Imnaha Writers' Retreat

Writers seeking quiet and time to do their work are invited by Fishtrap each April and October to a remote and rustic, but comfortable and modern, log cabin on the beautiful upper Imnaha River.

“It was as renewing and invigorating an experience as I’ve ever had – if there is a better spot for a poet, I cannot imagine it.”

“There is no place more beautiful than the Imnaha canyon in April.”

How the Writers’ Retreat works

Participants sign up individually or in groups for one to four weeks. The retreat has room for three to five writers. Sometimes people who have met at another Fishtrap event sign up together. Spots are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The cabin is a modern log house on a bend of the river, 12 miles on a good gravel road from the town of Imnaha, which is 30 paved miles from Joseph, Oregon. The house has a kitchen and dining area, a living room with fireplace, and four bedrooms. There is also a separate “tree house,” which can be used as another bedroom or study. A “9 to 5 quiet time” is standard procedure. Groups traditionally eat with and read to each other in the evenings, and informal, supportive critique sessions have become a high point for many participants.

Fishtrap provides some basic groceries and utilities. Writers bring their own food for breakfast and lunch, and traditionally bring food for and cook at least one evening meal for the whole group. Some writers love to bake bread or other goodies, using apples or cherries from the garden. Alcohol is permitted. If all else fails, the Imnaha Tavern and Store is 12 miles away, with frozen french fries, chicken gizzards, and a never-ending diet of cowboy movie re-runs.

Writers also do light housework. A “den mom” – a Fishtrap volunteer who is familiar with the house – makes sure that there are staples in the larder and helps with household tasks like stoking the stove.

To help cover our increasing costs for cleaning and firewood at the Imnaha Writer's Retreat here is our updated, "sliding scale" policy:

The base charge for the retreat is $200 per week. We encourage those who can afford it to send more at their own discretion. A minimum of $200 will hold your reservation.

Here's what some of our recent participants had to say about their time at the Imnaha Retreat:

"It is always a rich, rewarding experience and an opportunity to go deeper and write truer. The company and structure of the social experience is also great. By social experience I mean ... it works really well - the den moms, the gentle requirement of sharing dinners, the separate space for each writer, the beautiful landscape in every direction for long walks in company or solitary.” 

”The important thing to keep in mind that the experience was wonderful! I got a lot of work done, and I met some wonderful people. We wrote, we cooked, we ate, we shared our work, we shared life stories. I loved the rhythm of get up, coffee, food, writing, food, conversation, watch the river, writing, cooking, food, wine, watch the river "

Please contact us if you are interested. Click here for a more detailed overview of the Imnaha Writers' Retreat including the registration form.