Duration

3 Hours

Pricing

$545 per Private Boat

About

This trip is down a remote river system with large bird numbers, and should not be taken lightly as it operates on a high mountain section of river with whitewater and numerous portages (where the boat must be dragged over rocks and logs). This trip is not for the faint of heart, but is a gem for those willing and able to undertake the rigorous demands of the upper reaches of the Nooksack River where hundreds of eagles hold for winter each year. The Skagit River may be the largest migration of Bald Eagles in the lower 48, but the Skagit spans nearly 150 miles. This specific section of river provides ideal food source (chum salmon) for the eagles, and in recent years salmon recovery has shown increasing eagle population during winter. This section of the Nooksack astoundingly can hold as many as 200-300 bald eagles.

It is a great trip for bird enthusiasts or photography. All safety Equipment, shuttle service to launch site and experienced friendly guide to share info about the birds as well as the ecosystem. If you are an amateur or professional photographer, our guides are very good at getting you in the right spot for lighting and action shots of the birds.

More Info

This tour is much more hands on than one of our Skagit river tours. The Nooksack is a small river with many different channels and is constantly changing, depending on river levels you may have to get out of the raft and walk across gravel bars for a waya while your guide walks the boat around unsafe log jams and shallow sections of the river. Climbing on and off the raft can be a challenge for some people that are less mobile.

There is a weight consideration on this tour as to how much camera gear you can bring. Each person can bring one camera and a small waterproof backpack or bag weighing no more than 10 pounds. You can also bring a mono pod or tripod. Your backpacks will be stored behind your seat. If you don't have a waterproof backpack, a garbage bag will work fine. The bags may get splashed a little during the trip, and of course Washington rain is a possibility.
If you are a photographer, we will be stopping the boat getting out and walking short distances to areas where the eagles are feeding or perched in trees. On a scenic tour OR photography tour, chances are sometime during the trip you will have to get out of the boat in ankle deep water so that the guide can pull the raft over an area too shallow for the raft to float over. Your guide may also need your assistance on bringing the raft into position at the boat launch in preparation to be loaded at the end of the tour.

Life vests are required to be worn and are provided for your protection.

We compensate our guides however, if your guide did a good job gratuities are accepted and appreciated.

What to Bring

Warm clothing. Dress in layers. Heavy socks, gloves and waterproof clothing. Rubber knee-high boots, for walking in shallow water, IS A REQUIREMENT. You will be getting out of the raft in 2 or 3 spots in ankle deep water. If you have hiking boots on (or worse, tennis shoes) your feet will be wet. (Fishing waders work best if you have them) Bring some kind of shoulder strap or neck strap for your camera. Rain gear (I would highly recommend having rain pants and coat if the weather calls for any rain in the forecast. If you don't, you are going to be wet and very cold by the end of the trip) It is important you are in the proper attire for this tour.