The winners of the 2006 National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA) were
announced in November. The winners of this annual award program
represent some of the finest outdoor writing and artwork being
published today. The NOBA Foundation, Idaho State University and the
Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education sponsor the awards
program.

This year an Idaho author and guide Matt Leidecker took home top honors
in the Outdoor Guidebook category for his recently published:

Middle Fork of the Salmon River - A Comprehensive Guide.

The guidebook is the culmination of more than a decade of working and
living on Idaho's most famous river. Drawing from more than fifteen
years of Middle Fork guiding experience, author Matt Leidecker has
packed the 96-page book with information on how to run the rapids (at
high and low water), where to kayak, camp, hike, and visit historical
sites along the river. The detailed maps are accompanied by more than
70 color photos and also include a section describing the geology of
the canyon.

The purpose of the Awards is to recognize and encourage outstanding
writing and publishing. Each fall in early November, the NOBA
Foundation announces the winners of the nine categories making up the
program, including History, Literature, Children, Nature,
Instructional, Adventure Guidebook, Nature Guidebook, Design, and
Outdoor Classic.

The program has very high standards of fairness and objectivity. The
winners are chosen by a panel of judges consisting of educators,
academics, book reviewers, authors, editors, and outdoor columnists
from throughout the country.

NOBA Book Review:

"More than any, river guidebooks get used --and abused. All day,
they are in and out of ammo cans, passed around, and used to keep track
of mileage, to re-check routes through rapids, and to find the night's
camp. They have to be tough, conveniently sized, able to withstand a
soaking or two, have easy-to-read maps, and clear and concise
descriptions. Matt Leidecker's Middle Fork guidebook fits the bill
perfectly. If you have a trip planned on Idaho's Middle Fork of the
Salmon, this is the guide written and built for the job."

For more information about the guidebook visit:

www.middleforkbook.com