ECHO was founded in 1971 by Joe Daly and Dick Linford. Both were high school teachers, and began guiding rivers in California during summer vacations. Before long, their garages were filled with rafts and their homes became ECHO offices. Whitewater rafting was in its infancy then and attracted mainly thrill seekers. As Joe says, “Our clients were people whose idea of fun was being cold, wet and scared.”

ECHO grew steadily and ran trips on 19 stretches of river in five states by the early 1980’s. Dick and Joe found themselves operating a sprawling business and felt they spent too little time on the river. They eventually decided to emphasize quality over quantity. Dick put it succinctly: “We decided to be the best, instead of the biggest.” Over the next 15 years, they began concentrating on those rivers with special magic. ECHO now runs trips on two of the finest rivers in the American West: The Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho and the Rogue in southern Oregon.

In the fall of 2007, ECHO moved their office to Hood River, OR, and Zach Collier, a seasoned guide and trusted long-time employee, began handling day-to-day operations. Although Dick and Joe have taken a step back, they remain very involved with their guides, their rivers, and their clients. They remain committed to quality, attention to detail, and retaining excellent river guides, all of which have given ECHO the reputation of one of the premier rafting companies in the country.

“ECHO is not just a business for us. It is a way of life. We love rivers, and we love outfitting. Join us for the most memorable outdoor vacation you will ever experience."

- Dick Linford and Joe Daly

What Next?

• Call us at (800) 652-3246. We love to talk about our trips!
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