John Wayne Trail supported by commission

TRAILS – Development of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail was backed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission recently.

The citizen panel voted to move ahead with developing the cross-state trail system along abandoned railways.

Meeting in Clarkston, the commission also approved land classifications and long-term boundaries for the Iron Horse State Park Trail between the Columbia River and Malden in Eastern Washington.

The Iron Horse State Park segment from the Columbia to the Idaho border was acquired from the Milwaukee Railroad and named the John Wayne Pioneer Trail by the Washington Legislature in the early 1980s but has never been developed.

The actions followed months of working group meetings and public meetings for a John Wayne Iron Horse State Park Trail Plan to address issues such as noxious weeds, vegetation management and trespass and fencing concerns expressed by property owners who live and work adjacent to the trail.

The plan identifies needed support facilities, including trailheads, bridge and trestle repairs and future camping opportunities.

A 12-member advisory committee was appointed late last year to advise park staff in the planning. The committee includes adjacent landowners, hikers and equestrians, as well as representatives of tourism bureaus and heritage organizations.

The plan considers acquiring or developing agreements to manage existing gaps in land ownership, including about four miles of private property and 40 miles managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.

The 2006 Washington Legislature directed State Parks to manage the portion of trail east of Lind.

One element of the plan will have State Parks working with the advisory committee to settle on a new trail name that is broadly recognizable and establishes a marketable identity for the trail. Currently the trail is called by two names—John Wayne Pioneer Trail and Iron Horse State Park Trail.

West Side bass

tops 39-year record

FISHING – A state record largemouth bass weighing 12.53 pounds was caught on Monday in Lake Bosworth south of Cedar Falls, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed today.

Bill Evans of Bothell caught the monster bass in the Snohomish County lake while fishing with a Strike King 5-inch Shim-E-Stick, wacky-rigged on a 1/0 hook. The largemouth measured 23 inches long with a girth of 22.5 inches.

The previous state record largemouth weighed 11.57 pounds caught in 1977 by Carl Pruitt at Banks Lake.

Dworshak kokanee

ripe for catching

FISHING – A recent Idaho Fish and Game Department kokanee survey at Dworshak Reservoir indicates the fish are stacking up in huge numbers in the upper reservoir and their size is quite appealing.

The larger fish have begun their migration up the reservoir as they prepare to spawn, fisheries managers say. The highest densities of kokanee were found from Gold Creek to well above Grandad Bridge.

The density of kokanee found in the upper reservoir was the highest ever seen for fish larger than 10-inches, said Sean Wilson, department fisheries research biologist.

Typically when fish are found in these numbers, their sizes are much smaller.

“Not only are these fish of a decent size, but they were also very plump,” said Wilson. “It appears that the nutrient restoration project is making a difference.”

With fall approaching, the kokanee are just starting to show signs that spawn time is nearing, such as the snouts beginning to change shape, scales starting to tighten up, and just a blush of crimson on a few fish. However, the flesh quality should be good for eating for some time.