In brief: Sullivan Bridge closed to river passage
PADDLING – Although a construction project has allowed the Centennial Trail to reopen below the Sullivan Bridge in Spokane Valley, a closure remains on floating the Spokane River under the bridge project.
Increased water flow has caused the river to rise, reducing the clearance between the river and the underside of the temporary work bridge erected as part of the southbound Sullivan Road Bridge replacement project.
Paddling under the bridge would be dangerous at this time. However, passage under the bridge could be reopened in a week or two, said Carolbelle Branch, City of Spokane Valley public information officer.
Warning signs have been placed at launch and takeout locations upstream of the Sullivan bridges and on buoys at each side of the river upstream of the work area, city officials say.
A buoy line across the river just upstream of the bridges helps alert river users to the closure and guide them to the mandatory takeout point on the north bank.
River users who wish to continue downstream can portage their rafts/kayaks/canoes across Sullivan Road at the Central Pre-Mix crosswalk signal and through Sullivan Park to relaunch downstream from the bridges.
Fur auction, trapping event in Coeur d’Alene
TRAPPING – A fur auction organized by the Intermountain Fur Harvesters Association is set for Saturday at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Panhandle Region office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.
The event replaces the fur sale previously held each February in Athol.
Sellers can enter pelts in numbered lots from 8 a.m. until noon. Sellers will specify a minimum asking price for each lot.
Licensed fur buyers will evaluate lots and submit closed bids that will be announced mid-afternoon.
Items donated by trapping supply businesses and sporting goods stores will be raffled, and there will also be silent auctions for a few donated items. A cage trap will be awarded to the youngster (16 or under) who does the best fur preparation. An overall prize will be awarded for the best fur preparation.
Educational videos on trapping and fur handling will be shown.
Experienced trappers and certified Trapper Education Instructors will be on hand to provide advice and share their years of experience.
Coffeepot launch still closed
FISHING – The Washington fishing season at Coffeepot Lake will open as scheduled on March 1, but the boat launch at the BLM access will remain closed because of low water.
The access has been closed since February 2015, when the record dry year was developing throughout the region.
Water levels have not recovered, said BLM spokesman Jeff Clark.
“The boat launch area will remain closed due to unusually low water levels to prevent boat trailers from getting stuck in the deep mud,” he said in a media release.
Small boats not requiring trailers can still be launched from the shoreline, but mud may be encountered. The launch will be reopened if conditions improve, he said.
Nearby Upper Twin Lake is an alternative fishing site with access for trailered boats, he said. Both BLM sites are in Lincoln County west of Harrington.