Outdoors briefs March 28, 2013

Appleseed rifle clinics scheduled April 20-21

There will be a special Patriot's Day Weekend Appleseed event on April 20-21 at Fernan Rod and Gun Club, 11600 E. Fernan Lake Road

The clinic will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

It is the goal of Appleseed to reinvigorate the spirit of the Citizen Rifleman. This is done by offering year-round clinics that, spread over a weekend, teach the best rifle marksmanship available and Revolutionary War history and heritage.

Appleseed pre-registration is $80 per weekend, $40 for women.

Reduced rates are offered for those younger than 18, active duty military, law enforcement officers, elected officials, and Revolutionary War Re-enactors.

Information: www.appleseedinfo.org or 819-0866. Rifles and ammunition are not supplied.

In addition to the two-day Appleseed Rifle Clinics, Appleseed instructors are available to present the history of Lexington and Concord in two-hour presentations called Libertyseeds to Scout troops, PTAs, schools, book clubs and other civic groups. Instructors tell the story of the most important date in the history of our Republic.

Information: www.libertyseed.org.

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Surveys show success forsteelhead anglers

Spring is the time when hatchery steelhead concentrate in smaller rivers, making it a great time to fish.This year has been no exception.

Recent angler surveys show catch rates to be 11 hours per fish caught on the Salmon River upstream of the East Fork, 17 hours per fish caught on the Little Salmon River, and 8 hours per fish caught on the South Fork Clearwater River.

Steelhead fishing is considered very good anytime catch rates are lower than 20 hours per fish caught.

While the spring harvest season closes March 31 on the Salmon River from the Lake Creek Bridge to Long Tom Creek - three-quarters of a mile upstream from the Middle Fork Salmon River, anglers can continue fishing through April 30 in most other steelhead waters, except the Little Salmon River, which stays open until May 15.

Other open waters include:

• Snake River from the Washington state line at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.

• Clearwater River Mainstem and Middle Fork from its mouth upstream to Clear Creek.

• North Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to Dworshak Dam.

• South Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to the confluence of American and Red Rivers.

• Salmon River from its mouth upstream to the posted boundary 100 yards downstream of the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery weir near Stanley.

Spring steelhead limits are three fish per day and nine in possession with no more than 20 fish for the season. Once limits are reached, the angler must stop fishing, even catch and release.

Steelhead anglers may use only barbless hooks, and may keep only hatchery steelhead marked with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar. All other steelhead must be released immediately.

Anglers are reminded to consult the 2013-2015 fishing rules book for special restrictions and limits. A valid 2013 fishing license and steelhead permit are required to fish for steelhead.