Field reports: Requirements enacted for fishing guides

FISHING – Washington sport-fishing guides will have to meet basic requirements for first aid training, boat and business licensing and insurance under a law that takes effect July 28.

Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed SB 5786 into law, requiring most applicants for a Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing guides license to have at least a valid:

• Driver’s license or identification card.

• Business license number.

• Certification in first aid and CPR.

• Commercial liability insurance of at least $300,000.

• U.S. Coast Guard license if intending to carry passengers for hire on federally recognized navigable waters with a motorized vessel.

“Guides who already have a license for this license year don’t have to show proof, but they will when they renew next license year,” said Mike Cenci, the department’s deputy chief of enforcement.

The required insurance on the typical powerboat used by a guide could run about $600 a year.

Some sportfishing guides testified in favor of the bill at legislative hearings noting that Washington had virtually no requirements for being a fishing guide while states such as Idaho have criteria that improve safety and weed out fly-by-night operators.

Washouts close Colville road, trail

FORESTS – Mountain travelers are wise to check ahead with Forest Service offices for possible travel restrictions.

In just the past week on the Colville National Forest:

• Upper North Fork Trail 507 was closed because of a bridge washout. The trail connects the upper portion of the North Fork of Sullivan Creek to Crowell Ridge Trail 515 in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.

• South Sherman Road 2020 has an impassible washout on the west or upper end of the road between mileposts 11 and 12. Until it can be repaired, access to Barnaby Buttes Trailhead and the South Fork of Sherman Creek is still possible from the lower access point on Highway 20.

Canoe, kayak classes registration open

PADDLING – Registration is open for four annual paddling classes taught by the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club:

• Flatwater canoeing for solo or tandem boats is June 5.

• Moving water canoeing is July 13-14.

• Sea kayaking for novice to advanced is July 17, 20 and 21.

• Whitewater kayaking dates are not set.

Each class is $55 per person, except the flatwater canoeing class is a free prerequisite for the moving water class.

Sign up: (509) 448-9214.

Missoula woman injured by moose

HIKING – A woman walking several dogs on a forest trail southwest of Missoula Thursday was injured when she was kicked by a female moose with a calf.

Officials say the dogs started barking at the moose and the woman was trying to get the dogs away when the moose knocked her down and kicked her. Fish and Wildlife officials said they would take no action.

The woman, removed in a stretcher, will be OK, they said.