Out & About: Pikeminnows offer angling rewards

OUTPROFIT – The Lewiston Greenbelt area has been tops in August for anglers cashing in on the Columbia-Snake river Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward fishery.

Harvest reports for Aug. 13-19 show 1,350 pikeminnows turned in to the Greenbelt check station by anglers for cash rewards in the program funded by the Bonneville Power Adminstration.

Next best was 752 at Cascade Locks. Boyer Park had been hot, but dropped to 399 last week.

The Dalles Boat Basin was the best producing area in June and early July, but the catch has dramatically declined there in the past month. The total catch turned in to the 21 check stations on the two rivers last week was 6,733 pikeminnows from 939 anglers, for a rate of 7.2 fish per angler, up from 6.7 the previous week.

From May through Sept. 30, registered anglers are paid $4-$8 per fish in a program to curb a species that preys on young salmon.

As of last week, 17,793 anglers had turned in 103,506 fish. Including bonuses for catching pikeminnows that have been tagged, some anglers have earned more than $60,000 in five months of fishing.

Info: (800) 858-9015, pikeminnow.org.

Steelhead clinic for fly fishers

What: Basic steelhead fly fishing class, $20.

When: 6 p.m., Sept. 10.

Where: Silver Bow Fly Shop. 13210 E. Indiana Ave.

Who: Sean Visintainer, instructor.

Pre-register: 924-9998.

Boaters under 51 to need safety card

OUTCLASS – Washington’s boating safety certification requirement will extend to boat operators under age 51 in 2013.

A class that satisfies the requirements is being offered by the Spokane Power & Sail Squadron in four two-hour sessions Sept. 5, 12, 19 and Oct. 3. Cost: $48 or $73 for two in a family.

Sign-up: Bill Asbell, (208) 777-0228.

Glacier crumbles off Jasper Park peak

OUTMELT – The Ghost Glacier that’s captivated hikers, climbers and tourists for as long as humans have explored Jasper National Park, Alberta, broke loose from its precarious perch on Mount Edith Cavell this month.

The crashing tons of ice created a tsunami from the Cavell Pond, damaging trails and the parking area.

The event happened early morning on Aug. 10. No one was injured.

While glaciers are slowly disappearing worldwide, centuries of ice were instantly lost in this event. Park officials estimate 50-60 percent of Ghost Glacier crumbled away.

Sporting clays event for Boy Scouts

Wha t: 5th Annual Sporting Clays for Boy Scouts, with food, prizes.

When: Sept. 14.

Where: Double Barrel Ranch Sporting Clays.

Who: Open to single shooters and teams, sponsored by Inland Northwest Council of Boy Scouts.

Preregister: 325-4562; nwscoutshoot.org.