Fish Ladders allow Bonneville - The News-Examiner
Fish Ladders allow Bonneville - The News-Examiner
Fish Ladders allow Bonneville - The News-Examiner
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2 - August 17, 2011 - <strong>The</strong> Bear Laker - Supplement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley<br />
Inside this issue<br />
<strong>Fish</strong> <strong>Ladders</strong>..............................Page 4&5<br />
Josh Thornock.........................Page 6 & 7<br />
Oregon Trail Center...................Page 8&9<br />
A True <strong>Fish</strong> Story!........................Page 10<br />
Your Photos..................................Page 11<br />
Map...........................................Back Page<br />
Index of Advertisers<br />
<strong>The</strong> following merchants make the Bear Laker possible.<br />
Please take a moment to thank them by shopping at their businesses.<br />
A-1 Insulation.........................<br />
..8<br />
Advantage Plus Credit Union.<br />
..7<br />
Bear Lake Comm. Church........<br />
..6<br />
Bear Lake Fun Time.................<br />
T<br />
..4<br />
Bear Lake Golf Course.............<br />
..5<br />
Bear Lake Log Homes .............<br />
..6<br />
Bear Lake Memorial Hospital..<br />
..3<br />
Bear Lake Realty......................<br />
..5<br />
Broulim’s................................<br />
..8<br />
Bushman Land & Livestock....<br />
.1<br />
Dee’s Super Service................<br />
11<br />
EZ 2 PLEZ...............................<br />
..4<br />
Inn at Snow Meadows.............<br />
..6<br />
Inn at Snow Meadows.............<br />
..9<br />
Jensen’s Market.......................<br />
..9<br />
KOA Montpelier......................<br />
..8<br />
Lakeside Pizza........................<br />
11<br />
Minnetonka Market................<br />
10<br />
Montpelier Golf Course..........<br />
..5<br />
Oregon Trail T<br />
Center.................<br />
11<br />
Paris Country Store.................<br />
..8<br />
Paris Grill, LLC.......................<br />
11<br />
Pickleville Playhouse..............<br />
..7<br />
Re/Max Real Estate................<br />
..1<br />
Recreation eation Realty....................<br />
..9<br />
Super 8....................................<br />
10<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong> ...............<br />
..2<br />
Vic’s Hardwar<br />
dware e ......................<br />
..9<br />
Walton Feed, Inc. ...................<br />
..9<br />
Wilks Welding W<br />
& Repair .........<br />
10<br />
Please visit the local area businesses<br />
featured in this edition whose support<br />
for <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong> has brought<br />
you this year’s Bear Lakers.<br />
On the Cover...<br />
Bruce Grayum from Montpelier took the cover shot for this<br />
edition of the Bear Laker. He said, “<strong>The</strong> air was clear and the<br />
sky was filled with clusters of beautiful clouds. <strong>The</strong> rich blue<br />
"Caribbean" water below was dotted with water sports activity.<br />
I couldn't resist one more photo opportunity as we headed back<br />
down hill. <strong>The</strong> whole scene was an example of the beauty and<br />
the pleasures of living in Bear Lake.” Bruce said the picture<br />
below was taken west<br />
of Montpelier. Three<br />
seasons are represented.<br />
<strong>The</strong> green grass contrasts<br />
the fall colors of<br />
the trees in the background<br />
and snow on<br />
the mountains. He calls<br />
it, <strong>The</strong> Day After the First<br />
Snow.<br />
Volume 36 No. 5 • August 17, 2011<br />
Editor..................................................................Sherry Brown<br />
Staff Writer.........................................................Valerie Hayes<br />
Ad Sales............................................................Brandi Phelps<br />
Ad Design...............................................................Tawni King<br />
Layout/Design....................................................Sherry Brown<br />
Contributing Writers.................................Lori & Brit Thornock,<br />
Ann Keysor and Roger Grunig<br />
Photo Submissions.........................Bruce Grayum, Lori & Brit<br />
Thornock, Brian Nate, Sherry Parker, Caroll Sue Follette, Dee<br />
Johson, Colleen Earley and Dave Bower<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bear Laker, published five times throughout the summer, is a<br />
product of <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong> in Montpelier, Idaho. To contribute<br />
or offer suggestions, contact Sherry Brown at editorne@dcdi.net or<br />
call 208-847-0552. All information included in this publication is<br />
copyright <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong> 2011.<br />
Calendar of Events<br />
AUGUST 2011<br />
Monthly Quilt Show at the <strong>The</strong><br />
Oregon/California Trail Center in<br />
Montpelier. 866-847-3800<br />
15 - 20: Rich County Fair - Randolph,<br />
Utah (435) 881-4534<br />
20: Daniel Beck performs at <strong>The</strong><br />
Oregon/California Trail Center in<br />
Montpelier. 866-847-3800.<br />
20: Bear Lake Valley Health Care<br />
Foundation Annual Golf “Fore”<br />
Health Golf Tournament at the<br />
Montpelier Golf Course, for more<br />
information, contact Bear Lake<br />
Memorial Hospital or Craig Thomas<br />
at (208) 847-1630.<br />
26: SaddleStrings Cowboy Band performs<br />
at <strong>The</strong> Oregon/California Trail<br />
Center in Montpelier. 866-847-3800.<br />
26 - 28: Bear Lake Parade of Homes -<br />
Homes on display, sponsored by the<br />
Bear Lake Home Builders Association,<br />
for more info call 801-725-8941.<br />
27: Bear Lake Brawl Triathlon, a<br />
Gold Medal Racing event, Sprint and<br />
Olympic distances. (801) 335-4940.<br />
TBA: Bear Lake Classic Triathlon by<br />
BBSC Endurance Sports at<br />
Rendezvous Beach at 8 a.m.<br />
TBA: Beaver Mountain Music<br />
Festival - Funk & Reggae. Afro<br />
Omega, Shaky Trade, Charles Grodon,<br />
Michael Christiansen Quartet. Familyfriendly,<br />
Food. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.<br />
TBA: 12-hours of Bear Lake,<br />
Mountain Bike Relays. 800-756-0795<br />
TBA: Annual Bear Lake All-Niter<br />
Men’s Softball Tournament at<br />
Allinger Park in Montpelier.<br />
TBA: Annual Bear Lake All-Niter<br />
Co-Ed Softball Tournament, in<br />
Montpelier.<br />
TBA: Rich County Ranch Rodeo,<br />
Laketown, Utah. Long Round 8 a.m.,<br />
Short Round 6 p.m. 307-354-6691<br />
SEPTEMBER 2011<br />
Monthly Quilt Show at the <strong>The</strong><br />
Oregon/California Trail Center.<br />
2 - 4: Bear Lake Parade of Homes -<br />
Homes on display, sponsored by the<br />
Bear Lake Home Builders Association,<br />
for more info call 801-725-8941.<br />
3: Bear Lake Golf Scramble at Bear<br />
Lake West Golf Course. 9 a.m. and 2<br />
p.m., (208) 945-2744.<br />
10: LOTOJA - Logan to Jackson<br />
Bicycle Race - (801) 546-0090, (801)<br />
546-0090, or call the Greater Bear Lake<br />
Valley Chamber of Commerce at (208)<br />
847-0067.<br />
17: Ireland Bank & First Idaho Title<br />
Presents <strong>The</strong> Annual Golfing “Fore”<br />
Families 18 Hole Charity Golf<br />
Tournament at the Montpelier Golf<br />
Course. Montpelier, ID 208-847-1981<br />
TBA: Bear Lake Memorial Hospital<br />
Annual Community Health Fair, 8<br />
a.m. to noon (all ages welcome). (208)<br />
847-1630.<br />
TBA: Montpelier Mayor’s Marriage<br />
Celebration Week - Date Night, Not<br />
So Newly Wed Game, Couples Golf<br />
Tournament.<br />
OCTOBER 2011<br />
Monthly Quilt Show at the <strong>The</strong><br />
Oregon/California Trail Center in<br />
Montpelier. 866-847-3800<br />
TBA: Brake for Breakfast - 7 a.m. to<br />
10 a.m. at the Bear Lake Memorial<br />
Hospital Nursing Home Portico on<br />
5th Street. Sponsored by <strong>The</strong> Health<br />
Cooperative (THC) and Bear Lake<br />
Memorial Hospital.<br />
TBA: "We're Grateful!" Banquet at<br />
the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital at<br />
(208) 847-1630.<br />
TBA: Annual Montpelier Parks &<br />
Recreation's Pumpkin Walk,<br />
Montpelier Lions Park. 5 pm - 9 pm.<br />
Call 208-847-0508 for more information.<br />
Awards given for various categories.<br />
Calendar of Events<br />
courtesy of<br />
Bear Lake Convention<br />
and Visitor’s Bureau<br />
P.O. Box 471<br />
Garden City, Utah 84028<br />
435-946-2197
Suppliment to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley - <strong>The</strong> Bear Laker - August 17, 2011 - 3
4 - August 17, 2011 - <strong>The</strong> Bear Laker - Supplement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley<br />
<strong>Fish</strong> <strong>Ladders</strong> <strong>allow</strong> <strong>Bonneville</strong><br />
Photos and article by Valerie Hayes<br />
<strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong> staff writer<br />
<strong>The</strong> completed pool-weir designed fish ladder in Georgetown<br />
Canyon looks like this.<br />
<strong>Bonneville</strong> cutthroat trout are the only native trout in the <strong>Bonneville</strong> Basin,<br />
which encompasses most of Utah, a little bit of Idaho and Nevada. <strong>The</strong>y are<br />
big, fish-eating piscivores that are very uniquely adapted to the desert environment.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y can withstand high stream temperatures, yet they also live in<br />
areas that are extremely cold in winters. Some of the coldest temperatures are<br />
recorded right here in the heart of the Bear River Water Shed.<br />
In the past few years, two major areas in the Bear Lake Valley have been<br />
identified for a watershed-wide <strong>Bonneville</strong> cutthroat trout restoration effort to<br />
restore connectivity and habitat for the trout.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first area was a spawning tributary to Bear Lake for migratory<br />
<strong>Bonneville</strong> cutthroat trout called <strong>Fish</strong> Haven Creek. <strong>The</strong> trout come out of<br />
Bear Lake to spawn in this tributary. For many years, cutthroats have not been<br />
able to spawn naturally here because of barriers to the creek.<br />
A lot of reconnection and restoration was done on <strong>Fish</strong> Haven Creek to<br />
<strong>allow</strong> the cutthroats to come up and spawn naturally in some of the historic<br />
spawning grounds.<br />
In late 2009, a 300-foot long box culvert that was a migration barrier to<br />
about 98 percent of the migrating fish was removed from the creek. It was<br />
replaced with a structure called a “bottomless arch culvert.” <strong>The</strong> culvert is 12<br />
feet wide and 230 feet long. It has<br />
concrete footings that are poured 3<br />
feet deep below both sides with a<br />
keyway. <strong>The</strong> arch was dropped and<br />
locked in place and grouted in. <strong>The</strong><br />
weight of the structure holds it in<br />
place.<br />
Spring of 2010 was the first time<br />
in approximately 60 years that fish<br />
were able to get up into the <strong>Fish</strong><br />
Haven Creek system and spawn<br />
naturally.<br />
<strong>The</strong> second area identified was<br />
Georgetown Creek which is an<br />
important tributary of the Bear<br />
River for <strong>Bonneville</strong> cutthroat trout.<br />
<strong>The</strong> diversion headgate at the<br />
mouth of Georgetown Canyon traditionally<br />
blocked upstream cutthroat<br />
trout migration, so it was<br />
determined that a “fish ladder”<br />
needed to be built to give the fish<br />
access to the upper part of the<br />
drainage.
Supplement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley – Bear Laker – August 17, 2011 - 5<br />
cutthroat to spawn naturally<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are typically five types of fish ladders: pool-weir, vertical slot, Denil,<br />
steeppass, and natural bypasses or fishways. <strong>The</strong> fish ladder in Georgetown<br />
Canyon is basically of the pool-weir design. This is the oldest of the fishway<br />
designs. Pool-weir designs work well for jumping species like trout and<br />
salmon because they are sensitive to water surface elevation changes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fish ladder is made of concrete and has boards (the ladder) that step up<br />
pooled water. <strong>The</strong> fish will come up to the headgate and go through the ladder<br />
and end up in the upper portion of the drainage. <strong>The</strong> ladder was<br />
designed by Sunrise Engineering of Afton and constructed by the Bureau of<br />
Reclamation implementation crew of Provo.<br />
As of this date, the fish ladder is not operational because there are two<br />
other conservation measures being done in Georgetown that will support a<br />
larger population of the cutthroat trout. Those two ongoing projects include<br />
the Georgetown Road Relocation Project and the Alleman Dam Removal and<br />
Restoration Project.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fish ladder will probably be operational in the next year or two.<br />
This structure in<br />
<strong>Fish</strong> Haven is<br />
considered a<br />
bottomless arch<br />
culvert. <strong>The</strong> culvert<br />
is 12 feet<br />
wide and 230<br />
feet long. <strong>The</strong><br />
culvert <strong>allow</strong>s<br />
fish to spawn<br />
naturally-something<br />
they<br />
haven’t done in<br />
<strong>Fish</strong> Haven<br />
Creek in about<br />
60 years.<br />
A closer look at the fish ladder in Georgetown. Boards (the ladder)<br />
<strong>allow</strong> the fish to spawn naturally. <strong>Fish</strong> come up to the headgate<br />
and go through the ladder and end up in the upper portion of the<br />
drainage.
8 – August 17, 2011 - Bear Laker Supplement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley<br />
Bear Laker – August 17, 2011 - 9<br />
Forest fire fighter could be hero next door<br />
Joshua “Sause” Lee Thornock (1983-2009)<br />
Thanks to the Thornock family,<br />
Montpelier District, Caribou-Targhee<br />
National Forest and friends for<br />
supplying valuable information<br />
and photos for this story.<br />
<strong>The</strong> great use of life is<br />
to spend it for something<br />
that will outlast it.<br />
When he was very young, Joshua’s dream was to be a fire fighter.<br />
At the time of his death, “Sause” was living that dream and had<br />
attained the position of Engine Boss in the South Zone Fire Crew of<br />
the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.<br />
Sause was fondly known by many. He loved all his friends and<br />
family dearly and rarely had harsh words to say about anyone. He<br />
was able to get along and work well with people.<br />
He began his Forest Service career as a seasonal employee in<br />
2001 as a member of a four-person weed crew where he spent his<br />
time spraying and cutting noxious and invasive weeds. During that<br />
time, he received a safety award for treating 300 acres of weeds<br />
without an accident.<br />
Josh was always willing to jump in and help someone without<br />
being asked. Ken Klingenberg, a forester at the Montpelier district<br />
office, remembers a day when he was frantically looking for an<br />
item he had misplaced at the warehouse. <strong>The</strong> next thing he knew<br />
there was an extra set of hands rummaging through a pile of stuff<br />
helping him look for the item. Of course it was Sause. Without hesitation<br />
Sause said to Ken, “What does a guy need to do to get a job<br />
with you next year” Needless to say the next year he was working<br />
for Ken.<br />
Josh was a hard worker and had a great work ethic, something<br />
that he learned from his father and family. A lot of assignments he<br />
went on would be a test of anyone’s endurance, strength and commitment<br />
to the job. He enjoyed the challenge and the hard work<br />
that was given him.<br />
During the 2002 and 2003 summer seasons, Josh worked on the<br />
timber crew. He spent the summers thinning trees, building barbwire<br />
fences around timber plantations, distributing pheromone<br />
packets in an effort to cut down the large number of bark beetles<br />
attacking trees and spraying weeds in timber sale areas. He participated<br />
in prescribed burns as a means to prep sites before trees were<br />
planted, helped with Type 2 stand exams (counting the amount of<br />
trees in a specific area) and worked with the recreation crews reworking<br />
trails and recreation facilities. In 2003 he also continued to<br />
support fire fighting efforts and was made Squad Boss on the East<br />
Table Fire on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in July, and Saw<br />
Boss on the Winslow Fire on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest<br />
in September.<br />
Besides being a great worker, he was also an example and friend<br />
to all whom he worked with. Other employees would jump up and<br />
even compete at the chance to get to work with Sause for the day.<br />
He was an extremely loyal friend to all.<br />
After long hours and no days off anyone has a tendency to<br />
become grumpy. <strong>The</strong>re were many times when Josh pulled some<br />
crazy stunts to cheer up and get everyone laughing. When coworker,<br />
Ash Phelps, would come in to work in a bad mood, Josh<br />
would pick him up, turn him upside down and tickle him till he<br />
started to laugh. That sight would definitely put a smile on anyone’s<br />
face.<br />
Sometimes out of the blue, Josh would break out in song which<br />
would echo throughout the forest, just to lighten the air and lift<br />
everyone’s spirits or he would yell out for all to hear, “Hey You<br />
Guys,” a movie quote from one of his favorite movies, <strong>The</strong><br />
Goonies.<br />
During his short career, Josh participated in 14 fires in 2004 as a<br />
fire fighter, a Fire Engine Operator on 10 fires in 2005, 26 fires in<br />
2006, 16 in 2007, and 18 during the 2008 season. While doing site<br />
prep for a controlled burn in 2007 in a natural regeneration stand of<br />
lodge pole pine in Unit 5 of the Emigration timber sale he was<br />
knocked unconscious, when a tree he was cutting down, hit him on<br />
the right side of his head.<br />
Josh fought fires in almost all of the western states and in 2008<br />
received his qualification to become an Engine Foreman. This gave<br />
him authority to take a fire engine out on fire incidents and supervise<br />
a two-person crew. He helped with the clean up in Las Vegas,<br />
during the Bird Flu outbreak. He even spent two weeks in Texas as<br />
part of a 20-person crew to help find parts from the space shuttle<br />
Discovery disaster. Josh performed flawlessly in these duties and<br />
provided excellent safe supervision for his crew members.<br />
In 2009 Josh was looking forward to running a skidsteer with a<br />
wood mulching attachment to aid in reducing hazardous fuels and<br />
putting in fire lines around prescribed burns. He was so excited for<br />
this new position and couldn’t wait to get out on his new machine<br />
and get to work. Unfortunately the machine was late in arriving,<br />
and he never received the chance to get out in the forest that summer<br />
and tear stuff up.<br />
Those living deeply have no fear of death. Josh was big on having<br />
no fear. He loved life and knew how to enjoy it and bring joy to<br />
others. He believed that one should never hold back. He was never<br />
afraid of dying…he was afraid of not living. He always went about<br />
life creating experiences that required courage and no fear or hesitation.<br />
He was always helping a friend in need, no matter what the<br />
case maybe. Josh always gave his all and joyfully so. He was<br />
always up to something and planning something just to get a rise<br />
out of someone, to make them laugh and smile.<br />
Josh had many challenges come his way. Whether it was crashing<br />
vehicles, having a large quaking aspen hit him in the head, or<br />
having a large grapefruit-sized tumor removed from his thigh, he<br />
always bounced back and pushed forward with even more determination<br />
and with a great fun-loving attitude. On a calm spring<br />
night, May 22, 2009, Joshua Lee “Sause” Thornock passed away<br />
due to a pulmonary embolism in the same living room in which he<br />
and all of his friends hung out, talked and shared their dreams.<br />
He often recited his favorite lines from the movie, Masters of the<br />
Universe, “Don’t say good bye, say good journey. Live the journey<br />
for every destination is but a doorway to another. Good journey,<br />
Josh; good journey.<br />
A memorial grove was built in<br />
Joshua’s honor in Bloomington, by<br />
family, forest service brothers and<br />
sisters, friends and neighbors.<br />
Josh found great<br />
enjoyment in being<br />
Smokey Bear for<br />
parades and such.<br />
Brian Nate, Josh & Ash Phelps<br />
Josh’s yellow fire shirt hangs in the<br />
lobby of the Forest Service office in<br />
Montpelier. <strong>The</strong> frame was made<br />
by Dennis Duehren, District<br />
Ranger of the Montpelier District.
8 - August 17, 2011 - <strong>The</strong> Bear Laker - Supplement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley<br />
<strong>The</strong> Oregon Trail Center,<br />
Photos and article by Valerie Hayes<br />
<strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong> staff writer<br />
Years ago, a community meeting was held where those present listed the<br />
assets of the community and tried to find ways to capitalize on those assets.<br />
Among the assets was the presence of the Oregon Trail.<br />
A few members of the group present at the original development meeting<br />
envisioned a museum or interpretive center that would provide an attraction to<br />
the many people who journey along Highway 89 on their way to the Jackson<br />
Hole area.<br />
An initial board was formed, along with many supporters, and grants were<br />
obtained. Federal highway enhancement funds provided the major portion of<br />
the money needed. Montpelier City and Bear Lake County played big parts in<br />
the early work. Hundreds of private individuals, along with foundations, small<br />
and large businesses and corporations added to the sums needed to build the<br />
center.<br />
<strong>The</strong> gift shop in the National Oregon/California Trails Center opened<br />
Memorial Day 1998. Hundreds watched as Idaho’s Governer Dirk Kempthorn<br />
cut the ribbon July 13, 1999 at the center’s official grand opening.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Trail Center, as the locals now lovingly call it, struggled for the first five<br />
or six years. In 2006, when Becky Smith of Georgetown took over as director,<br />
nine buses had toured the center between May 30 and September 1 of that season.<br />
Today, in its 12th season, the Trail Center serves 12 to 16 scheduled tour buses<br />
per week. Tours run every half hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week.<br />
In 2007, Jeff Trevitz, aka Jeff the Chef or Cookie, visualized and sketched a<br />
wagon circle dining room, which was then built on the top floor of the center<br />
and is used for tour buses, dinner concerts and large group events. Smith says,
Supplement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley – Bear Laker – August 17, 2011 - 9<br />
gem of Bear Lake Valley<br />
“When Jeff is cooking, it’s like home.” She also says that people tend to stay in<br />
the center longer when they can smell his cooking.<br />
<strong>The</strong> top floor also has on display beautiful donated quilts from May 1 to Oct.<br />
30 each year, and visitors may purchase them if they desire.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is always an exhibit located on the top floor. This year’s exhibit is<br />
“When Two Trails Cross,” which is an examination of how the westward migration<br />
affected the Native American culture. This is done through the photographs<br />
of Beatrice Wrenstead and artwork and artifacts from the Museum of<br />
Natural History.<br />
On the main floor is the encampment where visitors experience local people<br />
playing the part of actual travelers on the Oregon Trail. <strong>The</strong>y explain what is<br />
happening in the camp, what they have gone through to reach the halfway<br />
point along the trail, and the obstacles they may face in the future. Prior to<br />
reaching the encampment, each visitor experiences what it was like to purchase<br />
a wagon and stock it in preparation for the arduous trip along the trail. Visitors<br />
will also have the opportunity to ride in a life-like wagon, complete with creeks,<br />
cracks, bumps and jarings simulated by the use of hydrulic pumps.<br />
Around the outside wall of the encampment hangs an extensive collection of<br />
paintings by Gary Stone. J.R. Simplot commissioned Stone to do the series of<br />
paintings which depict the Oregon Trail in Idaho.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Allinger Community <strong>The</strong>atre was also built on the main level of the center.<br />
Many concerts and events have been held there over the past few years.<br />
Peg-Leg Smith’s Trading Post is located at the front of the center and contains<br />
unusual trail-related items and a variety of books related to the Oregon Trail.<br />
Located on the lower floor of the center is the Rails & Trails Museum containing<br />
DUP, early Bear Lake and railroadartifacts.<br />
This past winter, the Oregon/California Trail Center Auxiliary was formed.<br />
It has become very important in helping support and sustain the center by raising<br />
much needed funds.<br />
A 360 degree virtual tour of the center can be found on the center’s website<br />
at www.oregontrailcenter.org.
10 - August 17, 2011 - <strong>The</strong> Bear Laker - Supplement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley<br />
A fisherman’s dream, a TRUE fish story<br />
Roger Grunig/Submitted Photos<br />
Idaho State Record holder for 41 years. Cutthroat<br />
Trout. 18 lbs. 15 oz. Caught by Roger Grunig.<br />
Roger Grunig<br />
Submitted Story<br />
I woke early again this morning reliving the battle<br />
a large cutthroat puts up. I couldn’t get it out of<br />
my mind, the thrill of a hook up, the adrenalin of the<br />
first powerful run. Realizing sleep was out of the<br />
question, I quietly left my warm bed and sleeping<br />
bride. Trying to keep noise at a minimum, I dressed<br />
for cold weather.<br />
A soft voice asked, “What are you doing out of<br />
bed so early”<br />
“I’m going to drive to St. Charles this morning<br />
and fish for A LITTLE WHILE.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> reply was, “Dress warm.” A wife’s blessing is<br />
an answer to a man’s prayer.<br />
Leaving the house I noticed snowflakes falling on<br />
a slight wind out of the north. Not unusual in April<br />
in Bear Lake. <strong>The</strong> date was April 30, 1970.<br />
Daylight still an hour away, I drove to my location.<br />
I pulled my chest waders on by the interior<br />
light of my car and slowly walked down the channel<br />
of St. Charles Creek where it entered Bear Lake.<br />
I started casting my lure, retrieving it slowly.<br />
After a dozen or so casts, the ice was building in<br />
the guides on my rod. <strong>The</strong> water was warmer than<br />
the air so I gave my rod a bath in it, freeing the ice<br />
in the guides.<br />
An hour later I was nearing the end as far as I<br />
could wade. One more cast... the retrieve suddenly<br />
STOPPED! <strong>The</strong> felt head shake of a good one. <strong>The</strong><br />
fish did what it wanted to do and I hung on. Playing<br />
the fish and keeping the ice out of my rod guides<br />
was a dance in motion (I’m glad no one else was<br />
there to witness that, HA!). After 30-plus minutes, I<br />
started to gain line and bring the fish closer. I was in<br />
thigh-deep water when I finally got him to me.<br />
Laying on the bottom by my feet he looked huge.<br />
Reeling my rod tip down in the water, I gently<br />
began to lift him with my rod. Knowing at any second<br />
the 8 lb. test line was going to break, I brought<br />
him up to where I could reach him. Dipping my arm<br />
into the freezing water above my elbow I had a grip<br />
onto his gill plate and finally he was MINE. I had a<br />
safety snap stringer in my waders that I quickly<br />
attached to him and the buckle on my waders.<br />
Making another cast at a fish I had seen “move”<br />
while I was playing this one I just caught, I looked<br />
down at my catch and thought, “I bet he goes 14<br />
lbs.” Another cast, a quick look and I think, “Maybe<br />
15 lbs.” After thinking, “Maybe 16 lbs.,” I headed to<br />
find some scales. Laying him in the trunk of my car,<br />
I took off my chest waders and left in search of some<br />
scales.<br />
Mark’s and Mike’s, a small convenience store,<br />
was open in Paris. Mike Pugmire, co-owner, agreed<br />
to weigh the fish. Several locals were in the store<br />
and, boy, were we all surprised when the scales read<br />
18 lbs. 15 oz. I showed the fish off to several friends<br />
before going home, changing clothes and going to<br />
work. I had wrapped the fish in plastic and laid him<br />
in my freezer.<br />
When I returned home from work, still excited<br />
from my catch of the day, my wife said, “Glenn<br />
Paige, the local conservation officer called.”<br />
Returning his call, I found out this fish could be a<br />
new state record! Paige took the fish to Idaho Falls<br />
the next day so the biologists there could verify it<br />
was a true cutthroat trout. I got an official weight<br />
verification slip that required three witnesses’ signatures<br />
verifying they saw the weight of the fish.<br />
Paige returned from Idaho Falls that evening to<br />
inform me a determination was made – true<br />
Cutthroat – NEW STATE RECORD.<br />
I was asked to donate the fish to the Idaho <strong>Fish</strong><br />
and Game so they could have it mounted and me<br />
noted as the catcher of this record fish. <strong>The</strong> fish<br />
would be and still is today on display at the Idaho<br />
<strong>Fish</strong> and Game headquarters in Boise, in their trophy<br />
room. Understanding was made if this record is<br />
ever broken the mount will be returned to me. <strong>The</strong><br />
old record was set in 1946 from American Falls. I’m<br />
still the record holder from April 30, 1970.<br />
Oh, by the way, the other fish that was there that<br />
morning, April 30, 1970. I introduced myself to her<br />
on May 1, 1970, when I replayed the big catch from<br />
the day before. She was big and put up a big fight<br />
and felt heavier than my record catch. You guessed<br />
it, I landed her, a big female cutthroat. But to everyone’s<br />
surprise, I turned her loose. This is a memory<br />
with me for my life. Good days, good times and<br />
wonderful memories.<br />
Happy fishing to all.
Supplement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley – Bear Laker – August 17, 2011 - 11<br />
Left: Photo Submitted by<br />
Carol Sue Follette<br />
THE DAY IS DONE<br />
Below: Photo Submitted by Dave<br />
Bower<br />
ST. CHARLES BARN<br />
Below: Photo Submitted by<br />
Sherry Parker.<br />
INDIAN PAINTBRUSH<br />
JANE LLOYD/SUBMITTED PHOTO<br />
ADORING
12 - August 17, 2011 - <strong>The</strong> Bear Laker - Supplement to <strong>The</strong> <strong>News</strong>-<strong>Examiner</strong>, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley<br />
M o r e o f<br />
SUNSET ON BEAR LAKE<br />
COLLEEN EARLEY/SUBMITTED PHOTO<br />
COLLEEN EARLEY/SUBMITTED PHOTO<br />
WAGON WHEEL<br />
DEE JOHNSON/SUBMITTED PHOTO<br />
BEAR LAKE RAINBOW<br />
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