Outfitters on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River saw revenues drop between 15% and 30% or more in 2009, according to a survey by Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association and the America Outdoors Association. Many outfitters put off business development plans. Some towns dependent on the tourist activity, such as Salmon and Stanley, were hard hit with the loss of business. Outfitters expect a modest upturn in activity for 2010, but expect real improvement to take 2-3 years.
Typical trips on the Middle Fork run 6 days. Contrast this drop in activity with Colorado’s Arkansas River, which saw a drop in business of only 3.9%. Since trips on this river are much shorter in duration, they still work for cost-conscious consumers in the current economic downturn.
We’re seeing the same pattern on Oregon’s Rogue River as well.