Outdoors Notebook: Live grizzly bear to greet Sportsmen's Show visitors

Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts will head indoors Wednesday to Sunday for the Washington Sportsmen's Show at the Fair and Events Center on the Puyallup Fairgrounds

Included among the features are an all-new educational live bear exhibit, featuring a 650-pound grizzly, along with displays of fishing, hunting, camping, boats, RVs, trucks, campers, tent trailers and travel destination booths.

Local angler Terry Rudnick shares tips on vertical jigging, and Tom Nelson will discuss tactics for catching halibut. Puget Sound Fly Fishers will talk about steelhead spey flies, and Jim Stahl will offer advice on how to catch steelhead.

Glen Berry will focus on elk calling and hunting whitetail deer in the Northwest, while M.D. Johnson will demonstrate turkey-calling and advice on turkey hunting.

Show attendees can learn basic handling of bow and arrow at the 3-D archery instruction display by Skookum Archers Club & Range.

A Kids Free Fishing Pond will be stocked with trout that children can keep or release.

Hours: Wednesday-Friday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $9 adults, $5 kids ages 6-16, and children under 6 are free; $2 ticket discounts are available at most KeyBank and Les Schwab locations. Discount coupons and times and dates of seminars are available at www.sportshow.net/puyallup.

Word on Columbia spring chinook

The state Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to continue its allocation policy for Columbia River spring chinook fisheries.

Selective fishing rules have been in place for spring chinook in the Lower Columbia since 2001, requiring sport and commercial fishers to release all unmarked wild salmon or steelhead.

Mortality rates for released wild chinook can't exceed 2 percent of the total run, under rules set by the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The spring chinook policy approved would give 60 percent of the allowable mortality rate to the sport fishery, and 40 percent to the commercial fishery.

The Oregon commission, which jointly manages the fishery, voted earlier this month to allow 55 percent of incidental wild chinook mortalities to sport fishers and 45 percent to the commercial fleet. But it also authorized its director to approve a 5 percent shift in either direction.

Fisheries managers from both states will meet Jan. 26 to set spring chinook fishing seasons.

"It's tough to apportion fishing opportunities by fractions of a percent, but that's the reality of modern fisheries," said Ron Ozment, state Fish and Wildlife commission chairman. "On the plus side, we are able to provide access to thousands of hatchery-reared spring chinook salmon while maintaining ESA protection for wild runs."

The commission also approved a 2 percent cap on mortality rates for wild winter steelhead caught in Columbia spring chinook fisheries.

Notes

• The Northwest Fly Anglers offer two fly-fishing classes at the Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden Ave. N. A fly-rod building class will be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Feb. 1-22 ($30), and a fly-tying roundtable (for all ability levels) will be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. March 1-29 ($35).

Club meetings are held the third Thursday of each month (except July and December) at 7:30 p.m. at the Haller Lake Community Center, 12579 Densmore Ave. N. in Seattle. Details: 206-706-8683 or email jamescmorrison@mailhome.com.

• The SeaDoc Society is sponsoring a free Pacific Northwest fish and invertebrate identification class Jan. 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Port Townsend. The group will also host two other classes, April 29 in Olympia and June 10 in Seattle. Details: www.seadocsociety.org.

• The Edmonds Laebugten Salmon Chapter meeting is 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at the South County Senior Center, 220 Railroad Ave. in Edmonds. Randy Doucet from Three Rivers Marine and Tackle will discuss blackmouth fishing, downriggers, mooching and techniques with various terminal tackle. Details: www.geocities.com/edmonds_laebugten/ or 425-742-6791.

• The Orvis Store, 911 Bellevue Way N.E., is hosting a free fly-fishing seminar at 1 p.m. Jan. 28 titled "Nymphing for Winter Steelhead." Learn techniques for catching steelhead on the fly. Details: 425-452-9138.

• The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Edmonds Flotilla offers two 13-week boating courses (boating skills and seamanship, and advanced coastal navigation) beginning Jan. 31. The courses will count toward the mandatory boating-safety card that will be required starting in 2008. Details: 425-823-2375 or e-mail boatclasses@hotmail.com.

• The East Lake Washington Audubon Society is hosting a presentation on the appreciation and conservation of bats 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 4th Ave. South in Kirkland. Curt Black, environmental scientist with the EPA is the host. Details: 425-576-8805.

• The Agate Pass Sail & Power Squadron eight-week beginning boating course starts at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Martha and Mary Nursing Home, 19160 Front St. in Poulsbo. Cost is $40. Details: 360-692-1523.

• The Washington Butterfly Association is hosting a free presentation 7 p.m. Feb. 1 titled "Understanding Optic Choices," with Russell Steele, nature shop manager at the Seattle Audubon Nature Center, at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle. Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.

• Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Dept. is offering a Team Extreme Rock Climbing class for kindergarten to 6th grade children 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Cost is $30 non-residents and $25 for Lynnwood residents. Details: 425-771-4030.

• The only chance for Pacific Northwest recreational skiers and snowboarders to race NASTAR and qualify for its national championship will be held by the Bend Ski Club Feb. 12 at Mount Bachelor in Oregon. Registration is 8:30 a.m., and racing begins at 1 p.m. Cost is $10 students, $15 adults, and $25 for families. The nationals are March 23-26 in Steamboat, Colorado. Details: 541-388-0002 or www.bendskiclub.org or www.nastar.com.

• The State Dept. of Ecology is offering a raptor class Thursdays 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 2-March 2 (includes a Saturday field trip). Instructor Bud Anderson has studied raptors for more than 35 years. Cost is $135. Details: 360-428-1558.

• The Red Mountain Resort and Rossland Winter Carnival is Jan. 27-29. The event will includes parades, pancake breakfasts, bobsled races, snow volleyball, parachute drop, luge racing, fireworks show, and wine tasting, along with plenty of other activities. Details: www.rossland.com/Events/Carnival.html.

• The Roche Harbor Marine & Resort Salmon Classic Invitational is Feb. 2-4. The derby is limited to 100 boats with up to four anglers per boat. The derby offers more than $25,000 in cash and prizes, and first place alone is worth $10,000. Angler meals and boat moorage are included in entry fee of $550 per boat. Details: 360-378-5562 or email market@rocheharbor.com.

• The SKIFORALL Foundation is conducting a name search contest to address communication of program and activities for children and adults with disabilities.

The contest runs through Feb. 3. The winner will receive a $250 REI gift certificate.

SKIFORALL, a non-profit organization, offers those with disabilities a chance to participate in year-round outdoor recreational activities, including skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, cycling, hiking, in-line skating, river rafting, canoeing and kayaking, day camps, water skiing, rock climbing, camping and more.

Email entries to namesearch@skiforall.org or SKIFORALL Name Search, 1621 114th Avenue S.E., Suite 132, Bellevue, WA. 98004-6905. Details: 425-462-0978 or www.skiforall.org.

• The Poverty Bay Power Squadron is offering a boating safety classes in Des Moines, Federal Way/Tacoma and Kent The first classes begin in February with the final one occurring in May. Details: 253-288-0957 or or http://usps.org/localusps/pbps.

• The Northwest Trek volunteer information session is 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Feb. 11. Volunteers don't need any prior training in biology or teaching. Training sessions begin in March.

Northwest Trek in Eatonville is a 715-acre zoological park dedicated to conservation, education and recreation. Details: 360-832-7162 or www.nwtrek.org.

• The East Lake Washington Audubon Society is offering a class March 17-18 titled "Getting to know the Resident Flock," with David Drummond, a research wildlife biologist, naturalist and president of the Merlin Falcon Foundation. Class is limited to 25 people and must register by March 14. Cost is $50 member, and $65 non-member for lecture and field trip; and $35 and $45 for lecture only. Details: 425-576-8805 or www.elwas.org.

• The Washington Volkssport Association is sponsoring a winter volksmarch along with free admission and half-price tram rides at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville on Feb. 4-5. Registration is 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Tram rides must be purchased by 2 p.m. Details: 360-832-6117 or www.nwtrek.org.

• The Washington Alpine Club offers Wednesday-night telemark ski classes from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in January and February at Summit Central at the Summit at Snoqualmie. Cost is $120 for six sessions. Details: 206-244-7410 or www.washingtonalpineclub.org.

• Three Rivers Marine and Tackle, 24300 Woodinville-Snohomish Road, is offering a steelhead fishing seminar 9 a.m. Feb. 11 with Bob Ball, owner and guide of Piscatorial Pursuits in Forks on the northern Olympic Peninsula. Cost is $5. Details: 425-415-1575 or 877-661-1571 or www.3riversmarine.com.

• The East Lake Washington Audubon Society's Winter Birding for Beginners starts on Jan. 31. The two field trips and two class sessions offer the basics of bird identification, birding etiquette and ethics, equipment selection, field guides and local birding areas. Cost is $75 for members, and $100 for non-members (chapter membership is $25). Details: 425-576-8805 or www.elwas.org.

• State Fish and Wildlife is accepting applications from individuals and groups seeking financial support for volunteer projects that benefit fish and wildlife. There will be about $120,000 in grants from the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account for projects undertaken between July 1-June 30, 2007. Funding for projects include artificial production, education and outreach, facility improvements, research and habitat restoration projects. The application deadline is March 31. Details: 360-902-2700 or http://wdfw.wa.gov/volunter/vol-7.htm.

• State Fish and Wildlife has a 24-hour hotline to report dead or ill swans in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties who have succumbed to lead poisoning. Leave your name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans at 360-466-4345, ext. 266 through February.

Volunteers from the Trumpeter Swan Society and the Washington Waterfowl Association will pick up the birds. Lead shot has been banned in waterfowl hunting for more than a decade, but it is still a problem for swans.

• The U.S. Forest Service will offer guided snowshoe walks at Snoqualmie Pass on Saturdays and Sundays through March 26. The moderately strenuous snowshoe walks are about 90 minutes, and group size is limited to 20 people. Children must be 10 years and older to participate.

Longer, half-day snowshoe walks will be offered on Jan. 28, and Feb. 5, 18 and 26. These walks require a higher level of fitness and preparedness. Details: www.passtimes.us/snowshoe.html.

Snowshoes are provided for all walks and reservations are required. A $10 donation per person is suggested. Dress for winter weather. Details: 509-852-1062 or after Jan. 7, call 425-434-6111.

The Snoqualmie Pass Visitor Information Center will open for information, Sno-park permit sales, and snowshoe walk reservations Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has opened statewide Sno-Parks for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding/tubing and dog sledding.

Winter-sports enthusiasts must register their snowmobiles and purchase Sno-Park permits. and Cross-country ski trail guides are available. Permits can be purchased through more than 125 retail dealers. One-day passes also are available for purchase online at www.parks.wa.gov/winter.

Because dealers are not always located near Sno-Parks, State Parks recommends purchasing permits prior to heading up to the mountains.

The popular Marble Mountain and Cougar Sno-Parks on the south side of Mount St. Helens will be open this winter. They were closed last winter because of eruptions at Mount St. Helens. Park staff says safety precautions and evacuation plans are in place should volcanic activity warrant, but winter recreationists are urged to be prepared before they visit.

For updates on special conditions and recreation information, see the U.S.D.A. Forest Service Web site, www.fs.fed.us/gpnf.

At Lake Wenatchee State Park, closures of groomed ski areas this winter are likely from late December through March because of a forest fuel reduction project that will reduce fire hazards and promote forest health. Ski trails, snowshoe trails and sled hills in the north and south park areas will be affected, but the work will be done on a rotating basis so that skiing and other activities will be available at all times in either the north or south park area, as well as Chiwawa Sno-Park. Details: 509-763-3101.

For more information on Sno-Park permits and snowmobile regulations or for a list of permit dealers, write to: Winter Recreation Program, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, P.O. Box 42662, Olympia, WA 98504-2662 or e-mail winter@parks.wa.gov or 360-586-6645.

• The Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival is Feb. 25-26 at the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27130 102nd Ave. N.W. in Stanwood. Details: 360-629-0562 or www.stanwoodchamber.org.

• The Evergreen Sportsmen's Show is Feb. 22-26 at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. Details: 425-388-3200 or www.oloughlintradeshows.com.

• Chinook Expeditions is offering bald eagle float tours on the Skagit River. Details: 800-241-3451 or www.chinookexpeditions.com.

• The Methow Valley Ranger District offers snowshoe nature tours 11 a.m. every Saturday through March 4 at Jack's Hut at the Wilson Ranch or Sun Mountain Lodge. Tours will be available through Mondays on Martin Luther King and President's weekends. All participants need a $3 snowshoe pass. Details: 509-996-3287 or email info@mvsta.com.

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

• The Washington Ski Touring Club offers trips, classes and volunteer opportunities for cross-country, telemark and backcountry skiers. The club meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Upcoming programs: Feb. 2; March 2; and April 6. Details: www.wstc.org or 206-784-8741.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com