Field reports: Five reasons to sign up for Backpack School

HIKING – A few spots are open for the annual Backpacking School taught on Friday evenings over two months by the Spokane Mountaineers.

School directors Jeff and Deb Harris said students will learn and refine skills in everything from gear selection and navigation to cooking and camp-making tips.

But the Harris’s suggest the top five lessons to learn are more subtle:

• Know the limits and capabilities of your gear, body and mind and respect them.

• Tell others you trust about your primary plans, alternate plans and what time you are expected back.

• Know that being in wilderness does not mean you are exempt from taking care of yourself. Good hygiene and nutrition are still important.

• Be respectful of the wildlife and terrain you are traveling in.

• Many situations have several ways to go about doing things. Find something that works for you and have fun.

The school starts March 30.

Info: 879-5275, email jeffanddebharris@gmail.com.

Idaho fishing rules discussed in CdA

FISHING – The last of four Panhandle Region meetings on proposals for revamping fishing regulations will be held Thursday, 7 p.m., at the Idaho Fish and Game Department Regional Office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., in Coeur d’Alene.

Idaho is taking a look at fishing throughout the state as it revises its management plans through 2018.

Panhandle Region anglers can comment on hot topics such as:

• Enhancing or culling Priest Lake mackinaw.

• Easing catch-and-release rules to allow more cutthroat trout to be harvested in the St. Joe and Coeur d’Alene rivers.

• Returning to trophy rainbow trout management and a limited kokanee fishery on Lake Pend Oreille.

Anglers also can register comments in an online survey by March 31 at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/

ifwis/portal/r1fish/.

Rich Landers

Fly-fishing clinics set at Silver Bow

FLY FISHING – Registration is under way for the following fly-fishing clinics being offered at Silver Bow Fly Shop, 13210 E. Indiana Ave., telephone 924-9998.

• Winter Steelhead Clinic focusing on Spey rod tactics from guide and Spey line designer Tom Larimer, April 6, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Free.

• Beginner Spey Class with Larimer, April 7, 8 a.m.-noon. Cost: $150. Rods/reels provided.

• Advanced Spey Class with Larimer, April 7, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Cost: $150. Rods/reels provided.

Rich Landers

Seminars on fishing in North Idaho

FISHING – Four local experts are scheduled for presentations in the 2012 Spring Fishing Seminar Series at Mark’s Marine, 55 N. Government Way in Hayden. Info: (208) 772-9038.

• Thursday: Bass and panfishing at local lakes, by Jim Grassi of Let’s Go Fishing and Tony McCalmant of Panhandle Bass Club.

• March 29: Lowrance HDS and Structure Scan, “Tips, Tricks, and how to find fish,” by Steve Binyon, Mark’s Marine electronics expert.

• April 5: Trolling Lake Pend Oreille, by Donnie and Sue Halk of Frisky Jenny Flies & Lake Charters.

• April 12: Walleye tips and techniques.

Trail project set at Liberty Lake

VOLUNTEERS – Helpers are needed for a series of Liberty Lake trail rerouting projects at Liberty Lake County Park, starting next Sunday, organized by the Washington Trails Association. Other dates are March 29 and 31 and April 2 and 26.

Sign up only at wta.org.

Info: (206) 625-1367.

Rich Landers