The River

This is a true story of a time when Mike nearly drowned in the Salmon River. He had been married for about two weeks when this incident took place. What would the lives of Birdie and her children be if Mike had been taken at this time? It was late July, 1961.

Three young men, Vic Mann, Mike’s cousin and great friend, Larry Lee, another friend from Challis, Idaho, and Mike decided to go tube-floating in the famous “River of No Return,” also known as the Salmon River.

The men entered the river at the Shoup Bridge which is about five miles up-river from the town of Salmon. The plan was to float down the river to the Island Park which is an island in the river at Salmon. This is considered to be an easy float and is done hundreds of times each year by people who live in Salmon. Not really a big deal.

They got in and sat back on their inner-tubes to enjoy the float in the warm, summer sun. Almost all went well with no problems. About 4.5 miles downstream, the river runs along the bottom of some high, sand-stone cliffs. In a short time the river takes a turn away from the cliffs and at this spot, over time many huge rocks have fallen into the water and created some pretty good rapids. All their life Mike and Lonny and others have deliberately swam out into the river above these rapids and then rode through them to enjoy the ride. This is not really too dangerous if one is careful and a good swimmer. That is the key issue here - being a good swimmer. You should never get into the river unless you are a good swimmer. This is a cardinal rule for the Salmon River.

The three approached the rapids with excitement. Both Mike and Vic had done this ride many times and knew what was coming. This was Larry’s first time. Vic went in the chute at the head of the rapids first, Larry was next with Mike taking up the rear. They were spaced about 60 yards apart. Mike saw that Vic was in the swift current and then he took his attention away from the other floaters and began to set up for his entrance into the chute. He did observe as Larry dropped off the edge and went into the swift water.

Mike was about 1/4 of the way in when he heard Vic yelling loudly over the sound of the rushing water. “Get Larry, Get Larry!” Vic was standing on the bank at the lower edge of the rapids. Mike then looked for Larry and all he saw was an empty inner-tube floating through the rapids ahead of him. He quickly scanned the water and luckily he saw Larry floundering around in the huge eddy located at the bottom of the rapids. Vic was across the river from Larry and he could never have gotten to him in time to help. Larry was obviously fighting to stay afloat and he was not having much luck at this attempt. There was no time to think. Mike rolled off his inner-tube knowing that he was going to have to swim to save Larry as the current was far too swift to paddle the tube over to where Larry was splashing in the circling water of the eddy. As he swam toward Larry he was able to enter the big eddy just a few yards from Larry. Larry went under and disappeared. Mike swam to the spot where he last saw him but in this swift water the actual spot was uncertain. This was not a still pond but a raging river eddy fed by the swift rapids nearby. Mike tried hard to fight the swift current and stay where he last saw Larry. Suddenly, Larry’s hand appeared above the surface about two feet in front of Mike. Mike took a swift stroke and grabbed the wrist. Larry was in a panic. He quickly climbed right up on top of Mike and wrapped his legs and arms around Mike. Both of Mike’s arms were tied up by Larry’s tight grip caused by his fear and panic. They both began to sink.

This huge hole which contained this swift eddy was about 25-30 feet deep. Mike and his brother used to swim into it and dive toward the bottom just for the fun of it. Mike knew this was a deep and swift eddy that offered no forgiveness to a poor swimmer or foolish person. You had to know how to work your way out of an eddy such as this to survive. It took a strong swimmer who was not afraid to go under a few times to manage this feat. Another cardinal rule for the Salmon River - do not fight the current! You had to go with the current and use it to your advantage. All experienced river swimmers know this. Larry did not.

All his life to this day Mike remembers thinking, “Too bad, I have only been married two weeks and I am going to drown. I hope the Lord takes care of Birdie.”

Suddenly, Mike’s feet hit a soft, sandy bottom. His feet stuck to the sandy surface as well as if he had been walking on a dry sidewalk. This was impossible. The bottom of this eddy was covered with rocks and debris that had fallen off the cliffs for hundreds of years. Mike clearly remembered which way the bank was and with Larry clinging to his back and shoulders he simply walked out of the river. The swift water had no effect on his ability to carry Larry and himself to safety. They were able to get out of the river, safe and sound.

It was discovered later that Larry did not know how to swim and he figured he could just stick with the inner-tube and he would be OK. Mike and Vic never even thought to ask him if he could swim. They just assumed that he could.

All his life Mike has been grateful to his Father in Heaven for saving him that day many years ago. There were miracles given out that day on the Salmon River. Thank the Lord!

Written by Mike Hicks