Out & About: Gourmet approach to catching trout

OUTFISH – Mick Palanuk of Grand Coulee offered this recipe for success after reading S-R columnist Jim Kershner’s recent story of frustration in a quest to harvest a trout.

1. Put a handful of miniature marshmallows on a sheet of plastic wrap.

2. Separate marshmallows – no touchers.

3. Sprinkle granulated or powdered garlic under and over marshmallows and let them set out overnight.

4. In morning, turn marshmallows over and let them set for rest of the day.

5. When fairly dry, put them in a plastic bag for next fishing trip.

6. First, bait hook with worm and follow with marshmallow at end of hook covering barb. This order seems to keep marshmallow from getting soft and falling off.

7. Catch trout for dinner.

No license needed to wet a line

OUTFISH – Anglers can get cheap thrills next weekend during “free fishing days” in Idaho and Washington:

•Idaho will wave the basic fishing license requirement (including chinook salmon fees) for residents and non-residents on Saturday.

•Washington drops the license requirement on Saturday and next Sunday. Anglers must check fishing regulations for waters they intend to fish, since other catch limits and rules apply.

Fishing events geared to first-time anglers – who are encouraged to catch trout with equipment and assistance provided – are planned in North Idaho on Saturday.

Coeur d’Alene’s event runs 7-11 a.m. at Ponderosa Springs Golf Course. Others run 9 a.m.-noon at the following locations:

Post Falls Park Pond, Calder Pond, Clark Fork Lodge Pond, Harrison Marina, Priest Lake Golf Course, Rathdrum City Park plus Snow Creek Pond near Bonners Ferry, Steamboat Ponds near Enaville, Lucky Friday Pond at Mullan and Round Lake State Park near Sagle.

Whitewater park opening on Payette

OUTPADDLE – Kelly’s Whitewater Park on the Payette River at Cascade, Idaho, is scheduled to open June 14.

The river playground was developed in a partnership with Idaho Horizons, a program managed by University of Idaho Extension to reduce rural poverty.

The project was launched last year with a $500,000 gift to the Friends of the Cascade Whitewater Park from Mark and Kristina Pickard of Miami in honor of Kristina’s late sister.

Five man-made features offer kayakers, rafters, canoeists and even tubers an exciting place to play and train while the Welcome Center highlights the area’s history.