Out & About
OUTDATED
Geology bike tour
Explore the deepest and most rugged of the flood canyon in the path of the Ice Ages Floods during a fairly gentle 11-mile bike tour by special permit on the Columbia Plateau rail-trail.
The Geology on Bikes tour will be led by geology prof Gene Kiver for the Ice Age Floods Institute. $5 donation requested.
When: Sept. 21.
Details provided when you pre-register. Group size is limited.
Sign-up: Gene Kiver, froghollow@sisna.com; (509) 954-4242.
OUTRIDE
Rail-trail update
Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes: Work was continuing earlier this week to repair flood damage on the stretch from Harrison to Medimont. Bikers have been riding a dirt path through the work zone on weekends. For the latest update on repaving, call Old Mission State Park, (208) 682-3814.
Route of the Hiawatha: Scheduled to be open, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., through Oct. 5. Info: (208) 744-1301.
OUTFLOW
Lake drawdowns begin
‘Tiz the season for Avista Utilities to begin lake drawdowns, which change the look of the lakes and rivers downstream.
Lake Coeur d’Alene’s annual drawdown began on Monday to gradually take the summer level of 2,128 feet down to the winter level of 2,122 feet by the end of December. Anglers are noticing a slightly higher and more fluctuating flow below Post Falls Dam in the Spokane River.
Priest Lake’s drawdown typically begins in the middle of October, marking the unofficial beginning of the paddling season on the Priest River. Generally too low for canoes during the summer season, Priest River takes on new life as flows are increased. Priest Lake is lowered relatively quickly by 3 feet to its winter level by early November.
OUTLOOK
Best fishing times
Lunar tables from the U.S. Naval Observatory. Be fishing at least one hour before and one hour after peak times. Applies to all time zones.
(* indicates best days.)
Through Sept. 21
Today: — 12:25 p.m.
Monday: 12:50 a.m., 1:10 p.m.
Tuesday: 1:35 a.m., 2 p.m.
Wednesday: 2:25 a.m., 2:50 p.m.
Thursday: 3:15 a.m., 3:40 p.m.
Friday: 4:10 a.m., 4:40 p.m.
* Saturday: 5:10 a.m., 5:40 p.m.
* Next Sunday: 6:15 a.m., 6:45 p.m.
See the Hunting-Fishing Report every Friday in Sports