Out & About: New app gives boaters a heads up

OUTLAUNCH – Boaters can find out where to launch their boats or tie up for a weekend on the water with  Washington Water Cruiser, a free app launched by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The app, for Apple and Android devices, maps all state-owned boat launches and moorage sites open to the public, along with amenities for boaters at each site. 

“In the past, you’d have to carry a couple of cruising manuals or visit several Web sites to plan an outing,” said George Harris, president of the Northwest Marine Trade Association. “Now, you can see the information you need on your smart phone or tablet while you’re on the water.”

The map-based app provides aerial, street map and nautical chart views throughout the state.

Info: visit watercruiser. smartmine.com.

Railway serves Payette rafters

OUTSHUTTLE – Rafters and paddlers will be riding the rails to a popular floating and whitewater stretch of Idaho’s North Fork Payette River starting Saturday.

The Idaho Northern and Pacific Railroad, also known as the  Thunder Mountain Line, will debut the Payette River Flyer with 17-mile runs between Smiths Ferry and Cascade on Saturdays and Sundays this summer.

Riders are able to bring their own rafts and kayaks onboard or opt for a guided raft trip provided by  Bear Valley Rafting Company. 

The shuttle service allows river runners to park in one spot and ride the railroad shuttle to the top for a 7-mile run with five Class III rapids.

Info: (208) 331-1184, payetteriverflyer.com.

Landers highlights canoe, kayak trips

OUTPADDLE – Rich Landers, Spokesman-Review Outdoors editor, will highlight the best destinations discovered in his years of research for writing paddling guidebooks for the Inland Northwest in a free program Thursday, at REI, 1125 N. Monroe. Sign up at rei.com/spokane.

States offering ‘free fishing days’

OUTCAST – Washington and Idaho are among the many states offering free fishing – no fishing license required – on designated days in June.

• Washington will double the fun by allowing anglers to fish without a license next Saturday and Sunday.

• Idaho’s Free Fishing Day is June 14.

Other requirements waived at Washington fishing waters and access sites next weekend include the  Discover Pass,  Columbia River salmon/steelhead endorsement, and  two-pole endorsement.

All other rules apply in both states on the free-fishing weekends.

• Montana offers Free Fishing on Father’s Day weekend, June 14-15.