The Courier
News Time For Summer Fun
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
March 29, 2017
Volume 41 ~ Number 13
Southern Idaho is a great place for summertime fun with some of Idaho’s great recreational sites. The Malad Gorge State Park, Shoshone Falls, Thousand Springs and Niagara Springs, and the Hagerman Horse Fossil Beds are only a short day trip for most people. To the north are Mammoth Caves, Shoshone Indian Ice Caves, Craters of the Moon National Monument, and the Sawtooth Mountains. Along the Snake River there are scenic boat tours, wild white water raft trips, or you can relax in one of several hot springs facilities with private hot baths. Or, if you like golf, there are seven golfing facilities in the area. As you start thinking about your favorite summertime activities - hiking, bike riding, fishing, camping, or even just a long drive through the countryside - the first thing on your list should be to get your RV in reliable running condition. Just off Interstate 84 in Wendell is a landmark giant cowboy marking the home of Intermountain Motor Homes & RV Camp. With over 40 years experience, their RV technicians will make sure you don’t have any transportation or appliance surprises as you enjoy the great outdoors of Idaho, and beyond. If you need a new RV, they sell Skyline and Forest River 5th wheels and tow trailers. Besides repairing and selling RVs, they also provide camping spaces with power, water, Wi-Fi, and a dump station - available on a daily basis or long term. In addition, the camp has picnic tables, clean restrooms, showers and laundry. To make a reservation, call (208)536-2301 or email rvking01@gmail.com.
Big Snowpack Should Pay Dividends For Anglers by Roger Phillips, F&G Public Information Specialist
Fish need water, and Idaho’s mountains are full of water in the form of a giant snowpack. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, mountain ranges throughout the state in early March had snowpacks ranging from a 90 percent of average in the Couer d’Alene and Priest drainages to 175 percent of average in the Big Wood drainage. Most areas were running between 120 and 160 percent of normal. After about five years of mild to average winters, this snowpack will have rivers at high flows and some at flood stages, and nearly all the lakes, reservoirs and ponds should have ample water. Overall, that’s good news for fish and anglers, but there’s some bad news as well. The bad is rivers will likely be difficult to fish until late spring and early summer, unless dam controlled, so prime fishing time will be delayed. But big water years tend to boost natural fish production, so benefits from this year will be seen for several years, and in the case of sturgeon, possibly for decades.