Idaho Seven Devils mts, little known gem

Idaho Statesman reports on Idaho's hidden gem of the Seven Devils mountains.

Many people don't know this majestic mountain range is [just off the US-95 near Riggins], or don't take the trouble to find it because Seven Devils is farther off the beaten path than the Sawtooths.

But if you love Idaho's scenic backcountry, it's a place you should visit at least once. If you're the adventurous type, it's someplace you can explore for years and still find new surprises.

"This is an absolutely fascinating place," said fire lookout Michael Oliver, whose tower has some of the best views in Idaho.

Oliver gets visits from folks ranging from locals to European tourists, from hardcore hikers and horsepackers who delve deep into the backcountry to families taking a scenic drive.

Read the full story: Seven Devils: these rugged mountains area little slice of heaven

Photo from Idaho Statesman

View record salmon at WA state dam

The Wenatchee World via USA Today reports on the record number of sockeye salmon now making their way through Washington State's Rocky Reach Dam to their Canadian spawning grounds.

This year at Rocky Reach, the numbers of returning adult sockeye have surged past 271,000, said Steve Hemstrom, Chelan County PUD senior fisheries biologist. More than 247,000 of those swam through the dam's viewing windows in the last 22 days. The peak run for one 24-hour period occurred July 5 when 23,705 sockeye were counted. That's an average of about 1,000 per hour.

Many of the returning sockeye, now fighting their way up the Columbia River, will likely make a left turn at the Okanogan River and swim north to spawn in Lake Osoyoos, Hemstrom said. Curious observers at a high vantage point — say, the Okanogan River bridge in Omak — could likely see hundreds, maybe thousands of these fish making their way to Canadian home waters, he added.

Read the full story: Record number of sockeye salmon on view at Washington dam

Photo from Don Seabrook / The Wenatchee World / AP

Catch a jumbo squid in CA

The Los Angeles Times reports on the jumbo squid swarm off Newport Beach that has created a fishing frenzy.

The invasion of the jumbo squid in Orange County -- not to be confused with the exceedingly rare and much larger giant squid -- has prompted fishing-boat operators to add nighttime voyages.

The operators have reported that since Thursday evening, anglers have landed more than 1,000 of the squid.

Scientists say El Nino conditions and global warming are most likely bringing the cephalopds into the area.

Read the full story: Jumbo squid ink-jet their way to Newport Beach

Photo by Liz Garcia / Newport Landing Sportfishing

Fishing, hiking and camping along California's Kern River

Hugo Martin of the Los Angeles Times compiled a list of great fishing, camping and hiking spots along the non-crowded Kern River.

Martin, a "spring fever" trout fisher, says fishing should not be a "contact sport" like it is at popular angler spots along the Owens River Valley.

So he set off to find less-crowded spots to enjoy his pastime as well as other outdoor activities.

The Kern is located about 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles and just east of Bakersfield.

Read the full story: The fishing's fine along California's Kern River