Attention all Idaho river guides, and anyone else who loves Idaho rivers and the river community. The 3rd Annual Idaho River Rendezvous (IRR), presented by The Redside Foundation, is happening Friday-Saturday, May 8–10, in Salmon, Idaho.
The Rendezvous is an annual event dedicated to the health and strength of Idaho River Communities—guides, outfitters, managers, and enthusiasts alike. This year it’s held in conjunction with a local Salmon community event—the Salmon River Fest, adding some great entertainment and social events to the schedule.
The weekend will kick off Friday with an evening of river films and pizza hosted at the Odd Fellows Hall in downtown Salmon. The Rendezvous continues on Saturday at the Sacajawea Interpretive Center with professional development speakers on topics such as creating your own interpretive talks on the river, a panel discussion on women in Idaho boating history and outdoor photography and fly fishing workshops. In addition, the Redside Foundation will host a free outfitter and guide health and wellness fair with the opportunity for participants to receive a basic health assessment, create a living will, get a skin cancer screening, and more.
You need to register in advance for the Rendezvous. Registration includes:
- Access to all Rendezvous sessions, the Redside Foundation Health & Wellness Fair, and all Salmon River Fest Events (see schedule of events for more information);
- Food from Friday evening until Sunday morning;
- 50% discount coupon for select Salmon hotels (provided at check-in on Friday or Saturday);
- An opportunity to support the Redside Foundation and the Idaho River Community!
Prior to the Rendezvous, on May 5-7, the Salmon-based outfitting business Idaho Adventures, will host a Swiftwater Rescue Training course in Salmon, discounted for Idaho guides. Swiftwater Safety Institute (SSI) will provide curriculum and instruction. To register, call or email Mark Troy of Idaho Adventures at (208) 756-2986.
Post Rendezvous, on May 10-12, a Wilderness First Responder Refresher Course will be offered. The course is open to Idaho guides only, and is an opportunity to renew medical training certifications at an extremely discounted price.
The Redside Foundation
In 2010, the river community, and many of us here at NRS, lost a good friend, Telly Evans. Telly lived part time here in Moscow and attended the University of Idaho, when he wasn’t guiding on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Photos of Telly appeared in a number of NRS catalogs.
Telly was a hell of a boatman, a legendary wilderness interpreter and a great friend to all who knew him. Sadly, behind his generous smile and booming laugh, he hid a pain that would eventually steal him from the river and friends he loved. His river trip ended too soon.
Jenni Chaffin, NRS Purchaser, and her husband Brian, a Middle Fork guide and former NRSer who’s recently finished his PhD, started The Redside Foundation, a non-profit organization, in Telly’s memory. The Foundation strives to foster his spirit in others by supporting the health and wellbeing of his guiding family. The Foundation seeks to serve all of Idaho’s seasonal guides (rafting, fishing, hunting, skiing, biking, jetboating etc.) through education, professional development and engagement. The primary objective of the Foundation is to provide confidential support for Idaho guides who need to access mental healthcare and substance abuse counseling.
Guiding is a great profession—one filled with hard work, adventure, incredible sunsets, and lasting relationships. However, the off-season can be long and lonely and most guides are seasonal employees without health insurance or a place to turn for mental healthcare or substance abuse counseling if it becomes a necessity. Redside Foundation works to provide help for those guides in need.
Redside is a 100% volunteer organization that relies on generous donations to operate and provide services. They happily welcome donations to help support the Foundation’s vision and goals. Contact information and a secure link for donations can be found on their website.