Out & About: Spokane becomes fly fishing hub this week

OUTSEE – Fly fishing takes center stage in Spokane this week starting Thursday with the opening of the International Fly Fishing Fair at the Spokane Convention Center.

The public is invited to cruise the exhibit hall and take part in presentations, clinics and classes in fly tying, fly casting, fishing techniques, conservation and more. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.

This is the big Federation of Fly Fishers annual event that moves to various towns.

Cost: $5 for adults, free for kids 16 and younger.

Other related activities on Thursday include:

• Benefit for Spokane River Redband Trout, featuring local brews, wine and Dry Fly Distillery spirits, 5 p.m-7 p.m., at Rick Singer Photography rooftop garden, 415 1/2 W. Main Ave.

Cost: $25; sponsored by Trout Unlimited.

• International Fly Fishing Film Festival, a two-hour show featuring edited versions of the year’s top fly fishing films, starting at 7 p.m. at the Bing Crosby Theater; benefits Spokane RiverKeeper.

Cost: $15 at the door, $12 if paid for in advance at area fly fishing shops.

Trail work planned at Camp Sekani

OUTDO – Volunteers are needed for the annual Camp Sekani Trail Day on Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon.

Camp Sekani is a city park between the Spokane River and Beacon Hill.

The park is popular for mountain biking, hiking, disc golf and other outdoor activities.

Groups will clean and maintain existing trails, rehabilitate areas that have suffered from overuse and help with other projects in the Beacon Hill area.

Camp Sekani is at 6707 E. Upriver Drive.

RSVP to coordinator Catherine Lyle, clyle@spokanecity.org.

• Coming up: Camp Sekani Outdoor Adventure Day, July 21, for trying out new sports.

Info: tinyurl.com/ SekaniAdventure.

Ice Age Floods authors at Auntie’s

OUTFLOW – A just-published guidebook on the region’s channeled scablands – a second volume on exploring the aftermath of the Ice Age Floods – is being celebrated with a reading and lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane.

“On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods: A geological field guide to northern Idaho and the Channeled Scabland” will be unveiled by geologist and Eastern Washington University alumnus Bruce Bjornstad and retired EWU geology professor Eugene Kiver.

The floods helped gouge out Lake Pend Oreille – Idaho’s largest and deepest lake – and sculpted the exotic topography of Eastern Washington.

This field guide explores a vast expanse of land on the ground and with great aerial photos. Specific hikes are recommended for exploring key features.

REI offers camp cooking clinic

CAMPING – A free clinic in basic camp cooking will be offered at 7 p.m. Thursday at REI in Spokane.