How to survive opening day
OUTFISH – We have the scoop on the best fishing waters in Idaho, as well as in Washington, where dozens of the Spokane region’s trout lakes will open to fishing on Saturday.
Check out the long list of stories from our annual fishing section compiled online. Go to spokesman.com/outdoors and click on 2010 Fishing.
• A free basic fishing clinic is set for 6 p.m. on Friday – the day before opening day – at the General Store, 2424 N. Division St.
Dave Murphy and Mike Hense of Northwest Bait and Fin will explain what you need to know and how to rig rods to catch local fish.
Coin cashes in on national parks
OUTCOLLECT – The U.S. Mint will release the Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, quarter on Monday to begin a series of new quarters featuring prized public lands.
The country’s four oldest national parks – Hot Springs, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Grand Canyon – as well as Mount Hood National Forest will be the first to be commemorated in the “America the Beautiful” quarters program.
Mint officials say the program eventually will feature 56 national parks and sites, issued in the order the areas came under federal protection.
Travel maps out for Colville Forest
OUTGOING – The Colville National Forest has published its 2010 Motor Vehicle Use Maps, which designate which roads and trails are open to motorcycles, ATVs or other motorized vehicles.
If a route is not marked on these maps, it’s closed to motorized traffic. Some routes are opened to vehicles for specified seasons; some are closed year-round.
The new maps are easier to read, but otherwise include only minor changes to the 2009 versions.
Forest officials are working with recreation groups to open more routes to motor vehicles in the future.
The maps are available at forest offices or:
•BLM & Colville National Forest Information Desk, 1103 N. Fancher in Spokane Valley.
•Online at www.fs.fed.us/r6/colville/ travel-mgt/index
Local club teaches art of paddling
OUTCLASS – The Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club will launch its venerable canoeing and kayaking clinics in May and June. Certified instructors will teach their specialties during on-the-water sessions for solo and tandem boats as follows:
•Canoe Flatwater, May 15.
•Canoe Moving Water, June 12-13.
•Whitewater Kayak, June 5-6.
•Sea Kayak, July 14, 17-18.
The club offers an overnight camping trip for paddling participants on July 24-25.
But the biggest perk in taking these clinics is becoming a member of a club that has monthly programs and a full schedule of group trips and programs.
Cost: $55. Limited to boaters age 12 and older.
Preregister: Diane Adams, 448-9214; e-mail: dianecadams@asisna.com
Meet the group: A free preview of “Campfire Stories,” a new film about successes and failures in the quest to kayak classic lines on the region’s streams will be shown at the SC&KC monthly gathering, 7 p.m., at Corbin Community Center, 827 W. Cleveland.