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HomeMy Public PortalAboutFishingRisinct Population Pressured GROWING POPULATION PUT MOUNTING PRESSURES ON IDAHO'S LAKES AND 51 KhAm ... oldtimers, like those above, thought the supply of fish was limitless Idaho's prehistoric and later In- "Fresh Fish! Fresh Fish! The un- fish dersigned, having refitted their dian peoples relied heavily on as a staple. The area's lakes and Payette and Boise fisheries, are streams literally teemed with fish now prepared to furnish the citizens of Boise City and vicinity with the in those long -ago, unspoiled days. best fish that the waters of Idaho Native human populations were very afford. We will have fresh fish for never large enough to affect much the abundant runs of salmon in Idaho rivers, even though they Idaho harvested enough with nets, traps and spears to last until the next .� Yesterdays season. With the coming of white men, fishing for sport and profit re- By Arthur Hart placed fishing for subsistence. �, The pages of The Idaho States- �. ally sprinkled with references to fish and fishing, giving us clear his- torical documentation of the mount- ing pressures placed upon Idaho's streams and lakes by the growing population and its attitude toward a resource that seemed limitless. In October 1868, dried "red- tailed salmon trout — from one to two feet long" from Payette Lakes were offered for sale in front of Hart's Exchange Hotel at 7th and Idaho streets. There are many mentions in the years that follow of the large numbers of fish brought to Boise and sold out of wagons on the street. In August 1871, the Kling - bach brothers ran an ad in the paper that read: sale on Main street every Saturday morning by 5 o'clock until further notice." Although the ,salmon run was over, in mid - November \ 1871, fish were still plentiful on Main Street. "Salmon trout, mountain trout, and a species called whitefish" were all available. "The latter are excellent at this time of the year, and many pronounce them better eating than trout" The Statesman said. The Klingbach brothers were still bring- ing in fish regularly in February 1872, with whitefish apparently the favorite among Boise customers. By the fall of 1872, rival fishermen At- well & Smith were selling redfish from Payette Lakes on the streets of Boise. An exotic touch was reported in November 1872: "A wagon load of fish arrived in twon Sunday morn- ing, and met with ready sale. When we last saw the peddler, however, he still had about nineteen feet of something that looked like a skinned mule, though we are told that the proper name for it is stur- geon." Giant sturgeon continued to make news from year to year, but were rarely plentiful enough to be sold commercially. Fish by the wagonload are often mentioned. In fact, one James Hennity advertised in 1874 that he was prepared to supply fish "by the ton, load, or any other quantity" at his place on Snake River. Most of these fish were caught with nets, but there were other methods: "Fishing by concussion is becom- ing quite a profitable as well as amusing pastime," The Statesman reported in March 1870. "One blast of giant powder near the lower crossing last week turned up over fifty pounds of fine salmon trout." The paper then printed in detail a. guide for others who might want to try this "amusing pastime." northwest end of lake. Turn to lake from highway #72 west and south of Nampa. Special motorboat regulations certain seasons of the year. Perch, catfish, largemouth bass and crappies. Good water - fowl hunting in specified sections of refuge. FISH LAKE (MUD LAKE) —Adams county. In New Meadows re- gion. About 25 acres when full. Turn south from highway #15 near townsite of Old Meadows on gravel road first mile, then four miles dirt. Slick when wet. No camping facilities. Motors prohibited. Brook trout and rainbow. HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR —Adams County. Located between Oxbow Dam and Hells Canyon Dam on the Snake River. Reservoir about 23 miles long with 2500 surface acres when full. Access from Idaho side via Cambridge on state highway #71.Also from Council over Seven Devils Range and down narrow road on Kliensmidt Grade. Excellent public camping area provided by Idaho Power Company, at foot of grade with tables, toilets, boat ramp, docks and electric out- lets. Bass, crappie and trout. HERRICK RESERVOIR— Valley county. Also known as Skunk Creek Reservoir. About 20 acres when full. Turn east at Clear Creek store from highway #15 on Boise - McCall route. Four miles east and south taking right turns at the two forks encountered. Private land open to public use. Camping and sanitary facilities. Stocked yearly with rainbow trout. Motors prohibited for'fishing. - HORSESHOE BEND POND —Boise County. Approximately 12 sur- face acres when full. Former mill pond developed for fishing. Lo- cated about 1.5 miles north of Horseshoe Bend on Highway #15. Turn right at bottom of slight grade before crossing Payette River. Public parking area and toilets. Rainbow trout. , HORSETHIEF RESERVOIR — Valley County. Located approximately nine miles east of Cascade. Turn right off Highway #15 at north edge Cascade on Warm Lake road for about six miles. Turn right at Horsethief Reservoir sign to lake. Lake area 275 acres when full. Public boat ramp, parking and toilets on west side of reservoir. Rain- bow trout. _ JENKINS RESERVOIR— Washington county. About 10 acres in size this reservoir is reached by driving west from Weiser on the Pioneer Road for one and one -half miles, then north on Jenkins Creek road about six miles, then west through unmarked gate. Public access permitted through private property until mid - summer when gate is locked as fire prevention measure. Stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Bank fishing. No facilities. LOST VALLEY RESERVOIR —Adams county. Approximately 800 aeres when full. Forest Service campground on east entrance. Camp- ing spots around lake but not improved. Boat ramp on south shore, east of dam approximately 1/Z mile. Private docks on east end. Turn west from highway #95 at Pine Ridge about 16 miles north of Council. Forest road about six miles. Rainbow and brook trout. —28— LUCKY PEAK RESERVOIR —Ada county. East of Boise about seven miles. Flood control project and is lowered in fall. Public access all around. Several roads lead to lake, one across top of dam. Spring Shores Marina on northeast side. Turn from Boise -Idaho City high- way at high bridge. Ramps, boats, restaurant, etc. in summer months. Bank fishing and trolling. Open year around to fishing, water skiing, etc. Rainbow and kokanee. MUD LAKE — Valley county. About six acres located east of Land- mark in the mountain area. Take Pistol Creek Ridge road from Land- mark which is about 40 miles east of Cascade. Turn left at first fork about four miles from Landmark. No established camp grounds or t boat launching facilities. Marsh perimeter makes bank fishing diffi- cult. Elevation, 7000 feet. Brook trout. OXBOW RESERVOIR —Adams county. Located on Snake River, Hells Canyon area. About 12 miles long and 1500 surface acres. Access from Cambridge on U.S. highway #95, west on state highway #71 (oiled road) approximately 29 miles to upper end of reservoir; 41 miles to Idaho Power Company dam. Boat launching spots and toilets along reservoir on Oregon side. Excellent public camp operated by the Idaho Power at upper end on the-Idaho side. Other camping and recreational sites available within a few minutes driving time upstream along Brownlee Reservoir and Brownlee Creek. Small and largemouth bass, crappie, some trout and whitefish, bullheads and channel catfish. PADDOCK VALLEY RESERVOIR— Washington county. About 17,000 acres when full. Turn from highway #52 at the Little Willow Creek road about six miles south of city of Payette. Drive about 20 miles up Willow Creek to road's end. Poor road at upper end when wet. No camping or public facilities. Bullhead catfish and largemouth bass. UPPER PAYETTE LAKE — Valley county. About 200 acres when full. Seventeen miles north of McCall on McCall - Burgdorf road. Camp grounds on west side with tables, etc. Also on north end. No boat launching facilities. Best spot to launch is at south end just above the dam. Rainbow trout. LOWER (MAIN) PAYETTE LAKE — Valley county. Approximately 1000 acres located at McCall on State highway #15 about 100 miles ! north of Boise. Public access from state 15 and around most of the lake. Beach for swimming west side of city. Ponderosa Camp, state park on east side of lake with beach, sanitary facilities, boat ramp just above. Access to north beach on east shore at upper end. Lake Shore drive goes all the way around the lake. Boat launching for both small and large craft from trailers at McCall city dock and ramp. No charge. Rental boats at two marinas at north edge of McCall. Motels, cabins, hotels at McCall and vicinity. Rainbow and mackinaw trout, kokanee, perch and whitefish. —29— %WW -q 'LITTLE PAYETTE LAKE — Valley county. About 300 acres located three miles east of McCall golf course on Lick Creek road. Undevel- oped parking and boat access. No other facilities. Rainbow, white- ] fish and kokanee. Popular for ice fishing. ' SAGEHEN RESERVOIR —Gem county. About 180 acres when full. Take oiled road north from State highway #52 between Emmett and Horseshoe Bend to Ola, then 18 miles graveled road to reservoir. Forested area around lake with improved Forest Service camp- grounds. Two boat ramps. Tables, sanitary facilities and water. Stocked frequently with rainbow trout. Trolling and bank fishing. SPANGLER RESERVOIR — Washington county. Normal capacity 280 surface acres. Conservation pool reserve for 2000 acre feet with 87 surface acres. Located on Mann's Creek. Turn west from U.S. High - F- way #95 approximately 10 miles north of Weiser. Approximately one mile to the dam. Two ramps on east side reservoir. Parking area and sanitary facilities across dam on west side. Rainbow trout. Public access around entire reservoir. SUMMIT LAKE — Valley county. East of Warm Lake on the summit between Warm Lake and Landmark. About three acres in size. Turn left at top of summit to parking area and campgrounds. Walk one- fourth mile northwest on trail. Brook trout. TRIPOD RESERVOIR— Valley county. About eight acres. Turn west from state highway 15 between Boise and McCall at Smith Ferry. Climb on dirt road about two miles. Small parking area, toilet and few tables. Motors prohibited. Stocked with rainbow trout during season. WARM LAKE — Valley county. About 640 acres in forested region east of Cascade. 25 miles on part oiled and gravel road. Public camp grounds and boat ramp near the lake outlet. Another camp grounds just west of North Shore Lodge. Two lodges at the lake with cabins, boat docking and facilities. Good brook trout fishery with rainbow and kokanee. Best fishing by boat. Beach for swimming. WET GULCH PONDS — Payette county. Two ponds, both less than seven acres, 15 miles from city of Payette. Turn off the Willow Creek road at Dodson Ranch. Private property, but permission to use may be obtained. Bass, crappie, perch and catfish. No facilities. cCALL PUBLIC LIBRARY. T BOX "S L d MCCALL, IDAHO 8638 1 —so— R NW q1 7,0 CM ;:I> 1:r . s Id i- a f i p f r i 1 �♦ 1_"� � t f^+�,� fk�i i; a •ti 0 1i6.. A�. �+i1a.�' :.0 iw' .. �. Jw.,�a.�. �.'► .:'�.a:+iY`la ISJ LITTLE REDFISH LAKE MOIR! WON .-31•_ Awt 'V, l s Id i- a f i p f r i 1 �♦ 1_"� � t f^+�,� fk�i i; a •ti 0 1i6.. A�. �+i1a.�' :.0 iw' .. �. Jw.,�a.�. �.'► .:'�.a:+iY`la ISJ LITTLE REDFISH LAKE MOIR! WON .-31•_ VISITOR INFORMATION MAP '1 O r, ' - ,t Vv� ZA P 1 N h 1 G REST ROOMS _i ETI 7 8 9 i _ j 10 10 10 10 C L E A R W A ' E R 1. MAIN PUMP STATION Supplies water from North Fork Clearwater River to all outside production ponds. Piped water from Dworshak Reservoir is used for egg incubation and inside nursery rearing. 2. WATER TREATMENT FACILITY Has aeration capability if water becomes oxygen deficient or supersaturated with nitrogen. 3. MECHANICAL BUILDINGS Filters improve water quality and electric boilers adjust temperatures of the three reuse systems. 4. WATER REUSE FILTERS Recondition used water from rearing ponds; 10 percent is then returned to river and replaced by an equal amount of heated new water. R I V E R U 6. HOLDING PONDS Receive adult fish and hold until mature and spawned. 7. HATCHERY BUILDING Spawning room and incubators, displays, viewing balcony, rest rooms, and administrative offices. 8. NURSERY BUILDING Newly hatched fish are held in smaller tanks until fingerling size, then transferred to the larger outside ponds. 9. FISH HEALTH CENTER 10. STEELHEAD REARING PONDS 11. SPRING CHINOOK REARING PONDS 12. FOOD SERVICE BUILDING Refrigerated storage for moist food and space for dry food storage. Location of IDAHO FISHERY RESOURCE OFFICE. S. FISH LADDER 13. HATCHERY WASTEWATER TREATMENT NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY lMO..- soon s. u. ,Q IJ US Army Corps of Engineers FE National Fish Hatchery P.O. Box 18 Ahsahka, Idaho 83520 (208) 476 -4591 WELCOME TO DWORSHAK NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is the largest combina- tion producer of steelhead trout and spring chinook salmon in the world. The hatchery, located at the confluence of the North Fork and the main stem Clearwater, three miles west of Orofino in north central Idaho, is operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Ser- vice and was designed and built by the Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Steelhead and rainbow trout pro- duction, begun in 1969, is in conjunction with Dworshak Dam which is the largest and highest straight -axis, concrete - gravity dam ever built in the United States and second largest in the world. Dworshak Dam blocks migrating steelhead from natural spawning grounds on the North Fork of the Clearwater River. dditional construction, completed in 1982 under the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan, expanded facilities to rear spring chinook salmon to offset losses caused by dams on the lower Snake River. Kooskia National Fish Hatchery, 35 miles upriver, became part of the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery Complex in 1978. The two hatcheries are managed closely together for the pro- duction of salmon and steelhead. The hatchery, dedicated in 1969, is the culmination of an intensive cooperative effort by the Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Ser- vice and State of Idaho to perpetuate the return of fish from the Pacific Ocean to the Clearwater River. he hatchery is unique in that water temperatures for the outside steelhead ponds can be controlled through recir- culation similar to an aquarium. There are 84 circulating water -type ponds divided into three reuse or environmentally controlled systems. In these systems, 10 percent of the water used in the ponds is added as fresh water after being filtered, supplemented with minerals and heated. The water goes through aerators for re- oxygenation before sup- plying each pond with 600 gallons per minute of flow. When water returns from the ponds, it flows through biological filters where ammonia is oxidized and then reduced to harmless nitrates. Ability to regulate temperatures and to reuse the water enables the hatchery to use warm water (54' F) in the winter when water temperatures normally run about 39 ° F Since growth rates are faster in warmer water, the juvenile steelhead are released the spring following egg hat- ching at a length of 8 inches. It would take an additional year in colder water to reach the same size. The hatchery's water system, pumping at a total capacity of 90,000 gallons per minute, is comparable to satisfying the daily drinking needs of all the people residing in the State of Idaho. VISITOR INFORMATION MAP I. MAIN PUMP STATION Supplies water from North Fork Clearwater River to all outside production ponds. Piped water from Dworshak Reservoir is used for egg incubation and inside nursery rearing. 2. WATER TREATMENT FACILITY Has aeration capability if water becomes oxygen deficient or supersaturated with nitrogen. 3. MECHANICAL BUILDINGS Filters improve water quality and electric boilers adjust temperatures of the three reuse systems. 4. WATER REUSE FILTERS Recondition used water from rearing ponds; 10 percent is then returned to river and replaced by an equal amount of heated new water. S. FISH LADDER Adult fish move up the fish ladder to holding ponds. R I V E R Fm— 6. HOLDING PONDS Receive adult fish and hold until mature and spawned. 7. HATCHERY BUILDING Spawning room and incubators, displays, viewing balcony, rest rooms, and administrative offices. S. NURSERY BUILDING Newly hatched fish are held in smaller tanks until fingerling size, then transferred to the larger outside ponds. 9. FISH HEALTH CENTER 10. STEELHEAD REARING PONDS 11. SPRING CHINOOK REARING PONDS 12. FOOD SERVICE BUILDING Refrigerated storage for moist food and space for dry food storage. Location of IDAHO FISHERY RESOURCE OFFICE. 13. HATCHERY WASTE WATER TREATMENT PONDS Adult steelhead may spawn near the ocean or many miles up stream. The famous Clearwater "B" strain of steelhead, collected at the hatchery from October until May, spawn from January through April. The spring chinook brood fish return to the river from May until September with egg collection over a three -week period beginning in late August. The returning adult fish move up the hatchery fishway, or ladder, directly into large holding ponds. These fish are three to five years in age and weigh from 12 to 15 pounds. Fifteen million eggs are collected annually from the returning adult fish. Some of these eggs can be used to supply the State of Idaho with fish to various planting programs as well as to provide several million smolts (juvenile fish ready to change from fresh water to a salt water environment) for release the following spring. Fertilized eggs are placed weeks until hatching occur to feed. Baby fish are hatch( to their bodies and draw source before learning to In a good year 6,500 eggs from one steel - head spawner would account for 55 adult fish back to the Clear- water River; 3,700 eggs collected from a female spring chinook returns 10 fish. 6.1 r lin ste ch: fro to pu do To dai mi car Mc be, Co alk war returns 10 fish. 0nce the yolk sac is absorbed, the young fish are moved to nursery tanks and are fed for the first time. Their first food is very fine particles fed several times daily. As they grow, food size as well as the daily food intake increases. Small fingerlings remain in the nursery rearing tanks until they reach a size of 2 inches. The young fish are then moved to the outside ponds and held until ready for release as yearlings. During the course of the incubation and rearing bel periods, fish health and water quality are closely monitored to help prevent any disease problems. Vii Fish are periodically sample counted and measured to for growth information and feeding change. act At the time of release, year- ling salmon and steelhead are dis- charged directly from the ponds to the river, or pumped onto trucks and transported to off -site loca- tions to begin their downstream migration. To aid the smolts in their journey through the eight dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers, the migrating young fish (both salmon and steelhead) can be collected at Lower Granite, Little Goose and McNary dams and barged or trucked downstream beyond Bonneville, the last dam on the lower Columbia. A monitor instrument records water flow, tem- peratures, oxygen levels, pH (acidity or alkalinity of water) and turbidity, (sediment in the During the course of the incubation and rearing periods, fish health and water quality are closely monitored to help prevent any disease problems. Fish are periodically sample counted and measured for growth information and feeding change. A monitor instrument records water flow, tem- peratures, oxygen levels, pH (acidity or alkalinity of water) and turbidity, (sediment in the water) of each of the different water system in the hatchery. Operational faults are flashed to an annunciator board pinpointing the exact location of a problem. An alarm sounds through the public address system in the hatchery. If the alarm is not acknowledged and reset by a hatchery employee, the telephones begin ringing in employee's homes. Visitors are welcome to tour the facilities 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Exhibits describing the hatchery activities and a self - guided tour are available. THE MCCALL HATCHERY For new life The Chinook Salmr�� CROWN JEWEL OF IDAHO'S WILDERNESS WATERWAY aesar's legions, watching the salmon's acrobatic ten -foot leaps in its annual spawning struggle, first named him "Salmo" — the jumper. More recently this magnificent sport fish has been termed "the Crown Jewel of Idaho's Wilderness Waterways." In an ancient ritual as old as the glaciers the Chinook made its annual pilgrimage, in staggering numbers, to its chosen spawning grounds in this lush wilderness. Growing to five feet in length and 145 pounds, the chinook is the largest and most powerful swim- mer of the salmon family. Front cover insert, the Corps. newest 193.5 foot long fish transport barge operationg on the Snake and Colum- bia Rivers. Smolts are collected at the Lower Granite Dam and transported through dams to the mouth of the Columbia River. Above, the original McCall Hatchery building. Right, the present day McCall Hatchery. But in the 20th century man's intrusion into the wilderness, however well intentioned, has posed an in- creasing threat to the chinook. Hydroelectric dams, ocean fisheries and development leading to habitat alteration, combined with disease and predation pro- blems, have had drastic effects on the salmon's increas- ingly uncertain future. Clearly help is needed, and on a large scale. MAN'S ROLE n 1976, Congress passed the Water Resources Development Act. This legislation provided funding for the construction of hatcheries to preserve the ever decreasing numbers of salmon and steelhead. Of 23 facilities built under "The Lower Snake River Compensation Plan" by the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers, the McCall Hatchery was the first to be constructed and to "go on line," and the only hatchery dedicated to rehabilitation of Idaho's depleted summer chinook runs. In 1980, the McCall hatchery's first year of operation, the adult return of summer chinook to Idaho's South Fork of the Salmon River fell to an all -time low. Only 150 adult fish were trapped. Challenging this disaster, dedicated hatchery personnel spawned, hatched, raised and released some 124,000 summer chinook smolts in McCall's first year of operation. By 1985 the McCall Hatchery reached its full capacity, producing and releasing about one million summer chinook smolts. In 1987, 2,321 adults returned to the South Fork trap. I The McCall, Idaho complex sits on 15 acres of land adjacent to the North Fork of the Payette River. In a prestigious national competition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for construc- tion of the facility, earned a silver medal in landscape architecture for the hatchery's unique design and architectural conformity to its rural woodland setting. Gravity -fed waters for the hatchery's daily operation come from nearby Payette Lake at 9,000 gallons per one of two minute. The quarter -mile, three -foot diameter pipe, carrying this water to the hatchery, splits at the lake, 24,000 cubic ft. covered outdoor one section gathering colder (38- degree) waters from a depth of 50 feet, while its counterpart collects warmer ponds at McCall waters near the surface. Hatchery. These two water sources are then mixed to meet critical environmental temperatures. Water piped to the hatchery's 352 incubation trays is fed through an ultra - violet light system which purifies 260 gallons of water per minute without altering its temperature. When all trays are being used, 2.5 million fer- tilized eggs can be held until hatching, when the emerging fish become sac fry. In addition, 14 indoor "nursery vats" use 1,680 gallons per minute, creating an ideal en- vironment for young fish prior to their release to the larger outdoor ponds. Since chinook salmon prefer to roam in schools or groups rather than singly, two 32,000 cubic ft. ponds were designed for the hatchery. Water flows at 4,500 gallons per minute through each of these ponds. �.r+ - wa ._ SOURCE OF NEW LIFE e Salmon River has traditionally sup- er summer chinook runs. Here, 50 miles tchery and 720 miles from the ocean, Aping Station remains the hatchery's ult summer chinook for spawning. station, highly - skilled biologists assist survival and spawning. With dedica- latest in aquaculture technology, the McCall staff works diligently to 1 assure the future of this priceless Idaho fishery. Far left, the weir at the trapping station located in the headwaters of the South Fork of the Salmon River. Left, returning adult summer chinook in South Fork trapping station holding pond. Immediately after the release from the fema virtually all eggs are he and fertilized with t! milt of one randomly selected male Chinook. The eggs with milt are held in water allowing for even distribution of sperm. Once well into the eye -up stage, the entire egg lot will be electronicalh counted and Above, "flushing" is one of the first steps in the spawn- ing process. pon their arrival at the South Fork trap in June through September, at least one of every three returning adults is allowed to pass through the traps to spawn naturally in the wild. If they are available, 500 - 600 healthy female Chinook, and as many males, are captured for breeding. From these adults nearly 2.5 million eggs will be col- lected and fertilized. Destined for a tremendous statistical boost toward survival to the smolt stage, these offspring will be under man's care for the next 18 months. INCUBATION Below, at least one third of all returning salmon are tagged and released to the headwaters for natural spawning. REARING nce the eggs are placed safely in hatchery incubation trays, this new life form requires delicate care. Here, during its 110 -day growth cycle, the embryo within the egg will grow until it finally emerges from the egg as a sac fry. With predation greatly reduced, and reduced environmental stress in the hatchery as compared to the wild, the sac fry matures to its "swim -up" stage. Now about 2.3 million strong, the young chinook have all their needs for food and safety met by man. Once held in individual family lots during incubation, the fry now enter their first com- munal environment. For the next five months, they will be nurtured in one of 14 indoor nursery vats. During the last stages of their 18 -month residence, the young chinook will be raised in the hatchery's two large outdoor rearing ponds, where they will grow to smolt size, averaging 5.5 inches in length. FROM EGGS TO FRY With first signs of new life, the retinal pigment and spine become highly visable during the "eye -up" stage. Once free from the egg, the tiny salmon lies helplessly in the life sustaining environment of their incubation trays. are maintained to r growth and health thl- oW their reside"(-e. S M 0 L T I N G ear the end of the 18 month rearing period, the chinook begin to undergo complex physiological changes known as smolting. At least three conditions must be present prior to smolting: pro- per size, age, and an appropriate length of photo period (sun location in the sky and daylight hours) . The physio- logical changes, which continue to take place during its 720 -mile downstream migration, will allow the salmon to sur- vive when it finally exits the Columbia River's fresh water and enters the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. The indelible memory process that will compel the salmon to return to its waters of origin is called imprinting and begins before and during smolting. The imprinting process is aided by the salmon's sense of smell (olfactory system) and possibly other factors which are not yet understood. When the perilous two -month journey to the ocean begins, the chinook will imprint the entire length of the river on its memory, like a road map. The salmon's sense of smell is so keen that it will analyze water in parts per billion, storing the river's changing chemistry as it swims downstream. A fish pump transfers smolts to tankers from their final hatchery residence for transport. nknown to the migrating fish, an intricate and enlightened human network is also at work, analyzing and assisting the Chinook's journey to the Pacific. Fisheries biologists consider this journey to be a critical extension of the meticulous care given the fish to date. From the smolt's first encounter with the Lower Granite Dam, where many are collected for transport to its final drift into the salty mouth of the Columbia River, the advanced technology of fishery management and aquaculture will ease its path, assuring a safer journey for this monarch of the salmon. Smolts, which are collected at Lower Granite Dam before entering the turbines, are floated through Lower Snake and Columbia River reservoirs by barges, carefully detoured around dam turbines. Those not collected at Lower Granite or at one of the dams farther downstream must swim the gauntlet of the four Snake and four Columbia River dams and reservoirs on their own. One of six 25,000 gallon compaa.ments being filled with water. This 193.5 foot long barge is one of the Corps. newest fish transport barges used to assist the Chinook salmon in its struggle "For New Life ". D.s. FISH & WILDLIFE SERV ICE US Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District The king of salmon owes its survival and future to the enlightened and ever present care that began so far away in the headwaters of a distant Idaho stream. Chinook smolts are released i- the headwaters of the South For;-- of the Salmon R*,-- The following is a listing of facilities constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Lower Snake River Fish & Wildlife Compensation Plan in Idaho. STEELHEAD CLEARWATER FISH HATCHERY (Steelhead and Chinook) (Under Contruction) Ahsahka, Idaho (Near Orofino) HAGERMAN NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY Rural Route 1, Box 256 Hagerman, Idaho 83332 (208) 837 -4896 MAGIC VALLEY STEELHEAD HATCHERY Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game Route 1 Filer, ID 83328 (208) 326 -3230 CHINOOK McCALL FISH HATCHERY Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game Box 1021 McCall, ID 83638 (208) 634 -2690 SAWTOOTH FISH HATCHERY Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game HC64, Box 9905 Stanley, ID 83278 (208) 774 -3684 DWORSHAK NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY P.O. Box 18 Ahsahka, ID 83520 (208) 476 -4591 (Near Orofino) * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1991— 593 -274 Generally Good For Weekend Summer, 1939 Fishing in the McCall area will be generally good this week end, judging from reports re- ceived from the Idaho National Forest, the McCall Chamber of Commerce and other sources, said Harold R. Harvey, game director, Thursday night. The road to Goose and Hazard Lakes is now open but not yet in good condition. It will probably be better toward the end of the week. Payette River below La do Bridge is still too high. Other reports as preparec oy the fish and game department through co- operation of forest officials and game department field personnel, include: Payette National Forest — Deadwood River, good; Big Creek, fair; Johnson Creek, fair. Low and clear. Rainbow. Roads good, accessible by car. Rior- dan Lake, good; Pistol Lake, good; low and clear. Rainbow and Natives. Riordan Lake is seven miles from the road. Caton Lake, nine. Pistol Lake about seven miles. Pack equipment may be obtained at Cox's Dude Ranch, Yellow Pine, for trips to Riordan and Caton and Cy Johnson at Snowshoe Summit (Landmark) for trips to Pistol Lake. I 95 o Idaho Department of Fish and Game has aggressive fish-planting program. Payette Lake The lake at McCall is big and beautiful but not very good fishing for all but a few old timers who know the "hot spots." Each year Fish and Game plants catchable rainbows near Ponderosa State Park and it is good sport until the water —good drive them into deep water. There are mackinaw in Payette Lake over 20 pounds. These "Big Macs" live in very deep water, except for a brief venture into the shallows at ice - out and in late fall. Anglers equipped with electronic fish finders can locate them in deep coves and along rocky drop - offs. Try lead- headed white marabou jigs fished right off the bottom. Lower the jig to the lake's floor and then reel up a foot or two, then jiggle the lure up and down every few seconds. Experienced "Mac" fishermen say early morning is the - -best time. Little Lake I love to float -tube this lake, which sits just east of Payette Lake, because one is working around a forest of dead trees. The trout are fond of this kind of cover and ambush minnows .and aquatic life around the underwater trees. This past year, however, there has been an explosion of stunted kokanee and squawfish, and Fish and Game may eradicate the fish population this year and restock with game fish. X11 C yi/S ,he fishin's getting good at mountain lakes Mountain Lodge near Cascade. Fishing in other hroughout Valley County. Lee Downum, Boise, lakes are also reported to be improving. ries his luck at Haft Lake, three miles west of West -Fh —S C1Y- I/ ? WS- � / /;Y/ rs Big Mac lino of Reno, Nev., display's a 32 -inch- in at 16 pounds and its girth measured 20 inches. iw trout that he pulled from Payette Lagomarsino said he caught the lake trout in about Inesday morning. The big mac weighed 35 feet of water along the west shore of the lake. rc� Star Nero. F &G reports steelhead return in record numbers A record upstream return of more than 120,000 steelhead over Lower Granite Dam has resulted in excellent fishing in Idaho as the fall season winds down, said Steve Huffaker, anadromous fisheries coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The spring steelhead season opens Jan. 1 on the heels of the Dec. 31 fall closure. If the current season is any measure of success, fishing should continue to be first -rate. Late fall catch rates ranged from 10 to 20 hours per fish. Ex- perienced anglers often harvest a daily limit when catch rates average over 20 hour per fish, while rates of below 20 hours per fish can mean that novice steelheaders will have good luck, Huffaker said. An unusually large thermal block held the fish in the lower Columbia River later than anon- mal, but when r temperatures finally improved I run records were set daily at Lower Granite, Huffaker said. "The total run is the largest at Lower Granite since it carne on line in 1975," Huffaker said. Hatchery fish were well distributed . throughout the Salmon, Snake and Clearwater River systems by early November, and catch rates became more consistent, ranging from 10 to 20 hours per fish from the Washington State line to the Lemhi River, Huffaker said. "Data for the last half of November have not been analyz- ed, but good to excellent fishing is still being reported and steelhead are being taken as far upstream as Challis on the Salmon River," he said. Huffaker predicted that returns from plants of hatchery steelhead on the Little Salmon and Panther Creek would show up in good numbers this winter and next spring. is The stocking strategy design- ed to hold hatchery fish in ac- cessible areas along the lower and mid - Salmon to benefit winter and spring anglers. Plants at Pahsimeroi and Stanley should assure spring success in the upper Salmon, he said. The fall season will end Dec. 31, and the spring season is scheduled to open the next day, Jan. 1, following action in early December by Fish and Game commissioners. Spring seasons on the Salmon, Snake, Clearwater and Boise rivers are from Jan. 1 through April 30 with one exception. The Salmon, from its mouth up to Long Tim Creek, has a Jan. 1 to March 31 season, with an April 30 closure from Long Tom Creek up to the mouth of Redfish Lake Creek. Fabulous falll fishing in McCall Little Payette Lake may be low in the fall with snags sticking out of the water, but it's still an ideal spot for float-tube fisherman. An avid angler can cast a line in plenty of lakes around the central Idaho town A friend recently asked me why I spend so much time in the Cas- cade /McCall area. "Why," he quizzed, "would you prefer that overdeveloped tourist trap over other more pristine ar- eas in the state? "Places," he went on, "like Warm Lake and Stanley." Since I had scheduled a four - day trip to Ponderosa State Park on Payette Lake, I decided to re- search the fishing and list the reasons i like to camp in the McCall area, especially during the autumn months. I'll admit it, Stanley and Warm Lake are hard to beat in the fall. The McCall area is not noted for its high - quality trout fishing. Comparing it, for example, with eastern Idaho and southwestern Montana is unfair. It doesn't get the national at- tention and a high influx of skilled anglers like those high - profile trout fisheries, but that's definitely a plus for the McCall area. I suppose if we lived within 100 miles of West Yellowstone, most of us would be spending our week- ends on Henrys Lake or Hebgen Reservoir -- or any one of a dozen other blue- ribbon trout fisheries in the area. But as good as the fishing in eastern Idaho and southwestern Montana might be, and the 1989 season has been very good, the McCall area offers advantages of angling solitude that Henrys Mary Taylor Fishing Lake and the Henrys Fork can't provide. On my recent trip to the McCall area, I concentrated on Little Payette Lake for three days. On my best day there were only five other tubers and one boat on the lake. I found a bunch of fish along the snag - filled eastern shore and enjoyed three hours of superb trout fishing. While I didn't land any legal - sized fish (trout over 26 inches), I caught and released 10 kamloops (Canadian rainbow trout), six of which were in the 17- to 19 -inch range. I also broke off two fish that took me deep into my backing. I had the group of fish all to myself; the nearest tuber was more than a half -mile away. The weather was near perfect — the air temperature 65 degrees, water temperature 62 degrees, and no wind. The fish were work- ing the surface and, at times, at- tacked my damsel nymph pattern with great ferocity. While the weather soured the fishing the following day, that one late August afternoon on Lit- tle Payette Lake made the four - day trip more than worthwhile. It was comparable in every way with our July fishing at Henrys Lake. Fall in McCall is an experience every local trout fisherman should schedule for late Septem- ber and October. Anglers will find both Little Pavette Lake and Cas- cade Reservoii tug ping out,quali- ty trout fishing. The chain of lal �s from Brun- dage Reservoir to Haz$rd Lakes will certainly be worthy of inves- tigation this fall. The fish won't be as large as at Little Payette Lake or Cascade Reservoir, but the joy of fishing,, these high - mountain lakes off., (As the lack of trophy -sized fish. Another plus in basing a camp in the McCall area this fall, is the possibility of fishing for steelhead in the Riggins section of the Salmon River (a one day side trip). The fall run over the lower Snake River dams looks good :ind the angler opting for a variety of fishing experiences should pla i a day on the Salmon Rivex . My choice for a base of opera- tions in the McCall area is Pon- derosa State Park. In less than 10 Taylor's tips Little Olive Leech Hook: Mustad 79580; size 10. r Thread: 6/0 Danville light olive. yF Tail: Light olive marabou. Body: Light to medium olive wool yarn, tied thin. ' Hackle: Light to medium saddle hackle, clipped short. Head: Light olive. Comments: While trout at Little Payette Lake spend most of the summer deep and fishing is slow, cooler weather now has improved fishing. The fish are moving into shallow areas. The Little Olive Leech was my most successful pattern on a recent trip. It should be fished slowly on a No. 1 slow- sinking line in water 6 to 12 feet deep. minutes I can launch my float tube at Little Payette Lake; in 45 minutes I can be fishing Cascade Reservoir; and in an hour or so I can reach the Salmon River. Camping at Ponderosa State Park offers a number of amenities to RV campers. The sites are neat (with lots of tall pine trees), with electrical and water hookups if the camper chooses, and the park offers shower facilities until freeze -up. , While Vina and I enjoy barbe- cuing in camp, we usually pro- gram one evening meal in one of the area's fine restaurants. Another plus in planning a fall in McCall outing is the high num- ber of hunters in Idaho. Since many in our outdoors community are camped in more remote areas, chasing antlered game, those of us who choose to fish in the fall will usually find little competi- tion for the better fishing holes. Mary Taylor is a fishing writer from Boise. His column appears on Wednesdays. More lightnin The Associated Press j 117 Fire bosses braced for more dry lightning across central Idaho Tuesday as air tankers continued pounding a raging wilderness fire with chemical retardant. "There is a red flag warning over much of Oregon and Idaho for lightning storms, so that's a big concern right now," Boise Na- tional Forest spokesman Don Smurthwaite said. For the second consecutive day, tankers strafed the 800 -acre Por- ter Creek Fire just inside the Frank Church -River of No Return threatens as firefighters battle blaze in wilds Wilderness about 110 miles north- east of Boise. They concentrated their retardant drops on the head of the fire to the northeast and its rear on the south. "They're concerned about the south side of the fire because the terrain is more rugged and there are more unburned fuels there," Smurthwaite said. But firefighters' luck and skill stayed the advance of the fire during the day. "Today (Tuesday) was filled with good surprises," Smurth- waite said. "We expected the fire to make some major runs this afternoon because the conditions were so close to yesterday (Monday)." Instead the fire grew by no more than 200 acres, and a trail or line surrounded about 80 percent of the blaze by nightfall. "If all goes well, we are estimat- ing containment of the fire Thurs- day evening about 6 p.m.," Smurthwaite said. Scores of firefighters massed on the southern flank, carving fire- break lines to block any move- ment of the flames south. After erupting on Sunday from embers that had smoldered for days after a storm last week, high temperatures, low humidity and moderate winds quadrupled the fire to 200 acres on Monday and then more than tripled its size by Tuesday. More than 300 firefighters and other specialists were committed to the blaze, and a special region- al management team was direct- ing the attack. The fire was burning on both sides of Porter Creek about 3 miles west of the Elk Creek Rang- er Station. Statesman reporter Anne Peter- son contributed to this story. �c' C.4J� F &G plants muskies in mountain lakes to reduce brook trout BY MICHAEL WELLS The Star -News Fisheries managers believe tiger muskies may be the answer to eliminating overpopulated brook trout in some area high mountain lakes. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game stocked 2,901 of the predator fish into nine high mountain lakes earlier this month, regional fishery manager Dale Allen said. The F &G acquired the hybrid fish from Pennsylvania last fall. Tiger muskies are a sterile cross- breed between northern pike and muskellunge. They were held at the Hager- man Hatchery in southern Idaho, where they first were fed commer- cial feed pellets. Recently, their diet was changed to brook trout. The toothy predators eat what- ever is available and could clear out some overpopulated brook, trout in area lakes, Allen said. The fish are being stocked in the lakes as a part of a research ,project that eventually will lead to lakes that can again be stocked with rainbow trout for anglers. "They really change the size structure of brook trout," Allen said. "Or they can totally take them out." The Trout Research Program is led by Martin Koenig in the Nampa F &G Research Office. Area lakes that received 40 tiger muskies per acre were Black Lake, Granite Twin Lakes, Shirts Lake, Upper Hazard Lake, Corral Photo courtesy Idaho Department of Fish and Game Fisheries managers hope tiger muskies, shown in photo, may be the answer to eliminating overpopulated brook trout in some area high mountain lakes. Lake, GrassyMountain lakes No. 1 and No. 2 in the Payette and Boise national forests. Merriam Lake and Spruce Gulch Lake in the Salmon -Chal- lis National Forest also received tiger muskies. The stocked fish averaged 12 inches and should double in size by this fall, Allen said. They could weigh up to three pounds in a few months. The fish were planted using a fire bucket below a helicopter that made several trips from the Hard Creek Guard Station. In a few years, after the brook trout populations are monitored, the predators will be removed from the lakes and rainbow trout will be stocked for anglers. Fisheries biologists do not think that the tiger muskies will be hard to remove. After they have decimated the brook trout populations, they will be highly susceptible to angling and gill- netting techniques. In the meantime, anglers might want to ratchet up the strengthof theirtackle when they visit one of the high mountain lakes with the tiger muskies. The state record is 46 pounds and the legal length limit is 40 inches and a possession of two fish. Brook trout were heavily introduced into many area lakes in the 1930s, Allen said. Many of those populations have exploded over the years, creating stunted populations of small fish. The department did not stock the tiger muskies in lakes where the brook trout populations were healthy. pip Net pen signs Signs recently were erected at the entrance to the Payette Lake Fish tearing Net Pens to help identify the newest visitor feature on the lake. i he dock to the pens were built this ummer using volunteer labor and onated materials. Visitors to the n can see westslope cutthroat trout erected being raised in special pens oper- ated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The trout are be. ing raised and released into Pay- ette Lake to enhance the fishing in the lake. The docks are a project of a variety of civic groups and gov- ernment agencies. F &G needs to improve fishing holes in McCall area What will it take to develop some good trout fishing in the McCall area? I was button -holed by three hard -core anglers who are con- cerned that Idaho Fish and Game doesn't seem to have a game plan to provide decent fishing in the McCall area. Fishing at' Cascad� Reservoir has been deteriorating badly for the past two years; Lost Valley Reservoir is fill of yellow perch; Little Payette Lake has not lived up to Fish and Game's predic- tions; and Horsethief Reservoir is still only a marginal fishery. Here are some specific recom- mendations, based on the opin- ions of locals: Cascade Reservoir — After the water quality problem is solved, Fish and Game should concentrate on habitat improve- Mary Taylor Fishing ment and studies to develop a long -range program to provide consistent trout - fishing success. Little Payette Lake — Most of the locals I've talked with be- lieve Fish and Game has lost in- terest in developing Little Lake as a quality fishery. If the stock- ing schedule for 1990 is any indi- cation, I would agree. Let's see a solid, well- thought -out 5- and 10- year plan that will accomplish the goals originally outlined for Little Payette Lake. Lost Valley Reservoir — Dur- ing the mid -80's, this reservoir provided excellent trout fishing. Unfortunately, completely elimi- nating the yellow perch in the lake is impossible, so Fish and Game's long -range plans must in- clude periodic eradication. Brundage Reservoir — After the recent expansion of Brun- dage, we were led to believe the lake would be a much - improved fishery. Although I haven't fished the lake, my McCall sources are disappointed in the fishing. Horsethief Reservoir — The lake has excellent habitat for aquatic trout food and the ability to turn fingerling trout into good - sized fish. Let's reduce the har- vest of trout in the lake with some type of quality regulations, and stock some very high quality fish to bring the lake up to the level it deserves. Mary Taylor is a free -lance out- door writer from Boise. I[.%-, 4e! Salmon LIFE CYCLE 1x`W- (SPAWNING: Following one to three years of "locean life, the sockeye, now considered adults, return to Redfish Lake to spawn. In May or June, they enter the Columbia River and start upstream. They enter Redfish Lake in late July to early September. In October the female digs a depression in the gravel and lays about 2,000 eggs. Males fertilize the eggs with milt. Their mission complete, the adults burrow into the creek bank and die. �cr/mil 67 1agNt q Redfish Lake Challis Stanley 75 N nan • 21 5iwtooth Nattonal Recreation Area Sun Valley eggs 0 1! raa Miles 21 EARLY DEVELOPMENT: The following spring, THE JOURNEY: After spending young fry emerge from the nest and begin to one to two years in Redfish Lake, the feed while birds and other fish prey on them. sockeye smolt begin their 897 -mile trip Only 10 to 20 percent of the fry survive. bi to the Pacific Ocean. It Can take two months or more to reach the ocean. Before dams were huilt the trin tnnk =99 SURVIVING THE DAMS: At Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, 0about 30 miles northwest of Clarkston, Wash., the smolts conf first of eight federal dams blocking their route to the sea. Here, about 50% of the salmon are collected by the U.S. A Corps of Engineers for trucking or barging around the dams tc Columbia River estuary. The rest try to negotiate the dams. They getting shredded i turbines, die from excess nitrogen at the bottom of spillways, by predators or die from diseases harbored in slackwater rese V...6 LIFE IN THE SEA: Approximately 5 percent of the migrants survive and swim in the Columbia River estuary. Here they make the transition to a salt wat er fish. In the next 2 -3 years, the sockeye swim up the Pacific Coast, some to the Gulf of Alaska, and feed voraciously on zooplankton and small fish. They grow to nearly five times their size. In the sea, the salmon fall victim to huge driftnets. The nets cover 30,000 to 40,000 square miles of deep ocean on any given day, killing an unknown number of L" tuna, porpoise, turtles, salmon and steelhead. RETURN TO BIRTHPLACE: When their internal time clock sends a signal to return home, the sockeye return to the mouth of the Columbia in early May and June. If they elude commercial, sport and tribal fishermen, the fish, now on a complete fast, swim back to Idaho in about 60 days, climbing over the dams via fish ladders. About 5 -10% of the adults die in the process of negotiating dams. Patrick Davis/The Idaho Statesman 9�rs�S'3 Gebhards, Fish & Game supervisor, retires Stacy Gebhards, 63, who has supervised all Fish and Game activities in Southwest Idaho for the past twelve years, has announced his retire- ment. No replacement has been named. In making his announcement, Gebhards cited his recent move to the McCall area and its asso- ciated commuting difficulties. "Besides, my mules are getting fat and need some exercise," he joked. Gebhards' career with the Idaho department has spanned thirty -seven years. He has held numerous positions across the state including Fish Research Biologist, Regional Fisheries Manager, Statewide Fisheries Management Supervisor, Chief of the Fisheries Bureau and Regional Manager of the largest of the seven Fish and Game Regions. Perhaps Gebhards' greatest legacy if the Morrison - Knudsen Nature Center in Boise. The concept of building a living stream with under- water viewing windows was Gebhards' idea. He did the design, worked to obtain funding to build it and literally placed each stone in the stream that wanders through the Center. Gebhards was named the 1990 Fish & Game "Employee of the Year" in the Image Enhancement category for his involvement in the M -K Center. He had previously been named by the Idaho Wildlife Federation as their "Conservationist of the Year" in 1971. In 1973, he was the recipient of the national professional "Conservation Award" given by American Motors Company. Other accomplishments include being a cer- tified backcountry lead ski guide, a profession- al certified nordic ski instructor, a kayak instruc- tor and an accomplished writer and photograph- er. Over the years he has taught numerous class- es in mule packing, winter survival and snow shelter construction, wildlife cooking, and knot Stacy Gebhards was photographed while tak- ing part in a 1991 cleanup of Long Lake in Valley County's backcountry. tying. His articles and photographs have appeared reg- ularly in both the Idaho Wildlife Review and its suc- cessor, Idaho Wildlife magazine. He has been involved in the production of many audio - visual presentations, including writing the script for the 30 minute movie, "Vanishing Stream' which was narrated by Rex Allen. --r--/a %� /9�f �p / -:� /-2,2 ps Now 9 s the time to fish Pete Zimowsky /The Idaho Statesman Payette Lake in McCall has been stocked with 5,000 rainbow trout for the Memorial Day weekend. Vf7PGC%r40 � ��5 !''?Ctf� 3/ �y y f�z��.2 �� f <' i°a�us There should be plenty of action for the big weekend By Pete Zimowsky The Idaho Statesman If you're thinking about going trout fishing, just do it. The best fishing in some of Idaho's reservoirs and streams will be during Memorial Day weekend and in early June, be- fore water levels take a dive, Fish and Game officials said Wednesday. In some areas, streamflows are only 35 to 40 percent of normal and reservoirs will be drained. The key to fishing this season will be first to hit the reservoirs that are expected to go dry be- cause of the drought, said Bill Horton, Idaho Fish and Game staff biologist. Little Camas, Magic, Fish Creek and Mormon reservoirs, northeast of Mountain Home, are a few of the fishing holes expected to be drawn down dras- tically by late June. But other reservoirs that have more stable water supplies will take up the slack for fishing. By the time Fish and Game fish- tanker trucks are done roll- ing across the state this season, about two million frying -pan size trout will be stocked. "We're going to put extra fish in reservoir's that have extra water," said Horton. About 10 percent of the total stocking of pan -size trout will not be going into waters that will dry up. That means an addi- tional 200,000 fish will be spread around to reservoirs that are expected to hold water a little longer during the summer. Lucky Peak Reservoir near Boise is one of the lucky reser- voirs. It got 16,000 catchable- size (8- to 10 -inch) trout in April, but also got 71,000 (7 -inch) trout in February and March. The smaller fish should be just the right pan size for catching this See Fishing fever /Page 4B weekend, said Tom Frew, resi- dent hatcheries supervisor for Fish and Game. Cascade Reservoir, which should have enough water most of the summer, got 300,000 trout recently, and nearby Horsethief Reservoir received 10,000 trout. Although most of the state's reservoirs and lakes are open to year -round trout fishing, Memo- rial Day weekend is when they get hit the hardest. It's one of the first big holiday weekends for camping and fishing. Saturday is the opening day of trout fishing for many of the state's rivers and streams. Here's an update on trout -fish- ing conditions from Fish and Game biologists around the state: WESTERN IDAHO Some alpine lakes (around 8,000 feet in elevation) in the McCall area are free of ice. If you're willing to trudge through some snow and on muddy trails you can get to them and drop a line. Loon Lake and Louie Lake near McCall have been accessi- ble for several weeks. The fish truck has been trying to get to Upper Payette Lake to dump a load of fish, but hasn't be able to because of a muddy road. Fish and Game is going to try again today. Most lower reservoirs and streams in the area have been stocked. Stream fishermen are getting an early start on the fishing season. Runoff is over and streams are low and clear, mak- ing fishing conditions good. Normally, they're running too high this time of the year. Don't expect to get to Granite or Hazard lakes around McCall. Payette Lake received about 5,000 catchable rainbow trout but the lake is known more for its lake trout and cutthroat trout. Star News Fish came the Yellowstone National Park fires of 1988. There, fish not only sur- vived, they thrived, he said. through Increases in nutrient levels in wa- terways following forest fires can last up to five years. That could be a forest fires concern for those attempting to pre- vent Big Payette Lake from experiencing the same nutrient -rich quite well BY SHARI HAMBLETON The Stu -News Although fires burned intensely through many of the Payette National Forest's drainages last summer, na- tive fish species fared pretty well, those attending a meeting last week were told. During a presentation at the Smokejumper base in McCall, Pay- ette fish biologist Dave Burns said last summer's fires "were contained without major impacts to fish." Burns addressed both the effects of fire and of firefighting efforts on fish. Even though fires torched thou- sands of acres of forest land, most riparian, or wildlife - friendly, areas near streams escaped major damage, Burns said. "Most riparian areas were left intact." "That's the reason fish survive fires," he said. "Riparian areas near streams seldom bum very hot." Public reports of dead fish in forest streams were not an indication of a massive die -off due to heat, he said. Those fish — in most cases post - spawning Brook Trout —would have died anyway. "There's going to be no lack of fish," he said. Nutrients leaching into waterways as a result of fires last season will likely mean an increase in the overall food chain. That, Burns said, will mean fat fish. A similar situation existed after conditions which plague Cascade Res- ervoir. But even with the added nutrient levels resulting from the fires, "the lake is probably at a nutrient deficit right now," Burns said. With the large populations of Sockeye salmon which previously found their way into Pay- ette Lake now gone, nutrients are likely in much less concentration then they once were. The amount of nutrients ending up in streams, rivers and Payette Lake depend largely on the type of snow and spring run -off the area experi- ences, Burns said. A large run -off which would "scour" the South Fork of the Salmon River could be beneficial, he said. "That's really what the South Fork needs right now." Erosion and resulting sedimenta- tion in streams will probably best be controlled by organic matter on the forest floor, including fallen trees, Burns said. Native plant seed beds which began to sprout before winter snows started falling indicate natural regeneration was taking place. Even though sediment will find its way into streams, some material is needed for spawning beds, Bums said. A certain amount of sloughing is natu- ral and necessary. "We don't necessarily perceive landslides as being a bad thing," he said. Some alluvial fans — perpetual natural landslide areas — have been moving for a few thousand years. "This is inherently unstable coun- try with or without fires," Burns said. Jec g, 1q qti Last week's column covered the good and the bad about Cas- cade /McCall area fishing. Un- fortunately, it offered more bad news than good. - While several of the area's top trout fishing spots are not fish- ing up to par this season (Cas- cade Reservoir, Little Payette Lake and Lost Valley Reservoir are examples), and others are threatened with illegal, unwant- ed yellow perch infestations, there are some other popular fisheries I can recommend for the summer. Brundage Reservoir Located just off the Goose Lake /Hazard Lakes road, Brun- dage Reservoir is managed as a trophy trout lake with fish in the 12- to 20 -inch range protect- ed. Although the lake has been slow to develop as a trophy fish- ery, it is producing some good fish this summer. Although there are no devel- oped campgrounds on the lake, anglers who prefer rustic camp- ing can find some spots to park their RVs or pitch their tents. I recommend area anglers looking for some place to fish in the McCall area to consider Brundage Reservoir. Granite Lake If the fishing at Brundage is not satisfying, continue past the lake to Granite Lake. While the road is not classified as four - wheel country, it is a bit bumpy as you near the lake. I've had reports this season of rainbow trout in the three - pound range coming out of Granite Lake. Listed at 165 acres, the lake is small enough to float tube and large enough for car -top boats. Both Granite and Brundage can be fished as day trips. Upper Payette Lake Located about 17 miles north of McCall on the McCall -Burg- dorf Road, this neat little 200 - acre lake is a good spot to float tube fly fish. Populated with rainbow trout, brook trout and Splake (a mackinaw and brook trout hybrid), the lake may not produce trophy -sized fish, but it does produce fun fishing. Fly fishermen should fish the lily pads at the upper end of the lake. There are campgrounds on the west side of the lake and at the north end. Small boats may be launched at the south end just above the dam. t1u,2.tde&SAW 712119V McCall area has fish, but do your homework Mary Taylor Mud Lake To reach this Valley County lake, take the Pistol Creek Ridge Road from Landmark, about 40 miles east of Cascade. 'urn left at the first fork about four miles south of Landmark.. Camping is primitive and the marshy perimeter of the lake makes bank fishing difficult. Several anglers I talked with last week described the fishing for planted rainbows fairly fast. The lake also contains popula- tions of brook trout. It is defi- nitely a float - tubing lake. Blue Lake A short % -mile hike from the Snowbank Mountain Road, this beautiful high mountain lake is fun fishing. Carrying a float tube in is simple (the trail from the road is downhill), although getting out is a bit bothersome. The lake has stocked rainbow trout and natural spawning brookies. A great one -day trip. C. Ben Ross Reservoir Located near Indian Valley in Adams County, the lake has ex- cellent populations of crappies. To reach the lake, turn off U.S. 95 at the bottom of Mesa Sum- mit or at Alpine. The road forks just south of Indian Valley — take either fork to the lake. There is a boat ramp near the south end of the dam. I've been told there are foot - long crappie in the lake. While July and August may not be the most pleasant months to fish the lake, there should be good catches of crappie. Corral Creek Reservoir Located near Horsethief Res - ervoir, Corral has been produc- ing larger rainbow trout this season than Horsethief. Campers should locate their RVs at Horsethief and drive back and forth to the lake. Payette Lake (Lower main) Most of the emphasis in the big lake during recent years has been on mackinaw (lake trout). Fish up to 35 pounds have been reported. It is deep trolling with large lures during July and Au- gust. If you have a good boat, give it a try. North Fork of the Payette There are two sections to fish in the Cascade /McCall area. The river between Payette Lake and Cascade Reservoir has lim- ited access and is best fished via some type of drift boat. The riv- er between the main Payette Lake and Upper Payette Lake has a parallel road. It can be fished with bait, lures or flies. I recommend contacting one of the area fishing shops about recent conditions when plan- ning a trip to any of the above fisheries. With the drought of '94 holding firm, reservoir levels may drop dramatically. Mary Taylor is a free -lance out- door writer living in Boise. uvn8` 11¢11,�y A4V0CQ1r Ribbon cutting marks completion of Tamarack Fishing Bridge DONNELLY — It's a special bridge and there will be a special ceremony to mark completion of the Tamarack Falls Handicapped Accessible Fishing Bridge on June 9. A planning group led by the West Central Highland Resources Conservation and Development Council began work in June of 1992 to restore the bridge, which happens to be at a popular and very produc- tive fishing spot. The bridge had been condemned for many years for safety reasons. Restoration involved redecking the bridge, improving and paving the parking lot, having an access trail from the kiosk/picnic area, and improving the safety guard rails. A variety of agency and organization grants matched local funds, primarily from Valley County, to do the project. Those costs were kept down by the use of organized work groups and a work crew from the North Idaho Correctional Institution, which finished the project last summer. A long list of businesses, and local, state and fed- eral agencies took part in the project. Toothman -Orton Engineers provided maps and topographic surveys for the project; the Reed Gillespie Chapter of Trout Unlimited provided funds and a work crew; Idaho Fish and Game Department pro- vided funding for handicapped access as did the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Valley County, the Boise National Forest, and the Bureau of Reclamation pro- vided funding and planning assistance; West Central Highlands Resource Cconservation and Development Council provided project planning leadership; Treasure Valley PAWS helped with handicapped access plan- ning and funds for a commemmorative plaque; Trus Joist International provided the bridge engineering design; and Lumberman's donated the materials for the project. The project is expected to contribute to the region's tourism. New displays that are planned for the infor- mation kiosk will center on water quality issues. The ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for 11 a.m. June 9. Some fishin' bridge, eh ?! Lining the railing of the reconstructed Tamarack Falls Fishing Bridge nearly two years ago are members of the crew from the Idaho Department of Corrections Facility at Cottonwood that pro- vided the low -cost labor ;to rebuild the once - condemned bridge. The bridge was dedicated in cer- emonies last Friday. The project involved numerous federal, state and local agencies, including the Central Highlands Ruiral Community Development Council, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and Valley County. BY p ii�5 end silk worm gut, all tied to the mandatory two Thesmf -Ne" inch hook. It was the last fly he created for the contest, We of Dave Bums' Atlantic salmon flies sits in `a and although it is based on traditional Atlantic salmon vice looking every bit as exotic as the birds' feathers flies, he said the one -of -a -kind design "came on a that elegantly dress the hook. The fly will never touch whim." £. the water or draw a strike from a fish, because it is more The elaborate fly incorporated feathers from a variety than a fishing fly, it's a creation and a piece of feathered of exotic birds (mostly #onlestically raised), including art. several species of Asiatic pheasants, South American Burns, of McCall, was recently named the world macaw, Asiatic kingfisher, Kenyan Guinea fowl, and champion creative fly tier for the Federatiop Quebecoise North American ducks, such as wood duck, mallard and Pour Le Sauman Atlantique, which roughly translates to gadwall. He estimates he spent about 10, hours tying it. Federation for Atlantic Salmon of Quebec. The world championship award is a crowning Bums entered five flies in the competition, and four achievement for Bums, a hie -long fly -tier and fisherman of them placed, including the championship fly, "Jock who works as a fisheries biologist for the Payette 'Scott," which is named after a famous river conserva- National Forest. tionist. Burns started entering fly tying contests in 1990 as a The winning fly for Burns had more than 100 way to improve his fly tying skills, and he has since won individual parts consisting of feathers, silklloss, metal numerous national and international contests. His Atlantic salmon flies are the flagships of his work. "They are my favorite to tie because they offer more challenge than just about any other kind of fly," Burns said. Every fly created for competition must adhere to strict specifications, and feather sizes must be in propor- tion with the hook size. The flies are also judged on originality and use of materials. The concept of judging flies as art pieces dates back to the 19th century when English ships brought exotic birds to England from around the world, Burns said. Early fly -tiers cre- ated extravagant flies as gifts to roy- alty, and the ornamental fly tying tra- dition continues today. Bums's flies are featured in sev- eral books on fly- tying, and several of his winning creations are housed in museums around the world that show- case the finest flies created for con- tests. There is no prize money for fly - tying contests, but Burns makes a little money from his hobby by selling individual flies or groups of flies en- cased in decorative frames. They can be seen at Heartline Gallery in McCall. Tf1 � Pete Zimowsky Outdoors Steelhead too dear to lose HELLS CANYON — The swirling waters of the Snake River ripped along the ebony - basalt cliffs of this rugged canyon. How fish could rest any- where in these swift waters is mind boggling, but Idaho's tenacious steelhead do. My drift boat bobbed like a cork in the river that was flowing as fast as surf waves in Hurricane Andrew. Rowing and dodging house - size rocks and 15 -foot waves, and trying to cast a spinner against the cliffs, was like a carnival ride. Outdoor writer Ken Retallic and I were floating Hells Canyon during an October fishing and chukar- hunting ritual. Leaky dory Retallic co- authored the book Fly Fisher's Guide to Idaho. What I didn't know was that he isn't too keen on wooden dories being swal- lowed by mountains of white- water. The fact that my boat leaked about two gallons every 30 minutes, didn't help ease his mind. I With one hand on one oar for pivoting around rocks, and the other on my trusty spin - rAng outfit, I made a cast. The Blue Fox spinner landed an inch from a cliff. ' BAM, FISH ON! I dropped the oar, set the hook, and started cranking. Line ripped off the reel. Luckily, roaring rapids were still far away. T,he dory spun like a top. The fish dived. Bulldogging steelhead "Gotta be a steelhead. It's bulldogging to the bottom," I yelled. Rapids were getting closer. Ken thought, "Who's going to steer the boat ?" The spinning rod bent like a bullwhip in a tornado. The fish shot upstream as the cur- rent pulled the boat down- stream. ,I Ken got a glimpse of the sil- very- rainbow color as the fish siarfaced. "You have a net ?" I thought, "No, I've got a shotgun, shells, lures, cookies, beer, coffee pot, sleeping bag, tent, and longjohns; no net. Heck, you can't remember everything on a float trip." The rapids got closer. :The heavy - bodied, howitzer shell- shaped fish took a dive like something out of Red Oc- tober. The sound of the rapids gew louder and forboding. Ken was still thinking, "Who's going to steer ?" I hated to give up the fight, but had already had an expe- rience of a lifetime. I handed the rod to Ken and started pulling on the oars to catch a slow - moving pool. ,The fish came to the surface twisting and rolling, and fi- nally settling down. We re- leased it, and as it dived, could only think, "Wow, beau- tiful, super." That's all you can say when you see one of Idaho's beauti- ful steelies. You can catch hundreds in a lifetime, but you remember every one. They migrate 500 to 700 miles to the ocean weighing only ounces. They return one, two or three years later, weighing 6 to 20 pounds. Steelhead fishing shouldn't go the way of salmon fishing. It could with problems at dams and reservoirs down- stream. Heck, adult steelhead have to climb eight fish lad- ders and swim up eight reser- voirs to get home again. There's a generation of an- glers in Idaho who don't know what it's like to catch a salmon. Is there going to be a generation that doesn't know what it's like to catch a steel - head? A hearing on the con- cerns about steelhead is set in Boise, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Tues- day, at the Interagency Fire Center Auditorium at 3905 Vista Ave. If you value steelhead fish- ing, you should cast your con- cerns. Steelhead are too pre- cious to lose. Pete Zimowsky is the States- man's outdoor writer. 5ta eL - /U O-C-U s �? t"Z' - Sl (q I?7 Star -News Photo by Jeanne Seol Learning how fish live About 185 McCall - Donnelly School District fifth grade students went on a recent all -day field trip for Fish Habitat Day, sponsored by the Cascade Reservoir Associa- tion. Students studied a variety of ecology subjects, including plant and animal aquatic life, what fish populations reveal about water quality and how to monitor water quality. Above, Central District Health Department Senior Envi- ronmental Health Specialist Jeff Lappin teaches students about the importance of water quality. The trip was also sponsored by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the state Division of Envi- ronmental Quality, Valley Soil Conservation District, Boise Na- tional Forest and Payette National Forest. '9tar Ne W -9 IT(4 Photo courtesy McCall Optimist Club Optimists host annual fishing derby Tyler Bryant looks over his catch during last year's McCall Optimist opportunity to win prizes for first fish of the day caught, the largest fish, Club Fishing Derby. This year's derby will be held Saturday from 8 greatest total weight of fish caught, first one to catch the limit, plus other a.m. to noon at Brown's Pond at the south end of the McCall Airport categories. Fishing equipment and guidance will be available if needed. For runway. Young anglers ages 14 years and younger will have the information, call Dave at 634 -2086 or Mary at 634 -4151. S t'a rl P v✓ S �/, z 7 r Burns receives awards for artistic fishing flies Dave Burns of McCall recently won several international awards for artistic fishing flies in fly -tying com- petitions in Quebec and Japan. Bums won a gold medal and two silver medals at the world Atlantic fly -tying championships in Quebec, Canada. Along with a silver medal, he won a gold medal in the creation Atlantic salmon feather wing flies category for the second year in a row, which is considered the most difficult category, Burns said. Burns' gold medal fly was titled "Black Watch over Ste. Marguerite River." It was created after the Scot- tish Highlanders 42nd regiment tar- tan colors to honor the conservation and protection of the Ste. Marguerite River. Burns was also awarded the Grand - Prix in the "Mind Angler" competi- tion in Japan for the summer 1997. The Mind Angler is open to flies of all types, and the competition is against a standard of excellence rather than against other competitors. No Grand - Prix awards have been given in the last two competitions, and Burns said he believes the challenges presented in the Mind Angler competition were the toughest so far. Burns won the Grand -Prix with an original fly called the "Sunflower," and with a classic Atlantic fly pattern, the "Popham." The Sunflower was tied in classic Atlantic salmon fly style, but after the colors of a sun- flower. Burns is a fisheries biologist for the Payette National Forest and an artistic fly -tyer. His flies will be on display from June 20 through Aug. 3 as part of the "Angler Art" exhibit at the McCall Arts and Humanities Council Gallery in McCall. Burns' flies can also be seen until the end of June at the Heartline Gallery, and for an indefinite time at T. Avery Flyfishing Outfitters,both in McCall. women get together .o have fun fishing Y ROGER PHILLIPS e Star -News After a recent flyfishing clinic with Lop national female flycaster, abunch f local women decided once wasn't hough. The informal club of women nglers are now making it a weekly vent. The group meets on Wednesdays t 5:30 p.m. at T. Avery Flyfishing )utfitters next to Shaver's and go ishing. The flyfishing shop recently spon- ored a women -only clinic with Lori wn'Murphy, an Orvis technical ad- ,isor and one of the top women fly tnglers in the U.S. The clinic attracted bout 20 local women, many who had kever tried the sport. "They had an absolute gas," said Puck Miller, owner of T. Avery. "The women have a blast doing it together; hey have a really, really good time." Feme Krumm, a license guide who aas experience on both the middle and south forks of the Salmon River, will serve as trip leader. Krumm will take the group to local waters so they can fish for a couple hours in ;the. "After the gals had their clinic, I wanted to get them into some good fishing to keep their enthusiasm up," Krumm said. "This is a way of getting a group of us together and going and doing it." Miller said women enjoy learning together and fishing together, so the group setting and comradeship works well for them. "Women are much more gregarious than men are," he said. He said his shop will help orga- nize the trips, but after that, the women are on their own. Krumm said the outings will not be clinics, but advice and tips will be shared among all the anglers. She added that women have largely been ignored when it comes to fly fishing, which has seen tremendous growth in popularity in recent years, "The gals have kind of been lef out of it," Krumm said. "Now they've come into their own and asked, `Why can't IT " But based on the favorable earl} responses from the women who at tended the clinic, Krumm believe there may soon be a lot more wome out flyfishing. "I think we've got a whole neN bunch of anglers," she said. Photo courtesy T.Avery FKIshirn Ferne Krumm, Janean Erlebach bag a trout from a local pond. 5-r,6 le n'C iu-s I,/ ,.z j 9 7 A fine kettle of fish Proctor of �qKevin McCall shows the results of his participation in the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Free Fishing Day Saturday at Scout "• ` Pond east of McCall while his father, Darrel, keeps an eye on his pole. F &G waived " license srequirements for the day, which allowed anglers of all ages the opportunity to try their hand at fishing or hone their skills. Star -News Photo by Roger Phillips T�,9 Idako 71 1'�II97 `Legal work' not always, that-easy Writing a weekly fishing col- umn can be a very rewarding experience. While I can legally .,all it "work" for tax purposes, it really isn't. Most of the time, the columns come easy and are fun to write. This week's effort definitely wasn't fun to write, and it didn't °ome easily. This marks the third straight Year I've parked my travel trail- er in a Donnelly campground. In recent years, I've been able to write fairly glowing reports on fishing in the Cascade /Mc- Call area. While there are a few spots I can recommend in the xxea, many of my favorite fish- ing holes have not produced this season. Warm Lake While we think of this jewel of a lake (located about 26 miles east of Cascade) as primarily summer -home, water - skiing ter- ritory, Warm Lake has been pro - G'.ucing surprisingly good trout fic;hing this season. Fish and Game has stocked the lake with c�atchable rainbow trout and ev- erybody has been catching fish. Probably the most exciting re- port on Warm Lake's fishing concer_,is the lake trout (Macki- raws) being caught. Fish up to 10 pounds have been taken by some of the float tubers I've talked with. I predict the fishing during the month of July will be good at Warm Lake. Definitely one of the few bright spots in the Cas- cade /McCall region. Horsethief Reservoir With the reintroduction of yellow perch into my favorite Valley County trout lake, I hesi- tate to recommend the Fish and Game - managed lake as good fishing. But as poor as the fish- ing seems to be at times, the lake is still one of my favorite places to launch my float tube, and the persistent angler can still catch fish. I fished the lake four times in June and caught trout each time. While most of the rain- bows were in the 10 -to -12 inch range, I did take a few carryover fish up to 16 inches. I also caught three or four brow trout up to 14 inches. Mary Taylor Louie Lake A two -mile hike from the end of the Boulder Lake Road often rewards the angler with excel- lent high -lake fishing. Stpcked primarily with cut- throat trout, the lake has a two- fish-over-20-inch limit. Float tu- bers willing to pack their tubes the two miles will find the lake very appealing. Goose Lake/Hazard Lakes Easy to reach (on Brundage Mountain Road) and easy to fish, these alpine lakes offer handicapped anglers an oppor- tunity to fish the high country. Goose Lake is an excellent trolling and float - tubing lake. Bait fishermen will find access to some of the larger rainbows fishing near the dam, while tu- bers generally fish the upper end of the lake. The three Hazard Lakes offer something for everyone. There is a campground on Middle Haz- ard for the camper willing to battle the ever - present hordes of dive - bombing mosquitoes. Cascade Reservoir Although there are some nice sized rainbows being taken, and the perch fishing has been excel- lent this year, for the most part season '94 has been slow at the Big C. I've talked with a dozen trout trollers and to a person received poor reviews. Let's hope the dedicated con- servationists who are lobbying to clean up the Big C's water are successful. Make no mistake about it, the lake is well passed middle -aged and while a death notice may be premature, we'd better get our acts together and protect the water. If we don't, and this column is n still in existence 10 years from now, I predict I will some day write Cascade Reservoir's obit- uary. Little Payette Lake Two years ago I spent the sum- mer camped at Donnelly and fished the Little Lake 46 days. While the fishing wasn't on par with places like Henry's Lake, I had some extremely pleasurable fishing. Last summer was a very pale shadow of '92, and this season has gone completely downhill. Most of the people I've talked with believe the bulk of the lake's larger-trout have migrat- ed through the dam and on down Lake Fork Creek. Most believe the lake will have to be rehabilitated of squad fish and the `trophy trout project" begun anew. Hopefully, the dam will be screened next time (to keep the trout in and the squaw fish out.) Lost Valley Reservoir Too many perch, not enough trout. If it sounds like yellow perch is the dominant fish in the Cascade /McCall area, it may well be. Very few anglers will argue that trout are better eat- ing than yellow perch; they are just more fun to catch. .75 �-__ .,5tt« l_ - ) c -5 // / ,� �� 7 Steelheading an unexpected thrill BY ROGER PHILLIPS The Star -News I recently broke a decade -long vow of abstinence. I went steelhead fishing. To be honest, I surprised even myself in doing this. October is nor- mally reserved for deer hunting, and everything else is way down on the priority list. But after hunting opening week- end of deer season, I couldn't even produce a decent "big one that got away" story. Normally, this wouldn't deter me, but midway through the season, the total number of deer I saw wouldn't constitute a decent herd. Then I got a phone call from my friend, Chuck Jones, who invited me on a jet boat trip to his cabin at Mackay Bar on the Salmon River. He and his partners, Pete Smit and John King, collectively known as the Tres Amigos, have made annual steelhead fishing trips for decades. I felt honored to be invited, but I had a twinge of guilt abandoning my deer season midway through, but it quickly passed. I came to my senses and accepted his generous offer. Back in my younger, formative years on the Oregon coast, my best friend Don Richcreek owned a drift boat. He took me steelhead fishing on the Siletz River on a frigid January day. I sat in the bow of the drift boat for hours watching the tip of my fish- ing rod bobble as a gooey blob of salmon roe bounced and skipped its way across the bottom of the river and remain untouched by any steelhead. Meanwhile, my hands froze to the point I could have broken off my fingers and used them for bait, and into the Outdoors this was despite the fact there was a propane boat heater sitting between my legs. At one point, I looked down and saw the legs of my rubber rain pants melting, and I was still cold. After several hours of this, I decided I had enjoyed enough steelhead fish- ing fun for one lifetime. But time passes, and I couldn't resist the chance to jet boat up the Salmon River - something I had never done - and give steelhead fishing an- other go. Jones also told me to pack my deer rifle, just in case, and throw in a shotgun for chukars if we got the urge. We left the boat ramp at Vinegar Creek in late afternoon and arrived at Mackay Bar, about 20 miles upstream, before dark. Jones piloted the jet boat up river like a walk through the old neighborhood. The boat slipped through rapids nimble as an otter and roared through calm stretches like a runaway thoroughbred. Saturday morning we hit the river and started fishing. The crisp air, brick - red manzanita on the canyon slopes and snowcapped mountains above formed an unmistakable fall scene. About mid - morning, a silver - scaled Polaris missile exploded from the calm jade water and the cry of "fish on!" awoke our psyches quicker than a triple espresso. King battled a five -pound steel- head into the net, then promptly let it go. It was a wild fish, identifiable by its attached adipose fin, which is clipped on hatchery fish. It went back into the water to finish out its natural life cycle rather than being fodder for the barbecue. My whole attitude changed at this point. It's amazing how the actual presence of steelhead brightens the steelhead fishing experience. I abandoned lures and went to bait. My attention span lengthened and a my concentration focused. It paid off. My rod bowed and my line started heading upstream. I yarded back and felt a tug at the other end. But something seemed amiss. Steelhead have a well- deserved repu -, tation as fighters, but this fish felt listless, if not anemic. I reeled it in and discovered a bull trout on the end of my line. Back to the depths it swam. At this point, I realized we had just captured, and released unharmed, mind you, two endangered species found in the Salmon River system. If we could have landed a chinook salmon, we would have the dubious honor of the angler's triple crown of endangered species. It wasn't to be. The best we could do afterward was land one lowly squawfish. The barbecue remained stone cold for the weekend. But that hardly dampened a won- derful weekend. We chanced into nu- merous big horn sheep along the river, including several mature rams. The fall scenery alone made the trip memo- rable, not to mention the camaraderie. LlP Special to The Idaho Statesman What a catch: Lisa Wood of McCall shows off the steelhead she caught during Women With Bait -98, the annual women's steelhead derby. Women-only steelhead derby nets 45 keepers By Karen Bossick The Idaho Statesman Next time you see Lisa Wood spreading her hands apart, you can bet she isn't getting ready to wind yarn. She's got a big fish tale to tell. Wood, of McCall, caught a steel- head half her size during the Third Annual Women with Bait -98 held on the Salmon River over Presidents Day weekend. And she wasn't in the minority. Forty -one women participated in the three -day derby, landing 45 keep- ers, including one 34 -inch fish and two 32 1/2 -inch fish. The event, believed to be the largest steelhead derby for women only, was begun three years ago as a lark but has turned into much more. "It's a wonderful, wonderful event that's turned into one of the most talked -about events we do here in the mountains all year," said David Eaton, one of the derby's organizers. "It gives women an opportunity to ex- perience the Salmon River -River of No Return Wilderness and to see what their significant others see in steelhead fishing. "And we have guides who give casting lessons and explain why a pole looks the way it does and why a reel is designed like it is. So women get a good introduction to the sport," said Eaton, station manager of KMCL- FM/AM. All told, the 41 anglers hooked 63 fish and landed 48. Donayle Nelson, of California, landed the most fish even though she'd never held a fish- ing pole in her hands before. She took home a Shore Lodge getaway week- end for her efforts. McCall residents Holly George and Janet Moss both caught the biggest hatchery -run fish — each 32 1/2- inches. They won gift certificates from Mountain Regatta Clothing Co. in McCall for their catches. And Mary Cocus of Riggins won a new steelhead rod and reel for the 34- inch native she caught. Her fish was measured, photographed and re- leased. Don't feel bad if you missed out on this year's derby. You can try to hook a place for yourself in next year's, which will be held for three or four days over Presidents Day weekend — provided a big fish doesn't swal- low Idaho in the meantime. Cost is $100 for a full day of fishing with a professional guide from River Adventures and includes dinner at Summervilles restaurant in Riggins. You'll also get a Women With Bait sweatshirt. Normally, a day of fishing with a guide would cost about $150, Eaton said. Mountain Regatta Clothing Co. of McCall probably will handle registra- tion next year, as it has for the past few years, Eaton said. Wanna -be fisherwomen should check with the store for details in No- vember or December. Alpine lakes offer a variety of fish and a backcountry experience By Pete Zimowsky The Idaho Statesman CALL — Lorrieann Garner took a cast in Boulder Lake near Mc- Call hoping to catch one f the alpine lake's fight- ing cutthroat trout. Lorrieann and her husband, James, sat on a boulder and watched the blue -green glassy waters of the lake for any hint of fish. over head was an osprey catching the air currents and hoping to catch some fish from the lake. In back of the Garners was a granite cliff that is so characteristic of the scenery sur- rounding alpine lakes. Many of the lakes were carved from the rock by glaciers ions ago. the �J On the cover: Lorrieann and James Gamer of Boise fish Boulder Lake near McCall. Flowing line: Mike Mont- "' ' gomery's fly line flows as he �- casts a fly on Boulder Lake in ,. hopes of catching a trout. "I love it," Montgomery said A - .mss -- � ,� of fishing mountain lakes. Photos, including cover, Today, Idaho's alpine lakes are some of the most popular places for fishing. It's no wonder. A high- mountain lakes fishing trip combines fishing, breathtaking scenery, and hiking, backpacking or picnicking. August and September are prime months for exploring Idaho's mountain lakes. "It's beautiful up here," said Lor- neann Garner, flipping a lure and hoping for a bite. The Garners hiked two miles to the lake to spend a day in the high country. Alpine lakes attract anglers be- cause they have a variety of fish - rain- bow, cutthroat and brook trout, grayling and even California golden trout. They take a lot of effort to reach be- cause many can only be accessed by trail, eliminating anglers who want to drive to their fishing holes. The lakes also are popular because A , , by Pete Zimowsky The Idaho Statesman some contain exotic fish like the gold- stocking Westslope and Yellowstone en trout or grayling. cutthroats and hoping to get rid of Alpine lakes are unique because some of the overpopulated brook most of them didn't have fish in the trout in high - mountain lakes. first place. They were fishless until "We are trying to look at more na- headstrong game wardens back- packed and horsepacked fish into the tive species," said Bill Hutchinson, fish lakes in a massive stocking program state manager. The purpose of stocking cutthroats more than 40 years ago. Whatever type of trout that was is to make sure only native species mi- handy was was put in the lakes to cre- grate downstream in streams that empty from alpine lakes. In many cas- ate new fishing holes for Idahoans. es those streams lead to cutthroat That was well and fine back then. trout habitat. But Idaho Fish and Game is changing It's a change in management be- direction in management of the mountain jewels to improve fishin cause many of the lakes were stocked with brook trout, a transplant from and also make sure only nativ� species are stocked in the lakes. the East and rainbow trout, which It's a major move from the old days, was plentiful at hatcheries in the when brook trout or rainbow trout West, even though those species were were scattered into the lakes. not native to the drainage. The agency is concentrating on "Fifty to 60 years ago we started stocking brook trout in every puddle we could find," said Hutchinson, "What we tried to do in the last eight years is shift the emphasis from brook trout.,, Brook trout were stocked in high lakes because they are a hardy fish and very prolific. They are self -sus- taining in many lakes, said Hutchin- son. But that characteristic also made them a biological nightmare because they overpopulate. That results in fish that are stunted in size because of lack of food. "The message is brook trout are plentiful, but people don't want to catch them," said Hutchinson. Not all exotic species will be discon- tinued. A few lakes are continually stocked with California golden when eggs are available for Idaho's hatch- eries. "We get them very rarely," said Hutchinson. "Anglers really like to have a place to go to catch golden trout." There is a smattering of lakes with Arctic grayling. High lakes are popular but not without controversy. Some conserva- tionists believe that no stocking should occur in wilderness lakes be- cause they were fishless in the first place. In its plan, Fish and Game has agreed not to stock lakes that have not been stocked in the past. Of the 2,000 lakes in Idaho's mountains, a little more than 600 are stocked. Another bit of controversy is the theory that stocking wilderness lakes with trout has caused a decline in the amphibian population, such as frogs and salamanders. "We are working on looking at the competition with na- tive amphibian like spotted frogs and salamanders," said Hutchinson, "From our standpoint there is very lit- tle competition with amphibians in stocked lakes." Whatever the management plan is, anglers love Idaho's alpine lakes. Just ask Mike Montgomery, of Caldwell.. He was fly casting at Boul- der Lake trying to entice some cutts into biting. "I love it," he said, about exploring high- mountain lakes. His favorite area is the Trinities. "They are one of our most popular fishing waters and probably one of the most under utilized," said Hutchinson. Alpine lakes notes > Idaho has about 2,000 alpine lakes at elevations of 6,000 to 10,000 feet. > About 600 are stocked, either on a one -, two-, or three -year rotation, de- pending on their popularity, > Lakes are mainly stocked by fixed -wing planes. Some stocking is done by backpacking and helicopters. > Usually about 500 to 1,000 fry (1 to 11/2 inch fish) are dropped from the plane in a bombing run over the lake. The fish and water are sprayed from the plane. hey ( e lakes) one of our most pular fishing waters d probably one the most under BILL HUrCHINSON state fish manager yP x� -fie.. .. - ,.�'•t .r > About 200 lakes each summer are stocked by air in August and Sep- tember. > Surprisingly, even though the growing season at high lakes is short from mid -July to October, a trout can grow to 20 inches in 6 to 7 years. That's because many of the lakes have a lot of food for trout, such as in- sects and freshwater shrimp. Getting to a lake Fishing or backpacking to alpine lakes takes a lot of planning. Get a Boise, Payette, Challis or Sawtooth national forest map. Scan around the lake. `— ..–� Local book sh s have several good hiking gui&77to Idaho alpine Iljj Map out your trip, xplore the trails and hope you find`the lake you're looking for. That's what makes ex- ploring high lakes fun. The mystery in Hauling all the a getting there and the mystery in what gear: Some an kind of fish you'll find when you get glers haul a float there. tube, waders g° 4 Getting info and fins to mountain lakes The Idaho Fish and Game's Wet) to get the edge ;. page has information on what kind of on fishing. It's fish have been stocked in certain pretty heavy w alpine lakes and when the last date of gear for a 2- to 3- stocking occurred. mile hike. The page is current through 1996 but will be updated to 1998 soon. Here's how to find the page: Get on www.state-id.us/fishicrame/fishgame.h tml. Go to Fisheries. Then Historical Stocking Database. Hit Fish Species. Click on a fish tike golden trout. You'll see what lakes have been stocked J ,�s with golden trout and in what years. the maps ana looK ror idKeh uldt die at ' high elevations. Look for roads leadin to trail - �he :: heads and trails leading to lakes. z Get more detailed topo m�ps to get more information about` the land -fie.. .. - ,.�'•t .r > About 200 lakes each summer are stocked by air in August and Sep- tember. > Surprisingly, even though the growing season at high lakes is short from mid -July to October, a trout can grow to 20 inches in 6 to 7 years. That's because many of the lakes have a lot of food for trout, such as in- sects and freshwater shrimp. Getting to a lake Fishing or backpacking to alpine lakes takes a lot of planning. Get a Boise, Payette, Challis or Sawtooth national forest map. Scan Seventh sockeye returns to Idaho A seventh sockeye salmon has returned to the Stanley Basin. Fisheries biologists have not determined its gender. Six males made it back to the Sawtooth Hatchery by the end of August. Some had not yet developed the obvi- ous characteristics of salmon ready to spawn. All of them are among the first ever to return after be- ing reared in the captive breeding program. All the salmon have a coded tag that identifies them as among the 40,000 juvenile sockeye released below the hatchery and 20,000 in Redfish Lake Creek last year. One sockeye, a wild male, returned last year. The adult fish will remain at the hatchery as biologists wait to see how many more arrive. The captive broodstocks are reared at Eagle Hatchery in Idaho and a federal hatch- ery in Washington state. EXPERT TO SPEAK ABOUT LAKE CASCADE PERCH The Ada County Fish and Game League will hear about the case of missing perch in Lake Cas- cade at the league's monthly meeting Wednesday. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's trophy room at the headquarters building at 600 S. Wal- nut St. in Boise. Paul Janssen, an F &G research bi- ologist at McCall, will present an overview of the department's re- search efforts and findings in the dis- appearance of yellow perch, which nearly disappeared in Lake Cascade in the mid 1990s. Before the fisheries decline, the lake was known as a top perch fish- ery, and anglers dedicated up to 400,000 hours per year fishing for them. Janssen believes the lake's squaw - fish population has exploded and is now responsible for the crash in the perch population. He came to that conclusion after undertaking a three -year study that looked at water quality, fish para- sites, lake levels, water releases and predators. Research now points to pike min- now as the primary culprit, based on computer models of their likely pre- pj -'n couraged to attend the meeting. For more information call club president Bob Minter at 345 -3434. Copepods found on trout Statesman staff They're back ... and on Lake Cascade's trout. Small, whitish copepods less than 1/4 -inch in length are once again being found on fish tak- en from Lake Cascade. The worm -like organisms are the reproductive stage of a crus- tacean related to freshwater shrimp. "Many Idaho waters con- tain these copepods," Fish and game fisheries manager Don Anderson said. "Lake Cas- cade simply has a higher con- centration, making them more noticeable to anglers." The parasitic stage eventu- ally drops away from the fish, growing into free - swimming "shrimp- like" adult. At this life stage, the copepods find the ta- bles, turned; they are a favorite fish food. The parasites are rarely lethal to their host fish. "They must reach concen- trations of dozens on the gills of a half -pound fish to cause any damage," Anderson said. "And we usually see fewer than 10 copepods per fish." Anglers may also notice a reddish tint around the site where the copepods are at- tached, the result of skin inita- tion. The crustaceans are as com- mon as "fleas on a dog" ac- cording to Anderson and pose no threat to humans. Because only their small mouthparts actually penetrate a fish's skin, simply skinning and/or filleting the fish will ef- fectively remove the parasites from the edible portion of the fish. Adapted to cold water, the copepods die quickly if cooked; human body temper- atures are also lethal, provid- ing peace of mind to those who accidentally ingest the or- ganism. There are no plans to at- tempt eradication of the cope- pods from Lake Cascade. "In fact, we wouldn't want to," Anderson said. "The non- reproductive stage is a critical- ly important food item for all of Lake Cascade's fish, partic- ularly young trout and perch." BY ROGER PHILLIPS The Star -News Anglers searching the depths of Payette Lake for lunker lake trout are reminded by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game that new regulations are in effect. Anglers are allowed to keep only one lake trout over 36 inches, while in past years, the bag limit was six lake trout of any size. Since the department has stopped stocking lake trout, size and catch restrictions went into place this year to preserve the slow - growing fish, F &G biologist Paul Janssen said. Sur- veys of anglers last year vastly sup- ported the new regulations, he said. It takes about 26 years to grow a 36 -inch fish, Janssen said, and studies have shown that larger fish were tra- ditionally overharvested in Payette Lake. The lake currently holds few fish less than 10 years old. Janssen also encourages anglers to release legal fish since they make poor table fare. If the angler wants to mount a trophy fish, a taxidermist can duplicate it even if the fish is released so long as the angler records its length and girth. "The bottom line is, if we want to maintain a trophy fishery, we can't harvest fish unless they are really big," Janssen said. There are approximately 150 lake trout in Payette Lake carrying orange tags placed by F &G personnel. Any- one who catches a tagged fish should record the number on the tag, the length and location of the fish and turn that information into the McCall F &G office for a $10 reward. The fish should not be killed, and the tag should not be removed. Janssen also encourages all an- glers to use the following catch -and- release techniques when returning lake trout the water. • Do not fight the fish to exhaus- tion. • Bring fish up slowly the last 30 feet to let them "burp." • Plan ahead. Have pliers, camera, etc., ready. • Protect the fish's slime coating and fins by using soft rubber or mesh nets. Do not let the fish bounce on the bottom of a boat. Wet hands before handling fish and avoid _ squeezing gills or soft organs behind the gills. • If you take a picture, hold the fish horizontally with both hands. • Hold exhausted fish upright in the water until they start to struggle. Gently move them forward and back- ward to help them breathe. • If a fish is bleeding and legal size, keep it. If it is bleeding and not legal, turn it loose. as many will survive. ,�-//( /n 6 Star -News Photo by Roger Phillips F &G's Paul Janssen holds a now - protected Payette Lake lake trout. F &G puts limits s -on Payette L. trout If a lake trout comes up "bloated" with a swollen air bladder, there are several ways to ensure the fish can submerge after release. Leave the fish in the water, remove the hook- and let the fish dive on its own, or hold the fish vertically with both hands and vigorously plunge it head -first into the water. Hold the fish horizontally and gen- tly squeeze from the vent forward. Only go halfway up the belly and do not force the fish if it won't "burp." Use a weighted line with an S- hook to sink the fish back underwater. F &G has instructions available to make and use such a device. For further information, contact the F &G office at 555 Deinhard Lane in McCall or call 634 -8137. c bnq v3)1 -e`t Adi`a<fd -re _j(, Tiger muskies arrive DONNELLY -_ _ About 600 tiger muskies; the sterile offspring of a mating of a muskellunge and a northern pike, were delivered to their new home in Cascade Reservoir last week, dip net by dip net. Part of a project to hopefully one day affect the populations of squawfish and suckers in the big reservoir, the toothy and carniverous fish were released by Idaho Department of Fish and Game offi- cer George Fischer and biologist Paul Janssen last Wednesday evening. The fish were scattered by threes, fours and fives — what- ever the dip net pulled from the small tank on the IDFG boat — along weedy areas of the Gold Fork, Boulder Creek, Lake Creek and North Fork arms in the reser- voir east of Donnelly. The 9 -inch to 12 -inch fish were obtained from the fisheries depart- ment in Washington state in exchange for some crappie that IDFG officials trapped in Idaho and sent there. Otherwise, the fish would have cost the department about $1 per inch of length. The 600 fish are larger than another 2,000 fish that the agency expects to receive later this summer from the state of Pennsylvania for planting in the big lake. That has Janssen and Fischer a bit concerned that they may not fare as well over the winter as the fish released last week. What they hope will happen is that within a few years, some of those tiger muskies will grow to in excess of 20 pounds, some even reaching 30 and 40 pounds. They will then show their preference for the softer flesh of the squaw- fish and suckers and begin eating them. But, IDFG officials have said that for there to be any sort of vis- ible impact on the squawfish and sucker populations, there will need to be regular plantings of the tigers and numbers 10 times that which is planned for this summer. They also hope that anglers will recog- nize the value of the large fish and that if a sport fishery does devel- op for them, that they'll be caught and released many times before someone catches and kills them. In lakes in Washington state, the introduction of tiger muskies has improved conditions to the point that coho salmon and rain- bow trout fishing improved dra- matically because they weren't being pressured by the squawfish and suckers. Officials hope that same pat - tem develops in Cascade Reservoir. at new home Hopefully within five or six years, this young Tiger Muskie will grow to more than thirty pounds, and become a squaw fish /suck- er eating machine. This fish was one of 600 released last week into Cascade Reservoir. he %C cv76 55'a-l-Ps197Carr - `F//ol97 The Idaho Statesman The state says its efforts to help bull trout are more than enough. Bull trout decision hasldaho gasping State says its program to help restore, enhance fish, habitat was enough By Rocky Barker The Idaho Statesman Idaho officials say the state's bull trout won't get any better treatment from the federal gov- ernment than the fish are get- ting right now. And Steve Huffaker, the state's chief of fisheries, said a broad ban on fishing in bull trout habitat is out of the question. "I don't see a broad -scale clo- sure of fisheries in the cards at all," he said. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed this week to list bull trout, a fish native to much of Idaho, under the federal En- dangered Species Act. If listed, the fish's protection would force restrictions on log- ging, mining, livestock grazing, fisheries and dam operations. Taken to the extreme, some say it could mean fishing bans. The move came in response to a suit filed by two environmental groups. Idaho Gov. Phil Batt put his own bull trout plan in place in 1996 to head off federal intervention. "The state has done a tremendous amount of work and this is a big disap- pointment," said Batt's press secretary Frank Lockwood. "The people and the bull trout of Idaho would have been bet- ter off without this decision." Jean Fennell of Nampa doesn't want to see fishing shut down because of bull trout protection, but she said the fish do need to be protected from anglers. She and her husband, David, have caught bull trout in Arrowrock Reservoir and on the Middle Fork of the Boise River for years. "Last year we had to let three go," she said. "I wonder how many don't release them." Restoration of bull trout in Idaho re- quires protection of the best remaining habitat and removing barriers such as dams, which prevent bull trout from mi- grating to cooler waters. Idaho's Fish and Game has compiled a laundry list of actions it has taken in the past two years to boost bull trout. The list includes: ■ Literally picking up bull trout and carrying them to better habitat. ■ Increasing enforcement and regula- tion of fisheries. ■ Removing some smaller dams and other impediments to migration. ■ Killing brook trout, which inter- breed with bull trout. "We've really accomplished a lot," Huffaker said. The biggest problem the state has had convincing critics it is serious about protecting bull trout has been its suc- cess in protecting water quality. Idaho and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are under court order to clean up 962 river segments, including many important to bull trout. "The bull trout will not have any chance of recovery unless we make a genuine effort to restore water quality in bull trout habitat," said Don Smith of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, one of the groups that sued the Fish and Wildlife Service. /C/O lto %eminnow needs an appropriate mckname squawfish is a squawfish is a squawfish. Not anymore. A northern squawfish is offi- cially known as a northern pikeminnow. A what? A minnow? A pike what? Calling a squawfish a pikeminnow is going to take a lot of getting used to. For one thing, a northern pike is a prized game fish in northern Idaho lakes. The northern pikeminnow is considered a trash fish — a predator blamed for eating too many baby salmon and steel - head. Anglers don't like to eat pikeminnows (I can't get used to that name) because they are full of bones. So what do we do about the name? The pikeminnow needs a nickname that will stick, be easier to use, and reflect the character of the fish. 0., w.. Let's have a name - the -fish contest. More on that in a min- now (I mean minute). Let's back up. The name was officially changed in 1999 by the Names of Fishes Committee of the American Fisheries Society. It wasn't a spur -of- the - minnow (or moment) decision. Discus- sions were started in the mid - 190s. There's a movement to elimi- nate the word "squaw" from the names of Idaho places (and in this case a critter) because the word is offensive and hurtful to American Indians. This should be done. But wait a minnow (minute). " Pikeminnow" just seems like the wrong name for this fish. What about a contest for a new nickname? Let's back up again. Here's a biology lesson I got from Bill Horton, Idaho's resi- dent fisheries manager with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, that might offer some tips for selecting a new nick- name. We really can't change the of- ficial name, I guess. It was re- named a pikeminnow because it is a member of the minnow family. "Minnow" doesn't necessari- ly mean small. There are some minnows in the world weighing 300 pounds. So, the next time someone says that trout you caught looks like a minnow, take it as a compliment. The Idaho record pikeminnow is 7 pounds, 11/2 ounces. There have been some 10 pounders taken from Lake Coeur d'Alene during contests but never registered as an Idaho record. It's not the only minnow in Idaho. We've got 17 species in the minnow family, including carp, red -sided shiners, chiselmouth minnows, peamouth minnows, goldfish, chubs, tench and sev- eral kinds of dace. Seven species were intro- duced into the state. Incidental- ly, the pikeminnow (can't get used to it) is a native fish. Maybe the Fisheries Society picked " pikeminnow" because the fish has a pike -like (slender) shape? It doesn't have the big mouth of a pike. How ever the name came up, it wasn't because of taste. An- glers love pike. They hate pikeminnow. That's a bad rap because I've eaten pikeminnow (sounds ter- rible) and it was pretty good. I smoked the fish after mari- nating it in beer, molasses and a brine. It came out really tasty. Horton said he and fisheries expert Stacy Gebhards, who is now retired from F &G, pre- pared the fish and it was deli- cious. They cut the fish up into 318 - inch steaks, sprinkled a Shake 'n' Bake seasoning on them and deep fried the steaks. Pikeminnow is white and flaky when cooked. Anglers are turned off by the fish because of the bones. If the fish is taken from cold water, like Cascade Reservoir in early spring during iceout, it can be flavorful. You'll get a strong, fishy taste catching them out of warmer water. By the way, you also can improve the flavor by removing the lateral line or vein in the meat. Back to the nickname. The Pikeminnow needs a good nick- name. Mail, e-mail or fax your sug- gestion. We'll pick a winner who will receive a new spin- ning rod and reel. Label your entry "Nickname for Pikeminnow." In case several people send in the the same nickname we feel is a winner, we'll have a draw- ing from those entrants to deter- mine the winner. OK, let's name that sucker. Oops, there's already a fish in Idaho called a sucker. Pete is an outdoors writer with The Idaho Statesman. His column appears in Idaho Outdoors magazine on Thurs- day and on the outdoors page on Sunday. Contact Pete at 377 -6445 or pzimowsky@ boise.gannett.com Give the pikeminnow a nickname Send your suggestions for the pikeminnow's nickname to outdoors writer Pete Zimowsky at The Idaho Statesman. > Mail: "Nickname for Pikeminnow" c/o Zimo The Idaho Statesman P.O. Box 40 Boise, ID 83707 > E -mail: pzimowsky @ boise.gannett.com > Fax: 377 -6449 Attention: Zimo `Junkpike' has a certain ring to it Eagle man suggests nickname for the Northern pikeminnow The squawfish (oops, north - ern pikeminnow) has a newnickname. The Idaho Statesman's name- the- pikeminnow contest got flooded with 150 entries to give the poor old squawfish a cool nickname. The new nickname: Junkpike. The Statesman 's outdoors staff got hooked on this name because it's easy to remember and very catchy. Fran Gesswein of Eagle came up with " junkpike." He's an avid spin fisherman and has caught his share of trash fish, or as he likes to say, junk fish. The junkpike is considered a trash fish by anglers because it is boney, doesn't fight much on the end of a line, and competes with trout for habitat and food. It is also blamed for playing havoc with salmon and steel - head populations by preying on young fish. Gesswein, who grew up on the West Coast fishing in streams, lakes and the ocean, said he has always called trash fish "junk fish." "We'd always have junk -fish- ing contests and catch suckers and things that were awful to our native fish," Gesswein said. Gesswein moved to Idaho about six years ago. He caught his first junkpike from the Payette River and didn't know what it was. He brought it home, and his neighbors told him it was a squawfish. One of Gesswein's favorite fishing holes is Sagehen Reser- voir where he drifts and casts a spoon. His favorite spoon is a 1/8- or 1 /4-ounce Phoebe. Gesswein believes in catch - and- release fishing for trout. "No sense intakingtoo much," he said. "It's a limited re- source. We are blessed to have all this stuff, and you have to give it back." For his winning entry, Gess- wein was awarded a new Shakespeare Intrepid Titanium spinning rod and Shinano Se- dona 1000 reel. It's a good thing; he lost one of his favorite fishing rods when a fish pulled it out of the boat at Sagehen. OK, from here on out, The Statesman's outdoor staff will refer to a northern pikeminnow as a junkpike. We're going to change the name of the pikeminnow to junkpike in our official stylebook. Let's make this official statewide. I'd like Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to declare the squawfish or pikeminnow offi- cially nicknamed the junkpike. It's got a real ring to it. This whole thing got started because there's a movement to eliminate the word "squaw" from the names of places (and in this case a critter) because the word is offensive to American Indians. The name of the squawfish was officially changed to "northern pikeminnow" in 1999 by the Names of Fishes Com- mittee of the American Fish- eries Society. But that name is dumb. Now we've got a good nickname. It was tough deciding on the nickname. Readers cast out a lot of good suggestions. A favorite was "rubberlip" by John Fleischer of Boise. Several readers suggested "squawk fish" or "squawker." Very clever. The noise squawfish make when being taken off the hook is definitely a squawk, said Dale E. Crosby of Mountain Home. "Eggsucker" was another good entry by Gary Pickens, an avid Idaho hunter and angler. Pete Zimowsky /The Idaho Statesman Angling for junkfish: The Idaho Statesman's Outdoors team chose Fran Gesswein's entry, 'junkfish,' as the winner in the name - the - pikeminnow contest. Patricia K. Hamm of Kuna likes "mustard fish" because it's yellowish in color, "and besides, it tastes good when slathered with Dijon mustard before cooking," she said. "Hey, maybe `Dijon fish' would be better!" On of my favorites was "zimo- bony" by F. Gordon Fouch of Nampa. It would be cool to have a pikeminnow named after you. "Fat -lipped minnow" by Randy and Shelley Bartlett, was catchy. Several readers liked `bone- fish" or "bonehead." The longest nickname came from R.J. Moffat, Meridian. He suggested "Northamericanyel- lowbellysuckerupper." Of course, politics got in on the contest with "Clintontrout," "Chens," "Chenofish," "Craig - fish," "Crapo" and "corpsfish." There was "thump and re- lease," "trashbone," "Petefish" and "Utah salmon." "I think `Jill fish' would be a good nickname for pikeminnow as we have `Jack Fish' and `Dolly Fish, "' said Virg Gilderoy. "And pikeminnow had a female name before." We also got a number of en- tries telling us that the name "squawfish" should not be changed. "Spinnow" by Barbara Boga- rd of Mountain Home was real- ly cool. Here are a few more: "Valbois sucker," "Northern squish," "The reaper," "the grim reaper" and "boneypike." And, finally. The Statesman's outdoor staff, Bridget Lux, Roger Phillips and myself, were very honored by R. Keith Mur- phy's suggestion of "Zimphilux minnow." He also suggested "Zimominnow." I guess I'll go junk fishing for junkpike. Pete is an outdoors writer with The Idaho Statesman. His column appears in Idaho Outdoors magazine on Thurs- day and on the outdoors page on Sunday. Contact Pete at 377 -6445 or pzimowshy@ boise.gannett.com Fish &Game meefing 100 learn about proposal to drain &aws crowd Lake Cascade — By Pete Zimowsky The Idaho Statesman A proposal to drain Lake Cascade wasn't an easy sell for Idaho Fish and Game Wednesday night. A crowd of 100 people packed the trophy room at state Fish and Game head- quarters in Boise to learn more about a plan to restore perch and trout fishing at the state's fourth largest reser- voir, and many people had questions. The last of three meetings about the draining didn't only lure anglers. Cabin owners, irrigators, river outfitters, en- vironmental engineers and biologists also wanted to know what the plan, which will kill unwanted fish, will entail. "We aren't going to be able to use the lake for two sum- mers," said Tom Turner, who is a property owner at Cas- cade. "I'd like to see reassur- ance they (Fish and Game) won't have to do it every 10 years." Anglers tend to favor the project. "We're in support of it," said Allan Chandler, who rep- resented the Idaho Bass Fed- eration. "It's a good thing for the fishery. It can be rebuilt." Before Fish and Game and the Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the reservoir, can drain it, they must com- plete an in -depth environ- mental impact statement showing how a drawdown might affect wildlife, com- munities and businesses. The agencies will consider con- ments from the meetings when they begin developing the envi- ronmental impact statement in May. More public comments will be taken after the draft statement is completed. The final statement is scheduled for May 2004. Dale Allen, a biologist with Fish and Game, said the earliest the reservoir could be drained — if all the paperwork and public com- ments go smoothly — would be November 2004. "We aren't going to be able to use the lake for two summers. I'd like to see reassurance they won't have to do it every 10 years." Tom Turner, property owner at Cascade N7% "We're in support of it. It's a good thing for the fishery. It can be rebuilt." Allan Chandler, Idaho Bass Federation representative To fix the reservoir, it would have to be drained in the fall and the remaining water and fish would be poisoned with Rotenone, a chemical that suffocates fish. Game fish, such as yellow perch and trout, would be restocked in the spring as the reservoir fills. Lake Cascade was a red -hot perch fishing area until the mid - 1990s. Then the perch fishery crashed because of poor water quality and heavy predation from the northern pikeminnow. Fishing at Lake Cascade at- tracted thousands of anglers, who spent an estimated $7 million an- nually, according to F &G records. Spending since has fallen to about $1 million per year. Nearly half a million perch were harvested annually in the 1980s; that number dropped to almost zero in 1996. Dick Rogers of Boise, who is an environmental engineer, said draining is a good start to restore fishing at the reservoir, but he wants work to continue to improve environmental quality at Lake Cas- cade. Warm water and algae blooms also are blamed for killing fish. Kate Westerman, who sails a lot at Lake Cascade, also had reser- vations about the project. "I'm concerned with the idea," she said. What they're saying... Leslie Turner Interest: Prop- erty owner at Lake Cascade. Opinion: "My thought is that if it becomes a ma- jor fishery, it will help property values. But I am concerned about the chemical on the food supply of bald eagles and other wildlife. The impact on the envi- ronment is a concern." Mel Reimers Interest: An an- .glerfrom Boise. Opinion: "We're in favor of it. Make it like it used to be." Dick Rogers 5 Interest: Angler and environmental engineer from Boise. Opinion: "The treating of the A reservoir is a good start, but we have to improve water c ual ity. We have to get the nutrients out." Kim Pierce Interest: A cabin owner at Donnelly. Opinion: "It ca n't get a ny worse. Asa kid, I was able to fish off the dock and catch fish. I see it as an activity my children can do if there were perch in there." Rising Population Pressured GROWING POPULATION PUT MOUNTING PRESSURES ON IDAHO'S LAKES AND 51 KrLAma ... oldtimers, like those above, thought the supply of fish was limitless Idaho's prehistoric and later In- "Fresh Fish! Fresh Fish! The un- dian peoples relied heavily on fish dersigned, having refitted their as a staple. The area's lakes and Payette and Boise fisheries, are streams literally teemed with fish now prepared to furnish the citizens in those long -ago, unspoiled days. of Boise City and vicinity with the Native human populations were best fish that the waters of Idaho never large enough to affect very afford. We will have fresh fish for much the abundant runs of salmon a1daho in Idaho rivers, even though they harvested enough with nets, traps and spears to last until the next Yeys season. With the coming of white men, fishing for sport and profit re- Brt placed fishing for subsistence. The pages of The Idaho States- man over the past century are liber- sale on Main street every Saturday ally sprinkled with references to morning by 5, o'clock until further fish and fishing, giving us clear his- torical documentation of the mount- notice." ing pressures placed upon Idaho's Although the ,Salmon run was streams and lakes by the growing over, in mid November 1871, fish population and its attitude toward a were still plentiful on Main Street. resource that seemed limitless. "Salmon trout, mountain trout, and In October 1868, dried "red- tailed a species called whitefish" were all salmon trout — from one to two available. "The latter are excellent feet long" from Payette Lakes were at this time of the year, and many offered for sale in front of Hart's pronounce them better eating than Exchange Hotel at 7th and Idaho trout' The Statesman said. The streets. There are many mentions Klingbach brothers were still bring - in the years that follow of the large ing to fish regularly in February numbers of fish brought to Boise 1872, with whitefish apparently the and sold out of wagons on the favorite among Boise customers. By street. In August 1871, the Kling- the fall of 1872, rival fishermen At- bach brothers ran an ad in the well & Smith were selling redfish paper that read: from Payette Lakes on the streets of Boise. An exotic touch was reported in November 1872: "A wagon load of fish arrived in twon Sunday morn- ing, and met with ready sale. When we last saw the peddler, however, he still had about nineteen feet of something that looked like a skinned mule, though we are told that the proper name for it is stur- geon." Giant sturgeon continued to make news from year to year, but were rarely plentiful enough to be sold commercially. Fish by the wagonload are often mentioned. In fact, one James Hennity advertised in 1874 that he was prepared to supply fish "by the ton, load, or any other quantity" at his place on Snake River. Most of these fish were caught with nets, but there were other methods: "Fishing by concussion is becom- ing quite a profitable as well as amusing pastime," The Statesman reported in March 1870. "One blast of giant powder near the lower crossing last week turned up over fifty pounds of fine salmon trout." The paper then printed in detail a. guide for others who might want to try this "amusing pastime." 1 4"A� ¢/i 3/;�o 3 A fish i*s a fish i*s a fish — except i*n Idaho ilceminnows are, well, ugh. Perch are delicious. Carp are terrible. Trout are fantastic. Suckers are, well, what can you say? A fish is a fish is a fish, right? Not so in Idaho. What makes a game fish a game fish and a trash fish a trash fish? It makes you kind of won- der, as the Idaho Depart- ment of Fish and Game pro- poses to drain Lake Cascade to kill off the pikeminnows and suckers and restore the perch and trout fishing. In case you've been fish- ing for galactic guppies on Mars and haven't heard about the draining of the reservoir, here's the deal. Anglers want perch, trout and coho at Lake Cascade. Otherwise, why did they spend $7 million annually to dunk a worm in the popular reservoirwhen the fishing was good back in the mid - 1990s? Lake Cascade was a super perch fishing hole before what biologists are referring to as the "crash," or disap- pearance. I can remember when it was a super trout and coho salmon fishing area, too. You couldn't go out on the reservoir during the ice fish- ing season and not see an- glers with huge messes of coho, rainbows and perch on the ice. You'd fish at different depths for different fish. The perch were usually on the bottom. The coho, a lot of times, were cruising the sur- face. And the trout were KM ZIMOWSKY Commentary somewhere in the varying depths. It was the best darn fishing hole in Southwest Idaho. My kids loved catching perch through the ice. I loved the taste of those two -pound rainbows fresh out of the cold waters. It also was an easy place to catch perch from the bank in the summer. But water quality went ka- put. Pikeminnows went wild gobbling up all the young perch, and warm water and algae took their toll on the fish. And we've ended up with a fishless fishery. But the important thing is that anglers are willing to spend millions of dollars a year to fish for perch and trout at Cascade Reservoir. That money is something that is injected into the econ- omy. They're not willing to spend millions of dollars to catch pikeminnows. Could you imagine if Fish and Game had a hatchery program to raise pikeminnows, instead of trout, for stocking? Could you imagine if an- glers spent $80 million an- nually to catch suckers in- stead of salmon? It does make you wonder how some fish end up being preferred over others by an- glers. Why are some fish de- spised? Even though pikeminnows are native Idahoans, anglers don't like them because they're bony and too difficult to eat. They also don't fight at the end of a line and come in Re a log after they are hooked. Perch are outsiders; they were introduced to the state. But anglers really like them because there is no limit on them, they taste good, and they're easy to fil- let. You can stock the freez- er with fillets when perch fishing is good. Walleye is another out- sider. It was introduced in Idaho. Although they are bony fish, anglers like them because they fight well on the end of the line. They taste pretty good, too. Carp are not native to Ida- ho but really took over. Can you believe that someone actually brought carp into the state in the late 1800s? Although most Idaho an- glers hate carp, they are be- coming popular as a big fish with plenty of fight. Fly anglers are starting to fish for them for the sport. Although Idaho anglers don't think they are good eating, other cultures around the world think they are great. I remember eating carp fillets and being surprised that they tasted pretty good. Of course, the fish came out of a fast, clear, clean river. Oh,yeah ... Iwas apoorcol- lege student then, and any- thing tasted great. Pikeminnows also can taste good. I remember smoking pikeminnows from Lake Cascade and finding the fish delicious.I soaked them in my favorite brine ofbeer, molasses, salt and spices. Some anglers have pre- pared pikeminnows by cut- ting them up in %a -inch steaks, sprinkling a Shake'n' Bake seasoning, and deep frying them. Whitefish are another na- tive fish that really bum out some trout anglers. They complain that whitefish compete with trout for food and habitat. Whitefish are an environ- mental barometer for rivers and streams and an impor- tant part of the environment. They're sure good when they are smoked. I wouldn't eat a deep -fried whitefish because whitefish tend to be oily. But that's what makes them good when they are smoked. Mountain suckers also are native to Idaho, but anglers hate them. They have an important job. They eat algae. But as far as being a garhe fish, no way. Yup, this whole thing about what fish is a game fish and what fish tastes better is a real whirlpool to ponder. But having the best pikeminnow fishery really doesn't do much for generat- ing interest in fishing and the tourism economy. Pete is an outdoors writerwith Theldaho Statesman. His col- umn appears inldaho Out- doors magazine on Thursday and on the Idaho Outdoors page on Sunday. ContactPete at pzimowsky @idaho states - man.comor377 -6445 F &G to kill trash fish in Little Payette Lake feeder stream BY MICHAEL WELLS The Star News Idaho Department of Fish & Game fisheries managers will poison a section of upper Lake Fork Creek above Little Payette Lake to kill northern pikeminnow and suckers that are affecting the rainbow trout population. The department is seeking public comment on its plan, said Paul Janssen, a fisheries man- agement biologist for the department. Little Payette Lake is located east of McCall on the edge of the city limits. The treatment with the chemical Rotenone may begin as early as next week in the stream, Janssen said. The treatments will begin when fisheries officials begin seeing northern pikeminnow and suckerfish in the creek. If the fish are not present in the creek next week, the departmenthas askedforpermission to use the poison into June to eradicate the two problem fish. Fisheries managers will poison the creek from the Browns Pond dam to the lake, Janssen said. The poison will kill some tiger musky and smallmouth bass in the lake before it dilutes in the lake, Janssen said. "We would expect to kill some fish of all species where Rotenone treated stream inflows enters the lake and before it has a chance to be diluted," said an application the Idaho Depart- ment of Environmental Quality. DEQ would issue the permit to Fish & Game. Rotenone is a fish poison used by the department to eradicate undesirable fish populations. Northernpikeminnows andlarge scale suck- ers compete with rainbow trout for space and food in Little Payette Lake. The competition reduces the survival and growth rates of the rainbow trout, a popular sport fish. The lake was last treated with the poison in 1987, Janssen said. Afterthattreatment, anglers caught more and bigger rainbow trout. "The rainbow trout fishery is now virtually non - existent," Janssen said. Rainbow trout are stocked in the lake each year, but the fish do not fare well with the increased competition from the northern pikeminnows and large scale suckers. Anglers are hard to find on the lake, because of the diminished rainbow trout fishery. Fisheries managers hope that the Rotenone treatment will increase the growth and survival rates and restore the rainbow trout fishery for area anglers. Citizens wishing to comment on the plan to eradicate the fish can contact the McCall office of Fish & Game at 634 -8137. Kokanee (Continued from Page A -7) with a hand -held counter count- ing the fish in the river. The average kokanee run since 1988 has been 30,000 fish and F &G's goal is to have about 20,000 kokanee spawning in the river. The largest run of kokanee was in 1997 when 65,000 kokanee spawned in the river. Last year, only 9,650 kokanee made the trek. That number prompted Janssen to stock 87,000 kokanee fingerlings in Payette Lake early this summer. Those additional fish will not be of spawning age until 2009 or 2010, he said. The department plans to stock 200,000 to 300,000 kokanee finger- lings in the lake each year for the next three years to see if the spawning numbers increase. "We would like to feed our lake trout and have big enough kokanee to be a game fish," Jans- sen said of the fish's dual role in the lake. "We are looking to stock for three or four years in a row to give this generation of fish a boost." The stocked kokanee are from spawned kokanee in Deadwood Reservoir. Each year the Nampa Fish Hatchery sends a field crew to put in a temporary trap to capture spawning kokanee. They then harvest fertilized kokanee eggs to grow in the hatchery for stocking statewide. "We are seeing smaller fish on average than we used to," Janssen said. "We attribute that to lower productivity in the lake due to homes being on a sewer system rather than septic systems. This has created cleaner water with less nutrients, so the fish are smaller." Usually when a run of ko- kanee is low in number, the fish are larger, Janssen said. Smaller female kokanee only hold a couple of hundred eggs per fish, while larger ones can carry up to 1,500 eggs, he said. An F &G study in the early 1990s determined that the fish have a 20- percent survival rate from egg to fry, which is "pretty good" for a natural stream, he said. Lake trout eat kokanee in the lake, but lake trout numbers in the lake have stayed relatively constant over the past 14 years, Janssen said. He disagrees with the idea that lake trout are deci- mating the kokanee population. Kokanee die after spawning, as do all Pacific salmon. The eggs hatch about five months after the September spawning season. The kokanee fry swim to Payette Lake as soon as high water flow from snowmelt arrives in April and May, Janssen said. Kokanee are a fresh -water form of sockeye salmon that never go to sea. Kokanee in Pay- ette Lake have been cutoff from the Pacific Ocean by dams on the Payette and Snake Rivers for almost a century. In the past, Payette Lake and the North Fork of the Payette River was home to both sockeye and kokanee salmon. Sockeye salmon are a larger fish than kokanee. Kokanee average about 10 to 14 inches, although some can grow up to 20 inches. Sockeye salmon average about 21 to 26 inches with some as large as 33 inches. Page r l Photo 6e The Gtr -Neva by D ®GAl - TR(: )PHY TR()Irl' - hhke Koawsla of h[ct .III sholcx on the lm u 4v Lout lie caught on Sohn (lay at tw lust auwtal Lasr.KI, Ict Fwhlyg Iter % held uu Lake Cascade vu wla lxtkdw 13 a-Iwtaxl sixclmru to for hotRfwlnug hlatt Kwllhn'of +S'enil'e. of reeled m a _ _r- lwtmdpnrh to ttw the adult categoq for pelrh Conwig ul woud was Rob look of Nampa at i 9it Iwmlch;. wcl Fwlk-a of Doze t th a r 87-potmd fwb .take ILvl)t of hIm&Au caught a t 44•Potn)d perch w the 7rout1 catrgoq- Tegau Rylphgger of Aln au uh was ueA at r.3.; potmd, wd Bwen Lougwoltln- of hlnuhau hauled w a r -Y_'- potulder llxeeffoltl, wl Mora troll 48+x- for wit -ar8 hflh auuu d Ycatth Ice Fwhwg Day brkl by klalw Youth fAltdools http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /outdoors_page.phA p 1/31/2013 Outdoors Page The StarNews Base man pull state record perch from Lake Cascade BY Rix :ER PHILLIPS for The Star -Neccs Luke Spaete didn't win a recent ice fishing derby at Lake Cascade, but he got a pretty good consolation prize - the new state record perch. Spaete's fish weighed 2 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 15 1/2 inches, topping the old record of 2 pounds, 9.6 ounces and 15 1/2 inches that was first set in 1976 at Wilson Lake in Jerome County. It was not a case of beginner's luck. Spaete, of Boise, has spent about 10 days fishing at Lake Cascade this winter. Spaete and other ice anglers have consistently been pulling fish over two pounds from the reservoir, and it's been expected for several years to produce the next state record. Lida Spaete shoo-, off Ina state -record perch Spaete was fishing on Feb. 15 and had landed 13-1/2 -inch and 14 -inch perch thathera❑ghtmLake when he saw a bigger fish appear on his fish finder at about 25 feet depth. (7wvade "All of the sudden all the little ones went away, and this giant mark showed up," he said. "It was one giant blob, and I thought, 'Don't miss this one.'" The fish hit his lure, a Hali Slender Spoon, which had a small, light hook, and Spaete worried the hook might straighten before he got the fish to the surfsoe. When he pulled it through the ice, "its belly and dorsal fin were scraping the sides of the 8-inch hole," he said. He knew it was a big fish and fat (it had a 13 -inch girth), but "I really didn't think of it being a state record." Spaete, 30, is a geosciences researcher at BSU who moved to Idaho from Michigan in 2009. He grew up ice fishing in the Midwest, and said he was surprised how good it is in Idaho. (Roger Phillips is a reporter with The Idaho Statesman, where this story originally appeared.) http : / /www.mccallstarnews.com/pages /outdoors _page.php Page I of I 2/27/2014 Outdoors Page The StarNews Page I of I State perch record broken again at Lake Cascade Eagle resident Tia Wiese recently landed a perch that weighed 2 pounds 11.68 ounces while fishing at Lake Cascade. The fish measured 15.75 inches with a yr.j T girth of 12.75 inches., . Luke Spaete of Boise broke the old state record perch on Feb. 15 with a 2 pound, 11 ounce perch. Before Spaete's fish, the old record had stood for 38 years, but was tied once. Coincidentally, Gary Wiese, Tie's father, also broke the old state record a day Pbom by Tom MsGiadm TintC,ea MAhef after Spaete, but his fish was smaller than Spaete's. r cmd_settnwIM-ch (Note: This story was originally reported in The Idaho Statesman.) http: / /u,,�ww.mccallstarnews.com/pages /outdoors _page.php 3/6/2014 Outdoors Page The StarNews Lake Cascade perch certified as world record Eagle girl, 12, caught lunker last March BY STEVE LIEBENTHAL for The Star-News When 12- year -old Tia Wiese went ice fishing with her father last March, she expected to catch some big fish, but probably had no idea she would set a new world record. Wiese and her father, Gary, had been hitting Lake Cascade regularly, knowing that giant perch were being caught on a regular basis. On March 1, 2014 father and daughter, who live in Eagle, were set up on the ice when a line went screaming off one of their tip-up rods. The fish got tangled up in two other lines, but through teamwork, Tia was able to land the giant perch. "She was really excited," Gary said. "She was jumping up and down" "I couldn't quit smiling; Tia said. "It was the biggest perch I've seen. I was kind of hoping it was a state record." The yellow perch became the new state record, weighing in at 2 pounds 11.68 ounces. While hunting in Wisconsin, Gary Wiese visited the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisc., where he discovered the world record for yellow perch caught ice fishing with a tip-up was 2 pounds 6 ounces in Sheep Pond, Mass. "I didn't know there were records like ice fishing," said. 1 , fE'� 4f'a Po byG—W- Tia Wiese holds the —Id- record perch w ghing 2 pounds, 11.68 ounces that she caught in take Cascade last Mareh. So, he submitted an application for Tie's catch, and it was recently confirmed as the largest yellow perch caught while ice fishing using a tip -up rod anywhere in the world. "He told me over the phone," she said. "1 was laughing so hard I was crying. It was funny." This record fish is the result of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's dedication to restoring the perch fishery at Lake Cascade that started more than a decade ago. In the late 1990s, fishery managers recognized that Lake Cascade's perch population had depleted dramatically. Thousands of yellow perch were released into Lake Cascade, and those fish successfully spawned, beginning a rapid recovery of the lake's perch population. Fifteen years later, Lake Cascade has a strong population of yellow perch, and last year anglers were regularly catching fish weighing two pound. (Steve Liebenthaf is the Public Information Specialist/Social Media Coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.) Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /outdoors _page.php 1/22/2015 Star -News News Outdoors Page Nampa youth nabs largest -ever fish at Howdy's derby Henry Huff of Nampa last weekend caught the largest fish ever snagged in the 21 years of the Howdy's Gas and Grub Fishing Derby in Cascade. Huff, 15, caught his winning fish off Crown Point on Cascade Lake. The 27 -inch lunker weighed in at 8.96 pounds and earned Huff $300. The next largest trout was 19 inches and weighed 3.65 pounds. Here is the list of winners and prize money during the weekend's fishing derby. Home towns were not available. Adult Trout: 1. Henry Huff ($300), 8.96 pounds, 27 inches. 2. Mandy Wilson ($200), 3.65 pounds, 19 inches. 3. John Edwards. 4. Ed Trusty. 5. Steve Johnson. 6. Luke Spaete. Junior Trout: 1 Damien Morrison ($100), 3.4 pounds, 20 inches. 2. Ularic Hoard ($50), 3.34 pounds, 20 -112 inches. 3. Morgan Hines. 4 Rylee Foster. 5. Stuey Derrick. 6. Boone Bade. Stringer of Three Perch by Weight: 1. Greg Hunter ($150), 4.2 pounds. 2 Carter Hull ($100), 4.14 pounds. 3. Gary Tuttle. 4. Hayden Hull. 5. Chad Lansing. 6. Deborah Bryerton. Page 1 of 1 �f/3v rchive_ 2015/ 04 _30_15_webedition/Copy %20of %... -9 12015 . t gar 0 0 ff CD tU CZ (D cn 13 r1pq Lild Vo( 17-1 A' 4j!F, O Jo Ir 44 fo A s. . t gar 0 0 ff CD tU CZ (D cn 13 r1pq Lild Vo( 17-1 Page 1 of 1 PLAYING AROUND P6ob fa the Sm -Nm. q Gay E— BODY LANGUAGE - Charlie Speirs, 6, of McCall, does a dance to try and comwce a fish to snag his hook during Free Fishing Day on Saturday at Northwest Passage Pond at Ponderosa State Park. Free fishing was allowed statewide by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, with special events held in McCall, New Meadows and Cascade. loors _page.php 6/18/2015 Star -News News Main News Page Donnelly man catches new record perch from Lake Cascade Skye Coulter catches fish that is nearly 3 pounds, 15 -518 inches BY ROGER PHILLIPS for The Star-News It's no longer rumor or speculation whether Lake Cascade will break another state record - it happened Feb. 26. Skye Coulter of Donnelly landed a 2- pound, 15.36 -ounce yellow perch that topped Tia Weise's previous state record of 2 pounds, 11.68 ounces, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Coulter's record fish was 15 5/8- inches long with a girth of 13 -1/4 inches. He caught it on a worm. Weise still holds the catch- and - release yellow perch record of 16- inches, which she set on Feb. 7. Because that fish was released, there was no official weight. Cascade has consistently produced trophy perch in the last two years. Before 2014, the state record had stood for 38 years, but it has been topped at least four times in the last two years by perch caught in the reservoir. Lake Cascade has been a success story for perch fishing and anglers since it was overhauled in the early 2O0Os. Fish and Game crews removed tons of unwanted fish, mostly northern pikeminnows, and transplanted 850,000 adult perch. Those transplants sparked a perch revival that produced billions of young perch which not only recovered the perch population, but also provided a flourishing food base for other game fish in the reservoir. Fish and Game surveyed Lake Cascade in the fall of 2015 and found about 27 percent of the perch were over 12 inches long, and 8 percent were over 14 inches long. With that many large perch, biologists suspected a new state record was Irving there. t -, Skn Cw Skye Coulter holds the 2- pound, 15.36 -ounce perch he pulled from Lake Cascade on Feb. 26. It will be interesting to see how long Coulter's record stands considering the four fish caught in the last two years that topped the 38 -year record fish were landed in February and March. Idaho anglers now have two ways to get their name in the state record books. Large fish that are harvested and weighed on a certified scale qualify for weight records. Fish that are released can be photographed with the fish and a tape measure in the photo and entered Into the catch- and - release records, which are ranked by length. Fish and Game started the catch- and - release records in January, and there are still many blanks remaining to be filled. (Roger Phillips is a public information specialist with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.) Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstarnews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 3/3/2016 Outdoors Page Adults, youths haul in lunkers at Howdy's Fishing Derby Adult and youth anglers displayed their best catches during Howdy's Gas & Grub's 22nd annual Lake Cascade Fishing Derby held last weekend. Howdy's paid out cash prizes as well as gift giveaways. Here are the top finishers in each category: Largest Trout: Adults - 1. Terry Perryman, Cascade, 22 inches long, 4.91 lbs., $300. 2. Tim Peak, Caldwell, 21 inches, 4.36 lbs., $200. 3. Cliff Wilson, Nampa, 21 inches, 4.08 lbs. 4. Jeff Thurston, Cascade, 23.5 inches, 4.04 lbs. 5. Hector Valverde, Caldwell, 20.5 inches, 4.03 lbs. 6. Carrie Oakes, Cascade, 22 inches, 3.92 lbs. Largest Trout: Juniors - 1. Kysen Thurston, Boise, 22 inches, 3.83 lbs., $100. 2. Madison Burke, Cascade, 20.5 inches, 3.29 lbs., $50. 3. Freddy Alvarez, Donnelly, 19 inches, 3.08 lbs. 4. Chris Munson, Eagle, 20 inches, 2.97 lbs. 5. Boone Bade, Emmett, 19 inches, 2.97 lbs. 6. Kelsea Oakes, Cascade, 21.5 inches, 2.94 lbs. Perch (greatest weight for three fish) - 1. Lauren Limbeck, Boise, 4.7 lbs., $150. 2. Dennis Amburgy, Donnelly, 4.66 lbs., $100. 3. Jaden Knitkle, Caldwell, 4.4 lbs. 4. Kristin Lutzke, Boise, 4.38 lbs. 5. Christine Waters, Meridian, 4.02 lbs. 6. Linda Smith, Nampa, 3.90 lbs. Back To Index/Menu A*jr Ikom fa Thc SY-Newa by n..Y F+ha Kaitlyn Perez of McCall looks on anxiously as her trout is weighed on Sunday at the Rowdy's Gas and Grub Fishing Derby. s _page.php Page 1 of 1 Star -News News Outdoors Page FIRST FISH r'dY�, 4 Y a fa>Msm.ry by r Dan Frahm, 6, of Council, exults in catching his first fish as his father, Tim Frahm, looks on during Saturday's Free Fishing Day at the pond at MeadowCreek Golf Resort near New Meadows. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game waived the requirement for a fishing license for the day, frith other special event held in McCall and Cascade. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccalistamews.com/pages /outdoors —Page.php 6/16/2016 Star -News News Outdoors Page Page 1 of 1 The Lure of the Lunker Anglers line South Fork during 17-day Chinook salmon season BY MONICA GOKEY for The Star -News Utah angler Ken Dane waited all afternoon to see a Chinook salmon. When a pod of three finally swam in front of his line, the excitement among his fishing buddies was electric. But the fishermen's enthusiasm was matched by total apathy on the part of the fish. They lazily meandered t upstream to take shelter in the shadows, seemingly oblivious to the colorful lures cast in front of them. y !' 6 ti. Dane and his friends were among the hundreds of anglers ~ who lined the South Fork hoping to hook a prized Chinook 1 FU during the 17-day season that ended on Monday. The season was closed when sport fishermen caught _ about 1,100 fish. The same number may be caught by the Shoshone - Bannock and Nez Perce tribes, Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologist Kim Apperson said. Fishery managers keep a close eye on the run of the Chinook, which were listed in 1992 as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act. 1 Fish raised in hatcheries make up the bulk of the run, and r '4y they are the only salmon sport anglers are allowed to keep. Wild salmon are allowed to complete their journeys from the nm cs rn sm -n. nr r,�.na Pacific Ocean in order to spawn in the gravel beds of the Brad Brooks nets his brother's catch of a 34.5 -inch South Fork. Chinook salmon on the South Fork of the Salmon River last weekend. To tell the difference, fish raised in hatcheries have their adipose fin, located on their backs near the tail, clipped before they are released. Mid vs. Natural Hatchery- raised fish interbreed with the 'wild" fish, and biologists manage that genetic integration, Apperson said. Biologists like Apperson are reluctant to use the term 'wild" anymore. The new vocabulary is "natural" salmon. Driving up the South Fork, burnt trees stick out of the landscape like porcupine quills. The 2007 Cascade Complex Fire burned 302,000 acres of the river basin, resulting in a nutrient flush that has likely benefited the Chinook run, Apperson said. The burnt landscape also opened the riverbed, making fishermen easier to spot than their game. "We have had some days where the average is three to five hours to catch a salmon," Apperson said. But 10 to 15 hours per fish is more typical of decent fishing in the South Fork, she said. Anglers spent about 25,000 hours fishing for Chinook during the 17-day season, according to F&G estimates. On Saturday, brothers Kurtis and Brad Brooks of Boise wetted a line at one of the few vacant pull -outs on the river. Defying the odds, Kurtis hooked a 34.5 -inch Chinook on his first cast. It took several minutes to wrestle the dappled, olive-green behemoth to shore where his brother was waiting with a net. Both men could hardly believe their luck. Earlier in the week, Dane's group didn't have the same luck as the Brooks brothers. Just one angler had a fish in the cooler - Curtis Bair of Preston bagged a 30 -inch Chinook. Decades of chasing Idaho salmon seemed to have paid off for Bair. "My wife won't eat any other fish," he said with a laugh. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /outdoors _page.php 7/7/2016 THE CLEARWATER HATCHERY For New Life uA ,I , Clearwater River and the main Clearwater River. It is at this confluence that the Clearwater Fish Hatchery raises chinook salmon and steelhead trout —two species of fish which struggle to survive the challenges posed by hydroelectric dams and altered habitat. Like "two rivers joined," this hatchery makes possible a world in which the needs "For New Life" of both people and fish can be fulfilled. To compensate for salmon and steelhead losses attributed to the construction and operation of four hydroelectric dams on the Lower Snake River, Congress passed legislation in 1976, authorizing the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan. Under the plan, construction of 12 hatcheries com- menced throughout the Snake River Basin. The Clearwater Fish Hatchery, operated by I & Game, is administered and funded by the Service through revenue om the sale of electricity generated at the four Lower Snake River dams. Revenues are collectec refunded to the U.S. Treasury for operation of all Lower Snake River Compensation Plan facilities. CI , the last of Lower Snake River Compensation Plan facilities, and its three satellite trapping and smolt acclimation stations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, began in June 1986 and was completed in December 1991. This hatchery, with its fully integrated 30,600 square foot concrete hatchery building, 77,000 cubic feet of concrete outdoor salmon raceways and 216,000 cubic feet of concrete outdoor steelhead raceways is the latest and largest state -of- the -art facility to be added to the 11 existing mitigation hatcheries commissioned under the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan. 11 Above: Primary and secondary water supply pipes on theface of Dworshak Dam. Right. De gassing towers remove harmfid nitrogenfrom the water before use in the hatchery. L, , Dam, the Clearwater Fish Hatchery depends only on gravity for a constant year -round flow of cool, clean water. Water is supplied from the reservoir through a 36 -inch diameter primary intake pipe and an 18 -inch diameter secondary intake pipe. Collectively, more than 39,600 gallons per minute are available from Dworshak Reservoir for the hatchery's annual design capacity of nearly four million fish. I f Accessing the Dworshak Reservoir water required drilling two holes in the dam, a three -foot and a two -foot diameter hole, well below the operating water levels of the reservoir. These two rather large holes in the existing 717 -foot high Dworshak Dam were drilled through a 25 -foot thick section of the dam, 254 -feet below the top of the dam. This task posed an engineering challenge to obtain water and, at the same time, maintain the safety of the dam. By taking into account seasonal variations of water temperature at different depths in the reservoir, hatchery biologists can raise and lower the 48 inch diameter flexible primary intake pipe to provide water at a relatively constant 56 degrees. The secondary 18 -inch intake pipe, perma- nently located at the bottom of the reservoir, provides water at about 40 degrees. The gravity-fed water is de- pressurized, oxygenated and mixed at the hatchery to the precise temperatures required for each of its four distribution sites. This water, "the hatchery's life - blood," is the most important ingredient, "For New Life" Spring chinook grow rapidly on rich food while spending from one to three years in the North Pacific Ocean. Some grow to as much as five feet in length and weigh up to 145 1,_ k DWORSHAK pounds. Spring chinook, also known as king salmon, are the largest and most power- Z:LEARWATER RESERVOIR ful swimmer of the salmon family. HATCHERY oroa� W to the waters of her origin. She will be carrying 4,000 to 6,000 eggs and will not eat 12 during her 600 -miles of battling strong river flows; predators, dams, harvest and other obstacles, in order to arrive at the spawning grounds where she hatched and emerged from the gravels years earlier. Above: Steelhead raceways are servicedfrom two traveling bridges used infeedingthefish and cleaning the raceways. This annual spawning migration of adult spring chinook occurs from March through September. In August and September, eggs and sperm are collected from the returning adult spring chinook by the Clearwater Fish Hatchery staff. Three trapping and acclimation stations, Powell, Red River and Crooked River satellites, each over 120 miles from the Clearwater Fish Hatchery, are required for the trap- ping and successful spawning of these returning adult salmon. A portion of all chinook entering these traps are allowed to swim further upstream to spawn naturally in the wild. The remaining trapped fish are held at their respective trapping station until they are ready to spawn, usually sometime between mid - August and mid - September. Kamiah CLEARWATE NATIONAL FOREST K—kia 95 \/ \ NEZ Crooked PIERCE ��" NATIONAL a Grangeville �i a FOREST HUMP During this period, the Clearwater staff spawns the trapped spring chinook - one female to one male, taking steps to prevent inbreeding problems and insure genetic diversity. Each spring, these returning adult fish from the Powell, Red River and Crooked River traps will supply eggs for the Clearwater production program. These extremely delicate eggs are collected and transported to the hatchery in f special containers. D spring is increased substantially over their wild counterparts through the technical knowledge of hatchery biologists and the modern technology of today's hatchery. From mid - .August to January the incubator room, with water flowing through its 480 -trays at 480 gallons per minute, is an extremely secure environment. Each tray holds the fertilized eggs of one, (sometimes two), female chinook. With about 5,400 Above inset rjght: 190 s ware eggs in each tray, more than 3.5 million eggs can be incubated in this 1, q Sorting male & female chinook salmonforSpawn*. foot room. These eggs will be held in the incubation trays through an additional life Above.• Spawning activities at stage after hatching. the Powell Pap. Well trained hatchery personnel monitor the water temperature and its flow through the incubator trays. Daily tray - cleaning and egg- counting during the early "eyed" stage insures that a healthy environment and accurate inventory is maintained. Two fish culturists with modern equipment may handle 300,000 eggs in a day. Once hatched, the spring chi- nook brood will spend their "sac -fry" stage in these incubator trays. After their protein -rich yolk -sac is absorbed, the young Y' fish become hungry and strong enough to swim up from the Left: Y" caristers keep eachfemale's eggs separate r`- from one another during spawning 12 ° t and transport to Clearwater POWELL c "" Hatcheoy TRAPS o �'Owell trapping and acclimation facility. 12 r + �p�a� NEZ PIERCE NATIONAL FOREST ;Zz R SELWAY BITTERROOT Red r trapping and acclimation facility Above.. Eachfemale chinook carves 3,500 to 4,500 eggs. Above inset le: Several transport canisters are requiredfor eachfemale's eggs. bottom of their incubation containers. Once they reach this (swim -up) stage they are quickly transferred to the indoor rearing vats. facility for "swim -up" and "fingerling" fish in the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan. Offspring of both spring chinook and steelhead trout adults are reared at various times of the year, from swim -up fry and subsequently to fingerlings, (approximately the length of the little finger), in this one room. Its sixty concrete vats, 40 -feet long, 3 -feet deep, and 4 feet wide, are constantly flushed with temperature controlled fresh water, at a rate of 7,200 gallons per minute. The young chinook will more than double their body weight during their stay in these indoor rearing vats. Automatic feeders will dispense 45,000 lbs of a highly nutritious special I I formulated, pelletized meal during that time. In four months, these rapidly growing fish will be large enough for �; r transfer to outdoor raceways. At the;, same time, the hatchery will receive its �I annual shipment of steelhead eggs.►,,,,, Right: Fertilized eggsfrom onefemale chinook salmon are placed into each trgyfor incubation. s T 3.5 million eyed steelhead eggs will come from Clearwater's neighboring Dworshak National Fish Hatchery. These eggs, in a process similar to salmon, are put into sixty separate 2 -foot high, 18-inch diameter clear acrylic up- welling incubation cylinders. One cylinder, holding 45,000 to 50,000 eggs, is placed at the head of each indoor rearing vat. The bright orange steelhead eggs are hatched and reared through their "sac -fry" stage in the cylinder's gentle up- welling water. As Above: Photo - electnc eye sorts dead the sac -fry reach their "swim -up" stage, they swim out of these incubation eggsfrom the healthy eggs. cylinders, tumbling gently into the indoor vats. The young steelhead, with Right: In a hatchery environment, their voracious appetite, will triple their body weight during the next five more than 95% of thesefertihzed eggs will survive. months. While in these vats, growing through their "fingerling" stage, they consume 12,500 pounds of a highly nutritious, pelletized meal. When fish in each vat reach optimum density, they will be systematically transferred to the hatchery's (300 -ft. long by 10 -ft. wide by 6 -ft. deep) outdoor steel- head raceway complex. In order to satisfy the appetites of up to three million spring chinook and 800,000 steelhead, from fingerling stage to release size, 335,000 pounds of pelletized feed will be fed to the steelhead via two automatic feeding bridges, while automatic blower feeders distribute approximately 400,000 pounds of feed to the three million spring chinook annually. 1V . Right: Sixty -days after chinook's eighteenth month rearing cycle at the Clearwater Fish fertilization, in the darkness of incubator healthy Hatche ry. both species begin to under g o complex physiological sac fly emerge, from changes known as smolting. Extremely accurate daily management their shell. of water temperatures and feeding schedules has simultaneous) Below: Actheyou gchmook p g y yolk -sac theyoung chinook brought the entire lot of both steelhead and spring chinook to this are called swim -up, fiy. - stage. At least three conditions must be present prior to smolting: :y proper size, age and an appropriate length of photo period (sun loca- tion in the sky and daylight hours). The physiological changes which continue to take place during the 600 -mile journey to the ocean will allow both the salmon and i steelhead to survive when they finally exit ' the Columbia River's fresh water and enter the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. 1 Time is not wasted in returning these fish to the headwaters where their parents were captured. Once the chinook have outgrown their indoor rearing vats, (usually June), half of the chinook being reared are placed in acclimation ponds at their parent's trapping Above asmaninset: One incubator cylinder may station. Held in these acclimation ponds, until their release in October of that same year, hold as many as 50, o0ofertile steelhead eggs. Above: No of the sixty indoor rearing these young chinook are called pre- vats with their automanefeeders. smolt fall releases. These pre- smolts Right: Once theiryolk -sac is absorbed, healthy chinook swim -upfry are trans, imedfrom their will rear in streams and rivers below 1 incubator trays to indoor rearing vats. �+ the acclimation ponds until the following spring when they begin ; seaward migration as smolts. The other half of that year's brood are reared in the hatchery's outdoor raceways until spring of the following year. After spending only 21 days in the accli- mation ponds at their respective parent's trapping station, they are released in April and are called spring smolt releases. Above qht.• Pumping, fingerlings _ from indoor vats to outdoor �= racewgys considerably reduces stress on theyoungfish, compared to the old dip net method. _w The entire hatchery staff, working under a variety of acclimation and direct release I schedules, transport both the spring Chinook and young steelhead smolts to their 1i_ respective release area where they will be trapped when they return as adults. A fleet of specially equipped stainless steel tankers will be used to transport and release both the 2.3- million spring chinook and 800,000 steelhead smolts, often during unpredictable and difficult weather conditions that may occur in early spring. Above & 1e: Pumpingfrsh into special transport tankers for transfer to acclimation ponds at the headwatersfrom which their parents were trapped and spawned. heads' two month journey to the ocean begins, they will imprint the entire length of the river in their memory, like a road map. Their keen sense of smell allows them to analyze water in s parts per million. It is their ability to imprint the unique chemistry of the water that makes it possible for these remarkable fish to return to the waters from which they were acclimated and released by man as pre - smolts and smolts. As these dedicated personnel release the fish they have so persistently nurtured through their 12 -18 month life cycle, they will immediately begin the process all over again with the returning adults and the eggs they spawn. These personnel are highly skilled biologists and technicians trained in the art and science of aquaculture, For New Life. I� !'I VI .vtt'II PI;F� [*,A-- , I US Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District Above: In early spring special tanker convoys transport young smolts from the main hatchery to their proper acclimation ponds. These are thefacilities constructed in Idaho by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Lower Snake River Fish & Wildlife Compensation Plan: S T E E L H E A D CLEARWATER FISH HATCHERY HAGERMAN NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY MAGIC VALLEY FISH HATCHERY (steelhead and Chinook) Rural Route 1, Box 256 Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game 4156 Ahsahka Road Hagerman, Idaho 83332 Route 1 Ahsahka, Idaho 83520 (208) 837 -4896 Filer, Idaho 83328 (208) 476 -3331 (208) 326 -3230 CHINOOK MCCALL FISH HATCHERY SAwTOOTH FISH HATCHERY DWORSHAK NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game P.O. Box 18 Box 1021 HC64, Box 9905 Ahsahka, Idaho 83520 McCall, Idaho 83638 Stanley, Idaho 83278 (208) 476 -4591 (208) 634 -2690 (208) 774 -3684 (Near Orofino) Produced by Alfs and Associates. The publication and printing of this brochure was paidfor by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.