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FISHING REPORT
Picabo Angler PG 8 THE “WEEKLY” FISHING REPORT FOR BELLEVUE PICABO JANUARY 25 - FEBRUARY 7 FROM PICABO ANGLER
CAREY
F WOOD RIVER WEEKLY
ebruary and March can provide some incredible fishing opportunities on area waters. Silver Creek, the Big Wood, Big Lost, and South Fork Boise will see excellent streamer, Free | Jan 25 - Febnymph, 7, 2023 | Vol.angling 4 - No. and dry-fly over2 | woodriverweekly.com the next couple of months. In order to take full advantage of “I tried to catch some fog, but I mist.” these fishing opportunities, an– Pinterest glers need to be comfortable and warm when on the water. Here are a few tips to make the most of your winter fishing. Concentrate your fishing efforts during the warmest part of the day and in river areas that see a bit of afternoon sun. Fish and bugs will become much more active when the water warms up just a few degrees. Consider carrying two rods when fishing during the winter. When fishing tailwaters and freestones, have one rod rigged up with your favorite nymph rig, and another rod ready to go for dry-fly activity (midges and/ or BWOs). On Silver Creek, go with a dry-fly setup, and another rod rigged with a small leech or streamer. Dress appropriately. Wear layers, and make sure you have a good wind- and waterproof shell. A knit hat, good socks, and gloves are essential gear during winter fishing. Stay hydrated with water and eat high-energy snacks. Carry a small hand towel. Wet hands equal cold hands. Always dry your hands off thoroughly after getting them wet; this will go a long way toward keeping you warm. Be prepared. During the winter, it pays to have basic, essential survival items in your vehicle when going on an outing, particularly if you venture farther down the road. Fishing on area waters generally remains good. Look for midge and BWO activity to pick up as we enter into February and March. Skinny water on the Big Wood and Big Lost will require CPR training will involve specialty mannequins and automated external defibrillators. Photo credit: Adobe Stock anglers to use long, light leaders and a stealthy approach (use your Silver Creek techniques) to have consistent success. Anglers making the drive to the South Fork Boise have had By WRW STAFF some very goodisnymph cite Hamlin’s terrifying collapse as the main reason they resuscitation now fishing, optional and not taught as part of and likelife-saving other area waters, wanted to acquire a solid understanding of how to ad- basic, CPR.theBrown said this change made dry-fly fishing will improve as anuary has been an unprecedented month for inter- minister CPR. Gibson concurred, “The incident at the her more comfortable with jumping in to help someone, we move into spring. est in learning CPR in the Wood River Valley. Keller Buffalo Bills game sparked a lot of interest.” a reaction Gibson many people have. Silver Creek is stillsaid producGibson, fire inspector and public education coordiBrown’s decision to attend a 1.5-hour community tive, Brown said leeches after the with small andcourse she feels much more connator for the Ketchum Fire Department, said the demand class at the Ketchum Fire Department was not based on fident baitfishof imitations fishedto on help a her ability in an emergency. She also slow swing picking up fish.Heimlich As for classes is higher than she has ever seen. this incident, however, but another frightening episode appreciated that basic maneuver information the creek’s flows become a tad “We have always offered CPR certification classes to that happened while she was in the desert in Novem- was also included in the course. “I left thinking if someoff-color during late winter, people who need to learn it for specific jobs, like day ber to play pickleball. “The place we play is very busy thing happens, I’m going to be calm, confident, and streamer fishing will be highly care or government workers,” Keller explained. “That with a lot of courts. One day we were there, and we hear maybe save life,” she said. effective. Our someone’s custom Coffey’s number is pretty static, as many jobs require recertifi- screaming and yelling and people calling for a doctor,” Sparkle Minnow Brown is oneisofa must-have many Valley denizens who should be pattern! more confident and ready to help after training. cation every two years.” What is new, however, is the Brown recalled. “Everyone had gathered around a man feeling
YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY
DEMAND FOR CPR CLASSES SOARS
Local fire department responds
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number of people in the county who work outside jobs that are the ‘usual suspects’ who are seeking both the more structured certification courses and basic community courses. Gibson said lately she has had “what feels like every building job foreman in the Valley,” as well as many builders coming in for CPR and stop-the-bleed training in addition to just everyday citizens who may have a new baby, an aging parent or spouse, or an active lifestyle that takes them away from access to quick medical care. Gibson has seen an interesting growth trend with members of the outdoor community. “People who backcountry ski and recreate in the mountains have been signing up for classes,” she said. “They have done avalanche training and realize that it makes sense to follow up with CPR training. Once you’ve dug someone out, you may have to help rescue them in additional ways.” Much recent interest, Gibson said, can also be attributed to one person: Damar Hamlin. When the young, super-fit Buffalo Bills defensive back collapsed on the field in cardiac arrest during a game on January 2, people took notice. Maureen Brown, an active and avid skier and pickleball player, signed up for a community class this month, and heard many of her fellow attendees
who had been watching his wife play and fell out of his chair. He didn’t have a pulse. Thankfully a nurse was also playing nearby, and she started aggressive CPR on him.” Brown said she was shocked by her inability to assist in any way and was determined to not be the person waiting for the EMT to arrive. When she saw the listing for free CPR classes in the City of Ketchum newsletter, she phoned, signed up for a spot, and got the training soon thereafter. What surprised Brown most about CPR, and another reason she recommends as many people as possible learn the skill, is just how exhausting it is to perform. “You have to have someone show you how to do it effectively, and ideally you need someone to switch off with to have a break,” Brown said. “My takeaway is how important it is, if you’re doing it, even if you stop for five seconds, you can undo the work you did. It’s very physical. I had taken a CPR class a long time ago and the memory definitely came back but I needed the refresher since things change.” She said it was a great experience and Gibson was very knowledgeable. Gibson agreed that the science does change and that the training many people may have gotten years ago is now outdated. One major change is that mouth-to-mouth
TheHappy community classes offered by the Ketchum Fire fishing, everyone! Department have proved wildly popular and Gibson said by the end of January, she estimates she will have taught 100 people CPR. The fire department also continues to offer the more formalized certification classes in addition to community classes. The American Heart Association Heart Saver course is a three-hour class where attendees must hit certain benchmarks and show proficiency. These classes are smaller and personalized, but again, they are Hwy 20 in more Picabo free aside from the cost of the Heart Saver class card, info@picaboangler.com which is about $25. (208)788.3536 Gibson said in her position of public education coorwww.picaboangler.com dinator for the fire department she is so glad to see the interest in these classes. “During Covid, it was really hard as St. Luke’s had to stop doing classes and there was a real need building up,” she said. And she has no plans to stop teaching life-saving classes anytime soon. “I am putting dates on the calendar right now for next month and they will be posted in both the Ketchum city newsletter and online on their website,” she explained. “These classes really are open to everyone; anyone is welcome. And if you can’t come when a class is scheduled, I can make a class for a minimum of three people.”