Catch a Pikeminnow, Win $1000
Friday, July 31st, 2009
It’s not too often you get to do something you love, something you consider a leisurely way to spend a day, and get $1,000 for doing it. The Pikeminnow Reward Program is offering a total of $60,000 in special money prizes in weekly drawings this August for fishermen who catch pikeminnows during the week and submit an entry form. The Bonneville Power Administration pays for catches of northern pikeminnow because they prey on young salmon in Oregon rivers.
The news reported on another tragic hiking accident. Typically we hear about falls along the 
Hot enough for ya? The northwest is experiencing some of the hottest weather in several years. The temperature is soaring above the 100 degree mark and people are scrambling to find a pool, sprinkler or river to jump into to beat the heat. Hundreds of enthusiasts are getting some mileage out of their boats. I live near the Willamette River so I have had fun watching all the speed boats, jet skis and sail boats moving up and down the river. It’s exciting to see the activity grow the last few weeks. I can’t help but think, however, that many of those boaters should take a moment to review their boater safety before they head out for a day of fun.
It has been a while since I’ve written, readers but not because I’ve been neglecting my love for the great outdoors. Lucky for me, I’ve was enjoying some much needed fun and relaxation earlier this month. The northwest is simply a wonderful place to vacation. I was able to visit some friends and family but also to get in my first of several camping trips before winter sets in. That first trip to the southern Oregon forests and trail ways was wonderfully relaxing, slighting challenging but overall a much needed change from my normal routine.
July is heating up around the NW. Many parents may be looking for fun activities to get the kids outside while also teaching them something new. Luckily, Oregon and Washington residents have a wonderful array of outdoor groups eager to teach kids and teenagers how to fish, hike, and camp responsibly. When kids get the chance to learn how to properly fish – bait a hook, cast, look for signs of a bite, reel it in and take it off the hook – they learn about patience, survival and maybe a little confidence that they can do a lot if they spend the time learning.