Our guides are professional boatmen who have acquired a thorough knowledge of the history of the mountain west. Sharing their perspective will add a meaningful dimension to this memorable adventure. The more you learn of the rivers and mountains; the more familiar you become with the wildflowers, birds, and animals; the more you can relive the history of the pioneer era; in short, the more fully you can project yourself into the yesterdays of the Salmon River country, the more you will delight in finding a portion of that past alive today.

Wayne Johnson, former partner/manager of Barker-Ewing Idaho, and now owner of Salmon River Rafting Company, graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1969. Wayne began floating the Snake River in 1967, and has run the Grand Canyon and Cataract Canyon of the Colorado, the Green, the Gunnison, the Selway, various portions of the Snake in both Wyoming and Idaho, including Hells Canyon, the Middle Fork of the Salmon, various sections of the Platte River in Wyoming, and the James River in Virginia. He has forty-two years experience as a professional river guide, twenty-eight of which are on the Main Salmon. Wayne is an amateur historian specializing in Grand Teton National Park and, of course, the Main Salmon.

Steve Gale, with several prior years river experience, began working with us in 1984. A school teacher in Shelley, Idaho, Steve graduated from Brigham Young University. He teaches English, Spanish and forensics, and is completing a Masters program in Education Administration. Steve has run the Colorado, Yampa, Green, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Hells Canyon of the Snake, the Lower Salmon and the Main Salmon. With a strong interest in public speaking he frequently competes in Toastmasters competitions.

Nick Baird just graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Microbiology, and will begin graduate studies at Penn State in the fall. Nick worked two summers with us as a "swamper" while still in high school, and is returning for his fourth year as a guide. He has run both the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers. Raised in Boise, Idaho Nick enjoys hunting and fishing in Idaho's back country.

Shane Baird, Nick's older brother, worked several years on the Middle Fork of the Salmon prior to joining our company on the Main Salmon six years ago. Shane completed an undergraduate degree in Microbiology at Colorado State University, and recently received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the same institution. His summer internship will limit his time on the Salmon this season, but we expect he will be able to join several departures during the summer.

Megan Gale is our first second generation guide having accompanied her father, Steve, on river trips since she was 7 years old. Megan recently graduated from Idaho State University with honors and a degree in Mass Communication. She is currently pursuing a masters in communication studies at the University of Montana. Her interest in art and her creative talent has resulted in exhibitions in several regional shows. Megan joined us in 2004 and has run the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers.

Doran Bricker transferred from the University of Alaska to pursue a wildlife management degree at Iowa State University. His river career began as a Forest Service River Patrol Ranger and progressed to guiding for a number of Salmon River outfitters. He came to us in 1987 and alternates his river time between floating and jet boating steelhead fishermen in the spring and fall. Doran's river experience includes Hells Canyon of the Snake, the Rio Grande and Chama Rivers in New Mexico, the Middle Fork of the Salmon, the North Platte in Wyoming and Colorado, the Selway, and the Main Salmon.

Paige Pitzer graduated from Northern Arizona University where she studied Cultural Anthropology and geology. Her river experience includes the Colorado, San Juan, Green, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Main Salmon, and she is a licensed fishing guide on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, and Clarks Fork rivers in Montana. In her "spare" time she is the Recreation Coordinator for the Bitterroot Ecological Awareness Resource programs where she designs outdoor activities for physically and mentally challenged individuals.

Bill Guheen began floating on the Snake River in Wyoming some thirty years ago and is now the river manager for Grand Teton Lodge Company in Grand Teton National Park. Bill graduated from Saint Mary’s with a degree in psychology, and has run various portions of the Colorado, the Yampa, the Green, Hells Canyon of the Snake, and the Main Salmon. He primarily works with us on the Spring Wildlife trips prior to the onset of his river trip management responsibilities in Wyoming.