ABOUT US
Service Since 1979 

Our Shop:  We live on the banks of the Salmon River in North Central Idaho. Riggins is located half way between Lewiston and Boise, on highway 95 and is situated where the Little Salmon empties into the Lower Salmon River.

Who are Gary and Barb Lane of Wapiti River Guides?

Anyone who tells you they are the boss of their own tipi will lie about other things too.

Gary is a college trained wildlife biologist, turned river guide. After several years exploring rivers on his own, he first began a professional boating career with Martin Litton's Grand Canyon Dories.

After five seasons, he branched out on his own to begin running rivers in Oregon and Alaska. Eventually, he moved to Riggins and added the dimension of the Salmon Rivers big water boating to his offerings.

Living largely on the river and spending much time in the wilds on solo adventures, help built his confidence and consummate outdoor savvy. It also inspired his appreciation for how native people view the world and influenced his river running style. Learning the language of nature is his most precious experience and is what he enjoys sharing the most.

Barb grew up in Louisiana, where she gained the southern style hospitality and down home friendly demeanor. She moved to Boise, Idaho in 1970 and worked for HP for 18 years. After meeting Gary, she left the city for a temporary glamorous high paying guides job. Tehee!

She guides part time, handles the office work, shuttles, composes artful creations out of river rock and driftwood for her uniquely natural gift shop, and also maintains her own therapeutic massage business. This is a great service for guest coming off the river.

Both live close to nature (sleep in a tipi), lead a simplified lifestyle, and enjoying sharing the beauty and bounty of the natural world with other people.  As facilitaters and teachers, they connect people to nature.

"Hanging with you guys and getting on the river was a very meaningful thing for me. I can't say enough how fun it was to be in the water ...both in the boat and out. The whole experience was just the greatest. I think you guys have a great thing going and live in a really cool part of the world."  -Jim McCullough, Baker, OR

"Gary Lane's life philosophy is so in tune with nature and his environment that one is totally immersed in the experience and emerges refreshed" - Roy & Kristi Wilson.  Homer, AK

"Gary Lane came highly recommended by many that had used his guide service, and he more than lived up to all his recommendations. He made the trip extra exciting and interesting because of his great knowledge of the river, its environment and all of its history. He took great pride in teaching us about the river and driftboating. We are looking forward to making many more trips with Gary." - Lew & Norma Jenkins. Pendleton, OR

"I have been using his service for 9 or 10 years. Gary is an outstanding oarsman and all the experience I've had with dories and driftboats, I owe to Gary." Bob Callihan Huntington, OR