AIRE Blog

What are the odds?

Since so many of our summer plans revolve around obtaining a sometimes elusive spot on a trip down one of Idaho’s four permitted rivers, I thought it would be worth revisiting the subject to discuss what the odds are of winning a permit. Your odds: not good.

The Selway and the Middle Fork give you odds of 29:1 for getting your first choice launch date.  For you accountant types, that is a 3.4% chance. Slim. According to the Free Press, the New York Jets have better odds of winning the 2010 Super Bowl(sans Favre?) So what are your options for obtaining a permit? There are a several schools of thought on how to approach this. Below I have outlined a few common mind-sets that you may encounter while navigating the 4 Rivers Lottery:

1. The Realist: “I have put in every year for 13 years and I have never won a permit. But I know some guys in Kansas that draw every year. I hope they invite me.” This is a direct quote from our office. The realist is usually a local long time boater who thinks there is a conspiracy against Idaho boaters. The realist can usually be found driving to the Bruneau or Jarbidge for early season boating.

 

2. The Strategist: “See? If you look at this chart, you can see most people put in for the same dates. All you have to do is…” Another quote from the AIRE staff. The Strategist always has a plan to beat the system and in this case the 1^st choice demand graph becomes a proverbial map to river permit treasure. While I appreciate the optimism, you have to keep in mind that everyone has access to this same information. It is like a hot stock tip posted on the Google Finance main page. To date, we have no record of a Strategist having any better results winning a permit.

 

3. The Socialite: “I don’t even put in any more. I usually know someone who has an extra spot on a permit, so I just go with them.” The Socialite has a huge social circle and gets more invites than vacation time. Tips to help become a Socialite: own a very specific/expensive piece of group gear in hopes of making you more of an asset to the trip. Or you can develop highly specific skills so you are helpful when unusual stuff happens. Or, own a raft company (View this photo). 

 

There are several other schools of thought on how to get on a trip. If you have any other examples of a permit paradigm, please share. Keep in mind you can always go outside of the permitting window and have a real rock dodging, snow laden, sub-zero river adventure. Also note that the odds of getting your 3^rd or 4^th choice date are much lower (in 2008, 17 3^rd and 4^th choice permits issued out of 15,221 applicants, .1%).

 

So pick your dates wisely and remember that the more rounds you buy at the bar in the winter, the more friends you have when the water rises. Enjoy your winter,

 

Eric

Idaho River Permit Applications

Winter has set in, the new year is here and it is time to begin planning for the summer's big rafting trip. 

The first step is getting your application turned in.  If you are interested in floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon, the Main Salmon, the Snake River through Hell's Canyon or the Selway River you will need to get your application in their hands by February 2nd. 

 
Shad and Todd in Hell's Canyon


Jason and Derek on the Middle Fork of the Salmon
                                    

The lottery process will take place in mid February and everyone will be notified if you were successful or if you weren't.  2009 Four Rivers Float Launch Reservation Application  Wish me luck, I might need it.

Rivergeek.com is a great resource for private boaters who are looking for a variety of western river trips.

Remember February 2nd, 2009 is the deadline for the Four Rivers Float Launch applications!

If you have any great resources for finding and apply for river permits, please let me know by commenting below.

Good luck to you.
Troy

Lucky Dog!

River Dogs are some the luckiest dogs alive!  They get to go, any time, anywhere.  We understand that leaving a River Dog behind at home is just not an option as they get moody, throw themselves on the floor and sigh a lot.

(Photo by Dara Labrum)

“We want to bring Fido, is this ok? we just want to make sure he won’t pop the raft.”  I have seen questions like this roll through my inbox from time to time.  The answer is YES, please take Fido with you!  We at AIRE do not want to be responsible for a moody river dog who didn’t get to go.

Fact – The PVC we use for our rafts goes through a scratch test.  (The Taber Abrasion D-3389 test to be exact.)   It takes a little over 1200 cycles to expose the base fabric. The dog would have to be fairly focused to scratch the same place over 1200 times,so, don’t hide a dog bone under the PVC.

Fact – If your dog has razor sharp claws and your boat is still under the 10 year warranty, we will fix a tear. 

Fact – Dogs are good for chasing bears out of camp on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. 

Fact - It is amazing what a dog can chew through.  Take your repair kit just in case, might wants some Aqua Seal for wets suits repair as well.

Fact - PUT YOUR RIVER DOG IN A LIFE JACKET.  Check out http://www.ruffwear.com or www.nrsweb.com for some good dog life jacket options.

Some of my best days on the river have incuded my dogs!

Till next Time,

Sheena

 

Anybody have a good River Dog Story?

The Chosen One

We just released the Sawtooth, the only flatwater child in our Tributary line.  Canoe & Kayak magazine decided to move the Sawtooth straight to the front of the class by giving it the prestigious "Chosen One" award for inflatables.  Thanks Canoe & Kayak, the Sawtooth is one of our favorite boats too.

In honor of this award, here are a few non-paddling products that are approved by the discerning staff at AIRE:

• Giant Sunflower Seeds - Salt and Pepper Blend

Redbridge Beer - For those with Gluten-free needs.

NRS Flex-Fit Trucker Hat - Get your trucker on.

Bogus Basin Ski Resort - Close to home and close to our hearts

Randy Rogers Band - Chase your dreams!

Snow Fall - Big snow = Big water 
 

(AIRE Headquarters after our recent snow.)

Thanks again to Canoe & Kayak for the award.  We are super busy building boats for 2009, they are stacking up everywhere. 

See you on the water!
Eric