OUT & ABOUT
OUTDONE
Guided tours end at fish hatchery
Since the late 1980s, about 1,000 kids and adults have learned about the spawning and raising of fish plus details about fish management, conservation and even the Spokane aquifer, thanks to the volunteers who have led group tours at the Spokane Fish Hatchery.
But the pool of volunteer guides has waned; recruiting new tour leaders has failed.
“We’re down to five very part-timers,” said Bob Bates, a local angler who’s volunteered for the tour program since 1990. “I don’t think it can be salvaged.”
The hatchery off Waikiki Road near St. George’s School is the oldest and largest Washington hatchery, producing 40 percent of the rainbow eggs raised by the state Fish and Wildlife Department.
“Most of the kids are really interested and ask a lot of questions,” said Bates. “Most of the volunteers are retired,” he said. “It’s been an enjoyable and rewarding experience.”
OUTDO
Paddle your dad
Stumped about doing something fun on Father’s Day?
Round up a canoe or kayak and enter the Spokane River Canoe Classic, celebrating its 20th anniversary on June 18 with an 11 a.m. start at Corbin Park in Post Falls.
It’s a fun downriver event with prizes for everyone.
Info: For preregistration and boat requirements, 325-9000 or www.mgear.com/cc/
OUTFISH
Log on, be heard
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants your input, even if you weren’t one of the 10,000 resident and non-resident anglers who received a random fishing survey form this year.
The agency is hammering out new rules and policies.
The survey requires about 25 minutes to complete, so be well fed and watered before pointing your Internet browser: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ apps/surveys/aos/
OUTLOOK
Best fishing times
Lunar tables from the U.S. Naval Observatory list peak fishing times. Be fishing at least one hour before and one hour after given times. Applies to all time zones.
(* indicates best days.)
Through June 11
* Today
8 p.m. 8:20 a.m.
Monday
8:40 p.m. 9 a.m.
Tuesday
9:20 p.m. 9:40 a.m.
Wednesday
10 p.m. 10:25 a.m.
Thursday
10:50 p.m. 11:15 a.m.
* Friday
11:40 p.m. 11:20 a.m.
* Saturday
— 12:05 p.m.
Next Sunday
12:35 a.m. 1:05 p.m.