The Redside Foundation

The Redside Foundation Supporting the health and strength of the professional outdoor guiding community. Why the name?

Inspiration for the Redside Foundation

The Redside Foundation was created (2010) in loving memory of longtime Idaho River Guide Telly Evans (1974-2010). Telly was a dedicated Middle Fork of the Salmon guide, a legendary interpreter of the wilderness, and a compassionate friend to all. Sadly, behind his generous smile and unyielding passion, Telly hid a pain that would eventually steal him from t

he river and friends he loved. The Redside Foundation strives to foster his spirit in others by protecting the health and wellbeing of his guiding family. There are three distinct reasons we chose the name “Redside” for this Foundation: 1) Redside is an infamous rapid on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River – one of Telly’s favorites despite the nervousness it generates, 2) Redside conjures up images of the majestic native sockeye salmon on its life fulfilling journey to the heart of central Idaho, and 3) no one will ever forget Telly’s enormous red beard and token chops.

Our Friends at Desert Mountain Medicine are offering something incredible!In honor of Grant and Scholarship Season here ...
09/02/2026

Our Friends at Desert Mountain Medicine are offering something incredible!

In honor of Grant and Scholarship Season here at Redside, they are waiving the the enrollment cost for one WFR or WFR recertification course for a guide in ID, WY, MT, or CO. You can apply for it on our website on the Professional Development Grants page - found under the scholarships & grants tab - or via the link in our bio.

Any course on DMM's website with a green "register online" button is eligible for this opportunity.

Open Enrollment WFR Courses (remainder of 2026)

September 7–12 — Monticello, UT (camping included)
September 16–20 — Leadville, CO
October 9–13 — Lakewood, CO
October 14–18 — Leadville, CO
October 17–21 — Las Vegas, NV
October 23–28 — Moab, UT (camping included)
December 12–16 — Leadville, CO

Open-Enrollment WFR Recertification Courses (remainder of 2026)

September 26–27 — Leadville, CO
October 10–11 — Leadville, CO
October 24–25 — Las Vegas, NV
October 29–30 — Moab, UT (camping included)
November 7–8 — Leadville, CO
December 5–6 — Leadville, CO

Check in with HQ at [email protected] to ensure your current WFR is eligible for recertification with DMM.

Still have incredible shots sitting on your phone from this summer? Send them our way!Don't forget: our annual photo con...
09/02/2026

Still have incredible shots sitting on your phone from this summer? Send them our way!

Don't forget: our annual photo contest deadline is coming up on September 30th.

Send up to 3 of your best photos to [email protected]. Selected images will be featured in our 2027 calendar, and top entries win sweet prizes from NRS! Categories are: 1. Best Overall Image. 2. Best Wildlife 3. Best Portrait 4. Best Action 5. Best Landscape

The best part? Every calendar sold helps fund free counseling and the Guide Helpline for outdoor pros across ID, MT, WY, and CO.

image: Ella Luepke

Holy smokes, its the last day of August!As August wraps up, how are you holding up?The tail end of a guiding season can ...
08/31/2026

Holy smokes, its the last day of August!

As August wraps up, how are you holding up?

The tail end of a guiding season can test even the toughest spirits. If you or are feeling the late-summer drag, find yourself facing a tough transition, or are struggling after a challenging season, remember you don't have to carry it alone.

You can call or text the Guide Helpline: (208) 740-1192 It's confidential, 24/7, and cost-free. You'll connect with a licensed therapist who can connect you with a fully licensed counselor who gets the guiding life for 8 sessions for therapy.



image: Tanner Haskins

This post is for IDAHO GUIDES going to university, college or trade school for the academic school year 26/27.We have TW...
08/29/2026

This post is for IDAHO GUIDES going to university, college or trade school for the academic school year 26/27.

We have TWO scholarships that you need to know about and should apply for:

The Travels Olson and Tom Tremain Scholarship is for an IDAHO RIVER GUIDE. Traves and Tom were legendary river guides who both loved being on the river and, whether they meant to not, were incredible mentors to the younger guides they worked with. Their families and friends lovingly put together this scholarship in their honor to continue their legacy. If you are an Idaho river guide going back to school, don't miss this opportunity!

The Telly Evans Memorial Scholarship is for an IDAHO GUIDE ATTENDING UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO. Telly, another legend, is who Redside Foundation was founded for. Telly was beloved by everyone who met him and was a proud U of I graduate. If you are a Vandal and need some financial support, don't pass this scholarship up - the application is easy!

You can find out more and apply for these scholarships on our website under the scholarships&grants tab.

There are also FOUR Redside Guide Scholarships available for guides in WY, MT, CO, and ID!

Meet Karlin Bilcher, Fishing Guide for and Redside Mental Health Provider.Karlin is based in Teton Valley, ID and is a...
08/28/2026

Meet Karlin Bilcher, Fishing Guide for and Redside Mental Health Provider.

Karlin is based in Teton Valley, ID and is a champion for his fishing guests, his therapy clients, and for the entire guiding community.

He has a unique perspective as a full time fishing guide, a father & husband, and a fully licensed mental health professional.

Recently, he spoke about his passion and gratitude for being part of Redside with local Jackson Hole supporters: "We don’t claim to fix broken guides. We ensure the people who spend their lives taking care of everyone else have someone to take care of them. When a guide can talk openly about what they’re enduring, they stay present for their clients, their families, and their communities. Redside removes barriers to care—cost, access, and stigma—so help is available before it’s too late. Your support keeps guides navigating difficult waters together, not alone."

We're in the Old Bill's Giving Season and have a goal to raise $30,000 that will be ampli­fied through addi­tion­al fund­ing pro­vid­ed by CoChal­lengers in the form of par­tial match­ing grants to par­tic­i­pat­ing nonprofits. These funds will stay in Teton County to support local guides with mental health services, scholarships, professional development grants, and more.

Image: Karlin Bilcher

Photo contest is HAPPENING! And ID, CO, and WY guides- we need your pics or this calendar is going to be mostly Glacier,...
08/27/2026

Photo contest is HAPPENING!

And ID, CO, and WY guides- we need your pics or this calendar is going to be mostly Glacier, MT area pics (THANK YOU FLATHEAD GUIDES- YOUR PICS ARE AMAZING!)

The top entrant for each category - wildlife, portrait, landscape, and action wins a sweet prize. The overall best shot wins the grand prize! And every photo chosen = a free calendar for the photographer.

Your images aren’t just beautiful; they tell powerful stories and make a difference. Each year, we assemble a fun calendar from the best shots you generously share from your guiding life.

We sell those calendars to raise funds for counseling sessions, and they almost always sell out. Your pics helps people heal, one page at a time.

Here's the details:
Images must be taken by you.
Deadline for sending in pics is Sept 30, 2026.
Email up to 3 images to [email protected].
Please include a caption with place/name.
1MB+ files; landscape preferred (exception may be made for an incredible image).
Let’s make the coolest calendar ever. You in? email submissions to [email protected]

A huge shoutout to NRS for sending a prize box that would make any photographer blush.
*images may also be used on social media, newsletters, etc.

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾 Today we celebrate the loyal ones who walk beside us, offering courage, comfort, and unwaverin...
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!

🐾 Today we celebrate the loyal ones who walk beside us, offering courage, comfort, and unwavering support.

Share a photo of your dog who accompanies you while your out there and tell us how your canine partner makes a difference in your life.

Don’t forget to tag us and use

Image: Hooper Lansburgh

EDIT: Deadline for this is Sept 15 and announcement of awardee will be the 20th. Our friends at are offering something...
08/26/2026

EDIT: Deadline for this is Sept 15 and announcement of awardee will be the 20th.

Our friends at are offering something INCREDIBLE in honor of Professional Development Grant & Scholarship Season here at Redside Foundation.

Desert Mountain Medicine is waiving the enrollment cost for one WFR or WFR recertification course for a guide in ID, WY, MT, or CO. You can apply for this opportunity on our website in the Professional Development Grant Page - found under the Grants & Scholarship page or via the link in our bio.

Any course on DMM's website with a green "register online" button is eligible for this scholarship.

Open-Enrollment WFR Courses (remainder of 2026)

Check in with HQ at [email protected] to ensure your current WFR is eligible for recertification with DMM.

image:

T R A N S I T I O N S For many summer guides, the crew you’ve slayed days with - over peaks, through rapids, shared meal...
08/25/2026

T R A N S I T I O N S

For many summer guides, the crew you’ve slayed days with - over peaks, through rapids, shared meals, late nights, and inside jokes - has become family.

As the days grow shorter and the light changes, some of you are moving to guide in a new place, or in a new discipline. Others will pivot to different environments, or entirely different paths.

What stays constant is the rockstar energy you embody: your courage, your love of wild places, your commitment to safety, and your quiet leadership that makes every trip you guide sing.

Transitions can be exciting and daunting at once. They can be scary, but they’re also a chance to carry who've you become over the summer into whatever is next. You always carry the lessons, the laughter, the strength, and the spirit of what it means to guide.

But we know that it can be difficult to remember all of that - because transitions can be challenging. If you’re navigating a transition and need support, we've got you. Reach out to the Guide Helpline. call or text 208-740-1192.

This image was submitted for our 26/27 calendar contest: The winners of the downriver race celebrating their victory on the Old Bridge. Photo includes (from left to right) Tamra, Noah, Garret, Andrew, and Freya - Carson Fitzgerald

08/21/2026

Financial support for education and professional development!

Hey Guides in ID, MT, CO, & WY - tis the season to apply for scholarships and professional development grants. Our goal is to help lower or remove the cost barrier to your dreams.

There are SIX Professional Development Grants available - you can use a grant to get reimbursed or partially reimbursed for the cost of a certification or course that will elevate your guiding career or help you find guide adjacent employment- such as WFR, Swiftwater Rescue, Interpretation, Horse Handling, Yoga, backcountry Cheffing, AMGA, etc. Each grant is worth up to $500 to cover the cost of the course.

There are SIX Scholarships!

Four - Redside Guide Scholarships are available to professional outdoor guides working in WY, MT, CO, and ID and attending full-time at an accredited trade school, college, or university in the U.S. Applications are reviewed for merit and financial need.

One- Telly Evans Memorial Scholarship is specifically for an Idaho Licensed Guide attending the University of Idaho. The U of I determines the awardee based on financial need and merit.

One - the new Traves Olson and Tom Tremain Scholarship to be awarded to an Idaho River Guide attending full time at an accredited college, university, or trade school.

Learn more details and apply on our website under the Scholarships & Grants tab or see the links in our bio.

Pro tip: The applications are EASY and if your attending a college, university, or trade school, defiantly apply for a scholarship. And if you know your going to take a certification course in the next year, apply for that grant! We want to support you!

Applications accepted until October 1st.

Address

PO Box 8734
Boise, ID
83707

Telephone

+12087401192

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Redside Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The Redside Foundation:

Shortcuts

Share

Category