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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Out and About: Kokanee ‘stocked’ in Colville street

OUTPOUR – Kokanee by the bucketful were in the streets of Colville Wednesday afternoon after a truck from the Spokane Tribal Fish Hatchery had a close call with a motorist at the town’s roundabout.

The truck belonging to the Spokane Tribe was transporting fish to be raised to larger size at the Sherman Creek Hatchery operated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Here’s the scoop – an accurate word in this case – from Tim Peone, Spokane Tribal Fish Hatchery manager:

“Apparently an errant driver unbeknownst of the roundabout rules pulled out in front of our planting truck causing the driver to lock up the brakes. The sloshing water broke a hinge off a lid, spilling 24.7 pounds of kokanee at 14.4 fish per pound equaling roughly 356 fish out of a load of 12,000 fish.

“Yes, I made him pick them all up (with the help of city crew, I heard).”

Reardan-Audubon area improved

OUTFIELD – The Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area just north of Highway 2 at Reardan is being enhanced with information kiosks that will be dedicated April 29 in a public ceremony starting at 2 p.m.

The 277-acre wildlife area was acquired in 2006 with state grant funds and support from Spokane Audubon Society and the Inland Northwest Land Trust.  The wetlands, seasonal ponds, grasslands, channeled scablands and 80-acre lake support about 200 bird and other wildlife species, 12 of special concern in Washington, according to WDFW.

The Lincoln County area was popular with birdwatchers long before the state acquired the land. A hotspot for spring migrants, birders put it on their annual field-trips list, calling the wetlands Audubon Lake.

The ceremony will be held at the wildlife area’s southside parking lot. From the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and State Route 231 in Reardan, go north to Railroad Ave., then drive east to Audubon Way. 

At 3 p.m. refreshments will be available at Reardan Community Building, 110 N. Lake St., courtesy of Friends of Reardan Audubon Lake.

Rent forest cabin on CdA River

OUTPOST – A prize crash pad on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River has become available for rental reservations this week; $60 a night.

Avery Creek Cabin, recently refurbished, is near the blue-ribbon cutthroat stream 20 miles upstream from Interstate 90 at Kingston. It sleeps 4-6.

The cabin’s rental season runs May 18-Nov. 18. But reservations can be made now at reserveusa.com.