The Courier
NEWS
Conservation Day at Neher Park
Last Wednesday, the Wood River Soil & Water Conservation District held a Conservation Day at Neher Park just east of Shoshone. 5th grade classes from surrounding school were invited to the park for a morning of learning about conservation. Students moved through five stations to learn about soil types, pollinators, archiology and farming practices. Experts from BLM, UI Extension, and NRCS were on hand to present the various subjects. And Commissioner Schutte led students on a fast paced tour of the park. Earlier in the month, the Wood River SWCD held their annual Pollinator Festival at the Pocket Park on the east side of Shoshone. Over 300 people attend and enjoy pumpkin painting, rock pollinator painting, putting together fairy gardens, face painting, bee hives, native plants, educational stations, gourmet mushrooms, food and music. Started in 2019, the intent of the festival is to bring awareness of the Pocket Park and what it can offer to the Lincoln County community. The Pocket Park Garden/Pollinator Garden is a combined effort between UI Extension, City of Shoshone, Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln County Commissioners, local school clubs and classes, Lincoln County Bug Crew, and many others. The focus of this project is two-fold: to initiate more conservation practices that will be applicable to both urban and agricultural settings; and secondly, combating food insecurity of citizens mainly concentrated in the urban and peri-urban areas of the county. This includes the development of a high tunnel and/or greenhouse, raised beds or plots for the community to raise a garden, vertical gardens, drip irrigation and water system, tree planting and care, pollinator habitat using adopted species to become a Monarch & Bee City USA, and water conservation practices.
Early Voting Underway for General Election
Early voting for the November 5, 2024 General Election is underway across the state for Idaho counties that offer early voting. Early voting goes through Friday, November 1st. You can find information about early voting by county at voteidaho.gov/idaho Any eligible resident of a county can vote at any early voting location within that county. If you are not registered to vote, you can register and vote at early voting by bringing an accepted form of photo ID and proof of residence. “Early voting offers Idahoans the flexibility to vote on their own schedule, making it easy for voters to participate in this important election,” said Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane.
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
October 23, 2024
Vol 48 Num 43
Fall Fishing:
Don't let great fishing months slip away
Yeah, we get it. You’ve been fishing for months, and hopefully, you’re having a great time and catching some fish. Then fall comes along, the guns come out, and the rods get stashed. Considering hunting seasons tend to be relatively short compared to fishing season, it makes sense. But if you’re not a hunter, or you can squeeze a fishing trip into your fall, it’s not only worth your time, it could be some of the best fishing of the year. Don’t let the cooler air temps fool you Martin Koenig, Idaho Fish and Game’s Sportfishing Program Coordinator, points out that while we’re grabbing our sweatshirts and jackets, there’s a lag time before fish feel that cooler weather due to “thermal momentum,” which essentially means it takes longer to cool water than air. Also, cooler water will do many fish some good after the summer heat made them lethargic and slower to feed. Many bodies of water, whether still water or rivers and streams, are coming back into prime temperatures for fish to get active again. Koenig also noted that fish behavior is heavily influenced by both water temperatures and the amount of daylight. As the water cools and days become shorter, fish know winter is coming and food will be soon be in short supply, so they start feeding aggressively in preparation for the long winter. The stocking trucks return Fish and Game stocks catchable trout year round, but hatchery managers shift their stocking efforts away from lower elevation ponds and reservoirs during summer months when temperatures are too hot for trout. When that water cools, the trucks return, so a fall fishing trip might be as close a neighborhood pond or local lake or reservoir. Many local ponds are back on the stocking rotation and offer a great fall opportunity close to home. Check Fish and Game’s fish stocking webpage to get current information. Different seasons, different addresses Before you grab your rod and run off to where you were smacking fish in the spring or summer, remember fish are migratory, particularly those in larger lakes and reservoirs. Cooling weather will push many bass and panfish offshore, and you’ll need to adjust your tactics... continued on page 3...