Best Whitewater Rafting Trips That Also Offer Great Fly Fishing

Quick Reference

What	When	Key Numbers
Middle Fork Salmon (ID)	Late Aug-Sept best for fishing	100 mi; permit lottery Dec-Jan; $3,000-4,500 guided
Selway River (ID)	1 launch/day; narrow window	48 mi; hardest permit in US; Class IV
Arkansas River (CO)	Oct-Nov best fishing (250-350 CFS)	102 mi Gold Medal; 170 lbs trout/acre
Yellowstone (MT)	After July 4; hopper season	Yankee Jim Canyon Class III-IV; Paradise Valley floats
Rogue River (OR)	Sept-Oct for steelhead	34 mi; Rainie Falls Class V (portage); salmon to 40 lbs
Best combo timing	Late June-early Aug (most rivers)	When flows drop for clarity but rapids still have punch

Why Combine Whitewater and Fly Fishing?

Some of the best trout water in the West sits deep in wilderness canyons accessible only by boat. Multi-day rafting trips offer access to remote stretches where wild fish rarely see a fly—and where you'll have entire pools to yourself.

The combination works because the same features that create good whitewater—gradient, cold water, rocky substrate—also create prime trout habitat. This guide covers rivers where both activities are genuinely excellent, not just serviceable.

A word of caution: peak whitewater and peak fishing rarely align. High spring flows create big rapids but murky, unfishable water. The best combo trips typically happen in that sweet window when flows have dropped enough for clarity but the rapids still have punch—usually late June through early August on most Western rivers.

Top-Tier Wilderness Float-Fishing Rivers

These multi-day wilderness trips require significant planning and often involve permit lotteries, but they reward participants with fishing and scenery that can't be matched anywhere else.

Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho

The Middle Fork is the benchmark for wilderness float-fishing. It flows 100 miles through the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness—the largest contiguous wilderness in the Lower 48—combining 100+ rapids with aggressive westslope cutthroat in gin-clear water.

Access:

• Put-in: Boundary Creek boat ramp (45.287°N, 114.931°W) or Indian Creek airstrip
• Take-out: Cache Bar (45.384°N, 114.014°W), where the Middle Fork meets the Main Salmon
• Shuttle: 275 miles via Salmon, ID—plan 6+ hours

Flow Reality (USGS Gauge 13309220 at Middle Fork Lodge):

Gauge Reading	CFS (approx)	Conditions
Above 4.0 ft	2,000+	Too high for good fishing, pushy rapids, runoff murk
3.0-4.0 ft	1,200-2,000	Fishable but challenging, Class IV water
2.5-3.0 ft	900-1,200	Good fishing, solid whitewater
Below 2.5 ft	Under 900	Excellent sight-fishing, mellower rapids

Whitewater: Class III-IV throughout. Velvet Falls (mile 23), Pistol Creek (mile 66), and Rubber (mile 91) are the marquee rapids. The Impassable Canyon (miles 78-100) earns its name—sheer walls, no escape routes, and serious rapids including Rubber and House of Rocks. At high water above 7 feet, the river becomes genuinely dangerous with flood debris and undercut walls.

Fishing: Blue-ribbon westslope cutthroat averaging 12-15 inches, with fish to 19 inches. They're aggressive dry fly eaters—no delicate presentations required. Catch-and-release only, barbless hooks mandatory.

Best Timing: Early trips (mid-June to early July) hit the salmonfly hatch but contend with higher water. Late August through September offers the best sight-fishing as flows drop and fish become more aggressive before winter.

Patterns That Work: Stimulators, Sofa Pillows, Humpys, and Parachute Hoppers. In late summer, grasshoppers are the main event—the cutthroat slash at them recklessly.

Permits: Lottery through Recreation.gov, December 1-January 31. Control season runs June 1-September 3. Guided trips ($3,000-4,500/person for 5-6 days) through Hughes River Expeditions, ROW Adventures, or OARS are the path of least resistance.

Selway River, Idaho

The Selway is the hardest wilderness permit to get in the country, and it's worth every bit of effort. Only one group launches per day during the control season—you'll share 48 miles of Class IV whitewater and pristine cutthroat water with no one.

Access:

• Put-in: Paradise boat ramp (45.861°N, 114.738°W), accessed via Magruder Road—a rough, winding forest road that takes 3+ hours from Darby, MT
• Take-out: Race Creek Campground (46.044°N, 115.284°W), above Selway Falls
• Shuttle: 275 miles one-way, 6.5 hours minimum

Flow Reality (Paradise gauge):

Gauge Reading	Conditions
Above 3.0 ft	High water, Class IV+, limited fishing
1.5-3.0 ft	Good whitewater, fishable
Below 1.5 ft	Excellent fishing, technical but manageable rapids

The Selway has a notoriously narrow window. It can go from "too high" to "too low and bony" in 2-3 weeks. Miss your permit date and the river might be completely different than expected.

Whitewater: 38 named rapids including Galloping Gertie, Washer Woman, and Cougar Bluff. Class III-IV with some IV+ at higher flows. This is serious water that demands experienced boatmanship—mistakes in the Selway's remote canyon have severe consequences.

Fishing: Westslope cutthroat in the 10-14 inch range, with occasional larger fish. Bull trout are present (catch-and-release only and often protected under ESA). Side creeks and layover pools that haven't seen another angler all season are the real prize.

Permits: Four Rivers Lottery (Recreation.gov), December 1-January 31. Control season runs May 15-July 31. Only four commercial outfitters hold permits, each with limited launch dates. Private permit odds are roughly 10-15%.

Madison River (Bear Trap Canyon), Montana

Bear Trap Canyon is the only designated wilderness managed by the BLM and Montana's best combination of serious whitewater and trophy brown trout. It's 9 miles of Class III-IV+ water through a steep-walled granite canyon, followed by some of Montana's most productive dry fly water.

Access:

• Put-in: Below Ennis Dam, accessed via Highway 84 between Bozeman and Norris
• Take-out: Warm Springs day use area or points downstream toward Three Forks
• Shuttle: 35 miles from Bozeman

The Big Drop: Kitchen Sink, the canyon's climax rapid, runs Class IV at moderate flows and pushes V during spring runoff. Commercial outfitters portage clients around it at high water.

Fishing: The Madison above and below Bear Trap produces trophy browns regularly—fish over 20 inches are caught each season. The canyon itself is hikeable from the east side via Bear Trap Canyon Trail, giving walk-wade access to water that sees far less pressure than the famous "50-mile riffle" upstream.

Best Timing: April through June for combining whitewater and fishing; the canyon runs hot during spring runoff. Fall (October-November) is prime time for big browns but the whitewater is mostly mellow by then.

Why It's Overlooked: Most anglers focus on the easy-access sections between Quake Lake and Ennis. Bear Trap requires either hiking in or running significant whitewater. That keeps pressure light on fish that would be hammered anywhere else.

Rogue River, Oregon

The Rogue offers something unique: wilderness whitewater combined with legitimate salmon and steelhead fishing—not just resident trout. It was one of the original eight rivers in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968).

Access:

• Put-in: Grave Creek boat ramp (42.656°N, 123.583°W)
• Take-out: Foster Bar (42.440°N, 124.078°W), 34 miles downstream
• Alternative: Illahe access at mile 27 for shorter 3-day trips

Whitewater Hazards:

• Rainie Falls (mile 2): Class V. Most parties portage via the fish ladder on river right. Running the main falls risks flips, swimmers, and impact injuries—and you're a full day from road access if something goes wrong.
• Mule Creek Canyon (mile 8): A half-mile of 20-40 foot walls with the Class IV "Coffee Pot"—a boiling, recirculating mess that flips boats regularly. No portage option.
• Blossom Bar (mile 20): Class IV boulder garden requiring precise moves. Scout from the right bank.

Fishing: Summer steelhead (3-8 lbs, occasionally to 12) run late July through November. Fall Chinook (20-40 lbs average) enter late August through November. The Rogue's famous "twitch" technique—a specific rod-tip retrieve—was developed here for half-pounder steelhead.

Best Timing for Anglers: September and October. Crowds thin, temperatures cool, fall colors emerge, and both steelhead and salmon fishing peak. Summer trips have better whitewater but tougher fishing.

Outfitters: Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures (Orvis-endorsed) and Briggs Rogue River Trips (guiding since 1930) both offer fishing-focused itineraries.

Snake River (Hells Canyon), Idaho/Oregon

Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America—7,900 feet from rim to river at its deepest. The 79-mile section from Hells Canyon Dam to Heller Bar combines Class III-IV whitewater with underrated fishing for smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and sturgeon.

Access:

• Put-in: Hells Canyon Dam (45.251°N, 116.698°W)
• Take-out: Heller Bar (46.085°N, 116.979°W)

Why Consider It: Permits are easier to get than the Middle Fork or Selway. The canyon is less crowded. And while it's not a cutthroat paradise, the smallmouth bass fishing is genuinely excellent—some of the best in the country. 5-day fly fishing float trips are popular with anglers who want wilderness canyon experience without lottery stress.

Historical Bonus: Petroglyphs, abandoned homesteads, and Nez Perce historical sites add depth beyond fishing and rapids.

Day-Accessible Rivers with Real Whitewater and Excellent Fishing

These rivers don't require multi-day expeditions but offer genuine whitewater combined with some of the West's best fly fishing.

Arkansas River, Colorado

Colorado's most popular rafting river is also its longest stretch of Gold Medal water—102 miles from Leadville to Parkdale holding 170 pounds of trout per acre (Gold Medal minimum is 60 lbs/acre).

Key Access Points:

• Leadville to Granite: Upper Gold Medal water, Class II, best float-fishing
• Buena Vista: Multiple access points for wade-fishing and short floats
• Browns Canyon National Monument: Classic Class III, raftable but less productive for fishing
• Royal Gorge: Class IV-V, serious whitewater, minimal fishing opportunity

Flow Reality (USGS Gauge at Salida):

CFS	Fishing Conditions
225-300	Ideal for wade fishing—crossable, clear water
300-500	Good, slightly higher wading but productive
700+	Summer recreational flows—rafting excellent, fishing challenging
2,000-4,000	Spring runoff, unfishable

The Conflict: Summer brings managed recreational flows (700+ CFS) ideal for rafting but difficult for wade fishing. Fall (October-November) and late spring offer 250-350 CFS—prime fishing but diminished whitewater.

Best Combo Window: Late June, when flows have dropped from peak runoff but Browns Canyon still has punch. Or book a guided float-fishing trip in the upper Gold Medal section where drift boats access water unreachable on foot.

What's Biting: Wild brown trout dominate, typically 10-16 inches with many in the 15-17" range. October pre-spawn fishing produces the year's best action as browns feed aggressively before the spawn.

Check Arkansas River conditions for current flow data.

Yellowstone River, Montana (Yankee Jim Canyon to Paradise Valley)

The longest undammed river in the Lower 48 runs 692 miles from Yellowstone Park to the Missouri. Yankee Jim Canyon delivers Montana's heaviest whitewater outside the park, and Paradise Valley below it is legendary dry fly water.

Access Points:

• Gardiner: Below the park boundary
• Yankee Jim Canyon: Put in at Joe Brown FAS, take out at Carbella—5 miles of the real stuff
• Paradise Valley: Carbella to Livingston, 30+ miles of prime float-fishing water

Yankee Jim Canyon Hazards:

The canyon pinches the Yellowstone from 200+ yards wide to trailer-width. Water pressure, not rocks, creates the rapids. Major features:

• Big Rock / Boat Eater: The first rapid can flip rafts at certain flows
• The Pinch: Lateral crashing waves in the narrowest section
• Boxcar: Notorious boat flipper, often skirted

CFS	Conditions
Below 5,000	Class II-III, manageable for experienced boaters
5,000-15,000	Class III+, pushy and powerful
15,000-30,000	Class IV, high-consequence, 44°F water
Above 30,000	Flood stage, closed to commercial rafting

Fishing Reality: Paradise Valley is the destination—long glides and deep runs holding wild Yellowstone cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout averaging 13-18 inches. Browns over 10 lbs still swim here. Most anglers float this section after running (or skipping) the canyon.

Best Timing: After July 4 for reliable fishing. Extended runoff often lasts into late June or even July. Hopper season (late July through September) is prime time.

For conditions, see Montana river data.

Snake River (Jackson Hole), Wyoming

The Snake through Grand Teton National Park combines stunning scenery, solid fishing for native Snake River cutthroat, and legitimate whitewater in the canyon section.

Access Points:

• Jackson Lake Dam: Top of the system, Class I-II floats
• Deadman's Bar to Moose: 10 miles of scenic Class I-II water in the park
• Wilson Bridge: Popular put-in/take-out, levy access for wade fishing
• South Park to Hoback Junction: Pre-canyon floats
• Alpine Canyon (Hoback to Alpine): 8 miles of Class III whitewater

Fishing: The fine-spotted Snake River cutthroat is a subspecies unique to this drainage—bronze-colored, aggressive on dry flies, and fights harder than typical cutthroat. Fish average 14-17 inches with 20-inchers possible.

The Whitewater Option: WorldCast Anglers specifically offers trips through the Alpine Canyon section for anglers who want rapids with their fishing. Most outfitters focus on the calmer park water.

Best Timing: Mid-July through mid-September. Runoff subsides by late June most years, and fishing holds strong through October.

Deschutes River, Oregon

The Lower Deschutes may be Oregon's most famous trout stream—3,500+ fish per mile—combined with a strong summer steelhead run and excellent multi-day rafting.

Access Points:

• Warm Springs to Trout Creek: Upper section, less trafficked
• Trout Creek to Maupin: 36 miles with almost zero road access—true wild and scenic
• Harpham Flat to Maupin (Sandy Beach): 13 miles, most popular day trip with Class III rapids

Critical Regulation: Fishing from a boat is prohibited on the Lower Deschutes. Your drift boat or raft is transportation between wading sections, not a fishing platform. Plan to stop and wade.

Flow Reality (flows around 3,750-4,000 CFS are typical summer levels):

The dam-controlled river runs consistent flows that rarely blow out. Above 4,900 CFS gets slightly off-color but remains fishable.

Steelhead Timing: Fish start arriving in mid-July. By mid-August they're above Mack's Canyon. Mid-to-late September they've cleared Sherars Falls and spread throughout the upper river. October is the best month overall—pleasant weather, fish distributed throughout, dry lines still effective on water above 50°F.

Trout: Native redside rainbows averaging 12-16 inches are present year-round.

Permits: The Deschutes Boater Pass system requires permits year-round for all floating. Available through Recreation.gov.

Gunnison River (Gunnison Gorge), Colorado

The Gunnison Gorge NCA sits below Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, offering Gold Medal trout fishing in a canyon that rivals the Grand Canyon for drama—without requiring days of hiking or Class V portages.

Access:

• East Portal: Hike-in access to Black Canyon proper (extreme terrain, serious commitment)
• Gunnison Gorge put-in: Accessed via Chukar Trail or Duncan Trail
• Take-out: Various points over 14 miles

Flow Reality:

CFS	Conditions
Above 800	Good drift-boat fishing
450-800	Fishable but technical floating
Below 450	Walk-wade only in most sections

Fishing: Gold Medal water producing rainbow and brown trout regularly exceeding 20 inches. Streamers move the biggest fish; dry flies and nymphs produce numbers.

What's Different: The Black Canyon proper (inside the National Park) is not raftable—technical portages and extreme terrain. The Gunnison Gorge downstream is the accessible float-fishing option with Class II-III water.

Trip Format: 2-3 day float-fishing trips are the standard. Black Canyon Anglers runs the only fishing lodge on the river.

Check Colorado flow data for current conditions.

Green River (Flaming Gorge to Dinosaur), Utah/Colorado

Below Flaming Gorge Dam, the Green runs clear and cold through red rock canyons—a tailwater trout factory that transitions into serious multi-day whitewater through Lodore Canyon.

Access (Fishing Sections A, B, C):

• Dam to Little Hole: 7 miles, Class II, excellent fishing
• Little Hole to Indian Crossing (Section B): 8 miles
• Indian Crossing to Ouray (Section C): Longer floats, less pressure

Flow Reality:

CFS	Conditions
800-1,200	Excellent fishing, lower end of raftable
1,200-2,400	Good balance of fishing and floating
2,400-4,600	Spring high water, tougher fishing

Dam releases vary daily—check the Bureau of Reclamation schedule before planning your float.

Fishing: Large rainbow and brown trout in 40-60°F water year-round. Sight fishing with dry flies—yellow sallies, BWOs, midges, and summer cicadas—is the preferred method. Flies and lures only (no bait).

Multi-Day Whitewater: Lodore Canyon through Dinosaur National Monument (44 miles, 4-5 days) is a separate animal—Class III-IV including Disaster Falls and Hell's Half-Mile. Good for adventure but not a fishing trip.

Rio Grande (Taos Box), New Mexico

The Rio Grande Gorge offers Southwest canyon scenery, Class IV whitewater, and surprisingly good fishing for brown trout in water that looks like it should hold carp.

Access:

• Upper Taos Box (Wild Rivers): Lee's Trail to Red River confluence—Class V, expert only
• Lower Taos Box: John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge—16 miles, Class III-IV
• Orilla Verde: Below the Box, Class II-III, more accessible fishing

The Whitewater: The Lower Taos Box is New Mexico's premier one-day wilderness run with rapids like Rock Garden, Boat Reamer, and Screaming Left-Hand Turn. The canyon drops 800 feet with cliffs rising directly from the water. Minimum age for commercial trips is 13, minimum weight 90 lbs.

Fishing: Browns are the dominant species—some very large—with rainbows and cutbows in deeper runs. The Rio Grande fishes differently than mountain freestones: fewer but larger fish, technical approaches, and conditions that change rapidly with irrigation releases and monsoon storms.

Best Timing: Early fall (September-October) when water clears and big browns prepare to spawn. Spring runoff typically peaks in May-June.

Wildlife: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, river otter, and raptors are commonly sighted.

What Can Go Wrong (And How to Avoid It)

High Water Extending into July

In big snow years, runoff can push into mid-July or later. If you're holding a June permit on the Selway and flows are still at 4 feet, you'll have whitewater but minimal fishing.

Mitigation: Book late-season dates (late July or August) if fishing is the priority. Check snowpack forecasts starting in April.

The Window Closes Too Fast

Rivers like the Selway can go from "too high to fish" to "too low and bony" in 2-3 weeks. Miss your date and conditions might be completely different than expected.

Mitigation: For private trips, understand your permit's cancelation policy. For guided trips, trust your outfitter's judgment on timing.

Fire Closures

The Frank Church Wilderness, Selway-Bitterroot, and other wilderness areas regularly experience fire closures that can cancel entire permit seasons.

Mitigation: Buy trip insurance. Check InciWeb and Forest Service alerts regularly starting in July.

Permit Lottery Failure

Middle Fork and Selway permits are extremely competitive. Many applicants try for years before drawing.

Mitigation: Book a commercial trip if you don't want to gamble on the lottery. Consider Hells Canyon, the Rogue, or Bear Trap Canyon as alternatives with easier access.

River Traffic Conflicts

Popular stretches like the Arkansas through Browns Canyon can see heavy commercial rafting traffic in summer. Trying to fish productive water while dodge-drafts full of tourists is frustrating.

Mitigation: Fish early morning or evening. Target shoulder-season dates. Focus on sections above or below the commercial zones.

Using RiverReports for Trip Planning

Before booking any trip, check current conditions on RiverReports:

• Colorado Rivers - Arkansas, Gunnison, and Front Range waters
• Montana Rivers - Yellowstone, Madison, Flathead, and Missouri drainage
• Idaho Rivers - Salmon, Selway, and Snake systems

Understanding seasonal flow patterns helps you time your trip for the right balance of whitewater and fishing. Compare historical flows to current readings to understand whether you're looking at an early or late season.

Most outfitters will also provide current river reports—but having your own baseline helps you ask better questions and recognize when conditions favor (or work against) your goals.