Groups offer newcomers intro to fishing, hunting

The trout of all trout -- almost too big for the net -- capped the day for Shawn Graves and the Project Healing Waters group fly fishing at Crab Creek. (Double Spey Outfitters)

HUNTING -- Hunting, fishing and where to go to participate in these outdoor activies will be the focus of a free "fair" of information and activities presented by sportmen's groups and state fish and wildlife staffers Saturday, Sept. 28, in Spokane Valley.

The fair will feature:

• Inland Northwest Wildlife Council’s “virtual reality” fishing and hunting games,
• Eastern Washington University Sportsman Club student members demonstrating fishing equipment rigging and line casting,
• WDFW information about Hunter Education, Fish Washington, and Wildlife Area and Water Access Site programs.
• Plus, introductions to archery, bird-hunting dogs, and other outdoor skills, along with fish cleaning and preparation demonstrations, will also be available.

The activities are set for 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regional office grounds, 2315 N. Discovery Pl. in Spokane Valley.

The events also are celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day and National Public Lands Day .

“This is a chance for people who don’t already fish or hunt, or who are unaware of eastern Washington’s many public lands, to learn new outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Landree Mathisen, an EWU Outdoor Recreation Management student coordinating the fair as a summer intern with WDFW.

---