Field reports: Spokane River Clean-up set for Saturday

OUTDO – Individuals, clubs, schools, businesses and families will be pitching in to spruce up the city’s standout attraction during the annual Spokane River Clean-up on Saturday starting at 9 a.m.

Three stretches will be targeted for removing trash and junk from bases at the University District, High Bridge Park and Spokane Valley.

Last year, more than 600 volunteers removed 4 tons of debris from in and along the river.

People stepping up as team leaders already have organized volunteer groups. Leaders training is set for Tuesday, 6 p.m., at Mountain Gear Corporate Headquarters in Spokane Valley.

Get info and register online, spokanerivercleanup.org.

Free clinics cover

deer-hunting basics

HUNTING – Two clinics on the basics of deer hunting are scheduled this month in Spokane Valley by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Region One Hunter Education Program.

Woody Myers, department senior research wildlife biologist and deer expert, will teach the classes covering equipment, successful hunting techniques and locating places to hunt deer.

The clinics will be held at the department’s regional office, 2315 N. Discovery Place:

Sept. 21, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-noon.

Each class is limited to 18 participants. Sign up: 892-1001.

Monthly programs back

after summer break

CLUBS – After a summer hiatus, Inland Northwest outdoors groups are reviving monthly free programs. Among this week’s offerings:

Bicycle touring basics and cyclocross, two programs, 6:30 p.m., Monday at 6021 E. Mansfield, Spokane, for Spokane Bicycle Club.

Lewis, Clark and other Northwest explorers, by Dan Schuldheisz, 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Road in Coeur d’Alene, for Coeur d’Alene Audubon.

Steelheading in the region, by Pat Way, 7 p.m., Wednesday, at St. Francis School, 1104 W. Heroy, for Spokane Fly Fishers.

Wildlife of Madagascar, by Ron Force, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Riverview Retirement Center, 2117 E. North Crescent Ave., for Spokane Audubon.

Tail-punched salmon

must be released

FISHING – Through October, anglers are required to release chinook salmon that had been sedated for research and marked with a quarter-inch round hole punched in the upper lobe of the tail fin, Washington Fish and Wildlife officials say.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires a 21-day withdrawal period before human consumption of fish anesthetized in MS-222. The dates the fish must be released are Sept. 15-Oct. 31.

The rule applies to all fall chinook, hatchery and wild, showing the punch in the Columbia River from the Highway 395 Bridge in Pasco to Chief Joseph Dam.

Roosevelt land closed

PARKS – Lake Roosevelt officials have closed a long stretch of land along the reservoir’s shores impacted by the Hart Road Fire, which started on Aug. 21.

The Lake Roosevelt access closure within the fire footprint is for safety reasons, park officials say.