idaho

Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind asset to Gooding, Idaho

One of the largest employers in the City of Gooding also provides an excellent education for youth who are deaf or blind.  Learn about the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind on their website.

idaho

Bird Viewing in Hagerman Idaho

I am not a very knowledgable birder, but do enjoy spotting and photoing the myriad of birds seen in the Hagerman Valley.  Last Saturday we went for a drive so some of our favorite sites and saw this bird that I thought was and egret.  In pulling out my bird book found that I was right.  We also saw quite a few swans some of which are shown in the other photo

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idaho

Magic Valley Fly Fishers

I love sharing  my passion  for fly fishing with other enthusiasts of the sport.  The Magic Valley Fly Fishing organization provides me with that opportunity.

The goal of the Magic Valley Fly Fishers is to promote, preserve, protect, and enhance fly fisheries and function exclusively for education, charity and betterment of all fishing and conservation in the Magic Valley and the state of Idaho.  MVFF coordinates with governmental agencies, the Idaho Fish and Game, and private land holders to improve and promote fly fishing.

MVFF supports trout in the classroom, habitat rehabilitation, access for handicapped, and the Ruel Stayner scholarship to College of Southern Idaho fisheries students.

Learn more about this group and their upcoming January meeting.

idaho

Idaho Budget Cutting could negatively affect Recreational Opportunities

I just read about another wonderful state park that is in jeopardy of loosing its funding from the State of Idaho.  That park is Harriman State Park located in Island Park.  It is a wonderful park along the banks of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, home of beautiful, elusive rainbow trout, wildlife, birds, history.  Over the years I’ve visited it in the winter on cross country skis, and in the summer while fly fishing.  It would be a shame to see this park and others in our great state go by the wayside because of budget cuts.  Other parks that are threatened include Thousand Springs State Park Complex  in the Hagerman area.  Communicate with your legislators about these parks and their importance to our communities.  Read more about Hariman State Park, Thousand Springs State Park Complex

Legislative and governor contact information:

Governor

Representative Donna Pence
Representative Jim Patrick
Representative John "Bert" Stevenson
Representative Leon Smith
Representative Maxine Bell
Representative Scott Bedke
Representative Sharon Block	
Representative Stephen Hartgen
Representative Wendy Jacquet
Senator Bert Brackett
Senator Chuck Coiner
Senator Clint Stennett
Senator Dean Cameron
Senator Denton Darrington	

idaho

Winter Sports Opportunities

I want to be sure my readers are aware of one  a great recreation spot in our area.  If you like winter sports Pomerelle Mountain Resort offers great snow and friendly service for the skier and snowboarder alike.  I grew up skiing Pomerelle and have seen many changes and improvements over the years.   It is a great area for snowshoeing and cross country skiing also.  Snowmobilers will find their own parking lot, restrooms,  and trails nearby.  Learn more at www.pomerelle-mtn.com

idaho

Burley Ethanol Plant Reopens

Almost a year after it closed the Ethanol plant in Burley, Idaho has reopend.  The company’s plans to hire 35 employees should help the area economy.  Read the article in Idaho Business Review.

idaho

Bald Eagle Thrill

There are so many opportunities to view wildlife in the Magic Valley.  I’ve really enjoyed these wildlife viewing opportunities this winter.  I hope you enjoy this picture of a mature and immature bald eagle that I saw in a field  this weekend.  It is always a thrill to watch bald eagles within the striking contrast of the black ond white on the mature eagles. Click to see pic. Watch for more area wildlife pictures.

idaho

Taxes in Idaho

Just read an article in the Idaho Business Review about a study that says Idaho’s tax burden is the sixth lowest per capita.  It is great to be able to live in Idaho where the quality of life is so positive and our tax burden is lower than so many …

idaho

Fly of the Month – CDC Shuck Biot Body Sparkle Dun

Late fall/early winter is a great time to start tying up some patterns to restock the fly boxes depleted by another year on the water, lets not abandon the fishing quite yet.  I have had several great days on the river this past month.  It does get a bit hit and miss as the weather and the water temps cool but when you hit it right the fishing can be outstanding.  I have still been running into some great baetis hatches around here and so with that in mind I thought I would share my favorite pattern when fish are sipping the Blue Winged Olive Duns off the rivers surface.  This pattern is basically a Sparkle Dun with a biot body, and I use a CDC feather for the trailing shuck instead of Z-lon. I like the Sparkle dun because it is so versatile.  I think fish feeding on emergers, duns, and spinners could all find a reason to take a well placed Sparkle Dun.  This version is quite simple to tie, it floats well, and is fairly easy to see even in the small sizes that will often be required.

Lets get started with the materials:
• Hook: #18 or smaller Tiemco 100 or equivalent dry fly hook
• Thread: Olive 8/0
• Wing: Olive Deer Hair
• Tail/Shuck: One Natural Brown CDC feather
• Body: Gray Olive Turkey Biot
• Thorax: Medium Olive Fine Dry Fly Dubbing

1) In the winter months the bugs that do hatch tend to be small.  For our rivers in Southeast Idaho I usually tie this pattern in sizes from #18-#24.  You can definitely go larger or smaller if needed.

2) Tie in a clump of deer hair about 2/3 down the shank of the hook.  I make about 3 good turns while holding the back of the hair so it stays on top of the hook while the tips flare out.  Then clip the backs as close as you can at a 45 degree angle.

3) Next I pull up about 1/3 of the hair and make a wrap in front of it, then proceed to pull up another third, again making a wrap in front of that, then finally pull the remaining hairs straight up and wrap in front so that all the hair is standing up on the fly.  Then be sure to build up a good thread dam in front of the wing as if you don’t, when the fly gets wet the wing will lean forward on you.  Then wrap the thread back to behind the wing and tie down the loose ends on that side.

4) Now tie in the CDC feather on top of the hook shank.  I don’t worry about how long the tail sticks out as I cut it later.

5) Continue securing the CDC feather wraping back to where the shank meets the bend.

6) Now I trim the tail to about 3/4 hook shank length.

7) Next tie in a Goose or Turkey Biot Quill with the notch facing left.  Advance the thread to just behind the wing.

Wrap the biot using nice even wraps toward where you stopped the thread, then tie it off and clip the excess.

9) Next I simply dub a nice football shaped thorax using 2-3 wraps behind the wing and 3-4 in the front of it.

10) Finally make a nice even thread head and tie off the fly.  Dab some head cement on there and you are ready to fish.

Play with the color scheme to match other mayfly hatches in your area as well.  I like this pattern tied in appropriate colors for the summertime PMD hatches too.  Most of all have fun and catch some fish!

This article by: BaseCampLegends.com

See the original article at TeamHuntress.com

idaho

Keep Thousand Springs State Park Open

One of the concerns when the State of Idaho bought several properties along Billingsley Creek was the on going maintenance that would be required to keep the properties from becoming weed patches and thus eyesores.  The state combined these properties with other parks in the area to form what became known as Thousand Springs State Park. The park is an asset to the community of Hagerman, providing a venue for Blues in the Park, a weekend Flea Market, Annual 1000 Springs Art Show, fun runs, and chamber events to name a few.  If the state closes the many segments of this park it is in jeopardy of becoming the eyesore that was feared and thus a detriment to this delightful community.  There are enough challenges to small communities in these times, that we don’t need the state to through another cog in the wheel.  It is important to find a way to keep the park system open.

A Times News article today says, “everything is on the table as the state of Idaho tries to shrink government services to fit declining tax revenues. But we’d hate to see Thousand Springs State Park — truly one of the Magic Valley’s natural treasures — become one of the casualties.  .  .  . The Thousand Springs complex is a second home for many Magic Valley families during the summer months, and a significant source of income for the Hagerman area. It’s worth saving, even if someone other than the state has to do it.” Read entire article.

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