Elwha River gets an early boost from tribe

While the dismantling of two dams on the Elwha River are still a few years away, work has already started on this pristine waterway that used to be the home of chinook salmon pushing the 100-pound mark.

This past summer, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe filled in a 1,500-long hatchery outfall ditch built in 1977 that runs through the middle of the river's floodplain. The goal is to bring the river back to a more natural state, thus allowing water to flow through the entire floodplain, and boost fish habitat.

"This work will help restore natural-habitat-forming processes in preparation for the expected release of the 20 million cubic feet of sediment trapped behind the [Elwha and Glines Canyon] dams," Mike McHenry, the tribe's habitat program manager said in a news release. "Our goal is to reconnect as much of the historic floodplain to the mainstem as possible. We are basically undoing historic channelization actions that have simplified the river."

The tribe received $2 million in funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and will construct 20 engineered logjams, remove three man-made dikes, replace two culverts with a larger culvert, and replace a bridge and plant native vegetation.

The dams are expected to be torn down in 2011, and is the largest such action in the nation's history.

Back in 1913, this once magnificent river that hosted all five salmon species and steelhead. It was blocked by the first of two huge hydroelectric dams, cutting off fish migration to the upper 38 miles of mainstem and more than 30 miles of tributary habitat.

Dam removal was authorized by Congress in 1992, and the cost is estimated at $308 million.

Hoodsport fishery now wheelchair accessible

State Fish and Wildlife recently completed the finishing touches on a new wheelchair-accessible fishing site at the Hoodsport Hatchery in Hood Canal.

"We are really proactive with persons of disabilities, and have many programs in place and are pretty excited about this new site," said Brenda Kane, the state Fish and Wildlife ADA accessibility program manager. "Hoodsport is not a real large site simply because of the size of the hatchery, but it is a nice spot to fish from."

The site has an ADA-compliant ramp, grated walkways, and a fishing platform with a gate, fencing, handrails and fishing slots.

Only persons with disabilities who permanently use a wheelchair and/or those who have a designated harvest card are allowed to use the site, and fish adjacent waters inshore from the yellow marker buoys to the Finch Creek mouth.

A designated harvest card issued by fisheries allows a licensed angler with a disability to receive assistance from another licensed individual. Persons with disabilities who permanently use a wheelchair have priority over others if the site becomes crowded.

The site can accommodate only two or three wheelchairs. It is open daily 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

Notes

• Snowboy Productions and Lib Technologies are hosting the free urban snowboard rail Downtown Throwdown 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 10 at Occidental Park in Seattle's Pioneer Square. Details: www.snowboyproductions.us.

• The Puget Sound Anglers of Lake Washington meeting is 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St. on Mercer Island. Derek Anderson of Screamin' Reels Guide Service will discuss catching fall salmon. Details: 425-823-0704.

• The Washington Butterfly Association free lecture is 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle. Author Libby Mills, "The Naturalist's Field Journal: A Traditional Tool for Learning" is the guest speaker. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.

• The Outdoors for All Foundation, Mountainfilm on Tour and First Ascent/Eddie Bauer are hosting award winning climbing films and speakers 7 p.m. Oct. 9-10 at the Magnuson Park Community Theater in Seattle. Jim and Peter Whittaker are the guest speakers. Cost is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Details: 206-838-6030 or www.outdoorsforall.org.

• The Seattle Rifle and Pistol Association hunter sight-in is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today, and Oct. 10-11. Cost is $5. The club is located at 725 135th Ave. S.E. in Snohomish. Details: 360-659-9362.

• The Mountains to Sound Greenway tree planting kickoff event is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 17 at Lake Sammamish State Park. Volunteers are welcome to attend. Details: 206-812-0122 or www.mtsgreenway.org/volunteer.

• The Wholesale Sports Outdoors Outfitters in Federal Way is hosting a beginning fly casting class 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 18. Class is hosted by Darrel Martin, a certified Federation of Fly-Fishers, Cost is $50. Details: 253-835-4100.

• The Orvis Store at 10223 N.E. 10th St. in Bellevue is hosting some fly-fishing seminars on Oct. 10. At noon, Derek Young of Emerging Rivers Guide Services, the only Orvis Endorsed Guide in Western Washington, will discuss "Fall Fly Fishing on the Yakima River," and at 4 p.m., Steve Rohrbach will discuss how he catches "zipper-lipped coho" in the saltwater. Details: 425-452-9138.

On Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. FFF Certified Casting Instructors Craig Koeppler; John Olson, Pat Peterman and Bo McDirmid will offer free casting lessons; at noon and 2:30 p.m., Ryan Harder will sing and play an acoustic blues set; at 1 p.m. Steve Apple, a movie producer of "Hustle and Fish" and "Fishizzle," will be on hand; at 3:30 p.m., Eric Rathbun and Brian Bennett, will discuss their Web site www.MoldyChum.com.

On Oct. 18 from 1-4 p.m., Don Simonson, FFF Casting Board of Governor, will be on hand to analyze your fly casts.

• The new nonprofit Cascade Musky Association is looking for members. Cost is $25 or $35 for a couple/family membership. Details: www.cascademuskyassociation.com or www.wafish.com.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club meeting is 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the Seattle Tennis Club. Please RSVP to attend meetings. Details: www.WFFC.com.

• The Mount St. Helens Institute offers a free Sunday Hiking Program in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, now through Oct. 25. The hikes range from easy to difficult, and are 4 to 10 miles round-trip. Space is limited and reservations are required. While the hikes are free, a $5 donation is suggested. Details: www.mshinstitute.org.

• The Western Bass Club meets every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Kennydale Hall in Renton. Details: www.westernbassclub.comor www.nickbarrfishing.com.

• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and trail conditions. Details: www.wta.org.

• The Northwest Fly Anglers offer various public classes through the year. The public also is invited to club meetings on the third Thursday of each month, at the Haller Lake Community Center, 12579 Densmore Ave N., in North Seattle. Details: 206-684-7524.

• The Emerald Sea Dive Club offers year-round activities, including the big buddy program and weekly and monthly dives. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. at Alfy's Pizza, 4820 196th SW in Lynnwood. Details: 425-775-2410 or www.emeraldseadiveclub.org.

• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.

• Northend Bassmasters is accepting new members who want to learn more about bass fishing. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Crystal Creek Cafe, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway (Canyon Park) in Bothell. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780