentary. If possible, it should be an award winning one. Thank you for taking us along. Im lost on just how hard it was to do this alone. But add videoing it. Astonishing!

[@FLYALLSZN]

So glad you enjoyed!! It can take a bit of work at times! But capturing a memory like this is priceless!

[@TheJTTaylor000]

Thank you for living my dream life. Use it will brother.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Can do!!

[@IdahoOutdoorDad]

I’ve hunted and fished this drainage, such a magical area!

[@FLYALLSZN]

It really is!

[@stephenbrody2717]

Mike, best one yet. Remember when you were going to school in Wisc and would sneak away to the Driftless. Glad to see you are still dreaming and making it happen when life allows

[@millerbowles3156]

Far and away my favorite video you've produced to this point! As a fellow trout bum from Missouri, it's great to see another Midwesterner exploring the West!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you Miller! Gotta get out and about while I still can!

[@alexstamateris5977]

Amazing Story! Well told. Interesting and entertaining. Worth every bit of watching for two hours. Thanks,

[@FLYALLSZN]

That means a lot! 2 hours is a long time.. so for you to say that is so cool!

[@alexstamateris5977]

@@FLYALLSZN You sir have a future in movie making! It wasn’t a utube, it was a documentary show. I put it on my tv and watched it. Excellent stuff! 👍

[@prolificnorthwest]

This was so fun to watch. Nice work!

[@wutm8565]

Thanks for documenting this trip. What a grind, was awesome to watch and your commentary was a huge addition to af awesome video.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! More to come!

[@RalfJenniskens]

Great footage guys! Love to come back to Idaho as i was there in '92. Would love to have a trip like this before turning to old ;-)❤

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you! No time like the present

[@sureshvenugopal4047]

Great video and narration! I felt like I was taking the trip with you guys. Tight lines!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Suresh!

[@gatormclusky55]

Spent a couple of months in the Payette National Park... Gorgeous country

[@backcountryskinz]

The best adventures , unreal work mike as always 🔥

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!!

[@bananabreadtrades]

Praise Steve 🙏

[@FLYALLSZN]

Praise 🙏🏼

[@TetonTenkara]

Nicely done! Great trip! Beautiful fish! Nice bear, too!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! This adventure really had it all!

[@andrewwills8516]

Great show love it 💕

[@obtuseness_acumen]

Living vicariously for 2:16:42! Epic!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!!

[@jenniferpenner6799]

Great video

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@owensfamily755]

Great camera work with your tripod set up. I really enjoy seeing the large vistas when you film the two of you fishing.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@ericfleming8876]

Really a great video. Well done!!!

[@EamonWanders]

Nice

[@ASMRMARY-]

So interesting ❤

[@SuperChadward]

Excellent video, like always!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Aaron!

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Type 2 fun all the way 👊🏻 Took two days to get this watched but wow 👌 Awesome

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@bradmizzou]

Awesome video! Love chatting with everyone on the discord

[@FLYALLSZN]

Its a great place to talk shop!

[@Tastewithnewdrinks]

Great review.

[@ryanfurlong6840]

Man this was a great video! The story telling and making us feel like we’re there with you gets better with every video. Thanks for sharing your adventures! Can’t wait for what’s next

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Ryan! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nickmcgarvey6463]

I'm happy you guys discovered Big Hole to end the trip. It's really something down there. At either end of your journey, you were not far from what this Idaho boy considers even better water. Just a handful of miles of dirt road past Dagger and the dredge, the real real Idaho awaits. Congrats, you did an excellent job figuring out one little piece of the best of the best.

[@oakandoscar]

love this one. well done!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you very much!

[@droid9959]

Nice job fellas 🙂👍

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you!!

[@luke.hutcherson]

this was amazing, well done man

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Luke!!

[@mtdafishgod4099]

This was dope af. Very informative

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@roneykaithpalmaria]

Finesse of the flip 👌🏼 haha even your commentary on pancakes is good. Another sick adventure!!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Every detail counts haha thank you so much!!

[@johanvandenbergh475]

Great video, guys.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!!

[@heathreeves6327]

Idaho is awesome. I spent a few weeks there in 2015 or so. I plan on visiting again soon

[@FLYALLSZN]

It is an amazing place!

[@jbberry1]

Shh stop telling people. I was lucky enough to be born in a hospital 3 minutes from the Clearwater. Now I live in Coeur d Alene but still fish all over the state as much as possible.

[@SoloSchmitty]

Really nice video. Keep up the good work!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!!

[@D2uned]

Glad to see you have an intrepid partner for your adventures. Should be a lot safer that way, although I admire your previous solo adventures. You always find the fish! Glad to be your "passenger" while I sit here and work on my computer at home in frozen Texas. Can't wait for some warmer weather and to break out the kayak.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Always good to have a partner in this misery business!

[@Paulpoission]

That storm looks like it created a bunch of lightning fires. Gonna say that’s just a rainbow on appearance

[@FLYALLSZN]

I think there are a number of things that caused the fires, but it was not that particular storm you saw in this video.

[@TheRobert7878]

Nice! I grew up fishing and backpacking in that area. Love it! Im in darby montana now if yall ever need a pad to crash at to fish put of for a night or two.

[@Callaweginflyfishing]

Trips like this are a bit out of my range, I'm 69 and a 2 mile hike will almost kill me. So thanks, for showing me your trip. I love fishing out west. Like you, I'm from Missouri with good but limited trout fishing. Nothing like your Western adventure. Keep up the good work, your an inspiration.

[@FLYALLSZN]

The west is truly hard to beat! Rugged and wild at every turn. But I will say, I have a special spot in my heart for little Missouri blue lines.

[@AndrewBeveridge461]

Thimbleberry! Also grows in the U.P., trudged through it on the Keweenaw on my way to a remote stretch of Lake Superior shore to two-hand chuck some huge spoons in hope of shore cruising trout. No luck but the scenery was A+

[@derekthomas1623]

Fantastic 👍

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you Derek!

[@derekthomas1623]

@@FLYALLSZN You should grab an 8 weight and go to Florida for a trip/video. Southwest gulf coast: snook, tarpon, redfish. Would be awesome to see some saltwater adventures! Keep it up, really enjoy your videos.

[@kevinpaddlety-jj5mg]

caught a bull trout on the black foot river in montana that was 36”. Witnessed by a game warden too

[@tduvall13]

Awesome video! That was definitely a resident rainbow and not a steelhead. Steelhead don’t have spots below the lateral line 👍

[@FLYALLSZN]

That is the conclusion we came to as well!

[@jackinthewoodsii8653]

Wonderful editing, very enjoyable to watch. Casting those huge articulated streamers must've been difficult.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Jack! The shoulders were certainly sore after slinging that weight for a few days

[@chalillo2268]

Awesome video!!! As a mexican who grew up fishing for rainbow trout in Central Mexico. And right after migrating to the USA staring learning fly fishing and going on road trips around the west! I remember my first time traveling to eastern Sierra in California for Golden trout then up to Oregon and Washington for steelhead and later going to Montana and Idaho for westlope Cutthroat. But driving throughout Central Idaho and seeing these Chinook salmon spawning at the head waters of the Salmon River is something just mind blowing. Especially if you have driven from the coast all the way to the Sawtooth mountains. You just can't but admire these beautiful anodromuos fish!

[@grantharris3518]

Have you ever fished native mexican trout in Durango or Chihuahua?

[@chalillo2268]

@@grantharris3518 I haven't! I know there's native trout in those states you mentioned but unfortunately there's hybridization with stoked rainbow trout! Unless you way deep into the sierra madre canyons!

[@jmadera_6]

I would absolutely love to go on an adventure like this someday. I need to get into fly fishing 🤔

[@FLYALLSZN]

You should!

[@reneguay1347]

You guys should come to southern alberta cutties in the 16 to 20 inch are everywhere

[@FLYALLSZN]

That might be in the cards sooner rather than later!

[@cutback747]

Great video. I just thought I might add a little info. From the Wild Salmon Center's research in Kamchatka, they've determined a healthy (rainbow) trout river, that can lead to the ocean, will have some trout that go out and become steelhead, and some will stay resident rainbows. There will be a healthy, genetic diversity. I can assure you 100% that your large trout was a large, resident rainbow. First, check the spots that are all over the fish. In general, an steelhead will have spots only above the lateral line, with some exceptions (central California valley steelhead). Second, the size. To make the trip from Idaho, across 7 dams, and back to Idaho the adult fish must be large, about 7 pounds and above. This just makes sense. There are some rivers (Klamath, Trinity, Rogue), where there are a prevalent number of "half-pounder" steelhead of the 14" to 22" size, and some of these are sexually mature. But This is not the case for any steelhead that would have to make a 900 mile return trip to the ocean. Hope this helps. Thanks again for a great video!

[@kevinshore7463]

Deserves more views, loved watching this the last 2 days thank you for the entertainment and the trip ideas to be planned in the future 🤙 stay fishy

[@FLYALLSZN]

So glad you enjoyed it Kevin! There will be many and more!

[@liamkingsbury7438]

What rod were you using to throw the streamers for the bull trout? Thanks!

[@just.joshin8642]

Best way to keep my mindset on fishing while waiting for the snow to melt here in Southeast Idaho!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Glad this could help get your mind of the snow for a bit!

[@ethanmittelstadt9014]

I’ve fished this spot since I was 14 and was there 2 weeks before this video was made! Now my kids are enjoying what I call my second backyard. We also met Mr. Bear!

[@FLYALLSZN]

What a backyard to have! It is truly a magical place!

[@flyfishingdriftless5068]

Great video! you gonna be in the Driftless this year?

[@FLYALLSZN]

I am most certainly going to try to make it up there!

[@chancestack]

Great series. You’d do a great one in hells canyon

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you Chance! I will have to add it to the bucket list!

[@chancestack]

I’d love to join

[@brendonvirgil-virgilcustom8441]

In the Northwest a rainbow trout 20” or longer is considered a steelhead in water that supports steelhead migration.

[@rootriverrodco]

Great video! if your back in the midwest ever stop by our shop in lanesboro.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! I try to make my way back as often as I can!

[@andydavidson4108]

In 1965 this Chicago kid drove to Idaho on summer break to my summer job with the Forest Service as a surveyor. Our station was on the North Fork of the Clearwater. A novice fly fisher at that time, I honed my skills on the native cutthroat. Then in 1990 I took a trip with my wife and we went back to our old station. The cabin was long gone, but the trout were still there and willing to take a fly.

[@FLYALLSZN]

I have heard great things about the NF of the clear! Sounds like a dream Andy

[@kcflytie]

What an incredible video! What cameras do you use?

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! This was a mix of GoPro and my Canon EOS-M50

[@mt.hoodangler8733]

What app ya use to mark spots and stuff?🤙

[@cfg1365]

This is epicccc.. side note.. do you use a solar portable charger for your phone on these trips?

[@FLYALLSZN]

Solar chargers aren't reliable enough most of the time! I just carry extra batteries

[@BiotopeKing]

Nice trip what do you use for the waypoint markers (which app?)

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you! I prefer OnX

[@tomtrudgeon4105]

Great video - thanks for making it. …What happened with that bear attack?!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Tom! It’s a very long story!