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Middle Fork of the Salmon Sweep Boat Driver and Swamper
When long-time ECHO guests inquire about our Idaho crew, they invariably ask about Jim Toney and Kelly Winton; and little wonder. They have been ECHO’s quintessential Idaho guide couple for almost 20 years.
Kelly
started with us in California in 1983. When we hired her we assumed
that she would last two years at the most. She was a cute bouncy Stanford
coed but didn’t look physical enough to hold up under the physical
demands of guiding. Boy, were we surprised! She guided in California
and Oregon until 1988 when we sent her to Idaho, where she has been
guiding ever since.
Jim (or JT) came to us in 1987. He was a recent graduate from the University of California at Santa Cruz. We knew he would last. His previous outfitter was stunned that he was leaving him, and told us Jim was their best guide ever. He soon found himself driving our sweep boat and was our only sweep boat driver for several years, logging ten or eleven trips in a row with no break. He was our iron man.
The two became an item almost as soon as they met and got married a few years later. They have chosen to live in the VERY small town of North Fork, Idaho (population 150).
What do they do between summers? Kelly teaches at the continuation school in Salmon, Idaho and Jim guides in the Grand Canyon. They love rural Idaho because of the outdoor and wilderness recreation opportunities. They are avid skiers, both downhill and cross country, and get in a couple of extended back-packing trips every year.
Jim and Kelly are a complementary couple. That is, their personalities balance each other. Kelly is highly verbal and effusive, while Jim is a self-contained man of few words. Together they are shining evidence that bright, intelligent couples can carve out adventurous, healthy outdoor lives together. Our Idaho operation wouldn’t be the same without them!
What Next?
- Call us at (800) 652-3246. We love to talk about our trips!
- Email This Page to friends and family.