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In an effort to provide a perspective from all walks of Middle Fork boaters, we decided to conduct phone interviews with the three primary groups of float boaters: River Guides, Commercial Clients, and Private Boaters. Here is what some of them had to say.

Private Boaters:

"It was my first time rowing a boat and I remember thinking, 'I had better pay attention or this river is going to kick my butt really quick.'"
-John Kearney

"Putting together a river trip? It's always an epic, always challenging. It can be a daunting task, but once you have done it a couple of times you start to get the hang of it. Multi-day overnight trips are definitely the best. Boating is a great way to just get out there, away from civilization, and not hear a car, or see a road. The whole ball of wax."
-Donnie Benson

"I've heard somewhere that the Middle Fork is referred to as the crown jewel of the wild and scenic river system. Well, I don't think anyone could argue with that."
-Jim Siebe

River Guides:

"It gets into your skin, into your blood. It's an addiction-a good addiction, but still an addiction. You want to go back and you will. I got to a junction in my life about twelve years ago where I realized that I didn't want to quit. I knew I couldn't make a great living guiding, but I didn't want to pound nails or anything else. So I went back to school and got my teaching degree so I could guide. It's what I am and something that I'm proud of. It's directed my life, shaped it."
-Deano Snell
Twenty-nine seasons

"I'm kind of indexless, really. As far as index goes, I've got a storage unit and three P.O. boxes."
-Dave Verner
Fifteen seasons

"It's hard to summarize fifty-some years of boating in just one paragraph. It's been a fantastic experience to run and see the river develop."
-Dave Helfrich
Fifty-four seasons

Commercial Clients:

"In Kansas, we don't really have any wilderness recreation opportunities. On the Middle Fork the outfitters provide me with a chance to enjoy some of Idaho and that wilderness experience. It's great to get that first cup of coffee in the morning, look up at the ridge top, and marvel at the beauty of it all."
-Charlie Brown

"The trip provided a perfect setting for rediscovery of laughter and playfulness that our usual lifestyles don't afford. I, for one, had greatly underestimated the rejuvenating power of the natural setting and social interaction this trip provided."
-Hilary Fraser

"I would rather go down the Middle Fork than go to Paris. It's a passion in my life. I know the day will come when I will not be able to do this trip any longer, but I hope that day is a long way off. I plan on doing it every year until I can't get on the boat anymore."
-Bill Wexelblatt