by Steve Trafton The last few weeks have been an emotional ride for lovers of Harriman State Park. On January 11 the Governor of Idaho, C.L. “Butch” Otter, unveiled a draft state budget that showed the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR; the agency that manages Harriman and other state parks all over Idaho) receiving no funding for the coming fiscal year. The Henry’s Fork Foundation sent out a press release that day raising two fundamental concerns: • Without IDPR, what will happen to the lands, facilities, and programs currently administered for the public benefit by IDPR? • IDPR came into being as part of the agreement between the Harriman family and the State of Idaho through which...

Bass Fishing League competition is a 24-division league circuit devoted to weekend anglers 03.Feb.2010 TERRELL, N.C. – The FLW Bass Fishing League is headed to Lake Norman Feb. 13 for the first of five stops in the North Carolina Division series. As many as 400 pro and co-anglers will be competing for top awards of up to $8,000 and $3,000, respectively. “There has been a lot of rain in the area which has really muddied the water,” said FLW Tour pro Chris Baumgardner of Gastonia, N. C., who has two top-10 finishes including a win at Lake Norman. “Anglers will want to look for the ‘hot holes’ and fish slow and shallow. Ramsey Creek and near the 150 Bridge...

Last minute Valentine’s Special. Save $35/night off the off-season rates. $124/night in the Moosehead Lodge and $114/night in the Bearfoot Cabin for Friday and Saturday nights in February. This year we are renting five cabins at Walker Creek Retreat that include the Moosehead Lodge, Bearfoot Cabin, Creekside Lodge, Tabor Hollow Cabin, Creekside Lodge, and Cliff View Lodge. We are making upgrades to Creekside Lodge, and are excited about improving an already great cabin. We also have several other improvements planned for Walker Creek Retreat this off-season that we are excited about. Holidays and VT/Radford dates are filling fast. Please note that all of our cabins are currently booked for VT’s spring 2010 graduation! Graduations typically book a year in...

EARLY SEASON SPECIAL: May 10 – June 6, 2010 Full Day Guide Trip 1 or 2 Anglers.  Float or Wade. Idaho, Montana or Yellowstone. $450 One Night Lodging Single or Double Occupancy. 1 King or 2 Queen Beds. $100 Guide/Lodge Combo 1 Day Guided Fishing & 1 Night Lodging. 1 or 2 Anglers. $525 Angling Vacation 5 Days Guided Fishing & 6 Nights Lodging. 1 or 2 Anglers. $2600 $1300 pp* June 7 – July 31, 2010 Full Day Guide Trip 1 or 2 Anglers.  Float or Wade. Idaho, Montana or Yellowstone. $475 One Night Lodging Single or Double Occupancy. 1 King or 2 Queen Beds. $175 Guide/Lodge Combo 1 Day Guided Fishing & 1 Night Lodging. 1 or 2 Anglers....

A Worthy Alternative! The Rigging Station Written by Doug Salomon For decades anglers have been practicing catch and release in an effort to promote conservation and improve fish stocks for future generations. However, catch and release is only one piece to the conservation puzzle, as mortality due to gut hooking and improper release techniques are also issues that anglers must be conscious of. In the modern angling era circle-hooks were first implemented by commercial longliners due to the effectiveness at keeping their quarry hooked for hours on end. Longliners weren’t the first anglers to employ circle-hooks, in fact, they have been in existence for thousands of years. Archeologists recently uncovered ancient hooks carved from shell and bone that resemble...

Ashton, ID January 12, 2010 The following is the best information that we have at the moment concerning the status of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Harriman State Park, and the Governor’s proposed budget. We will keep you informed of developments and, as soon as possible, ideas of what you can do to register your concerns. Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has proposed the elimination of general funding for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) as part of the 2010 state budget. The elimination of IDPR potentially means the loss of public access to state parks and facilities all over Idaho, including the world-famous Harriman State Park in Fremont County. IDPR was established, in large...

As of April 1st legendary Bluegrass performer and Traditional American Music Icon and war hero, Bobby Osborne, has been slapped with a $16 million dollar law suit. Bobby hit the high note in “Ruby” at a world record, non electrically amplified, 190 decibels at a festival last month. The note itself was recorded above the 36,000 Kilo Hertz range which is far beyond human hearing. “It just looked like he was standing there with his mouth open and no sound was coming out.” claims Marty Terntworth, the plaintiff in the Osborne case. “And all of the sudden, my ears were bleeding. People were passing out and the next thing I knew I couldn’t hear a thing. It was really...