Free Cutthroat Trout viewing Event June 12 at Strawberry Reservoir

Heber City -- Cutthroat trout are making their way up the Strawberry River to spawn.

On June 12, you can see these beautiful fish in the river and in the hands of aquatic biologists who will hold fish for you to see.

June 12 is the day the Division of Wildlife Resources will hold its annual cutthroat trout viewing event at Strawberry Reservoir.

The free event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the DWR fish trap behind the U.S. Forest Service visitor center at Strawberry.

You can see cutthroats in the river as you walk along a boardwalk that leads to the trap. At the fish trap, biologists will hold fish up for you to see. They’ll also be happy to answer any questions you have.

“The river may be a little murky. But you’ll still be able to see the cutthroats as they fight their way upstream. As they fight their way upstream, the fish occasionally jump over obstacles that are in their way,” says Scott Root, regional conservation outreach manager for the DWR.

“At the fish trap, we’ll hold fish up for everyone to see,” Root says. “We’ll also provide information about these cutthroats and why this strain of cutthroat trout is so important to the fishery in Strawberry Reservoir.”

Root says the Strawberry River and the other tributaries to the reservoir are currently closed to fishing. But you can try your luck catching one of these big cutthroats in the reservoir itself.

“All cutthroat trout between 15 and 22 inches in Strawberry must be immediately released,” he says. “We’ll be happy to explain why this special regulation is in place.”

For more information about the fishing regulations at Strawberry Reservoir, visit wildlife.utah.gov/strawberry on the Web.

Strawberry Reservoir is just off U.S. 40, about 25 miles southeast of Heber City.

For more information, call the DWR at (801) 491-5678.

Ogden Nature Center June Events and Activities

Wild Wednesdays - Endangered in Utah
Wednesday, June 2 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
With the help of Des Ta Te the Bald Eagle and Laser the Desert Tortoise, discover what it means to be an endangered species. Learn what causes animals and plants to become endangered and what you can do to help. Meet in the Visitor Center.



Wild Wednesdays - Hiding Habitats: Wetlands
Wednesday, June 9 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
Meet Pueo the Short-eared Owl and learn about the wetlands he calls home. Play a wetland game and then, with the help of a teacher/naturalist, venture out on the nature preserve trails to look for signs of wildlife in and around the ponds. Meet in the Visitor Center.



Colorful Confusion
Saturday, June 12 at 1 pm
Cost: FREE
Ages 2-8 (please bring your parent or guardian)
Join the Ogden Nature Center staff to explore how animals use color through games and activities around the nature preserve. Please register by June 11 to reserve your spot.



Wild Wednesdays - Whoooo Eats Whom?
Wednesday, June 16 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
Learn about predator/prey relationships with the help of Gidget the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Meet Gidget in person and get an up-close look at skulls, pelts, teeth and more while learning about the traits that help animals survive in the wild. Meet in the Visitor Center.



Breathe Owl Breathe Outdoor Summer Concert
Thursday, June 17 at 7 pm
Cost: $15 adults / $10 children
Breathe Owl Breathe is Michigan-based trio Micah Middaugh, Andréa Moreno-Beals and Trevor Hobbs. Their music sounds as intimately familiar with woods and wild as their band name suggests, but there's an air of cosmopolitan sophistication too. They sing of folklore, homespun miracles and natural phenomenons. We are offering box dinners from Jeremiahs for this concert. Please visit http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/  for details and ticket ordering information.


The Nature of Tea
Place: Dragonfly Health Foods / 260 Historic 25th Street, Ogden
Saturday, June 19 at 2 pm
Cost: $12 members / $15 non-members
Extend your pinky fingers and join us for tea! Back by popular demand and in partnership with Dragonfly Health Foods. Cheyenne Herland, Ogden Nature Center botanist and teacher/naturalist, will teach about the plants from which teas and tisanes are made, tea history, health benefits, and more. A deliciously fresh, light lunch and tea tasting are included, as well as live music. Children old enough to participate are welcome. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required by Thursday, June 17 to 801-621-7595. Space is limited and will fill quickly.


Wild Wednesdays - Summer Solstice Time
Wednesday, June 23 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
Come learn about the summer solstice at the Ogden Nature Center. Find out why some days are longer than others. With the help of a few live animals, discover how animals and plants, including humans, adjust to the long days of summer. Meet in the Visitor Center.


Sunshine Breakfast Benefit
Thursday, June 24 at 8 am
Free / donation
Come enjoy a delicious summer breakfast on the back lawn of the Visitor Center and learn more about the Ogden Nature Center and its many life-enriching programs. Afterwards you may want to wander the trails and revel in the sunshine! Donations will be gratefully accepted. Reservations are required by Thursday, June 17. To RSVP, please contact Sabrina at 801-621-7595 or at sfoster@ogdennaturecenter.org .


Ogden Area Summer Garden Tour
Saturday, June 26 from 10 am - 4 pm
$15 per person / held rain or shine
Eight local homeowners are opening their garden gates to the public for an Ogden area Summer Garden Tour. Stroll through some of our community’s gem gardens and enjoy live music, art & delicious goodies. This is an amazing chance to gather ideas for your own garden. From water-wise and native plantings to color combinations and clever design elements, you’ll be treated to heavenly sights, smells and sounds. This tour is hosted by The Ardent Gardener Landscape & Design and all proceeds will benefit the Ogden Nature Center. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/ , by phone at 801-621-7595 and in person at the Ogden Nature Center Visitor Services Desk.


Wild Wednesdays - Fantastic Falcons
Wednesday, June 30 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members  $2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
What can dive at over 200 miles per hour? What has a beak that acts like a can opener? Falcons! Spend time observing a live falcon while learning about these fast and fascinating birds. Meet in the Visitor Center.



ALL SUMMER LONG ACTIVITIES
FREE Summer Saturdays at the Ogden Nature Center
Saturdays, June 5 – Saturday, August 21, 9 am – 4 pm (excluding Saturday, July 24)
The entire community is invited to enjoy the Ogden Nature Center for free on Saturdays during the summer. Ogden Nature Center staff and volunteers will host free wildlife presentations from 10 am – 10:45 am every week and a nature activity or craft at 1 pm every week. Visitors are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the 152-acre nature preserve. Free Summer Saturdays are made possible by Weber County R.A.M.P. funds.


Summer Nature Camps
Do your kids love wild animals? How about long summer days in the great outdoors, exploring open spaces and learning some science just for fun? Starting in June and running through August, the Ogden Nature Center is offering week-long day camps and single day adventures for ages 2-13. Visit http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/  to learn about the exciting new mix of camps the Ogden Nature Center’s nature-savvy team of environmental educators has planned. To sign up for a summer camp, please call at 801-621-7595.

To register for classes and workshops, please call 801-621-7595. Some class sizes are limited to ensure a quality experience for participants and instructors. We cannot accept reservations without payment. We reserve the right to change instructors or cancel classes due to circumstances beyond our control including illness, inclement weather or low attendance. The Ogden Nature Center is located at 966 W. 12th Street, Ogden, Utah. All information can be found on the Nature Center's calendar at http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/ .

Fish for Free on June 5

If you’re looking for a fun activity that’s close to home and doesn’t cost much, mark June 5 on your calendar.

June 5 is Free Fishing Day in Utah. You won’t need a fishing license to fish in the state that day.

“Make plans now to get out with your family and enjoy a free day of fishing,” says Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

Cushing says Utah has plenty of water this year, and fishing should be better than ever. “Fishing at many of our mid-elevation reservoirs is really good right now,” he says. “As the spring runoff recedes, fishing will pick up at the state’s rivers and streams too.”

You won’t need a license to fish on June 5, but Cushing reminds you that all other rules in the state’s fishing guidebook will still be in effect.

You can learn those rules by reading the 2010 Utah Fishing Guidebook. The free guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/2010_fishing   on the Web.

Copies are also available at DWR offices and from fishing license agents across the state.

Some of the best places to fish
Before Free Fishing Day, the DWR will place extra fish in waters across Utah. Most of those fish will be placed in lakes and reservoirs, so those might be good places to try on June 5.

Utah’s community fishing ponds are another good place to consider. Depending on where you live, a community pond might be only a few minutes away.

You can learn more about Utah’s community fishing ponds at www.wildlife.utah.gov/cf/cf_book_10.pdf  on the Web.

“We’ll stock the community fishing ponds with channel catfish before Free Fishing Day,” Cushing says. “We’ll continue stocking the ponds with catfish until the temperatures cool in the fall. Then we’ll start placing trout in the ponds.”

Several free fishing events for children will be held on Free Fishing Day. The following are some of the events the DWR will be involved in:


NORTHERN UTAH
LOGAN
The Bear River Celebration and Free Fishing Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Skylar’s Pond.

The pond is in Willow Park, 419 W. 700 S.

People of all ages can enjoy free fishing at the pond. Fishing equipment will be available to check out and use. Volunteers will also be available to help first-time anglers fish.

Special interactive activity booths will also be available for those ages 4 to 18 years old. The first 250 youths who visit the booths and complete their “passport to fun” will receive a free t-shirt. The interactive booths will give young people a chance to discover the joys of fishing and learn the importance of good water quality. Youths can tie their own wooly bugger, experience how rivers and streams are formed, explore the life cycles of fish, go “buggy over bugs,” make fish prints, learn to cast a fishing lure and much more.

For more information, e-mail Marni Lee with the Division of Wildlife Resources at marnilee@utah.gov .



NORTH-CENTRAL UTAH
MURRAY
“Family Fishing Derby” at Willow Park Pond in Murray.

The pond is at 6059 S. Murray Parkway Ave., just north of the Murray Golf Course.

One-hour fishing sessions for families and kids will be held at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Space is limited. You can pick up a ticket to participate at the Murray Parks and Recreation office or the Sportsman’s Warehouse store in Midvale.

The DWR will stock the pond with channel catfish before the event. Starting at 9 a.m., the children who participate will be taught about fish and how to catch them. Once the training is done, the kids are free to fish at the pond. If your child needs help, volunteers from the DWR’s Dedicated Hunter program will be available to help them fish and clean the fish they catch.

Fishing poles and bait will be available for children to borrow if they don’t have their own equipment.


MIDWAY
“Kid’s Fishing Event,” Wasatch Mountain State Park pond, about two miles west of Midway.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Space is limited. If your child would like to participate, please register in advance by calling Wendy Wilson at (435) 654-1791.

The DWR will stock the pond with rainbow trout before the event. At 9 a.m., the kids who participate will be taught about fish and how to catch them. Once the training is done, the kids are free to fish at the pond. If your child needs help, volunteers from the DWR’s Dedicated Hunter program will be available to help them fish and clean the fish they catch.

Fishing poles and bait will be available for children to borrow if they don’t have their own equipment.


UTAH LAKE
The Fifth Annual Utah Lake Festival will be held at Utah Lake State Park, 4400 W. Center St.

Fishing equipment will be available to use at no charge. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition to fishing, activities at the festival include fighting fish on a fishing simulator; free boat rides; a sail-boat regatta; face painting and art activities for kids; and plenty of booths to visit. Free hot dogs, popcorn, apples and water will be provided by Provo, American Fork, Orem, Springville and Santaquin cities.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there is no fee to visit Utah Lake State Park and the festival. The festival provides a chance to get outside and enjoy Utah Lake, experience the recreational opportunities the lake offers and learn about its ecosystem and the native fish species that live in the lake.



SOUTHWESTERN UTAH
LITTLE RESERVOIR
The Division of Wildlife Resources will sponsor a fishing event at Little Reservoir from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A limited number of fishing rods and equipment will be available for children to borrow if they don’t have their own. DWR personnel and volunteers will also be available to help the kids fish. And those who participate might receive a prize!

Little Reservoir is east of Beaver. To reach the reservoir, travel east from Beaver on state Route 153 for about nine miles to Kents Lake Road. Then travel about one on Kents Lake Road to the reservoir.

For more information, call the DWR’s Cedar City office at (435) 865-6100.


SAND HOLLOW STATE PARK
The Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah State Parks and Recreation will co-sponsor a fishing event at Sand Hollow State Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The state park will waive the entrance fee for those 14 years of age or younger who come to the park to participate in the event. A limited number of fishing rods and equipment will be available for children to borrow if they don’t have their own. DWR personnel and volunteers from the DWR’s Dedicated Hunter program will also be available to help the kids fish.

To reach the reservoir from Interstate 15, exit at Exit 16 (the Hurricane exit), and travel east on state Route 9 for about four miles to Sand Hollow Road. Turn right on Sand Hollow Road, and travel south for about three miles. Then turn left at the park entrance.

For more information, call Lynn Chamberlain at (435) 680-0059.


TROPIC RESERVOIR
A free Kids Fishing Derby will be held at Tropic Reservoir from 9 a.m. to noon.

The DWR will stock the reservoir with fish before the event. Each child who attends the event will receive a prize. Refreshments will also be provided.

Tropic Reservoir is just west of Bryce Canyon National Park. To reach the reservoir, travel southeast from Panguitch on Route 12. Five miles before you reach the park, turn south on a gravel road and travel 10 miles to the reservoir.

For more information, call Jake Schoppe with the U.S. Forest Service at (435) 676-9300.

Big Cutthroats at Strawberry Reservoir

Heber City -- Anglers are catching big cutthroat trout at Strawberry Reservoir.

Ryan Houston of Pleasant Grove is one of the latest to find that out.

Ryan was fishing with his family at Strawberry on May 14 when he hooked a gorgeous 13-pound, 8-ounce Bear Lake cutthroat. The 30-inch trout had a girth of 20¼ inches.

With the help of his three-year-old son Ryder, Ryan brought the monster in on 4-pound test line. Ryder got the thrill of his life as he helped his dad reel the big trout in.

Ryan caught the fish using a white-colored 16-ounce jig. He caught the fish on the Soldier Creek side of the reservoir.

Houston isn’t the only angler who’s caught a big fish at Strawberry recently. Cliff Bowden of Salt Lake City also caught a similar cutthroat during the same week Houston caught his.

Bowden’s fish was about 31 inches long. He didn’t weigh the fish before releasing it. He caught the fish from the shore using a rapala.

Strawberry Reservoir is now completely free of ice. Most anglers are reporting fair to good success at Utah’s most popular fishery.

Before fishing at Strawberry, please see the regulations on page 30 of the 2010 Utah Fishing Guidebook.

The guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks .

Apply for Antlerless Big Game Permits June 1

You can help Utah’s big game animals and have a fun time in the outdoors this fall if you obtain a permit to hunt animals that don’t have antlers.

Having hunters take female big game animals is an important management tool. It allows biologists to balance big game animals with the habitat that’s available to the animals.

“Antlerless hunters usually have a higher success rate than those hunting for animals with antlers,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

“Antlerless hunts are great,” Aoude says. “They provide a chance to get out and enjoy nature, they’re usually less crowded than other big game hunts and they provide a good chance to take an animal.”


Apply for a permit
Most of Utah’s antlerless big game hunting permits are taken in the state’s antlerless draw. You can apply for a permit starting June 1 at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/  or by calling the nearest DWR office.

To get your application in the draw for permits, you must submit it through the Web site no later than 11 p.m. on June 17. Applications will be accepted over the phone until 6 p.m. on June 17.

The following are the number of permits available this year:
Species                  Number of permits
Cow Elk                 9,838
Doe Deer               1,975
Doe Pronghorn      622
Cow Moose           19

In addition to hunts on public land, many of Utah’s private Cooperative Wildlife Management Units offer antlerless permits to Utah residents. Applications for CWMU permits will also be accepted from June 1 through June 17.

For more information, call Utah Wildlife Administrative Services at 1-800-221-0659, the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

White bass illegally planted in Deer Creek Reservoir

Photo courtesy by Don Wiley, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Heber City -- Biologists have found white bass in the Provo River above Deer Creek Reservoir.

The adult white bass—12 inches in length—moved from the reservoir and into the river to spawn. Biologists say there’s only one way the bass could have ended up in the reservoir—someone with a bucketful of bass put them there.

After they confirmed the find, biologists and conservation officers with the Division of Wildlife Resources were frustrated and angry. And the feelings they have are spreading among rainbow trout anglers in north-central Utah. Deer Creek Reservoir currently provides excellent rainbow trout fishing. But dumping bass into the reservoir could change that in years to come.

The DWR, the Stonefly Society of the Wasatch and Utah Trout Unlimited are offering a reward of up to $7,000 to the person who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who put the bass in the reservoir.

If you have information, please call Utah’s Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline at 1-800-662-DEER (3337).


Rainbow trout and white bass
“When we stock trout in Deer Creek, the fish are 10 inches long. By the following spring, many of them are 16 to 17 inches long,” says Roger Wilson, cold water sport fisheries coordinator for the DWR. “Deer Creek is a very productive trout water.”

But Wilson says a bucketful of white bass could change all that. “Rainbows and young white bass eat mostly zooplankton,” he says. “For the next year or two, there should be enough zooplankton for both of the fish. But white bass reproduce quickly, so it won’t take long for the white bass population to expand. Once that happens, there won’t be enough zooplankton to go around.”

And without enough zooplankton, the growth rate of the trout could slow to almost nothing.

Wilson says DWR biologists are conducting fish population surveys at Deer Creek this month. Once they’ve completed their surveys, they’ll have a better picture of just how large the white bass population has become. “Once we know that, we’ll look at options to try and control them,” he says.

Wilson says treating the reservoir with chemicals; fluctuating the water level during the white bass spawning season; blocking the tributary streams to prevent the white bass from moving into them to spawn; swamping the reservoir with sterile or hybrid white bass; and netting and removing as many white bass as possible are among the options biologists might use to deal with the bass.

“But all of these options are fraught with problems,” Wilson says. “And none of them may be totally effective at removing the bass.”

Located less than an hour’s drive from Provo and Salt Lake City, Deer Creek is one of Utah’s most popular trout fishing waters.


Everyone loses
“Our biologists are trying to provide anglers with a variety of fish to catch,” says Walt Donaldson, fisheries chief for the DWR. “They do that by determining which fish will do the best in specific waters and then placing fish in those waters that won’t compete directly for food, space and cover.

“It will be discouraging if a single act undoes all of the hard work that’s happened to create a fishery like the one at Deer Creek.”

If you’re an angler, Donaldson says you have plenty of reasons to be upset when someone moves fish illegally. “Not only can it ruin fishing at your favorite water, it also forces us to divert funds from projects we were going to do to improve fisheries in the state to dealing with the problem instead.”

Donaldson says local communities lose too. “Communities in some parts of the state receive a lot of revenue from anglers who fish waters in their area. If anglers stop fishing those waters, the people in those communities will lose too.”


Fines, jail time
Illegally moving fish from one body of water to another is a class A misdemeanor in Utah. You can receive a fine of up to $2,500 and spend up to one year in jail. You can also be held financially liable for any damage you do to the fishery.

For more information, call the DWR’s Central Region office at (801) 491-5678.

Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry Tours offered

Photo Courtesy Mark Youngren

The Bureau of Land Management and the Burpee Museum will be holding free guided public tours at the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry north of Hanksville from May 27 through June 9, 2010. Call the BLM Office in Hanksville at (435) 542-3461 for more information. A video about the quarry and the tours can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI_F_z8caCo  

http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/prog/more/cultural/Paleontology/color_country_paleontology/hanksville-burpee.print.html

Browning Adds New Models to Flex Foam Sling Line

Morgan, UT-Browning has added several new gun accessories to their line-up for 2010 including two new models of their Flex Foam Slings. Both of the new designs make it easier and more comfortable for gun owners to carry their guns in the field.

The first new model in Browning's Flex Foam Sling line-up is the Flex Foam Sporter model that has a waterproof, extra-thick molded foam shoulder pad that provides the ultimate in comfort. The back side is textured for a positive, non-slip grip that keeps the gun in position on the shoulder. It is supplied with metal sling swivels. Suggested Retail Price for the Flex Foam Sporter is $19.95.

The new Flex Grip Sling has a molded rubberized pad that won't slip off the shoulder. The back side is textured for a positive grip. Three cartridge loops are also included along with metal sling swivels. Suggested Retail Price is $29.99.

Upcoming Utah State Parks Events

Deena Loyola at Petrified Forest State Park

June 16 Fremont Indian State Park and Museum - Sevier
Day Camp for People with Disabilities: Join us for a fun-filled, educational experience including hiking, crafts, stories, and games teaching campers about the natural and cultural history of Clear Creek Canyon. Activities run concurrently throughout the day for a variety of ability levels. Pre-registration is required. (435) 527-4631

June 17 Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum - Vernal
Fremont Culture: Join Dr. Michelle Knoll, Assistant Curator of Archaeology at the University of Utah, for a lecture on the Fremont culture at 7 p.m. (435) 789-3799

June 17 Escalante Petrified Forest State Park - Escalante
Geology Hike: Jump back to the Jurassic on a geology tour of the park. Discover why the rocks are red and how the trees turned to stone on this guided one-mile hike. Meet at the visitor center at 10 a.m. (435) 826-4466

June 18 Rockport State Park - Peoa
Hawks Up Close: Join Jordanelle State Park Naturalist Kathy Donnell at 7 p.m. to learn about some amazing predators of the sky. (435) 336-2241

June 18 – 20 Fremont Indian State Park and Museum - Sevier
Primitive Pottery Workshop: Participants learn how to make pottery like the ancient Fremont Indians. Through one-on-one instruction, local artists will teach methods of pottery making, decorating and firing in a rock-lined pit. Cost is $60 and clay and tools are available for purchase. (435) 527-4631

June 19 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Gourmet Hike: Join Friends of Wasatch Mountain State Park at 9 a.m. in the visitor center parking lot for an intermediate to advanced hike led by cooking and nutrition expert Leslie Smoot and Friends’ member Dayna Stern. Learn about healthy lightweight foods to bring on hikes. Bring a yummy dish to share. Friends’ members will supply eating utensils. (435) 654-3221

June 19 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Junior Ranger Program - Nature Discovery: Children six to 12 are invited to discover some of the wonders of the outdoors during this one-hour program designed to get kids exited about nature. Meet at the campground office at 1 p.m. (435) 654-1791

June 19 Escalante Petrified Forest State Park - Escalante
Junior Ranger - Fabulous Fossils! Explore Earth's ancient history. Learn about fossils and how they form. Make your own fossil and earn a Junior Ranger badge. Meet at the visitor center at 10 a.m. (435) 826-4466

Southeastern Fishing Report

Duane Swasey holds the 10.74-lb., 31-inch splake he caught at Joes Valley Reservoir on May 23.

Photo by Brian Berggren

ABAJO MOUNTAINS: (May 26) Sergeant J. Shirley reports that poor weather and high winds have kept most anglers indoors. The three anglers who were checked had good success at Blanding #3 and Foy Reservoir.


CLEVELAND RESERVOIR: (May 26) The reservoir is mostly ice-free. Sergeant Stacey Jones reports slow fishing in the reservoir, but good fishing in the creek. Flies and lures were the most productive, and baits were not effective at all.


ELECTRIC LAKE: (May 26) The lake is now ice-free. Sergeant Stacey Jones reports fair fishing for all trout species. Try worms, spoons, chubs or chub meat. Aquatics Technician Bob Olson says the north tributary is receiving a lot of angler pressure. The road to the boat ramp is still snow-covered, but is expected to dry out in the next week or so.


GIGLIOTTI POND: (May 14) Try worms, marshmallows and PowerBait. The pond was restocked on Wednesday, April 14 with 2,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout. The limit is two fish.


HUNTINGTON CREEK: (May 20) On May 10, Tom Ogden flyfished below the forks with a floating line and a size 10 beadhead Montana. He had a split shot about a foot above the fly. Tom caught one cutthroat and several 6- to 13-inch browns. Flyfishing with nymphs should be good until the creek is muddied by runoff.


HUNTINGTON NORTH RESERVOIR: (May 20) On May 8, Aquatics Program Manager Paul Birdsey fished with two friends. Fishing was slow. Water temperatures ranged from 51 to 54 degrees. Birdsey caught a 16-inch largemouth using a green pumpkin seed tube jig on a light-action spinning rod. Other bites were too light to detect in time. Birdsey recommends light tackle. Anglers should look for the warmest water they can find. Fish will be moving into these areas to feed and to begin spawning.

The DWR stocked the reservoir with 350,000 wiper fry, which are less than one half-inch in size, on May 13. Biologists hope that a fraction of the fry will survive, grow to adult size, and contribute to the productive warmwater fishery in the years to come.


HUNTINGTON RESERVOIR: (May 26) The reservoir is still covered with ice.


JOES VALLEY RESERVOIR: (May 26) On May 21, Aquatics Biologist Darek Elverud caught between 50 and 60 fish from daylight to 10 a.m. After 10, fishing slowed significantly. Elverud mostly caught splake, with a few cutthroats and tiger trout. Most of the fish ranged from 12 to 14 inches, and the biggest was 18 inches. Elverud used chub meat, silver spoons, Rapalas and tube jigs.

On May 21, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Dan Keller fished the reservoir with several friends. They had their best success with Berkley white and gray Gulps—a minnow imitator. The Gulps outfished chub meat, Rapalas and everything else they tried. As a group, they caught 8 to 10 fish per hour in the 14- to 17-inch range.

On May 23, Division Lead Maintenance Specialist Duane Swasey took a 10.74-pound, 31-inch splake on a black and silver Cotton Cordell Walley Diver. Swasey use chub meat and caught 14 other splake and one tiger trout in the 14- to 16-inch range.


LA SAL MOUNTAINS: (May 26) Conservation Officer TJ Robertson reports that Hidden and Dons lakes are now accessible and have been stocked. Fishing is fair at both lakes. The water has been murky at both lakes, but lures that make a slight sound have been working. Bright colored baits are also popular. One angler reported good success with a small, bright-colored fly pattern.

Officer Robertson reports improved fishing at Kens Lake. The water level is still rising. The inlet is one of the best places to fish during the day. The west side of the lake has been fair to good in the evenings. Anglers have done well with small spinners and Jakes lures in float tubes and small crafts (battery-powered only). Fly anglers have done best with small nymphs and may fly imitators. Numerous aquatic insects are hatching. Try to match the hatch to have your best success.

Rattlesnake Ranch has recently been added to the angler access program. Anglers can drive to the lake, but most of the lake lies within private property. Please respect the rights of the property owner. Fishing is good because the lake was stocked a few weeks ago. All types of baits and lures have been working, including all colors of PowerBait, Jakes Spin-A-Lures and other spoons.


MILLSITE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (May 26) Due to the wind and poor weather, fishing is slow.


SCOFIELD RESERVOIR: (May 26) Last week, Roger Kerstetter and two companions caught 539 trout in five days. They fished the southend in 6 to 12 feet of water and trolled with the wind. The party fished from 7:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. each day. Trout ranged from 14 to 21 inches. Try fishing with silver or gold Kastmasters, Krocodiles or other spoons. The weather has been windy and rainy. Kerstetter said his secret is to fish just after ice-off, when the water temperature is in the 50s and the trout are in shallow water. Scofield has special regulations. Make sure you read the Utah Fishing Guidebook before you head to the reservoir.


WRIGLEY SPRINGS RESERVOIR: (May 26) The reservoir may have winter-killed. Sargent Stacey Jones didn't find any anglers who had caught fish on her last check.

Summer Programs at Frontier Homestead State Park Museum

Cedar City -- Frontier Homestead State Park Museum invites children age eight through 12 to participate in the hands-on history program every Wednesday from June 2 to July 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Children can enjoy learning about pioneering, cabin building, rope making, candle making, the Pony Express and many other aspects of western history. There are no textbooks, workbooks or pencils - just fun, first-hand experience.

Cost of the eight-week program is $16 per person. Passes must be purchased in advance and each program is limited to 40 participants.

Frontier Homestead State Park Museum is located at 635 North Main Street in Cedar City. To register or for more information, please call (435) 586-9290.

Utah State Parks Boating Tip of the Week

Salt Lake – All boats, including canoes, kayaks, float and inner tubes, kick boats, rubber rafts and many inflatable toys, used on Utah's waterways must carry basic safety equipment, which should include:

- A properly sized U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board. Utah law requires everyone 12 and under, those boating on a river, riding on a personal watercraft and being towed behind a vessel to wear a properly fitted and fastened life jacket.

- Bucket or bilge pump

- Spare paddle, oar or extra motor

- Horn or whistle

- Marine approved, fire extinguisher for motorboats with gasoline or diesel engines

- At least one throwable life preserver on boats 16 feet or longer

- Navigation lights for operation between sunset and sunrise

Many boats are required to carry different equipment depending upon vessel length. For specific boating safety equipment, visit stateparks.utah.gov/boating/checklist or call (801) 538-BOAT. Wear it Utah!

Spring brings hazardous Conditions to Forest

SALT LAKE CITY, May 25, 2010 – Spring is a great time to visit Utah’s backcountry and wilderness areas. Residents and visitors can take advantage of the recreation opportunities available on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which is within a short drive of urban population centers. Forest officials are advising visitors to use extra caution for the next several weeks while recreating on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. This year’s wet spring has resulted in numerous hazards across the Forest. Important visitor safety guidelines are listed below:

Parents: watch your children and pets – swift water is a natural but potentially deadly magnet for curious youngsters and pets

Don't wade across cold, swift water – fast-moving water can be deceivingly dangerous especially anglers

Stay off unstable stream banks – added weight can unexpectedly cause them to collapse

Avoid walking on iced-over lakes and streams – rapidly thinning ice may be hidden by a layer of snow

Be aware of wet soils on steep slopes – may produce falling rocks that are dangerous for both hikers and vehicles

Watch out for weakening snow bridges – especially a concern for snowmobilers at stream crossings

Stay out of avalanche-prone areas – avalanche hazards remain considerable in many areas

In addition to hazards to humans, the wet weather has created potentially damaging conditions for forest resources. Trails and roads are particularly vulnerable. To protect at-risk roads and trails from unnecessary rutting and erosion, wheeled-vehicles and horses are prohibited on many Forest roads. Please call your local Ranger District for details.

As the ground begins to thaw and rain and melting snow saturate the ground hiking trails become especially muddy. Keep these considerations in mind:

Trailheads maybe dry, but you may run in to increasing mud and snow the higher you climb.

Never hike alone, if you have a cell phone take it with you.

Always let someone know where you are going and when you will return

Wear the Proper Clothing

Always Pack Food and water

Always Carry a First Aid Kit

With spring in Utah outdoor enthusiasts, traveling in the canyons this time of year could result in an unpleasant encounter with these hungry hitchhikers. Moisture from spring rains and snowmelt creates perfect living conditions for ticks.

Avoid areas where ticks and their food sources are abundant, i.e., grassy and bushy areas along the edges of woodlands and fields, from March to mid-July.

Use tick repellant on clothing to provide for protection for the amount of time you are outdoors.

Keep ticks off your skin. Wear long pants and tuck your pants into your socks to keep ticks off your skin. Light colored clothing will help you spot ticks more easily.

Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks daily.

Forest Service Campground Status and Safety Tips for Memorial Day Weekend

Salt Lake City, May 25, 2010 - This Memorial Day weekend promises to be the first of many busy weekends on the national forests of Utah.

Most, lower elevation campgrounds are open throughout the state. Higher elevation campgrounds, roads and trails may still be snow covered or muddy, so to protect natural resources, please be careful and only drive or camp on dry, solid surfaces. Most backcountry hiking and camping is very limited.

Safety is always a concern. Rivers, streams and creeks are running very high and fast and are extremely dangerous, so please be very careful and keep a watchful eye on children while recreating in these areas.

As ice and snow melt off the mountain sides, please be aware of rocks that are dislodged and roll onto roadways. Off-Highway vehicle users are reminded to ride only where permitted. Remember to always be a responsible rider.

A closure is in effect prohibiting the use, possessing or storage of any firewood containing nails, screws, or other metal hardware, including but not limited to wood pallets and/or construction debris. As always please be careful with fire and always make sure campfires are dead out before leaving the campsite. Most importantly, enjoy your national forests!

Below is a list of Forest Service campground that may be open for the Memorial Day weekend.

Ashley National Forest (435) 789-1181 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley
Vernal Ranger District (435) 789-1181:
Please call the Vernal Ranger District for information pertaining to the status of campgrounds, roads and trails.

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (435) 784-3445:
 All campgrounds are open with fees except Lodgepole and Spirit Lake campgrounds. If you are planning to visit high altitude campgrounds please call for up to date information as late season snow storms are common. Visitors using the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area will have to pay a use fee. Day passes are $5.00, 7 day passes are $15.00 and annual passes are $35.00. Passes are available in Manila Utah, Rock Springs and Green River Wyoming and local businesses in and around the Flaming Gorge area. If you are staying in a developed campground in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area you are not required to pay the use fee.

Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger Districts (435) 738-2482: 
All campgrounds are expected to be open with fees by Memorial Day, with the exceptions of Pole Creek (10,300 feet) and Avintaquin (9,200 feet). The very top of Blind Stream Pass (10,500 feet between Hanna and Rock Creek on the Rock Creek side) is usually the last snow to melt in the area. The Hells Canyon Road is snow covered until you come to Mill and Center Parks where there will be wet and muddy conditions. Reservation Ridge will be very slippery if it either rains or snows. Please call for detailed information about a specific campground.


Dixie National Forest (435) 865-3700 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie
Pine Valley Ranger District (435) 688-3246:
All campgrounds will be open with fees. For the most current information about these campgrounds call the St. George Interagency Office at: (435) 688-324. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cedar City Ranger District (435) 865-3200/3700:
All campgrounds and picnic areas will be open with fees for Memorial Day weekend, except the campgrounds in the Navajo Lake Basin that includes the Spruces, Navaho Lake and TE-AH. Cedar Canyon campground may be open depending on snow melt. Please call the Cedar City Ranger District for the most recent information
Powell Ranger District (435) 676-9300:
Red Canyon campground will be open with all available amenities. King Creek campground is open year round for dry camping and is typically open with all available amenities around mid May, but can be affected by weather conditions especially the cold. Please call the District office for current information.

Escalante Ranger District (435)-826-5400:
All campgrounds will be open with fees and water. Please call the Escalante Ranger District or the Visitors Center for the most recent information. The Visitors Center is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (435)-826-5499


Fishlake National Forest (435) 896-9233 www.fs.fed.us/r4/fishlake
Beaver Ranger District (435) 438-2436:
Little Cottonwood, Mahogany Cove, Little Reservoir campgrounds, and Ponderosa picnic area will be open with water and fees. Kent’s

Lake, Anderson Meadow and LeBaron campgrounds will not be accessible due to above average snowpack and cooler than normal spring conditions. City Creek campground will be open with water and no fees. All roads and trail access above 8,500 feet will be minimal. Forest Road 113 and Forest Road 137 are gated and closed to minimize damage until surfaces are dry. For current conditions contact the Beaver Ranger District.

Fillmore Ranger District (435) 743-5721:
Maple Grove, Oak Creek and Adelaide campgrounds will be open with water and fees. Maple Hollow campground will be open with no water and no fee. Roads and trails at higher elevations are closed due to snow and wet muddy conditions. Please contact the Fillmore Ranger District office for updates on road conditions.

Fremont River Ranger District (435) 836-2800:
Bowery Creek, Doctor Creek, Mackinaw, Sunglow, Pleasant Creek, Singletree, Oak Creek and Lower Bowns campgrounds will be open with water and fees. Twin Creeks picnic area will also be open with water and fees. Please call the Fremont River Ranger District Office for the most current and up to date information.

Richfield Ranger District (435) 896-9233:
Gooseberry campground and Monrovian picnic area will be open for the holiday weekend. The Sevenmile-Gooseberry road #640 will be under construction from Cold Springs to the Gates Lake Road all summer, expect delays.

All higher elevation campgrounds, roads and trails on the Fishlake National Forest are closed due to wet/muddy conditions. REMINDER – Trails above 8500 feet will likely be wet and muddy, especially on north facing sides.

Manti-LaSal National Forest (435) 637-2817 www.fs.fed.us/4/mantilasal
Price (435) 637-2817 and Ferron Ranger District (435) 384-2372:
All campsites throughout Huntington Canyon will be open. Those traditionally with water will have water available.

Joes Valley Complex will be open with water. This includes the campground, group pavilion, boat ramps and marina. Stuart Visitor Center will be open. Fish Creek Campground and trailhead will be open with no water. Indian Creek campground will be open with no water.

Higher elevations roads and trails are closed due to wet/muddy conditions and snow.

Sanpete Ranger District (435) 283-4151:
Lake Hill and Manti Community campgrounds are open with water and fees. Maple Canyon, Twin Reservoir and Chicken Creek campgrounds, and Spring City picnic area are open with fees and no water. 12 Mile campground is closed due to snow. All higher elevations roads and trails are not yet accessible, due to snow.

Moab Ranger District (435) 259-7155:
Warner Lake and Oowah Lake campgrounds maybe open for the weekend, but please call the Moab Ranger District office for the current status of these two campgrounds. Buckeye Reservoir campground will be closed for the 2010 season due to construction.

Monticello Ranger District (435) 587-2041:
All campgrounds are open with water and fees. Higher elevations roads and trails are closed due to wet/muddy conditions and snow.

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (801) 236-3400 or (801) 342-5100 www.fs.fed.us/r4/uwc
Pleasant Grove Ranger District (801) 785-3563:
Granite Flat, Hope and Little Mill campgrounds are open with fees, but no water. Rock Canyon campground will be closed due to construction on the road leading into the campground. Timpooneke, Altamont, Mt. Timpanogos and Theater-in-Pine campgrounds are closed due to snow. The Alpine Scenic Loop (USR 92) will not be open for the weekend. Tibble Fork road is open to Tibble Fork Reservoir. Silver Lake Flat road is closed. The North Fork road is closed at the bridge ½ mile up from Tibble Fork. NO TRAILERS will be allowed as there limited turn around space. The Squaw Creek road is open to Hope campground and is closed beyond that. Trails in American Fork Canyon are closed to bicycles, motorized vehicles and livestock until they are dry enough to prevent resource damage. A recreation pass is required for the American Fork Canyon-Alpine Scenic Loop area and is available at Forest Service offices or at the entrance stations to the Scenic Loop. The special use fee is $6.00 for a one three-day pass per vehicle, $12.00 for a 7 day pass and $45.00 for the annual pass.

Spanish Fork Ranger District (801) 798-3571:
Balsam, Cherry, Diamond, Whiting, Maple Lake and Maple Bench campgrounds are open with water and fees. Payson Lakes and Blackhawk campgrounds will be open with fees, but no water. The south side of the Nebo Loop will be open for the Memorial Day weekend to allow access into Bear Canyon and Cottonwood (no water or fees) and Ponderosa (with fees and water) campgrounds. Tinney Flat campground will be closed due to an avalanche blocking access in Santaquin Canyon. The Monks Hollow ATV Trail system is open. Higher elevation roads and trails are currently closed and will be open as snow and trail conditions permit.

Logan Ranger District (435) 755-3620:
All campgrounds and picnic areas will be open with fees, except Tony Grove, Red Banks and Sunrise, which may remain closed due to snow. Most forest roads and trails are snow covered and muddy and are not accessible. Franklin Basin, Millville, Sinks and Temple Fork roads are closed until further notice due to construction, and to prevent resource damage. For current information please call the Logan District office.

Ogden Ranger District (801) 625-5306:
All campgrounds are open with fees and water, except Monte Cristo, which will be closed due to snow. For information pertaining to Utah Highway SR 39 over Monte Cristo, please call Utah Department of Transportation at 511. Roads and trails are muddy and at higher elevations snow packed. Please TREAD LIGHTLY and avoid traveling on roads when muddy.

Salt Lake Ranger District (801) 466-6411:
Tanners Flat campground in Little Cottonwood Canyon will be open with fees. Spruces campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon will be open with water and fees. The group sites in Spruces and Jordan Pine will be closed due to snow. Moss Ledge, Storm Mountain, Ledgemere, Birches and Dogwood picnic areas in Big Cottonwood Canyon will be open with fees and no water. In Millcreek Canyon, Box Elder, Churchfork, Terraces and Maple Grove picnic area will be open. Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Redman campgrounds in Big Cottonwood Canyon will be closed due to snow. Remember Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are Salt Lake City Municipal Watersheds and dogs are not allowed in these canyons. Any picnic area or campground that is gated or posted closed is not legal to use.

Mueller Park picnic area in Davis County will be open with water and fees. Fernwood picnic area in Layton will be open with water and no fee.

Cottonwood, Intake, Boy Scout, Upper and Lower Narrow campgrounds in South Willow Canyon (Stansbury Mountains, west of Tooele and Grantsville) are open with fees. Loop campground and the trail leading into the Deseret Peak Wilderness will be closed due to snow.

Heber-Kamas Ranger District (435) 654-0470 or (435) 783-4338:
Aspen Grove, Currant Creek, Lodgepole, Renegade, Soldier Creek and Strawberry campgrounds will all be open with water and fees. The Strawberry Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The boat docks will all be in at the boat ramps by Memorial Day Weekend. Boaters are urged to use caution and be aware of floating debris and submerged land structures in all lakes and reservoirs. Mill Hollow and Wolf Creek campgrounds are closed due to snow. Wolf Creek Pass (Utah SR 35) is not open at this time, please contact Utah Department of

Transportation at 511. The Mirror Lake Highway (Utah SR 150) is open to mile marker 14 (turn off to Soapstone Basin). You may call Utah Department of Transportation at 511 for current conditions on the Mirror Lake Highway. Ponderosa and Pine Valley group sites (reservation only) campgrounds are open with water and fees Lower Provo, Shady Dell and Soapstone will be open with water and fees, Yellow Pine campground will be open with no water but a fee will be charged. Smith-Morehouse campground located in Weber River Canyon drainage will be open with water and fees. Cedar Hollow, Upper Setting and Norway Flat roads have limited accessibility. All roads and trails above 8,000 feet are muddy and or snow packed. Plants and vegetation can be damaged permanently in the spring by pulling trailers and trucks into wet and muddy areas to camp. Please TREAD LIGHTLY and avoid muddy roads to keep them from becoming permanently damaged and rutted. Visitors parked or camping along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway must display a fee pass. Three day passes are $6.00, seven day passes are $12.00, and annual passes are $45.00. Passes can be purchased at the Kamas Work Center, Evanston Ranger District, and local businesses in Kamas, Utah and Evanston, Wyoming.

Evanston/Mountain View Ranger Districts (307) 789-3194 or (307) 782-6555:
The Bear River Ranger Station will be open starting, Friday, May 28, 2010. The ranger station will be open Thursdays through Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the first few weeks of the season. The Mirror Lake Highway, (Utah State Road 150) is open to the Stillwater campground. Stillwater, East Fork, and Bear River campgrounds will be open with fees, but no water. Whitney Reservoir is closed. The North Slope road is open to Deadman Creek only. Bridger Lake, Marsh Lake, Stateline and Hoop Lake campgrounds are wet and muddy, but accessible. They are open with no water, but fees will be charged. Higher elevation campgrounds, roads, and trails are closed due to snow. Visitors parked or camping along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway must display a fee pass. 1-3 Day passes are $6.00, 7-day passes are $12.00 and annual passes are $45.00. Passes can be purchased at Forest Service Offices in Kamas, Utah; Evanston, Wyoming; local business in Kamas, and the Bear River Lodge.

As more people recreate in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, keeping a clean campsite is becoming more important for outdoor visitors to ensure the health and safety of both visitors and wildlife. Following these tips will help visitors enjoy a rewarding recreation experience.

Never leave food out, including pet food. Keep food and coolers in your car and or Rv’s

Sweep your eating area clean of debris

Don’t put garbage and uneaten food in fire pits and dispose of your garbage daily

Pack out your garbage if there is not dumpster available

Always make sure your cooking utensils are clean and stored away

Never eat or store food in your tent. When you get ready to turn in for the night, make sure you don't forget any snacks you had out on the table or by the fire.

If you are planning to use livestock on National Forest lands, remember that you are permitted to use only certified weed free straw, hay or pellets.

When hiking, always carry extra water and food and take along a coat and something to make a fire with, just in case you get stuck on the mountain for the night and in case the weather turns bad. Always, let someone know where you are hiking and approximately what time you will return and don’t hike alone.

Before heading out for the holiday weekend please check with the local Ranger District offices for the most current and up-to-date information concerning the area you are planning to visit.

Big Rock and Rivers Edge Campgrounds open at East Canyon State Park

Morgan – The newly renovated Big Rock and Rivers Edge campgrounds at East Canyon State Park are now open.

Big Rock campground is located on the shore of East Canyon Reservoir. All sites can accommodate RVs and tents, however, no utility hookups are offered. The day-use area provides eight cabanas with picnic tables and fire pits. Camping fees are $12 per site, per night.

Rivers Edge is a large group area that can accommodate up to 100 people. This site includes a large pavilion with grills, picnic tables, and fire pit. No drinking water is available. The cost is $100 per day.

For more information or to make a reservation, please call 800-322-3770 or visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/

­Utah Wheelgunners Set Sights On Revolver Championship

Photo courtesy the Outdoor Wire

LOS OSOS, Calif. — The small California seaside town of San Luis Obispo is about to be inundated with the world’s best revolver shooters, all gunning for a victory at the 19th Annual Smith & Wesson International Revolver Championships (IRC).

The match, which is governed by the International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE), will take place June 4 through 6 on the Hogue Action Pistol Range at the San Luis Obispo Sportsmen’s Association.

More than 200 of the best competition revolver shooters, representing 22 states and six foreign nations, are expected to compete and put more than 62,000 rounds downrange. Among those chasing the title will be local top guns Dale and Joettia Terry and Joann and Wade Terry of Eureka, Blake Huff of Spanish Fork and Andy Anderson of West Valley.

“The International Revolver Championships are our Superbowl,” said Art Leach of ICORE. “The best of the best will be on hand, including international shooters from Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines, making this the highpoint of the revolver competition season.”

Shooters will compete in one of the three ICORE divisions – Open, Limited or Retro revolver – and navigate their way through 12 courses of fire shooting from a variety of positions at multiple targets at various distances. Scores are based on time and accuracy with the lowest score taking top honors.

“The IRC is about more than just speed. While shooters are racing against the clock, accuracy is what makes or breaks you, and with targets up to 50 yards away it’s easy to shoot your way out of contention,” explained Leach.

For further information on ICORE and the 19th Annual Smith & Wesson International Revolver Championships, or to find a club near you, visit http://www.icore.org/ .

­About ICORE:­ The International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE) was founded in 1991 by Mike and Sharon Higashi, two longtime shooters active in all the handgun sports. Envisioned as an alternative to the race towards ultra-customized pistols that was occurring in the other action shooting sports, the revolver-only competition of ICORE would allow even the most basic equipment to be used and still provide enjoyment and satisfaction.

Construction at Little Sahara Recreation Area Affects Memorial Weekend Visitors

NEPHI, UTAH— The Bureau of Land Management’s repaving project at the Little Sahara Recreation Area asphalt project is in full operation and may affect Memorial Weekend visitors.

The road to Jericho and the Jericho loop will be pulverized on May 24 and 25. The roadway will be re-compacted and all access will be open for the Memorial Day weekend. Due to rough spots where culverts were replaced and where haul trucks have been entering and exiting the roadway, the speed limit throughout the recreation area has been reduced to 25 miles per hour. Visitors must be aware that reservations will not be taken for Jericho until May 26 at 5:30 p.m. and they cannot leave vehicles or trailers in Jericho from May 19 to May 26. Any trailers or vehicles left in the campground will be towed at the owner’s expense.

The contractor will finish work for the Memorial Day Weekend on May 26 at 5:30 p.m. The entire recreation site will then be open, (with the exception of one or two loops at Oasis), for public use throughout, May 31.

The entire project involves approximately 16 miles of asphalt road, including all loops in Oasis, Jericho, and Sand Mountain, which will be pulverized, re-graded, compacted, and have a new 2.5 inch layer of hot-mix asphalt applied. A total of 16 culverts will have been replaced by May 20. Currently the majority of the work is being done in Oasis, resulting in weekly closures of the campground from Monday at 7:00 a.m. to Friday at 5:30 p.m. These weekly closures will continue until approximately July 26 when the project is complete. Contractors will have loops open during weekends and holidays, however, one or two loops may be closed for the safety of the public.

The Visitor Center summer hours in effect until October 17, 2010 are as follows:

Little Sahara Visitor Center Hours of Operation
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The visitor center and pay booth will be open for extended hours as needed throughout the season. For more information about LSRA, call 435-433-5960 or 435-743-3100 or visit: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/fillmore/recreation/special_recreation/little_sahara_recreation.html

MEMORIAL DAY TRAVEL HEATS UP

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 24, 2010 – Although recent waves of economic volatility and events such as the Gulf of Mexico oil spill could dampen many vacation plans, a new survey from AAA finds those in the Mountain West are not forsaking their lust for travel this Memorial Day weekend.

AAA’s travel survey projects that over 2.5 million from the Mountain West plan on traveling 50 miles or more this Memorial Day holiday weekend. This represents an overall increase of 7.6 percent from last year.

“Despite a challenging economy, travel is expected to rebound for this Memorial Day weekend, said AAA Utah spokesperson Rolayne Fairclough. “With a hint of renewed economic optimism, the upcoming holiday weekend will likely see people in the Mountain West making up for their previously delayed travel plans.”

AAA projects just over 2 million of these travelers will drive to reach their holiday destinations. Driving is by far the most predominant mode of transportation, with an 8 percent increase compared to last year. More than 200,000 western travelers are planning to travel by air, an increase of 4.7 percent compared to figures from 2009. Approximately 140,000 travelers are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as rail, buses and watercraft, an increase of 5.4 percent compared to 2009 travel numbers.

Nationally, AAA projects just over 32 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the Memorial Day weekend, representing a 5.4 percent increase compared to last year.

The AAA Leisure Travel Index shows that air fares over Memorial Day weekend are expected to remain unchanged from last year, with an average cost of $176 per ticket. Hotel rates at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are averaging $141.60 per night and weekend car rentals are forecasted to drop 15 percent compared to last year, with a new average rate of $36.65. The expenditures of a Mountain West family of four will average $993 over the weekend and the average road trip will cover 754 miles.

AAA’s survey shows that dining and outdoor barbeques with friends and family will be the main leisure activity for 74 percent of those polled. The next three favorite activities over the weekend are expected to be touring and sightseeing, visiting family and friends, and shopping.

As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to provide safety and protection to motorists, the AAA Tipsy Tow Program offers a free tow home for drinking drivers in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah from 6:00 p.m. on May 31, until 6:00 a.m. on June 1st. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to five miles.

“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Fairclough. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”

AAA Tips for Holiday Road Travel
· Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive. Delay trips in really bad weather.

· Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition before starting your trip.

· Pack a cellular phone and a car charger with emergency numbers available.

· Stay focused. Avoid distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio or other electronic devices.

· Be flexible with travel dates. The costs of visiting a destination can vary greatly based on when you travel. Check two or three possible travel dates before booking.

· Take advantage of planning tools. AAA offers free TourBook travel guides and maps to members and AAA.com is available to everyone for online travel planning.

· Use a travel agent. If you are planning a complex itinerary, visit a qualified travel agent such as those at AAA travel agencies.

· Travel early in the day and plan your departure to coincide with light traffic congestion while traveling through large metropolitan areas. Avoid fatigue and drink plenty of water.

· Apple iPhone users can use AAA’s new TripTik® Mobile GPS-based application to find the cheapest fuel prices, maps, directions and AAA offices while away from home. The app is available for free download at the iTunes store.

AAA’s projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.

AAA Travel is the nation’s largest travel organization. AAA Travel offers trips, cruises, tours and vacation packages throughout the world. Call (888) 937-5523 for more information or visit us at your local AAA Travel office or online at www.aaa.com/travel .

AAA Utah offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to more than 175,000 members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

Whitewater Outdoors® Nails It With NEW Ducks Unlimited® Hammer Fleece

CANNON FALLS, MN - Whitewater Outdoors is strategically partnering with Ducks Unlimited® to introduce a NEW line of duck hunting clothing to satisfy duck hunters throughout the season. These garments include NEW features, added durability and increased versatility for hardcore waterfowl hunters.

The Hammer Fleece jacket is constructed of soft, quiet, anti-pilling fleece for increased comfort and warmth. A NEW feature added to Whitewater’s waterfowl repertoire is S3® antimicrobial technology to aid in odor control. Utilizing S3® enables this garment to stay fresh for a longer period of time. Two side-slash zippered pockets and a full front zipper with increased collar length adds value to this garment for better control against the elements and keeping additional gear dry. Elasticized wrist cuffs and an adjustable draw cord waist round this jacket out for overall enhanced control giving you a proper fit for superior functionality.

DU S3® Hammer Fleece Jacket

•Made of soft, quiet, anti-pilling fleece
•S3® antimicrobial technology to aid in odor control
•Full front zip with tall 3-inch collar to keep the elements out
•Elasticized wrist cuffs
•2 side-slash pockets with zippered closure
•Adjustable draw cord waist
•Sizes: M-2XL
•Color: Mossy Oak®Duck Blind®/Black

For more information on Whitewater’s DU Waterfowl Line, or other strategic hunting apparel, contact Whitewater Strategic Hunting Apparel, W. 4228 Church Street, Hingham, WI 53031; (920) 564-2674 phone; http://www.whitewateroutdoors.com/ .

Whitewater produces official licensed products of Mossy Oak/ Haas Outdoors Inc. Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (http://www.mossyoak.com/ ). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, MOOSE Media, Nativ Nurseries, and Mossy Oak Properties.

Rainbow trout returning to Bear Lake

Garden City — For the first time in 24 years, you might feel a rainbow trout tugging on your fishing line at Bear Lake.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will stock about 5,000 rainbows into the lake on May 25, 2010. About 5,000 additional rainbows will be stocked before the July 4 weekend.

The rainbow trout—which will be about 10 inches long when stocked—are not your regular rainbows. They're sterile rainbows that can't reproduce.

Because a limited number of sterile rainbows are available this year, and because Bear Lake is a large lake, it would be difficult for anglers to catch them if the fish were stocked in several places. For that reason, all of the 10,000 fish will be stocked at one place—the Bear Lake State Park Marina near Garden City.

Scott Tolentino, UDWR aquatic project leader at Bear Lake, says the rainbows will feed mostly on terrestrial insects that blow onto the surface of the water. "They should be readily available for just about anyone who has a fishing rod," he says. "Both shoreline and boat anglers should find good success."

Good methods to catch the rainbows with include using Powerbait, worms, flys or lures, such as small spinners and spoons.

Tolentino says rainbow trout should occupy a niche that fish aren't using at Bear Lake. And that niche is the shoreline.

"The water temperature along the shoreline gets too warm in the summer for cutthroat trout, so they move off shore into deep water," Tolentino says. "Bear Lake is a deep lake. The only anglers who can catch cutthroats in the summer are those who have specialized equipment, such downriggers and sonar that allow them to target cutthroat trout and lake trout in deep water."

Tolentino says rainbow trout should fill that void. "It's rare to find rainbow trout very far off shore or in deep water," he says. "They should hang out along the shoreline."

Tolentino says the DWR first stocked rainbow trout in Bear Lake in the late 1800s. "Both Utah and Idaho stocked rainbows regularly until 1986," he says. "That's when genetic studies showed the rainbows might be breeding with cutthroat trout in the lake. That hybridization posed a risk to the pure genetics of the Bear Lake Bonneville cutthroat trout in the lake."

In 1986, stocking was suspended indefinitely. "But thanks to the ability Utah's hatcheries have to rear sterile rainbow trout, the threat that rainbow trout will hybridize with the native cutthroat trout is gone," Tolentino says.

Tolentino is excited to provide anglers with a new summertime opportunity at the lake. "If the return of the stocked rainbow trout is comparable to other waters where catchable-sized trout are stocked, then stocking may continue in future years," he says.

DWR technicians will collect information from anglers about the number of fish they catch and keep. "The rainbow limit at the lake is two fish, and I encourage anglers to keep up to their limit," Tolentino says. "Most of the rainbows in Bear Lake probably won't make it through the winter."

For more information, call the DWR's Bear Lake field office at 435-946-8501.

Pottery Workshops scheduled at Fremont Indian State Park

Sevier – Fremont Indian State Park and Museum hosts two pottery workshops June 18 to 20 and September 10 to 12. Participants learn how to make pottery as the ancient Fremont Indians did. Through one-on-one instruction, local artists teach methods of pottery making, and decorating and firing in a rock-lined pit.

Fee is $60 per class and clay and tools are available for sale. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please call (435) 527-4631.

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum is located 21 miles south of Richfield on I-70.

Campsites still available for Memorial Day Weekend

Salt Lake City – With Memorial Day Weekend fast approaching, it’s not too late to reserve a campsite at a Utah state park. The following parks have campsites available for the big weekend, but are filling quickly: Bear Lake, Deer Creek, Rock Cliff at Jordanelle, Scofield, Starvation, Utah Lake, Wasatch Mountain, and Yuba.

To make a reservation or for more information, please call (801) 322-3770 from within the Salt Lake calling area and (800) 322-3770 from outside the area or visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/ .

Utah State Parks offers Life Jacket Loaner Program

Salt Lake City – The Utah State Parks Boating Program, in partnership with the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, offer a Kids Life Jacket Loaner program providing infant, child and youth-sized life jackets at no cost. Life jackets are available at Bear Lake and Utah Lake state parks and may be borrowed for the day or weekend.

Since the program began 13 years ago, loaner life jackets have saved the lives of at least three children. With more than 500 loaner sites around the country, it is estimated BoatUS Foundation life jackets are loaned more than 90,000 times a year.

Utah law requires children 12 years of age and younger to wear a properly sized and Coast Guard approved life jacket while they are on a boat. National statistics indicate that nearly 80 percent of people who drowned in boating accidents would have survived if they had worn life jackets. A boating accident can happen at any time. It is a good, safe boating practice to always wear your life jacket.

To learn how to fit a life jacket to a child, please visit www.boatus.com/foundation/LJLP/fit_video.asp  . For information on boating in Utah, contact Utah State Parks at http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/  or call (801) 538-BOAT.

Central Utah Fishing Report

BURRASTON PONDS: (May 21) Stocked every week with trout. Most anglers are using traditional baits and lures. Fishing success is considered good.

CANYON VIEW PARK POND: (May 21) Officer Shawn Bagley reports good success by anglers. Open water and stocked weekly with trout.

DEER CREEK RESERVOIR: (May 21) Just pulled gillnets. The results included a lot of trout and walleye. A luncher large mouth bass was pulled yesterday. One brown trout had 13 small perch in its belly! Many anglers report very good success from shoreline or boat for trout. Water level is high. Walleye success is still slow to fair.

DIAMOND FORK RIVER: (May 21) Water is running a little high and murky but anglers are reporting good success with shiny spinners or worms.

GRANTSVILLE RESERVOIR: (May 21) Stocked. Fair to good success by using traditional baits and lures.

HIGHLAND GLEN PARK: (May 21) Two fish limit. Stocked every week with trout.

JORDANELLE RESERVOIR: (May 21) Open water. Fishing success is considered good by using all methods from boat, tube or shoreline.

KIDNEY POND: (May 21) Two fish limit. Stocked weekly with trout.

MIDAS POND: (May 21) Two fish limit. Stocked weekly with trout.

MILL HOLLOW RESERVOIR: (May 21) Highway 35 is down to a single lane but you can only drive about a mile up the Mill Hollow turn off. Can't access the lake yet.

NINE MILE RESERVOIR: (May 21) Angler Alexander reports fishing has been slow in the evenings. There seems to be some good success coming from float tube and boat anglers casting at the shore. Most success some from fish ranging from 13 to 17 inches. Fish chase spinners and kastmaster-type lures.

PALISADE RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (May 21) Angler Alexander reports fair fishing in specific areas. The bite is best at first light in the morning and an hour or so before sunset in the evening. Fish are hitting spinners near the shallows and power bait and marshmallows in the deeper water. Some carp have been spotted moving near the dam.

PAYSON LAKE: (May 21) Road is not plowed to Payson Lake. Officer Shawn Bagley reports that Maple Lake is accessible but road to Payson lakes are not open. Road is usually plowed and open for Memorial Day.

PROVO RIVER, LOWER: (May 21) Tributaries west of I-15 opened up on May 1, 2010. Good success with small (size-20 or smaller) midge imitations above I-15 and up to Deer Creek Dam. Sow bugs are a good pattern as well.

PROVO RIVER, MIDDLE: (May 21) Midges (size-20 or smaller), sow bugs and small, dark-colored nymphs also work well. Special regulations on much of the Provo River. Please read proclamation.

SALEM POND: (May 21) Two fish limit. Stocked every week. Traditional baits and lures are working well.

SETTLEMENT CANYON RESERVOIR: (May 21) Good fishing reported for recently stocked trout. Use traditional baits and lures.

SPANISH OAKS RESERVOIR: (May 21) Two fish limit. Stocked weekly with trout. Regional Aquatics Manager Mike Slater reports his family doing very well by using worms or wooly bugger fly patterns. Officer Bagley reports other anglers are having good success with baits and lures.

SPRING LAKE: (May 21) Stocked on weekly basis with trout.

STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR: (May 21) Strawberry Project leader Alan Ward reports that Strawberry is now ice-free. Access is good. Lots of floating ice so use caution if using float tubes or boats. Try a white tube jib or various other baits and lures until you find the right one. Move around and try different lures and baits if success is not good. Main regulations state limit four trout or kokanee salmon in the aggregate, no more than two may be cutthroat trout under 15 inches and no more than one may be a cutthroat trout over 22 inches. All cutthroat trout from 15 to 22 inches must be immediately released. Trout or salmon may not be filleted and the heads or tails may not be removed in the field or in transit.

TIBBLE FORK RESERVOIR: (May 21) Open water. Fair success by using traditional baits and lures.

UTAH LAKE: (May 21) Many species of fish are being caught right now, especially white bass and catfish. Walleye success is considered slow to fair.

VERNON RESERVOIR: (May 21) Stocked. Success is considered good with traditional baits and lures.

VIVIAN PARK POND: (May 21) Two fish limit. Fair fishing success. Stocked.

WILLOW POND: (May 21) Two fish limit. Angler Alexander reports "I managed to make it to Willow Park Pond this weekend. Fishing pressure was high but everyone seemed to be catching at a steady pace. Fish were biting on yellow powerbait and lures. I tried my luck at some catfish and managed to haul in an 8-pound 19-inch catfish caught with dip bait. These holdovers are quite big and will fight hard."

YUBA RESERVOIR & STATE PARK: (May 21) Open water. Success is slow to fair but northern pike and walleye success should begin to pick up any time now. Cast in the shallow water for the northern pike (5–10 feet).