Mike Slagle

I used to be a kindergarten teacher in another life! I found the pipeline to guiding in that it still feels like I’m herding cats sometimes, just in the most beautiful outdoor classroom. After leaving teaching and the Midwest, I guided for several years in Montana on the Alberton Gorge of the Clark Fork and Gallatin rivers. I found my way to the Main Salmon eventually and fell in love with multi-day river trips. You can’t beat sleeping under the stars, sharing meals on the beach with your crew, and the beautiful bond you form with the boat you get to tirelessly rig and de-rig day after day. I really liked getting to know customers more personally over 6-day trips and watching them connect with nature. I found a home with Orange Torpedo and now work my dream job with my best friends guiding the Salmon River every week. Life is but a dream!

• Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Lochsa River
• Favorite part of a trip: Waking up mid-trip and realizing I’ve forgotten what day it is and that I’ve fully succumbed to river time.
• Certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR and AED, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Trip Leader Certification

I got thrown into guiding randomly after landing a summer job at an outdoor adventure organization, and now it is one of my favorite parts of being alive! I adore getting to guide for OTT, to spend my weekends on the beautiful Rogue River, and to see the fear on people's faces turn to pure joy as they go through their first rapid!

• Hometown: Coulee City, Washington
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Upper Galice
• Favorite part of a trip: Saving people who flip
• Certifications: CPR and AED

I started guiding because I ran out of friends and family who would go rafting with me. Now OTT books the guests, provides the gear, and transports us to and from the river. My favorite thing to do is take first timers and people who are nervous. Watching them go from apprehensive to having fun is fun for me. The reason I work for OTT is they sent me an email after I went on a trip with them. It said they were hiring guides and I was welcome to try out.

• Hometown: Boron, California
• Favorite rapid or stretch: Wooldridge, because it's splashy and technical
• Favorite part of a trip: Getting to know my guests
• Certifications: CPR and AED, Commercial Driver License, Wilderness First Aid