Snake River Reservations Available

Private powerboaters who want to cruise wild sections of the Snake River’s Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and haven’t made a reservation yet shouldn’t despair.

But they shouldn’t wait, either.

Even though weekend dates (Thursday through Saturday) in July and August have already been filled, about half the spaces in July and August from Sunday through Wednesday are still open.

About 330 spaces in the May 23-Sept. 10 reservation season have yet to be filled.

“September is a beautiful time to be on the river,” said Pat Worle, who is taking reservations at the forest service office in Clarkston.

This is the first year powerboaters need a reservation during the peak summer months to enter the wild section of the river, stretching from Pittsburg Landing to Hells Canyon.

Six launches are allowed per day during the reservation-only season. The reservations govern only launch dates; boaters can remain on the river as long as they want.

No reservations are required downstream from Pittsburg Landing.

Make reservations Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m. at (509) 758-0270. Boaters need to have their boat’s registration number and driver’s license or other ID available.

Anti-poacher incentive

Ratting on a poacher in Washington can put a hunter a giant step closer to drawing a coveted special permit for deer or elk.

In addition to a $100 cash reward, hunters who report poaching violations in Washington now will be earning themselves 10 bonus points for special deer and elk hunting permit drawings.

“We’ve added one more incentive for hunters to be aware of poaching activities and to report them,” said Lisa Pelly, chair of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, after commissioners authorized the creation of the bonus-point system on Feb. 1.

Normally, a hunter earns 1 bonus point each time he unsuccessfully applies for a deer or elk drawing. The system was enacted last year to boost the odds of hunters who seem to apply year after year without getting drawn for a tag.

Anyone witnessing a poaching incident should contact local law enforcement authorities or call the Department of Fish and Game at (800) 477-6224.

Idaho steelheaders increase

Spurred on by easier fishing and a steelhead run where fish came in all at once, about 2,500 more steelhead fishermen took part in Idaho’s fall 1996 season than did in 1995.

Figures for the Snake River during the fall were lower than in 1995, but more activity on the Clearwater and Salmon rivers helped make up the difference.

Total fishing days across the state rose to 87,853 from 80,891. The state says 16,734 fish were harvested, up about 4,100 from last year.

Fisherman caught-and-released 23,647 hatchery steelhead, up from 16,768, and 12,270 wild fish, up from 9,044.

, DataTimes