Fish Ladders allow Bonneville - The News-Examiner
Fish Ladders allow Bonneville - The News-Examiner Fish Ladders allow Bonneville - The News-Examiner
Supplement to The News-Examiner, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley – Bear Laker – August 17, 2011 - 9 gem of Bear Lake Valley “When Jeff is cooking, it’s like home.” She also says that people tend to stay in the center longer when they can smell his cooking. The top floor also has on display beautiful donated quilts from May 1 to Oct. 30 each year, and visitors may purchase them if they desire. There is always an exhibit located on the top floor. This year’s exhibit is “When Two Trails Cross,” which is an examination of how the westward migration affected the Native American culture. This is done through the photographs of Beatrice Wrenstead and artwork and artifacts from the Museum of Natural History. On the main floor is the encampment where visitors experience local people playing the part of actual travelers on the Oregon Trail. They explain what is happening in the camp, what they have gone through to reach the halfway point along the trail, and the obstacles they may face in the future. Prior to reaching the encampment, each visitor experiences what it was like to purchase a wagon and stock it in preparation for the arduous trip along the trail. Visitors will also have the opportunity to ride in a life-like wagon, complete with creeks, cracks, bumps and jarings simulated by the use of hydrulic pumps. Around the outside wall of the encampment hangs an extensive collection of paintings by Gary Stone. J.R. Simplot commissioned Stone to do the series of paintings which depict the Oregon Trail in Idaho. The Allinger Community Theatre was also built on the main level of the center. Many concerts and events have been held there over the past few years. Peg-Leg Smith’s Trading Post is located at the front of the center and contains unusual trail-related items and a variety of books related to the Oregon Trail. Located on the lower floor of the center is the Rails & Trails Museum containing DUP, early Bear Lake and railroadartifacts. This past winter, the Oregon/California Trail Center Auxiliary was formed. It has become very important in helping support and sustain the center by raising much needed funds. A 360 degree virtual tour of the center can be found on the center’s website at www.oregontrailcenter.org.
10 - August 17, 2011 - The Bear Laker - Supplement to The News-Examiner, the only newspaper in the whole world that cares about the Bear Lake Valley A fisherman’s dream, a TRUE fish story Roger Grunig/Submitted Photos Idaho State Record holder for 41 years. Cutthroat Trout. 18 lbs. 15 oz. Caught by Roger Grunig. Roger Grunig Submitted Story I woke early again this morning reliving the battle a large cutthroat puts up. I couldn’t get it out of my mind, the thrill of a hook up, the adrenalin of the first powerful run. Realizing sleep was out of the question, I quietly left my warm bed and sleeping bride. Trying to keep noise at a minimum, I dressed for cold weather. A soft voice asked, “What are you doing out of bed so early” “I’m going to drive to St. Charles this morning and fish for A LITTLE WHILE.” The reply was, “Dress warm.” A wife’s blessing is an answer to a man’s prayer. Leaving the house I noticed snowflakes falling on a slight wind out of the north. Not unusual in April in Bear Lake. The date was April 30, 1970. Daylight still an hour away, I drove to my location. I pulled my chest waders on by the interior light of my car and slowly walked down the channel of St. Charles Creek where it entered Bear Lake. I started casting my lure, retrieving it slowly. After a dozen or so casts, the ice was building in the guides on my rod. The water was warmer than the air so I gave my rod a bath in it, freeing the ice in the guides. An hour later I was nearing the end as far as I could wade. One more cast... the retrieve suddenly STOPPED! The felt head shake of a good one. The fish did what it wanted to do and I hung on. Playing the fish and keeping the ice out of my rod guides was a dance in motion (I’m glad no one else was there to witness that, HA!). After 30-plus minutes, I started to gain line and bring the fish closer. I was in thigh-deep water when I finally got him to me. Laying on the bottom by my feet he looked huge. Reeling my rod tip down in the water, I gently began to lift him with my rod. Knowing at any second the 8 lb. test line was going to break, I brought him up to where I could reach him. Dipping my arm into the freezing water above my elbow I had a grip onto his gill plate and finally he was MINE. I had a safety snap stringer in my waders that I quickly attached to him and the buckle on my waders. Making another cast at a fish I had seen “move” while I was playing this one I just caught, I looked down at my catch and thought, “I bet he goes 14 lbs.” Another cast, a quick look and I think, “Maybe 15 lbs.” After thinking, “Maybe 16 lbs.,” I headed to find some scales. Laying him in the trunk of my car, I took off my chest waders and left in search of some scales. Mark’s and Mike’s, a small convenience store, was open in Paris. Mike Pugmire, co-owner, agreed to weigh the fish. Several locals were in the store and, boy, were we all surprised when the scales read 18 lbs. 15 oz. I showed the fish off to several friends before going home, changing clothes and going to work. I had wrapped the fish in plastic and laid him in my freezer. When I returned home from work, still excited from my catch of the day, my wife said, “Glenn Paige, the local conservation officer called.” Returning his call, I found out this fish could be a new state record! Paige took the fish to Idaho Falls the next day so the biologists there could verify it was a true cutthroat trout. I got an official weight verification slip that required three witnesses’ signatures verifying they saw the weight of the fish. Paige returned from Idaho Falls that evening to inform me a determination was made – true Cutthroat – NEW STATE RECORD. I was asked to donate the fish to the Idaho Fish and Game so they could have it mounted and me noted as the catcher of this record fish. The fish would be and still is today on display at the Idaho Fish and Game headquarters in Boise, in their trophy room. Understanding was made if this record is ever broken the mount will be returned to me. The old record was set in 1946 from American Falls. I’m still the record holder from April 30, 1970. Oh, by the way, the other fish that was there that morning, April 30, 1970. I introduced myself to her on May 1, 1970, when I replayed the big catch from the day before. She was big and put up a big fight and felt heavier than my record catch. You guessed it, I landed her, a big female cutthroat. But to everyone’s surprise, I turned her loose. This is a memory with me for my life. Good days, good times and wonderful memories. Happy fishing to all.
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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.
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