In brief: Idaho kayaker rescued on Potlatch River; next stop jail
PADDLING – A Boise-area kayaker got a hoist from trouble along Idaho’s Potlatch River on Saturday by a free helicopter rescue service out of Montana, but the man isn’t so free now.
He was wanted by the law.
Latah County Sheriff’s deputies checked out Jonathan Wyble, 29, of Fruitland, Idaho, after the rescue and learned he was wanted on a felony arrest warrant.
The kayaker was booked into the Latah County Jail in Moscow.
“The two kayakers were on a float trip on the Potlatch River when one of the men hit a logjam and overturned his boat,” reports pilot Jim Bob Pierce of Two Bear Air out of Whitefish.
“The man was able to get to shore but his kayak was submerged under a log.”
Wyble was able to pull out before reaching the log strainer. But not knowing the fate of his partner, he didn’t show up later at the takeout.”
Latah County Sheriff and SAR personnel began a search for he missing kayaker. Two Bear Air Rescue was called and responded to the area to search.
The helicopter crew eventually found Wyble on a steep slope just above the river and were able to hoist him to safety.
S-R readers will recognize Pierce as the Two Bear pilot who made a daring January rescue that saved the life of a Spokane backcountry skier who had been severely injured in an avalanche near Lookout Pass.
Living with Grizzlies program at GU
CRITTERS – Living with Grizzly Bears, a free program by author, photographer and biologist David Moskowitz, is set for Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Gonzaga University’s Jepson Center.
Moskowitz will share photos and stories of his work and travels across landscapes where grizzly bears roam.
Learn how to distinguish grizzlies from black bears and the behavior differences of these two species.
He’ll touch on steps needed to safely live and recreate in grizzly bear country.
He will also share what grizzly restoration could bring to Washington’s North Cascades, a federally designated Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone.
The event is presented by Conservation Northwest, Defenders of Wildlife, National Parks Conservation Association, the Sierra Club, the Gonzaga Environmental Organization and the Friends of the North Cascades Grizzly Bear.
Nisbet looks back at Lake Spokane
RIVERS – Local historian, naturalist and author Jack Nisbet will present a program, “Reshaping a River: Lake Spokane,” for the Lake Spokane Association on Thursday.
The program, open to the public, will start at 6:30 p.m. at Suncrest Middle School auditorium.
Following the presentation, local experts will be available to discuss Lake Spokane projects such as Stevens Shoreline Master Plan, Avista Nine Mile Dam Projects, Aquatic weed abatement and aquatic herbicides, boat-in camping, parks, sheriff patrols, Spokane River Keeper and more.
Nisbet’s slide presentation will focus on the century between the building of Spokane House in 1810 and the construction of the Little Falls, Long Lake, and Nine Mile Falls dams, when the lower Spokane River underwent drastic changes while somehow retaining much of its basic character.
Lake Pend Oreille fishery update tonight
FISHING – The resurgence and status of the Lake Pend Oreille fishery will be detailed in a free program on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Mark’s Marine on Highway 95 just north of Hayden.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game fisheries managers will give a repeat of their annual State of the Lake presentation as part of the Mark’s Marine Spring Fishing Seminar Series.