A little Noah’s history
Noah Hague, Founder
Noah’s is a Rafting and Fishing outfitter based here in Southern Oregon. Our history starts with our founder Noah Hague. Noah originates from the Willamette Valley in Northwest Oregon. He came to Southern Oregon in the late sixties as a business professor with Merrit Davis Business College. It was at this point in his life where some of his students at the college first exposed him to the incredible outdoor recreation opportunities here in Southern Oregon.
Noah first purchased a McKenzie style Drift Boat in 1972. He quickly fell in love with the Rogue River and the many species of fish to pursue and became a licensed fishing guide in 1974. Over the next several years he expanded from Rogue River fishing and purchased his first raft from B.A. Hanten the owner of Morrison’s lodge. It was in 1976 that Noah first ran the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River Canyon. This very special place was instrumental in Noah’s life. It was at this point that he decided to commit to becoming a full time rafting and fishing outfitter.
Noah’s World of Water originated in 1978. We were located on Crater Lake Hwy near White City, Oregon. Our focus was Rogue River rafting and guided fishing trips, we also rented rafts and inflatable kayaks to the public. It was also at this point Noah began to explore different rivers such as the Upper Klamath. Noah was one of the very first people to ever run the Hell’s Corner Gorge portion of the Klamath. He determined that this piece of water was an excellent option to offer as a commercial one day trip.
It was 1983 when Noah decided to move our family business to Ashland, Oregon. Ashland is renowned for the Oregon Shakespeare festival and draws several hundred thousand visitors every year. It was here in Ashland that our business grew rapidly over the next decade. We offered trips on the Rogue, Klamath, Umpqua, Owyhee, Cal-Salmon, Scott, Sacramento and Smith rivers. It was in 1997 that we had the opportunity to acquire an existing business in the “Wild and Scenic” Rogue River Canyon. Mel and Diane Norrick (River Adventure Float Trips R.A.F.T) were ready to retire and Noah had always wanted to operate on this famous section of the Rogue.
2006 is when Noah decided to retire. Two of our long time head guides Bart Baldwin and Justin Wright were eager to step in and purchase our Ashland based business. Bart and Justin have done an incredible job of providing quality trips on the Rogue, Klamath, Cal Salmon and Scott rivers. Bart’s partner Catie Pratt plays an integral role in managing and assisting with the operational aspects of Noah’s River Adventures.
I, Hugh Hague, also became an owner in 2006 where I had the opportunity to manage and operate our wilderness trips in the Rogue River Canyon. My company is Noah’s Wilderness Adventures. My wife Alicia and I are heading into our 10th season of operations. Both companies are excited about what 2016 has in store for us. Mother nature has blessed us with an incredible snow pack and 2016 is poised to be a memorable season.
Our founder Noah Hague is now 73 years old. He is happily retired and living on a beautiful piece of property in Hugo Oregon. He is still an avid river man and spends a good portion of his time enjoying the rivers of the west.