Won a Middle Fork Salmon permit!

Freestone

Life of the Party
Forum Legend
I think I am going to buy a WA State lottery ticket as I just got a Middle Fork permit! The follow-up lottery opened at 8 MST today but somehow, there was a glitch and the open spaces got posted late yesterday. Before bed last night, I opened up tabs for the four rivers that I was going to try for today and was shocked to see some Middle Fork dates. I figured “what the heck, let’s see if it works” and sure enough, I was able to secure an August 27th launch date! I am pretty excited as these permits are nearly impossible to get.

So, now with a Smith River permit, the Middle Fork one, a Main Salmon permit, and the Brooks River (also a lottery), I am feeling pretty lucky! To top it off, I looked at tickets to New Zealand too and found that I can go to New Zealand with a stopover in Fiji for fewer frequent flyer miles than it will take to get to Alaska! I’ll be booking that today too and spending at least 4 months in NZ next winter.

Ok, I am off to buy a lottery ticket! 🤣
 
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Definitely need to learn the dark arts and learn more about these follow-up lotteries....
The dates for the follow-up lotteries are posted on the river’s lottery page. You have to be quick though as they go the very second that they are posted.
 
Low water levels will make for great fishing. Good job.
 
Been dreaming of doing the MF Salmon for decades, was getting close to pulling the trigger with the former family until the big D happened.

Have a good friend that has done it multiple times and between him and his dad has all the gear for a large group. Really need to make it happen one of these days.

But, I think I'd rather do a Dean float first!
 
Been dreaming of doing the MF Salmon for decades, was getting close to pulling the trigger with the former family until the big D happened.

Have a good friend that has done it multiple times and between him and his dad has all the gear for a large group. Really need to make it happen one of these days.

But, I think I'd rather do a Dean float first!

I hear you. There are just so many amazing trips and destinations! It’s about prioritizing, I guess. I have a bunch of other trips that don’t require permits that I will be scheduling now that I have the dates of the permits. For instance, I want to packraft the SF Flathead; I’d love to do an Alaskan river like the Alagnak or preferably one that is less traveled; the Elk is high on the list… there are lots more on the list.

My biggest problem is finding people to go! I have no problem with doing any of these rivers myself but my friends and family seem to think that is a dumb idea, LOL!

And, once I add in fishing with Ive and other friends, along with camping with my sister and her family, my calendar is getting filled so I need to start prioritizing things. But I am a firm believer in doing what you can, while you can as none of us are guaranteed any tomorrows.
 
Do you need a trip "historian"? I am strong like ox, of good character, sometimes funny, and can throw stitches if need be

I’ll let you know, Boot! It is always good to have a trained professional on a trip.

I am doing a 10 day Wilderness First Responder class in a few weeks but I don’t think we cover stitches - and I hope I’m never on a trip where anyone needs them. However, I first have to offer the trip spaces to my rafting friend group as we applied for the same dates and rivers as a group with the understanding that if any of us won, the rest of us could go if we wanted.
 
Do you need a trip "historian"? I am strong like ox, of good character, sometimes funny, and can throw stitches if need be
Slightly off topic, but the last time I needed stitches, the clinic was manned by nothing but med students. None had ever done stitches, and the only doctor in house that knew how was busy. So I had them give me a shot of lydacaine, and with six med students watching over my shoulder, I did it myself. The doctor, an older British lady, came in just as I was finishing. She couldn't believe it, and asked where I learned. She wasn't expecting me to answer fly tying.😃 Oh, and there isn't even a visible scar.
 
Slightly off topic, but the last time I needed stitches, the clinic was manned by nothing but med students. None had ever done stitches, and the only doctor in house that knew how was busy. So I had them give me a shot of lydacaine, and with six med students watching over my shoulder, I did it myself. The doctor, an older British lady, came in just as I was finishing. She couldn't believe it, and asked where I learned. She wasn't expecting me to answer fly tying.😃 Oh, and there isn't even a visible scar.
Hopefully it was free of charge! They ought to have paid you for the lesson!
 
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