Idaho Adventure News

Late April 2015 News

IOGA Members, I hope all of you are well and that the first of the year has been good for your businesses. The past couple of months have been very busy for the IOGA staff, especially with legislative issues and trade shows. As you know the Legislature has been in session and several bills that affect our industry have been up for discussion. Grant Simonds, IOGA Government Affairs Liaison, and our lobby firm, Risch-Pisca PLLC, have provided an update elsewhere in this FYI Bulletin. In an effort to get out and promote all IOGA members, we have attended quite a few shows and events. January 15...

[caption id="attachment_262" align="alignleft" width="584"] Whitewater rafting on the Payette River. Photo courtesy Cascade Raft.[/caption] Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BOISE, Idaho -- (March 6, 2014) -- Idaho mountain snowpack levels and anticipated streamflows in the popular Salmon, Snake, Lochsa and Payette river basins are ranging from 90-120 percent of normal, which should provide for a stellar, fun-filled whitewater river season in the summer of 2014, officials said Thursday. "Our bookings are very strong this year and we feel lucky to h...

Early March 2015 News

IOGA Members,As you can see with the amount of information coming out of the IOGA office, the staff has hit the ground running in 2015. The need to send this month’s Government Affairs report as a separate FYI lets you know that the Legislature is back in session and that Grant Simonds, our Government Affairs Liaison, along with our Lobbyists, Jeremy Pisca and Tyler Mallard, are focused on monitoring anything that might effect our industry. Speaking of the legislature, preparation is well underway for our bi-annual Lobby Day event on February 18th here in Boise. Lynn Demerse and Janey are wor...

Members Due to the amount of information we need to get out to you, we are spliting the early February FYI Bulletin into two bulletins. Below is an update on various Government Affairs issues and Lobby Day. You can expect the next FYI Bulletin with other updates and information by Friday, February 6th. John May Government Affairs Liaison Reports by Grant Simonds Governor Sets Priorities The Idaho Legislature is off to a busy start after beginning on January 12th. Most committees have been hearing rules for the past several weeks and are beginning to introduce RS’s so they can start taking up ...

[caption id="attachment_252" align="aligncenter" width="584"] Commerce Director Jeff Sayer with his wife, Laurel, on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.[/caption] By Steve Stuebner Jeff Sayer, Director of the Idaho Department of Commerce, had a life-changing experience on a Middle Fork Salmon River trip, and he said that helps him understand the intrinsic value of outfitted trips in a speech to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association at the annual meeting. The Middle Fork trip was a U.S. Forest Service trip that involved several Idaho outfitters and guides, Sayer said. He rode with Dir...

[caption id="attachment_239" align="aligncenter" width="604"] Doug Tims at Campbell's Ferry (Courtesy Steve Coyle photography)[/caption] For decades, IOGA has been blessed to have Doug Tims as an active member and leader. He was elected to the IOGA board of directors soon after becoming a licensed outfitter on the Middle Fork of the Salmon in the late 1980s. He served as both board vice president and president of the IOGA. Tims has a knack for telling colorful stories with his telltale Mississippi accent. "His oral and written communication skills are exemplary and have been constantly on di...

[caption id="attachment_222" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding is exploding in popularity on lakes, oceans and rivers nationwide. The sport is big in Idaho, too.[/caption] By Steve Stuebner People are less concerned about the economy when making decisions about their summer vacations, and overall, there appears to be an increasing trend of people selecting shorter, and more relaxing and easy-going outdoor adventures vs. high octane adrenaline-filled trips, experts say. David Brown, executive director of America Outdoors Association, said he expects adventure trav...

The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association is stepping it up a notch this year in terms of looking for more fresh, entertaining and informative videos from IOGA members about all of the outstanding guided outdoor adventure activities in Idaho. So, we're launching a video contest this year, similar to our ever-popular photo contest. We're calling the contest, "Capture the Spirit of Idaho Guided Adventures." The winners will be selected at the IOGA annual meeting in December. Have fun with it! Try to capture the spirit of the outdoor adventures that you offer. We're hoping the videio contest ...

t’s natural to ask, “What have you done for me lately?” There are a number of possible IOGA answers including this one, “Consider the body of work over time that helps protect and promote your business.” While you may not find a piece that applies directly to your business in this particular FYI bulletin, keep in mind that IOGA relationships built over time with government agencies, elected leaders and individuals important to the well being of the overall Idaho outfitter and guide industry are nourished routinely through email, phone calls, attendance at meetings and shows. A recent letter li...

[caption id="attachment_179" align="aligncenter" width="584"] Rafting on the Lochsa River with Bearpaw River Expeditions[/caption] Idaho mountain snowpack levels and anticipated streamflows in the popular Salmon, Snake, Lochsa and Payette river basins are hovering near 90 percent of normal, which should provide for a fun-filled whitewater river season, according to officials with the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association. "The current levels in mid-March are looking excellent," said Justin Walsh, owner of Bear Paw Expeditions, which runs day trips on the Lochsa River in North Idaho, east...