Local geocaching chapter looking for members
Simply put, the sport of Geocaching is the finding of treasures by using a GPS. It's fun and we are glad to see Jim Turner push for a local chapter. Read on.
From Jim Turner:
"Geocaching, treasure hunting, outdoors, hiking, families doing outdoor activities together, meeting new people, making new friends, just having great outdoor fun. All of these are possible in the sport of geocaching.
"The Washington Sate Geocaching Association has around six chapter and they are spread around the state. Several of us are assessing the need for one here in the Columbia Basin. Keep your eyes and ears open for a Geoevent in the near future."
Contact Jim at: Cell 750-9965 or Home 765-5611.
Steelhead fishing rules have changed
New changes in the upper Columbia River are now in effect. They include allowing the retention of hatchery-origin adipose fin-clipped steelhead with circular punches, also known as holes, in the caudal or tail fin. The rule change is only in areas of the Columbia River and tributaries that remain open to steelhead fishing.
The closing of sections of the Okanogan River around the mouths of Omak and Bonaparte creeks as of March 15, 2011.
Fishing area locations and effective closure dates: The Okanogan River from the mouth upstream to Hwy. 97 Bridge in Oroville. Open through March 31, 2011. Night closure and selective gear rules apply. Exception: closed waters effective March 15, 2011 from the first powerline crossing downstream of the Hwy. 155 Bridge in Omak to the mouth of Omak Creek and from the Tonasket Bridge downstream to the Tonasket Lagoons Park boat launch.
Location and regulations of areas previously opened to hatchery-origin steelhead harvest: The mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam. Open through March 31, 2011. Night closure and selective gear rules apply, bait is allowed. Floy-tagged rainbow trout may be retained with no daily limit and no minimum size.
The Entiat River upstream from the Alternate Highway 97 Bridge near the mouth of the Entiat River, approximately six miles to 800 feet downstream of the Entiat National Fish Hatchery outfall. Open through March 31, 2011. Night closure and selective gear rules apply.
The Similkameen River, from its mouth to 400 feet below Enloe Dam. Open through March 31, 2011. Night closure and selective gear rules apply.
The Methow River from the Hwy. 97 Bridge in Pateros upstream to the confluence with the Chewuch River in Winthrop. Open through March 31, 2011. Night closure and selective gear rules apply. Fishing from a floating device is prohibited from the second power line crossing to the first Highway 153 Bridge.
The reasons are: Sections of the Okanogan River around the mouths of Omak and Tonasket creeks are closed to protect natural origin steelhead staging prior to spawning in those tributaries.
Anglers are required to harvest hatchery origin steelhead with an adipose fin-clip and a healed scar in the location of the missing fin. There is a four fish mandatory daily retention limit on adipose fin-clipped steelhead, 20-inch minimum size. All steelhead with an intact adipose fin must be immediately released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water. All other fisheries must follow selective gear rules, except that bait is also allowed on the mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam to 400 feet below Chief Joseph Dam.
Anglers are reminded that a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement is required to participate in these fisheries. Funds from the Columbia River salmon and steelhead endorsement account support the creel staff that monitors these fisheries.
The Spencer Report
By Spencer, Awesome Kid, Kimbro:
Dennis note: This report was delayed because of the lengthily report of last week. It is presented here to catch us up on Spencer's activities.
"Hello Dennis,
"I just wanted to let you know that I tried out for the Missoula Children's Theater production of Pinocchio today at the Big Bend theater. I got a role as one of the Pleasure Isle kids! I am so, so, so excited.
"We practice all week after school and the performances are Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
"I know this isn't outdoor stuff, but I was pretty excited about this and wanted to let you know. Have a great week.
"Your friend, Spencer"
Great to hear from you, Spencer, even though your report is not about an outdoor-related topic. Remember, even though many of us in the Columbia Basin carry the outdoors close to our heart, we are involved with other fun activities, too. Break a leg, Spencer.
OK, Spencer, let us know how the play turned out for you.
Opening Weekend of Dutch Oven Cooking and Camping for 2011
The 17th Annual Opening Weekend of Dutch Oven Cooking and Camping will be at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake. This is a great location with lots of space, grass, and trees. Everyone is welcome to attend all three days or come for a day, or a meal; just be there. Everyone is welcome.
The dates are April 15, 16, 18. The Dutch oven group will be on the north end of the Fairgrounds. We will not have an enclosed area but we will set up a big tarp. We have 20 sites reserved, but additional sites should be available.
The Opening Weekend has always been a schedule-free gathering. It's a time for people to gather, camp, cook, and enjoy each other's company. More details to follow.
First Youth Outdoors Unlimited fund raising dinner and auction
From Cindy Carpenter:
"We are having our first official dinner and auction at Sporty's Steakhouse on Thursday, March 31st. Dinner starts at 6:30 and auction to follow. Tickets are available at Sporty's and are $40 per person with $25 being donated to Youth Outdoors Unlimited. 100 percent of the auction proceeds to benefit Y.O.U. If you would like to donate an auction item please contact Cindy Carpenter at (509) 431-1604.
More from Cindy Carpenter:
"Youth Outdoors Unlimited is a Columbia Based non-profit corporation organized to take terminally ill and disabled youth on hunting and fishing trip and other outdoor adventures.
"This is not a one person organization, but a group of hunters and anglers who just want to promote and share their love for hunting and fishing in the great state of Washington. Volunteers are welcome to join the fun of helping youth with outdoor adventures.
"Our Board of Directors consists of Bob Bersanti, Kandi Bersanti, Curt Carpenter, Chris Newhouse, Don Sell, Joe Carpenter and Cindy Carpenter. Together as a Board we are committed to providing the best experience possible for extraordinary children dealing with extraordinary medical conditions.
"We are now accepting applications for youth from the State of Washington who qualify and would like to go on an extraordinary adventure. Applications can be obtained by contacting any of our Board Members or by emailing you@youthoutdoorsunlimitedwa.com. Until our Web site is up and running the most up to date information can be viewed on our Facebook fanpage at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/YouthOutdoorsUnlimitedWa.
Brochures, applications and donation information can be mailed upon request.
"A big thank you to all of our current sponsors. We will be naming them as our organization grows.
"Together we can make a difference one child at a time. Contact Cindy at 509-431-1604 for information about YOU, donation of product or monetary donations.
Bottom fish limits reduced
From Fish and Wildlife:
The aggregate bottom fish limit is now reduced from 15 to 12 effective immediately. It is unlawful for any person to retain or possess more than 12 bottom fish species for personal use per day. The 12 fish in the aggregate limit of all species may include no more than 2 cabezon per person per day in addition to current daily sub-limits for rockfish, 10, and lingcod, two.
The location affected is Marine Areas 1, 2, 3 and Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line. The reason for the action is the new rule conforms to federal action taken by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
Lingcod season to begin a week earlier in three coastal areas
Most of the Washington coast will open to recreational lingcod fishing March 12, a week earlier than the date listed in the state's 2010/2011 sport fishing rules pamphlet.
Heather Reed, coastal policy coordinator for Fish and Wildlife, said the opening date for the lingcod fishery in Marine Areas 1-3 south of Cape Alava was changed to conform to federal rules.
The fishing season in those areas is scheduled to run through Oct. 15 as previously planned.
The season dates will remain unchanged in Marine Area 4, which will be open for lingcod fishing from April 16 through Oct. 15.
There is a 22-inch minimum size limit and a two-fish daily catch limit for lingcod in Marine Areas 1-3. In Marine Area 4, there is a 24-inch minimum size limit and a two-fish daily limit for lingcod.
Three agencies propose legislation to maintain recreation access on state lands
Dennis note: Expect an outdoors column on this subject in the near future.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the state departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife have announced they are co-requesting legislation that will reform state land management and maintain public access to state recreation lands.
SB 5622 addresses the growing demand for recreation opportunities and the impacts of recreation on natural resources and wildlife by developing a reliable source of funding and improving law enforcement on state lands managed by the agencies. All three agencies have seen sharp declines in their budgets to provide adequate maintenance, improvements, and enforcement for recreation. The Governor's proposed budget removed state General Fund support for recreation on state lands in favor of a user-supported funding approach.
A companion bill, HB 1796, has been introduced with one of the key components of the bill being an annual $30 pass that will enable the public to visit state lands managed by all three agencies with just a single pass.
The bill, as introduced: Creates an annual, singular pass, called the Discover Pass, that will enable the public to visit lands managed by Parks, WDFW, and DNR. The pass will cost $30 per year per vehicle or $10 for day use.
Also, Improves public safety, by giving law enforcement officers from each agency the authority to issue natural resource infractions on land managed by any of the agencies.
Provides a free annual pass to volunteers who donate 40 hours of their time working on volunteer projects sanctioned by the agencies, aligns DNR's recreational immunity with that of the other state agencies and specifies how each agency must spend the revenue generated by the Discover Pass.
Revenue from the sales of the pass will be split among the three agencies in the following manner: DNR and WDFW will each receive 7.5 percent and State Parks will receive 85 percent. Both DNR and WDFW would receive an estimated $5.5 million per biennium and State Parks would receive $61 million. Revenues in excess of $71 million would be distributed evenly among the agencies. The pass proceeds would partially offset reductions in state General Fund support to all three agencies.