Imnaha Writers' Retreat
Writers seeking quiet and time to do their work are invited by Fishtrap each spring and fall to a cabin on the wild and scenic Imnaha River in northeast Oregon, made available through the generosity of Dr. Mike and Kathleen Driver.
Participants have days free to write, read, enjoy the natural beauty
of this remote area, and take evening meals together. Anyone who has
participated in other Fishtrap programs is eligible to register for
one to four week-long sessions in April* or October.
How the Writers' Retreat works
Writers who
have participated in previous Fishtrap events are eligible. Participants
sign up for one to four weeks, and attend in groups of four or five.
Sometimes people who have met at a Fishtrap event sign up together.
Spots are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The facility is a modern log house on a bend of the river, about 12 miles on a good gravel road upriver from the town of Imnaha, which is 35 miles on pavement from Joseph. The house has a kitchen and dining area, a living room with fireplace, and four bedrooms.(one large downstairs bedroom, two small upstairs bedrooms and a dorm style open room with many beds.) There is also a separate "tree house," which makes a nice bedroom/study. A 9-5 "quiet writing time" is standard procedure. Although it is not a requirement, groups have generally used evenings to read to each other.
Fishtrap provides basic groceries and utilities. Writers prepare meals and
do dishes and light housework. Imnaha "den mom" Janie Tippett makes
sure that there are staples in the larder. Breakfasts and lunches are ad
hoc. Each guest brings special ingredients for one evening meal for the group.
Some writers love to bake bread or other goodies from apples or cherries
from the garden. If all else fails, there's always the Imnaha Tavern, with
chicken gizzards and frozen french fries. No one has gone hungry yet. 
To help cover Fishtrap's cost for the retreat there is a weekly fee
of $75.
*Fishtrap is currently accepting registrations for Spring 2008. The retreat will be held May 18 - June 15 this year due to maintenance and repairs to the cabin. Please contact us if you are interested. Download the registration form here.You must have participated in a previous Fishtrap event to qualify for this program.