Hello Book Loving Friends,

I wanted to let you know that my husband, Richard Ripley, will be reading from and signing copies of his new book “Against the Torrents, Adventures From the Idaho Whitewater Life,” on June 1 at 7 p.m. at Auntie’s bookstore downtown.

His book is about the life of Darell Bentz, a jet boat pioneer and one of Rick’s college roommates, and his brother, Rusty. They ran many of the world’s toughest whitewater rivers first or second, ran rivers in South America, India, Canada, Alaska, and the United States, grew up on a real Idaho cattle ranch in the Salmon River country, hunted and fished a lot, and were the great grandsons of John Crooks, the first man to bring cattle to Idaho County and the donor of the town site land for Grangeville, Idaho, for which he also laid out the streets. The Nez Perce War started on land that was either on or right next to what became the Bentz Ranch, and Thomas Meyers was lynched some years later on the ranch in one of Idaho’s most notorious unsolved killings. During his career, Darell pioneered whitewater hull design for jet boats, delivered boats on the Pacific and Arctic oceans, and along with Rusty navigated much farther up the Skeena River than anyone else ever has.

This is a free event and there will be snacks. I think it will be a fun evening and would love to have you all there.

Jill Ripley

Earlier this year the Washington State Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers (WSCIFFF) asked fly fishers and fly fishing clubs from around Washington State to write to their legislators for support in budgeting money for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to repair or replace the lower foot bridge on Rocky Ford Creek that has been determined to be unsafe.  Most fly fishers in our state have fished Rocky Ford at some time, especially in the winter when there aren’t many other places to go.  The lower bridge is critical to accessing some of the best fishing.

Rocky Ford Bridge

During the 2015 legislative session the Washington State Legislature passed funding that included money to repair or replace the bridge.

There was considerable sticker shock generated by the $300,000 budgeted for the project by the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Department.  A major element of the projected cost was to accommodate dramatically increased flows caused by major changes in the Columbia Basin irrigation system.  The increased flow is now a reality.  IEFFC member Bob Anderson stopped by Rocky Ford a few days ago and was shocked by what he saw.  Bob said that the increased flow has caused big changes making long-time access spots unusable.  As Bob said, “we will have to learn how to fish Rocky Ford all over again”.

Submitted by Jerry McBride.

State fishery managers are closing or restricting fishing on more than 30 rivers throughout Washington to help protect fish in areas where drought conditions have reduced flows and increased water temperatures.

The closures and restrictions take effect Saturday (July 18) at 12:01 a.m. The changes will remain in effect until further notice. Fishing will be closed in some waters, and limited in others each day to the hours between midnight and 2 p.m. These “hoot-owl” restrictions will go into effect on rivers where fishery managers want to reduce stress on fish during the hottest time of day. High water temperatures can be deadly for fish, such as trout, while diminished stream flows can strand migrating salmon and steelhead, said Craig Burley, fish program manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Many anglers are puzzled by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s big program stocking lakes with thousands of steelhead smolts this year.

News and rumor of river closures, lawsuits and extraordinary regulations abound from the Skeena to the McKenzie.  Short answer:  several actions  spring from litigation begun last year by the Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) and other wild fish and angling advocacy groups over hatchery operations and compliance with the Endangered Species Act in Washington, and elsewhere the steelhead/salmon wars continue.

In a settlement between WDFW and WFC announced April 25, 2014, WDFW agreed to suspend the release of up to 900,000 juvenile steelhead into Puget Sound streams as of 2014.  WDFW retained the ability to place 180,000 fish into the Skykomish in 2014 and 2015.  Release in other Puget Sound rivers is suspended pending individual hatcheries obtaining  Hatchery Genetic Management Plans approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service.  In turn, WFC agreed to not sue WDFW for 2 ½ years  or until National Marine Fisheries Service approves those plans, whichever comes first.  There are other elements to the settlement, but these are the keys.

In July, WFC joined  other groups and issued notices of intent to sue to the federal operators of the Leavenworth hatchery, and to the federal and tribal operators of the Lower Elwha hatchery alleging that they, too, were  in violation of the Endangered Species Act for hatchery operations.

As a consequence, smolts otherwise destined for Puget Sound have been released to lakes unconnected to Puget Sound, and limits adjusted for anglers. Sprague Lake was one of the early recipients of these fish.

As this litigation proceeds, we can expect quick changes to rules governing steelhead angling in Washington, and annual changes in policy.  Similar actions are underway in Oregon, and BC rules have changed a couple of times in recent years in response to First Nations and others’ concerns. Short answer: check your regs and respective agency webpages to stay current before you go.

We are in that season where tick bites are a concern.  Lyme disease is our greatest concern, but ticks can also give us Rocky Mountain spotted fever, as well as a number of other infections.  Be careful, but also realize that most tick bites do not result in Lyme Disease, especially if the tick was attached for less than 24 hours.

To remove a tick, grab it close to the skin with fine tipped tweezers and use gentle traction to pull it out.  Do not twist it as the tick head has barbs and you may break off the head.  Wash the area with soapy water or a mild disinfectant.  Applying an antibiotic ointment is also recommended.  If  part of the tick remains in the crater, retain the tick in a closed container as a help in assessing the risk of infection.

If a rash or flu-like symptoms appear in the following 30 days report them to your physician.   Other symptoms can include weakness, nausea, fever, vomiting, palpitations, rash, joint pain, swelling, numbness, and confusion.  Lyme disease often results in an evenly red or a bulls eye shaped rash.  Rocky Mountain spotted fever causes a pinpoint flat rash on the arms and legs.  It is recommended to seek immediate treatment if you develop a Lyme rash.

To help prevent bites:

1.Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be easily seen, and brush them off.

2.Tuck pants into boots or socks to avoid ticks crawling up loose pant legs.

3.Apply insect repellant and use the brands designed to repel ticks. Follow label instructions. Avoid use of DEET-containing repellents on children. Carefully follow instructions and apply some repellents directly to skin and others to clothing. DEET-containing repellents with concentrations of 15% or less may be suitable for children. These should be carefully applied strictly following label directions. Repellents containing permethrins may be applied to clothing but not to skin. In areas that have a high tick population, DEET-containing repellents may need to be reapplied more frequently than for repelling mosquitoes. Follow the package label instructions carefully.

Most importantly, don’t hesitate to seek medical help even if you aren’t absolutely sure you have been infected.  Timely treatment is critical and can help you to a positive outcome.