North Fork Notebook

Looks like we may have turned the corner on freezing temps at night, but, if you’re ol’ school there’s still snow on the Alhambra Slide above Kellogg and old timers as a rule never planted their gardens before its rock is bare. Anyway, this weekend looks to be rainless, jus’ right for the Shriners Benefit ATV Ride in Smelterville Saturday. Organizers could have 800-1,000 four wheelers and side-by-sides in what is the largest ATV ride in the area. Next Tuesday, May 22, Hospice of North Idaho will hold a non-denominational memorial service at St. Pius in CD’A at 5:30 pm. Hospice assisted many Silver Valley persons and their families in their waning days, to include Rose Mary, Ralph Dune, and many others. There will be a reception to follow.

Carol and the folks at Silver Mtn. will host a ‘Back-To-Summer” BBQ Wednesday, May 23 at the base. I don’t have a time, but I would assume 5-5:30 pm for the start. The ‘Pit hosted this event since the early 80’s…We’re really happy that Carol and staff stepped up to carry on the event. The event brings together businesses and organizations that rely on tourist dollars throughout the upcoming season…Great time to pass out information, talk with fellow business owners in a social setting before the Memorial Day weekend…Give Carol a call to see if you can bring an item from your business.

The Forest Service opened the fields at Bumblebee for the season this past Tuesday, and the campground is slated to open today. Kit Price and Devils Elbow are slated for some construction in late June early July…Parins at Devil’s Elbow and a new water system is on top for Kit Price. Give Lessa a call at the Smelterville office for further info. The major ranger station at Red Ives can be rented for overnight stays and they have added the cabin at Avery Creek jus’ above Prichard to the list…You have to go online I think, give Lessa a call at Smelterville for info…Great opportunities for an Idaho adventure. Our CD’A River Ranger Randy has been reassigned to the Panhandle Supervisors’ office in Cd’A, and Dan is our acting ranger….Throughout the changes Kim Johnson, our deputy ranger, has been a very valuable person and will continue to provide the much needed continuity needed at our office…Not bad Nate!

>From last year…The Settlers Grove Road is still closed with no fix in sight. All I can say is we had a few people go around the barricades, couple in mini-vans. All I’m gonna say before I get myself in more trouble. Oh yes, Dobson Pass is closed to due winter road damage, haven’t heard if Moon Pass is open…yet. I’m sure Phil and crew have been hard at work to open the Route of The Hiawatha open. There’s still a lotta snow in the high country as we approach Memorial Day weekend.

The river had been comin’ down and clearin’..Spiked a li’l this week with the excellent weather, but it’s in good shape to fish. We provided half-a-dozen shuttles for drift fishermen last weekend. We’ve seen a few bank anglers utilizing Bones Davis-type-gear…Spinners, lures … As well as a number of folks using boat and flies…Jus’ remember you gotta throw them all back…Until Memorial weekend when you can keep a token ‘bow if you can find one! Be sure to look at pics, know your identification in cutthroat and hybrids-cutt-bow crosses – if you don’t, you could very well end up with a ticket…Enough said…

The rivers are cold, no place for wading, swimming or tubing! There is still a lotta debris floatin’ downriver, and, the ol’ channels may be new channels as there were a lotta trees and stumps that found new places to become lodged.

One last note, mosquito population is bad already! Buy some repellent, don’t be without it! I made the mistake this past Tuesday night…There is also a lotta bees in the air already…Best get some spray or yellow jacket traps. If you’re allergic, best check your Benadryl supply to make sure your supply is up-to-date.

A week ago the elk and deer were very prominent along the North Fork Corridor but with warmer temps and more people, the elk and deer have began their migration to fresher pastures in the high country. You can still view a few in the mornings and evenings…Not like it has been, but that’s the changes of seasons! I’ve heard a woodpecker at work near the ‘Pit recently, and, on one of the clear nights we’ve had, I heard an owl or two. That’s music to my ears as I had not heard any since the humungous water plant went in above us…

Excellent turnout for Depot Days last weekend…Sun, fun and classics! This weekend Sandpoint hosts their annual Lost in The 50’s Weekend. The town will be the site of a lotta events, cruises…etc…Kellogg Elks parade in uptown Kellogg…Great chance locally to support the Elks students…New queen and court. Congrats to Kaceelyn on the third consecutive Idaho girls golf title.

I was comin’ back from Kellogg along the scenic route, and, as I was cruising up to the turnoff by Page there was a mama duck and about 8-10 ducklings crossin’ the road to the slough…Another sure sign of spring! Give Rich a call at the Valley Fishin’ Hole in uptown Smelterville for an update on fishin’ warm water fish. I spoke to an angler that had a good outin’ at Rose Lake catchin’ crappie and bluegill…Heard the pike have been on the bite. If you’re in Wallace, step in to Building Hardware and take a look at their outdoor section. Dwayne not only talks the talk, but, as a retired Fish & Game Officer, has walked the walk…Knows his gear, guns, and tackle…Mentioned he has a good assortment of flies…

Well it’s been a long week, Rose Mary and I would have been married 42 years this past Monday. Father Jimmy is comin’ home for a short leave from Ft. Cambell this weekend…Good to have the family together again for a couple of days. We’ve expanded our hours once again as we’ll be open Thursdays through Monday, for extended hours, closed on Tuesday & Wednesdays till I can figure out some issues…Mainly I had a doc appointment this past Thursday (writin’ Wednesday)…night now my body and mind are tellin’ me I’ve got enough on the table…Jus’ bear with us! Thanks, to all the loyal customers that came out on Mother’s Day…See you on the North Fork!