boating Archives - Out There Venture

8 Adventures on Lake Pend Oreille

S. Michal Bennett — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 01:23:38 +0000

One of the deepest lakes in North America, Lake Pend Oreille is one of the most pristine and enjoyable lakes in the Inland Northwest. At 43 miles long, it offers a wealth of activities and adventures on and under the water as well as private stays, national forests, city campgrounds, and plenty of natural and historic scenery.

Here are some of the most popular ways to play around the lake this summer.

1. Go fish.

Whether you cast a line of the dock at Pend Oreille Shores Resort, launch a boat in one of the many bays, or wade into the Clark Fork or Pack River Deltas, there is a wide diversity of catchable fish to be had in the lake. Charter a fishing guide for an even more successful day.

2. Find a campsite.

From public to private, there’s a campground for everyone. Find information and book some campsites at Recreation.gov and Fs.usda.gov. Reserve a private beach stay through Airbnb or Hipcamp. Hike or boat out to Maiden Rock, Evans Landing, or Long Beach in the Green Monarchs for a more rustic experience immersed in the simple, natural beauty and power of Pend Oreille.

3. Rent lake toys.

Sports shops, resorts, and marinas around the lake offer powerboat, pontoon, wave runners, kayak, and paddleboard rentals for a day on the water. Extend your time on the waves by renting a houseboat.

Lake Pend Oreille is a paddle paradise. // Photo: S. Michael Bennett

4. Ride the wind.

Sailing is a breathtaking water adventure, and it’s fascinating to watch Lake Pend Oreille Yacht Club races and cruises throughout the summer. Charter your own professional skipper through Cloud Nine Sail Charters or Dogsmile Adventures. Dogsmile also offers sailing lessons, custom sailing experiences, and their Dogsmile Race Academy next level training.

5. Take a cruise.

Take a relaxing tour or cruise and discover the nooks and crannies of the lake. Lake Pend Oreille Cruises offers eagle watching, delta cruises, interesting history, and island cruises. Get a little more private with a tour from one of two water taxis: Lake Pend Oreille Water Taxi and Tours out of Hope (208-691-3158) and Captain’s Call out of Bayview.

6. Hunt for treasure.

Shipwrecks and other fascinating treasures are hidden just below the surface. Don your own scuba gear or book a dive with Jake’s Scuba Adventures or Tom’s Diving Adventures. Or try snorkeling the shallows near docks and beaches.

7. Watch the fireworks.

The granite hills surrounding the south end of the lake make Bayview one of the best spots in North Idaho to experience a fireworks show at their annual Bayview Daze community event, typically during the weekend closest to the 4th of July.

Watch them from a boat in the bay or reserve a floating house on the expansive dock in the marina. (Airbnb or bookahouseboat.com).

8. Play on an island.

Fisherman Island is a rustic day recreation spot managed by Idaho Fish and Game and accessible only by boat. But Warren Island near Hope is the largest on the lake and is private and exclusive—except for the Warren Island Bungalow. This 4-acre retreat is the only vacation rental on Warren and boasts private waterfront, majestic views, exquisite amenities, and “a safe, peaceful sanctuary.”

Wing foiling on Lake Pend Oreille (top left). // Photo courtesy Alan Shepherd; Dock at Sam Owen Campground on the west shore of the lake near Hope, ID (top corner right), and sunset view from the campground beach (bottom row). // Photos: Amy McCaffree; Sandpoint City Beach (top row corner left). // Photo: Shallan Knowles

Learn about other lake destinations and recreation in the 2021 Inland Northwest Lake Guide.

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Improved Spokane River Access

Amy McCaffree — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 22:28:55 +0000

Paddlers, anglers, tubers, and rafters can enjoy an improved access site for the Spokane River within the Great Gorge recreational area. Upgrades to improve safety and ease of use were made to the Aubrey White Water Trail Access put-in/take-out area, located adjacent to the City of Spokane Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility. The site was initially developed in 2015 through the work of the Spokane River Forum and its partnership with the City of Spokane and Innovia Foundation.

Fly fishing raft and trailer on the new access ramp demonstrated by Sean Visintainer owner of Silver Bow Fly Shop and board member for Spokane River Forum // Photo by Amy McCaffree

“Restoring this site was a high priority for anglers putting in upstream and paddlers needing to exit before entering the Class III rapids of the Bowl and Pitcher,” says Andy Dunau, executive director of the Spokane River Forum.

The success of this effort resulted in such high site usage in 2019, adds Dunau, that investment was needed to assure its ease of use and safety well into the future. Through collaboration among the Forum, City of Spokane, and Spokane Indians Baseball Redband Campaign, a paved ramp for vehicles and watercraft trailers was built and parking access improved. An asphalt road section leads to the river’s high-water mark and connects to a cement section that extends further down. For more information about the Spokane River Water Trail, visit Spokaneriver.net.

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Teaching Your Child to Water Ski

Amy McCaffree — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 17:00:38 +0000

Water skiing is like swimming, paddling or fishing – introduce it to your kids when they’re young, and they’ll be your water sport buddies for life. I admit I was skeptical when my husband, a couple years ago, suggested our then-4-year-old son could learn to water ski. Our kid was already a decent alpine skier for his age, but water ski? Then I watched a YouTube video of a 2-year-old water skiing. Challenge accepted.

Children who snow ski and bike ride independently typically have the right mix of physical skills and character traits to learn how to water ski, including good balance, muscle strength, bravery, determination, and enthusiasm for new challenges. With progressive instruction and specialized gear, teaching them to water ski is easier than you may think.

Gear: Trainer water skis have one or more removable stabilizer bars and a wide design to help novice skiers “pop” out of the water. A dual-handle rope is secured to the front stabilizer bar and while the child holds one handle, an adult holds the other while standing in the back of the boat. When the skier falls, the adult simply lets go. A correctly fitted, Coast Guard-certified PFD is required.

Dry Land Training: Familiarize a child with wearing water skis and holding the rope handle while being pulled over a grassy surface. Watch YouTube videos for some DIY help from parents who are experienced water skiers and have successfully taught their own young children to ski, such as Kent Wallace, Seth Stisher, and pro water skier Glenn Campbell.

Shallow Water Training: Simulate a boat tow by running through shallow water with the rope. This allows the child to experience how it feels to ski on top of water, tips up and body leaning back with knees slightly bent.

Deep Water Training: Good weather and pleasant water conditions are essential for creating the best possible first experience. Visit a smaller lake that allows motorized boats or find a small bay in a larger lake to be away from other boat traffic and minimize waves. For pulling a child water skier, the boat speed should be seven to 10 mph. Be sure to read and follow all ski manufacturer instructions and warnings. The collaborative teamwork of four adults is needed: a boat driver, an adult in the water (wearing a PFD) to assist the child with the tucked-knee start position, and two more adults in the boat with one holding the tow rope and the other holding the safety flag.

A small bay allows the adult in the water to watch the action and be protected from other boat traffic. When the ski boat circles back around, and the child is ready for a rest, the tow rope can be released after the boat slows and the child is near the parent in the water. Eventually, the child should be comfortable and skilled enough to start in the water without hands-on assistance.

For children not yet ready for actual water skis, there are inflatable ski trainers. These simulate the water ski experience by allowing a child to either sit or stand, totally out of water, to practice balance and stability while being pulled behind the boat’s wake. It’s essentially tubing with a water ski posture.

While my son got up on water skis after his third attempt, he only stayed upright for about 100 feet before falling over. It was the end of summer and we couldn’t try again until the following July. He was taller and stronger by then, and surprised us by getting up on his first attempt. Thereafter, our family’s boat days were more exciting and adventurous – the best type of summer days. //

Amy Silbernagel McCaffree enjoys sharing stories that inspire people to be more active and adventurous. She contributed several stories to the Summer Adventure June issue.

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State Parks seeks Boating Safety Advisory Council member

Out There Venture — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:21:15 +0000

OLYMPIA – April 23, 2013 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking an experienced hunter or angler who uses a boat in their sport to serve on the Boating Safety Advisory Council.

The deadline for submitting applications is May 8. The appointment will be made in the month of May, and the term will go through Dec. 31, 2015.

The Boating Safety Advisory Council is a general advisory committee that assists and advises the Commission on the administration of its Boating Safety Program, which provides information and education on safe and environmentally sound boating practices to agencies, organizations and individuals statewide.

The council meets four times a year at the State Parks’ Headquarters Building, 1111 Israel Road S.W., Tumwater, Wash. 98504. The 2013 meetings are set for the following dates: May 16, Sept. 26 and Nov. 21. All meetings are held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Council members will be reimbursed for travel and other expenses when attending council meetings.

Interested applicants are required to provide a completed application along with a resume and letter of interest explaining why they are qualified to serve on the council. To request an application, contact the Boating Safety Program atdoni.thomas@parks.wa.gov, P.O. Box 42654, Olympia 98504-2650, or call (360) 902-8832.

When submitting an application for the council, please consider that State Parks serves a culturally diverse population and is committed to representing that diversity in our staffing, volunteers and advisory groups. The agency is especially interested in increasing representation from outside the Puget Sound area and by people of color and people with disabilities.

For more information on the Boating Safety Program, visit www.parks.wa.gov/boating.

Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks,www.twitter.com/WAStatePks and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks. Share your favorite state park adventure on the new State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. Washington State Parks turned 100 years old on March 19, 2013, and will celebrate with events in parks all over the state, all year long. For more information, visitwww.parks.wa.gov/events/.

Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

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