YAKIMA, Wash. — It’s not hard to imagine the new Yakima Outdoors site — for which Cascadian überhiker Ted Gamlem has been the driving force — becoming quite the go-to place for Central Washington outdoor-lovers looking to hit the trails.

As more and more people begin to use the site, it has the potential to provide the kind of insights for users in this area — trail-condition updates and that sort of thing — as the trip-reports hub on the Washington Trails Association site does for areas throughout the state (albeit with an emphasis on Western Washington).

Right now, the site is still in its infancy, but it already has a forum on which users can post questions, observations or reports on recent outings. And if you’re looking to go out for a hike (or a snowshoe/ski trek) but haven’t chosen a destination — or want to visit an area you haven’t been — the site has links to info on outings, conveniently broken down by region (North of Ellensburg; Snoqualmie Pass; I-90 to Salmon La Sac; I-90 East; Chinook Pass; White Pass; Yakima Urban/Suburban; Columbia River Gorge).

The links are almost like having a trails guidebook at your fingertips. If you haven’t been to the Yakima Outdoors site, check it out. And, if I’m sounding like a shill here, it’s only because I think it’s going to be a good online destination for folks around here. I don’t have anything to do with the site, but I’ll sure be visiting it before I head out to the trails.

– Scott Sandsberry

YAKIMA, Wash. — The newest fishing report for the upper Yakima River from Jim Gallagher at the Yakima River Fly Shop in Cle Elum (113 E. 1st Street, 509-674-2144) came in on Monday, and we’re only just now getting to it. Oops. Here’s what Jim had to report.

The 2010 season on the Yakima is well underway. Warmer temperatures and a lower than normal snow pack have made for some great early season fly fishing. While we might be in a drought situation later this year, the spring should continue to fish well unless something changes dramatically.

Our first good hatch of the season, the skwala stonefly, has been outstanding. The mild winter has been kind to both the fish and the bugs and we are seeing lots of big healthy rainbows and cutthroat. Blue-winged olives, midges and winter stoneflies are also out in abundance, the march brown mayflies should be starting soon. Dry fly fishing in the upper river has been some of the best we’ve seen in a few years, and should continue as the days get longer and the temperature continues to warm up.

Happy fishing. Or, as Jim would say, “Tight lines!”

– Scott Sandsberry

NACHES — Defending Class 1A state baseball champion Naches Valley opened its season Tuesday by defeating Prosser 10-2 in a non-league game on the Rangers’ field.

J.R. Weigel was 3-for-4 and drove in two runs for NV, which scored seven times in the first inning with the help of four Mustang errors.

The Rangers host Ellensburg on Thursday.

Prosser    000    200    0    —    2    6    5

Naches Valley    700    030    x    —    10    9    4

Finn, Fastner (4) and Peterson; Johns, Gonzalez (4), Sputes (5), Walker (6), Weigel (7) and Ring, Kass (6), Ring (7).

Highlights: J.R. Weigel (NV) 3-4 2 RBI.

TENNIS

SCAC

La Salle boys 4, Naches Valley 1

Singles: Seth Gibbons (LS) d. Jeremy Gaudette 6-0, 6-1; Ryan Voelker (LS) d. Matt Doehle 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles: Jacob Tri-Bryan Carlson (LS) d. Terence Kleeschulte-Garrett Roberts 6-3, 6-3; Jeremy Klarich-Luke Nichols (LS) d. Luke Gillespie-Noble Stoneman 6-1, 6-1; Tyler Mills-Chris Jimenez (NV) won by forfeit.

Naches Valley girls 4, La Salle 1

Singles: Larisa Fossum (NV) d. Katherine Busey 6-1, 6-0; Mariah Elsner (NV) d. Kellie Roy 6-0, 6-4.

Doubles: Taylor Ranger-Shelly Johnson (NV) d. Katie Carroll-Tori Heckart 7-6 (7-2), 6-1; Satinder Kaur-Rosie McFarland (NV) d. Kristi Fischer-Olivia McLaughlin 4-6, 6-0, 6-1; Chloe Martin-Haley Hoon (LS) d. Samantha Conger-Hannah Richards 6-1, 7-6 (7-3).

GOLF

Combs scores ace at Apple Tree

A first hole-in-one is always memorable, and Joshua Combs’ achievement came on a memorable hole Monday.

Combs scored his first-ever ace on Apple Tree Golf Course’s signature 17th hole. He used a pitching wedge on the 136-yard shot to the apple-shaped island green.

Isai Woods witnessed the shot.

Just how dominant has the Yakima boys team been in its annual Media Classic showdown against the Tri-Cities?

Consider last year, when Yakima was without arguably its two best players — West Valley’s Matt Borton (injury) and Eisenhower’s Taylor Elmo (participating in two other all-star games) — and still eked out a victory at Pasco High School.

The Yakima boys, who own a 17-3 advantage in the series that began in 1994, bring their dominance home Sunday for the 17th Media Classic at Yakima Valley College’s Sherar Gym.

The girls game will tip-off at 4 p.m. with the boys to follow at 6. Tickets are $5 and children 6 and younger are free.

Six girls return for Yakima, which trails the Tri-Cities 12-8.

They include Eisenhower’s Jessica Bush, West Valley’s Haley Curtis, Ellensburg’s Deaira Gordon, Wapato’s A.J. Yarlott and Granger’s Janae Klarich and Sam Zapien. La Salle’s Savannah Bonny was unable to play in last year’s game but is slated to participate this year.

Curtis and Klarich are making their third Media Classic appearance.

The boys team boasts four returners — Davis’ David Trimble, James Lopez and Robert Bonser of Eisenhower and Alfred De La Barrera of Sunnyside.

This year’s game will benefit Highland’s Matthew Newman, who suffered a serious head injury during the second week of the football season.

The series started in 1994 as the Newspaper Classic but became the Media Classic soon after.

From 2000 to 2003, the series consisted of small- and large-school games but returned to just one boys and one girls contest in 2004. The rosters were expanded to a maximum of 15 players.

The teams are selected by the sports staffs of the Yakima Herald-Republic and Tri-City Herald from their respective circulation areas.

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Media Classic rosters

See Page 1B for more information on the Media Classic.

YAKIMA BOYS
Tanner Albrecht, West Valley
Rigo Alvarado, Wapato
Robert Bonser, Eisenhower
Steven Broersma, Sunnyside Christian
Alfredo De La Barrera, Sunnyside
Lawrence Fiander, White Swan
Nick Longmire, Selah
James Lopez, Eisenhower
Jackson Marquis, Davis
Devonte’ Luckett, Davis
Israel Manzo, Sunnyside
David Trimble, Davis
Drew Washut, Selah
Ryan Watson, Eisenhower
Mitchell Zapien, Granger

YAKIMA GIRLS
Savannah Bonny, La Salle
Jessica Bush, Eisenhower
Taryn Cobane, Davis
Kaitlin Curry, West Valley
Haley Curtis, West Valley
Kaylah Gonzales, East Valley
Deaira Gordon, Ellensburg
Janae Klarich, Granger
Annie Martinez, East Valley
Italia Mengarelli, Granger
Ashlee Reddout, Granger
Alisi Uasike, Zillah
Kristina Van Alstine, Eisenhower
A.J. Yarlott, Wapato
Samantha Zapien, Granger

TRI-CITY BOYS
Cody Brockman, Liberty Christian
Juan Contreras, River View
Calvin Douglas, Richland
Will Hoppes, Tri-Cities Prep
Colton McCargar, Richland
Aaron Neary, Hanford
Justin Pedley, Kamiakin
Derek Porter, Southridge
Case Rada, Kamiakin
Dylan Radliff, Richland
Christian Schrank, Grandview
Pete Zachara, Hanford
Miquiyah Zamora, Chiawana

TRI-CITY GIRLS
Caitlin Duncan, DeSales
Hayley Hodgins, Chiawana
Laura Hughes, Hanford
Tiffany Idler, Columbia (Burbank)
Tamara Jones, Prosser
Jordan Loera, Moses Lake
Reina Malito, Kennewick
Maloree Moss, Hermiston
Mikaela Rivard, Chiawana
Megan Sax, Richland
Sadie Sparks, Chiawana
Khadidja Toure, Kamiakin
Jalyn Von Oelhoffen, Richland
Danielle Walter, Pasco

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The team-roping Minor brothers of Ellensburg, heeler Brady Minor and header Riley Minor, more than made up for a somewhat slow start to their PRCA season with a big weekend in San Antonio, where they split $63,852 in prize money for placing second in the 28th annual George Strait Team Roping Classic.

Strait, a country music star, first began the event as a small family roping competition that has now grown into a prestigious draw for the country’s top ropers. The latest Friday-Saturday event at the San Antonio Rose Palace paid out $478,500 in cash and another $200,000 or so in prizes, with the winning team — Jake Long and Coleman Proctor, well-known PRCA ropers like the Minors — splitting a cash payout of  $159,630.

Long and Proctor’s time over three rounds was a combined 14.93 seconds, beating out 468 other teams.

The Minor brothers’ time of 15.08 and their own hefty paycheck will help make up for their comparatively slow start to the PRCA season. The two-time National Finals Rodeo-qualifying brother pair currently rank 37th in the PRCA team-roping standings, each with barely over $5,000 in earnings. The Strait Classic money won’t count toward their PRCA standings.

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SNOWMOBILE RACING

Brad sharpest Sharp at hillclimb

WISDOM, Mont. — Brad Sharp of Moxee had a big weekend at the Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Association’s latest stop in Montana for the Lost Trail David Shepherd Memorial Hillclimb.

He qualified in all five of the classes he entered, placing second in pro open modified, third in both pro master mod and pro master stock, fourth in pro master mod and ninth in pro 600 stock. His 10-year-old son Brock, dominated a 120cc class for kids, winning both the stock and modified classes and then sweeping two king-of-the-hill races.

The other half of the Sharp brother racing duo, David Sharp, placed in three classes, getting second in pro master improved, fourth in pro master mod and fifth in pro master stock.

His son, David Sharp Jr., qualified in all five of his classes, including having the fastest qualifying time in pro modified 600. But he crashed in the main event and finished 10th in that event, go to with a second in pro improved stock and a sixth, seventh and eighth in three other pro stock classes.

Josh Koreski of Yakima qualified in two classes, finishing ninth in pro improved 1000.

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VOLLEYBALL

Local trio excels in state series

TACOMA — Eisenhower’s Tori Fisher had nine kills to help the Red team capture the Class 3A/4A match Saturday at the 25th annual Washington

All-State Volleyball series, held at Fife High School.

Erin Smith of Selah also had a huge day in the 1A/2A match, coming up with a team-high 11 kills to lift the Red team to a four-game sweep of the Blacks. Her Vikings teammate, Veronica Sanchez, was another contributing member on the Red squad.

In the Class 1B/2B match, Ali Kilgore of Kittitas had five kills to help the Red team, coached by Coyotes coach Brandon Ambrose, knock off the Black.

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College Fastpitch

Haupert is GNAC hitter of the week

SPOKANE — Central Washington University junior infielder Kelsey Haupert has been selected as the GNAC of the Week for softball, the conference office announced Monday.

Haupert, a transfer from Purdue University who plays both first and third base, had three home runs and 10 RBI during the Wildcats’ four-game sweep of rival Western Washington in a pivotal GNAC series at Bellingham. She homered in three separate games, belting a grand slam in the series opener, a two-run home run in Saturday’s second game, and then a three-run blast in the series finale on Sunday.

For the season, Haupert is tied for the conference lead in home runs with five and has a significant lead in the GNAC in RBI with 25. She is on pace to shatter the school’s single-season RBI record of 44, which was set last spring by former Wildcat Holly Rossman.

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Prep Baseball

Non-League

ZILLAH 10, TOPPENISH 0: At Zillah, Blake Gaffo and Hunter Curfman combined to throw a three hitter and struck out 12 to lead the Leopards past the Wildcats in a non-league game.

Gaffo also went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Trevor Oswalt had a two-run triple for Zillah.

Toppenish    000    000    —    0    3    2

Zillah    130    213    —    10    7    0

Maldonado, #26 (4), Israel (6) and Piper; Gaffo, Curfman (4) and Oswald.

Highlights: Blake Gaffo (Z) 3-4, RBI, 9 K’s; Hunter Curfman (Z) 3 K’s; Trevor Oswalt (Z) 2-run 3b; Josh Piper (T) 2 hits.

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EASTMONT 14, EAST VALLEY 4: At Eastmont, Cody Cruse went 2-for-2 with two

RBI and Jonathan Janis drove in a run for the Red Devils (0-2) as they lost a non-league game against Eastmont.

East Valley    400    00    —    4    5    3

Eastmont    037    31    —    14    14    0

Janis, Schoonover (3), Cameron (4) and Cruse; Dockins, Holcomb (3) and Coates.

Highlights: Cody Cruse (EV) 2-2, 2 RBI; Jonathan Janis (EV) hit, RBI.

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Prep Fastpitch

The West Valley Rams went 2-0 in their jamboree, beating Selah 6-1 and East Valley 5-0. Selah beat East Valley 7-0 in the other game.

Molly Rubidoux pitched six innings and struck out 16 for West Valley. Danielle Porter went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI, and Megan Wetzel went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI for the Rams.

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Prep Soccer

HIGHLAND 2, WHITE SALMON 1: At White Salmon, Diego Silva and Luis Nogales both scored in the first half for the Scotties as they beat White Salmon in a non-league match.

First half: 1, Highland, Diego Silva; 2, WS, Mark Lorvin; 3, Highland, Luis Nogales.

Second half: none.

Saves: Antonio Gonzales (H) 8; White Salmon 10.

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EAST VALLEY 1, ELLENSBURG 0: At Ellensburg, Sergio Gutierrez scored the lone goal of the game for the Red Devils as they beat Ellensburg in a non-league contest.

East Valley’s Jonathon Molina and Juan Alvarez combined for five saves in the shutout.

First half: none.

Second half: 1, East Valley, Sergio Gutierrez, 71:00.

Saves: Jonathan Molina (EV) 3, Juan Alvarez (EV) 2; Andrew Yoder (E) 7.

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Prep Golf

MOSES LAKE INVITATIONAL

At Moses Lake Golf Club, par 71

Girls

Team Scores: Richland 151, Mt. Spokane 159, Eastmont 170, Hanford 175, West Valley 178, Othello 179, Kamiakin 186, Eisenhower 189, Wenatchee 192, Southridge 195, Walla Walla 199, Moses Lake 201, Davis 205, Kennewick 215, North Central 219, Pasco 240.

Top 5 individuals: 1, Savana Bezdicek (Mt. Spokane) 71; 2, Mary McDonald (Richland) 78; 3, Kristin Strankman (Richland) 82; 4, Madison Hamm (Richland) 83; 5, Jordan Takasugi (Wenatchee) 84.

Davis: Hannah Naughton 96, Lily Naughton 96, Alex Scherer 120, Devin Collicott 167. Team Bestball: Hannah Naughton-Lily Naughton 85, Devin Collicott-Alex Scherer 120.

Eisenhower: Cortney Munson 94, Stefanie Tanasse 103, McKenzie Bond 107, Melanie Stevenson 132. Team Bestball: Cortney Munson-Melanie Stevenson 93, McKenzie Bond-Stefanie Tanasse 96.

West Valley: Anna Elofson 85, Taylor Boyle 105, Brooklyn Wood 119, Krista Nagle 126. Team Bestball: Anna Elofson-Krista Nagle 83, Taylor Boyle-Brooklyn Wood 95.

By RON GRAHAM

Hiking grabs only one part of the spotlight on a trip to Washington’s Deception Pass State Park, which straddles two large islands in Puget Sound.

Rocky beaches, mossy headlands, ocean-side cliffs draped with madrona and fir trees, plus views of various watercraft are just a few of the many reasons to take a trip to Deception Pass State Park, on the northern tip of Whidbey Island. (Photos by RON GRAHAM/Special to the Herald-Republic)

Although the lion’s share of the park’s attractions and visitor use occurs on the northern tip of Whidbey Island, it would be a serious mistake to neglect the varied appeal of Bowman Bay and Rosario Beach on southern Fidalgo Island.

Camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, beachcombing and boating share the limelight with hiking at Deception Pass State Park. While not a nearby destination for Yakima Valley residents, it deserves a visit either as part of a longer outing or at least an overnight stay.

On a late winter visit, we wandered along a set of trails radiating from Bowman Bay. The mileage of the hiking was limited (about 4.5 miles), but the array of views were ample on the paths to Rosario Point, Lottie Point and Lighthouse Point.

Yakima has wonderful sagebrush hills to enjoy in spring as well as canyons to wander, but the scenery of Deception Pass State Park offers a whole new dimension — rocky beaches, mossy headlands, ocean-side cliffs draped with madrona and fir trees, plus views of sailboats, kayaks and other watercraft.

Hiking at Deception Pass is best enjoyed at a modest pace, allowing time to soak in the marvelous scenery. Many comfortable perches on washed-up logs or rock mounds call out for a snack or lunch stop. Short hikes, accessible beaches and play areas both at Bowman Bay and Rosario Beach make these wonderful destinations for families with children.

Take your time to enjoy the views as you meander down the trails at Deception Pass. There is so much to see that you don’t want to rush.

Both hiking routes from the large day-use parking area at Bowman Bay start down by the water, with the trail to Rosario Point extending from near the stone-and-wood interpretive center along the side of Bowman Bay.

The trail climbs a bit at the start and then meanders along above the beach with frequent views out to Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. In one mile you reach the Rosario Beach area (also accessible by car); there’s also a boat dock near the point, and another small beach nearby. A marine study center with a cluster of buildings sits just above the main beach.

After exploring the Rosario area, return along the same trail to Bowman Bay. Continue past the extended dock that juts out into the bay. The route to Lottie Point and Lighthouse Point share a common path. The route climbs quite steeply to cross a rocky headland and then immediately drops to a junction.

Turn right and cross and isthmus of sand and grasses to reach Lighthouse Point and Reservation Head. The path clambers over some boulders and into forest before reaching a vista point allowing views toward the spans of Deception Pass Bridge.

Built in 1935, the majestic bridge is frequently crowded, with vehicles parked at both ends of the bridge and sightseers flocking its sidewalks, peering to the swirling green waters below. Visitors can also wander around the small island (Pass Island) which anchors both spans of the bridge connecting Fidalgo Island on the north with Whidbey Island.

Back on the Lighthouse Point trail, continue following tread along the waterfront and enjoy the numerous outlooks with views out on Puget Sound and toward the Olympics. You reach a junction after wandering along for perhaps a quarter mile. The left branch leads to more cliffside views. The main route stays to the right. At the next main junction it is possible to take the trail on the right and cross the hump of forest land, intersecting the main trail on the opposite side near the beach.

Those who like to explore should keep on investigating the paths that stray to the left (west). Eventually, you can reach some rock hummocks with views back on Bowman Bay and across to Rosario Point. This is an ideal spot for a snack or lunch.

Remember that junction where you turned right and crossed the arc of beach to reach Lighthouse Point. If you want to check out Lottie Point, continue ahead on the main path. In less than a quarter mile the way again splits. You can go either way, but the path to the left is less steep. Cross over a ridge just below the highway and drop to some open areas where again you enjoy views of Deception Pass Bridge. There are multiple paths through the woods in this area, but you can loop up and over the point to make a return journey back to Bowman Bay.

One hint – if the tide is out, you will likely be able to skip that steep little climb over the rocky headland as you head out from Bowman Bay and slip around on the beach instead. Another hint – although I have recommended this area for families with kids, be advised that there are numerous spots along these trails that pose hazards for a fall. So watch those kids carefully.

These short hiking routes are only part of the opportunities at Deception Pass State Park. More trails can be accessed just across the Deception Pass Bridge. Others start from the main camping area near Cranberry Lake. No matter which trail you investigate, you’ll likely want to return for more exploring another time.

• Ron Graham, an elementary school teacher and native of the Yakima Valley, is an avid outdoorsman who has hiked throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to do much fishing in the past couple of weeks. Sportsman shows, yard work and regular work have put a bit of a crunch on my free time. But others I know have been out recently and it sounds like there are some fish to be caught.

The main attraction locally is trout fishing. I have heard of some anglers having luck at several of the local lakes including Myron, Rotary and the Interstate 82 ponds. All were planted with trout during the past couple of weeks.

And it sounds like the lakes up near George are still putting out a few trout. A friend stopped in to Martha Lake just off of the freeway east of George late last week and, throwing and retrieving Rooster Tail spinners, caught and released 15 fairly nice trout.

Bigger fish are biting now, too.

An e-mail from guide friend Bruce Hewitt out of the Tri-Cities reported he and his clients had hooked 74 steelhead in five days of fishing in the Ringold area last week. The only slow days were mid-week when the barometer dropped and the wind blew. Even then they hooked six steelhead each of those two “slow” days.

And guide Bob Barthlow of Selah had a couple of good fishing days on the Cowlitz late last week, both days coming up just one short of limiting his boat. He also said they hooked and lost one nice spring chinook salmon, so hopefully that means this is the start of the run.

Because of my lack of time and because it’s a bit of a drive, I have not fished for spring chinook yet in the open area on the lower Columbia River. But it sounds like plenty of other anglers have.

Last week the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife sampled 1,013 boat anglers (471 boats) and those anglers had caught 31 spring chinook and three steelhead. They also checked 324 bank anglers, who reported having caught no salmon and three steelhead. Of the fish caught, over 85 percent of the spring chinook were keepers and most were from the lower river stock — something they can tell because of the way the fish are marked.

WDFW aerial surveys showed some 800 boats working the lower river on Saturday alone, with another 500 anglers fishing from the bank.

The predicted huge run of salmon has everyone chomping at the bit to get out there. But so far, the run is still is not showing in the catch rates.

From Buoy 10 to the I-5 Bridge, fishing for hatchery spring chinook, hatchery steelhead and shad is open every day except Tuesdays through March 30. And now through April 3, the Columbia from the I-5 Bridge to Bonneville Dam is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.

Fishing for hatchery spring chinook and steelhead opens today on the Columbia above Bonneville Dam. The daily limit will be six fish (hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead), of which no more than two may be hatchery adult chinook or hatchery steelhead or one of each.

Above Bonneville upriver to the Tower Island Power Lines the river is open to bank fishing only. Above the Tower Island Power Lines to the Dalles Dam fishing from both the bank and boats is legal starting today.

Also, the popular spring salmon fishing holes — the Wind River, Drano Lake and the Klickitat River — open today. But according to the fish ladder counts, as of Sunday, only 23 spring chinook had made it up over Bonneville so the pickings in both the main river and at these tributaries are going to be slim for a while.

It might be a little early to start worrying about when and if the near record run of salmon will show, but my guess is more than a couple of the fish biologists are doing a little hand-wringing.

Historical data on fish counts at Bonneville show the 17-year fish-per-day average on March 16 is 72 salmon. So we are a little behind that. The best-ever March 16 count in those 17 years was in 2003, when 942 springers climbed up over the dam on that day. In 2003 the total number of springers over the dam was just under 206,500 fish.

The best run in the past 17 years was in 2001 when some 405,000 springers returned above Bonneville. That year, fewer than 100 salmon had come up over the dam by March 16. So there certainly is still plenty of time for the forecast run of 470,000 upriver springers to return.

But more than a few of us are starting to get a little antsy. Luckily, there are some trout and steelhead around and willing to bite. Or so I’m told. I haven’t had time to fish in a while.

• Rob Phillips is a freelance outdoor writer and partner in the advertising firm of Smith, Phillips & DiPietro. He can be reached at rwphillips@spdadvertising.com.

RMEF fundraiser slated for April 3

Live and silent auctions, raffles and games will be among the attraction on Saturday, April 3, when the Yakima Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation holds its 22nd annual fundraising banquet at the Central Washington State Fairgrounds’ Modern Living Building.

Art, sculpture, home accents, jewelry, clothing and accessories will be among the items up for grabs, along with the outdoor goodies you’d expect — firearms, knives, optics and the like.

The popular event sells out every year, so prospective attendees should get their tickets early by calling Barb Towsley at 509-654-2291.

Prices are $70 for a single supporting ticket (includes one meal and one supporting membership) or $105 for a couple (two meals, one membership); sponsor and life-member tickets are also available. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., followed by a social hour (raffles, games, silent auction activities, drinks), dinner and live auction.

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YFFA meeting focuses on new fishing rules

Attendees at tonight’s 7 p.m. meeting of the Yakima Fly Fishers Association will be able to hear about rules changes for the 2010-11 fishing season from somebody knows them well — Enforcement Capt. Richard Mann of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Yakima-based Region 3 headquarters.

YFFA meetings are always held in the meeting room at Bert’s Pub, downstairs at Glenwood Square (5110 Tieton Drive, Yakima). Tonight’s meeting will also feature the club’s rod-and-reel raffle drawing.

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Thacker victorious in trap series finale

Perfect 25-shot rounds seemed to be what was necessary to come away a winner when the Yakima Valley Sportsmen’s trap club held its button trophy shootoff on Sunday, following the end of the 10-week Button Shoot.

Bob Scheffelmaier, Dale Klingele and Jim Turnbull each had a 25×25 round to tie in the men’s division, with Scheffelmaier coming out the winner after a lengthy shootoff. The same thing happened in the senior class, with 2009 winner Ken Smith winning a shootoff after tying Norm Baird and Dave Thacker with 25-hit rounds.

The junior trophies went to Shannon Boyle in the girls and, in the boys, to Jason Klingele for the second year. Renee Blankenship took the women’s division trophy.

All 42 season button winners lined up in the Annie Oakley (miss-and-you’re-out) competition to determine the club championship, and nearly 500 targets were shot before Dave Thacker of Ellensburg emerged as the winner.

The Yakima Valley Sportsmen’s annual Spring Yak, a registered Pacific International Trap Association shoot with 16-yard, handicap and doubles, is set for Saturday and Sunday.

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BIRD ALERT

A flock of almost 200 swans — including 180 tundra swans, the Valley’s most common here in the valley; four trumpeter swans, the continent’s largest waterfowl; and one mute swan, a native of northern and central Eurasia and recognizable for its orange bill and the black knob above it — were spotted along the Marion Drain Road near Toppenish this week. There were also four sandhill cranes, one of the two crane species that regularly occurs in the United States, and over 500 Canada geese with six cackling geese in the mix.

Raptor sightings this week included a golden eagle perched on a power pole east of Konnowac Pass on Nightingale Road and an adult peregrine falcon that’s been hanging around the Toppenish water tower, causing some to hope it will nest locally.

West Hills Cemetery had one russet-colored female pine grosbeak perched atop a spruce tree. Two chukars and a loggerhead shrike were spotted in the foothills along Brownstown Road and the first reports of tree swallows and an osprey came in from the Toppenish creek area.

Please call your bird sightings into the Yakima Valley Audubon phone line at 509-248-1963.

— Kerry L. Turley

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AROUND AND ABOUT

FLY-TYING HOW-TO, PART I: Award-winning Northern California fly-tyer Roy Powell, known for his innovative fly designs, will give both his testimony and a fly-tying demonstration at an 8 a.m. Saturday breakfast put on jointly by West Valley Men’s Ministries and the West Valley Fly Fishers at West Valley Church (at 72nd and Nob Hill). Anyone is welcome and the event is free (though you’re welcome to donate a buck or three for the breakfast).

FLY-TYING HOW-TO, PART II: Fly-tying expert and how-to fishing author Skip Morris will give a 31/2-hour workshop on tying flies for trout lakes (and how best to use them) at the Yakima River Fly Shop in Cle Elum on March 27 (a week from Saturday). Pre-registration is $35, or it’s $45 at the door. Space is limited. You can reserve a spot by calling 509-674-2144.

DESERT HIKES PRESENTATION: Hiking guidebook/outdoors photographer Alan Bauer will give a photographic presentation at 7 p.m. Sunday at Inklings Books on “Best Desert Hikes: Washington,” the Mountaineers Books guidebook he co-authored last year with Dan Nelson.

Bauer is also known for his Washington day-hiking series of books also published under the Mountaineers Book banner. Inklings is located in Chalet Mall off 56th and Summitview avenues in Yakima.

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ON THE CALENDAR

TODAY: The Cascadians’ rugged Tuesday group will meet at 8 a.m. at the parking lot of the 40th Avenue Bi-Mart and carpool to the day’s adventure. Come prepared for anything (including changing weather conditions) and bring lunch and water.

THURSDAY: The Cascadians’ Pokies group will do a hike of the Cowiche Canyon uplands. For meeting time and place, call Mary Belzer at 509-966-7921.

SATURDAY: The Central Washington Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society will host a native-plant hike of Snow Mountain Ranch, starting west of the ranch on state wildlife property where there’s a south-facing lithosol area, then following a path on which magenta-flowered lomatium columbianum should be in bloom.

Bring a lunch and water, and wear sturdy shoes. Meeting time and place will be at the south end of the 40th Avenue Bi-Mart parking lot at 9 a.m., but e-mail trip leader Trip Lisowski at lisowski@nwinfo.net beforehand if you can so he can get an idea of the head count.

YAKIMA, Wash. — For the first time since Aug. 31, 2009, the Versus network is available to DirecTV viewers.

According to press releases, DirecTV and Comcast, the company that owns Versus, came to a carriage agreement this afternoon. The network is available in the same programming packages it was in August.

Versus carries Pac-10 and Big 12 football, NHL, IndyCar and cycling events such as the Tour de France.

Whew! After a visit to Tacoma for state wrestling and then three straight weeks of state basketball — thankfully in our own backyard — it’s time for a brief break before the full spring onslaught.

But first a few thoughts and notes …

… A heartfelt thanks to all the coaches and players who were cordial and patient with our post-game questions and interviews all three weeks in the SunDome. And especially to Andy Affholter and Mark Little. In the emotionally raw aftermath of losing a state championship game, talking about it with reporters is probably the last thing they cared to do. But both did so with grace and candor.
… If Wenatchee is one day given the 1B tournament, we would not complain too loudly. The WIAA wants more venues and a narrower two-week state window, and Wenatchee clearly wants in the game.
But if the 2A ever leaves again — there are those still opposed to sending so many westside teams here — that would be a crime for us. Covering teams from East Valley, Wapato, Grandview, Ellensburg and Prosser last week represented a wonderful diversity of our circulation area and they are all highly competitive with enthusiastic followings.
… The CWAC pulled five trophies out of the tournament and the lone team to miss out — Wapato’s boys — was knocked out by Grandview. Ellensburg’s girls and Grandview’s boys both battled through four loser-out games over two weeks of district and state play to earn trophies.
By the way, tournament stats had Andrea Bland’s huge game against Elma on Friday incorrect. The Ellensburg senior had a career-high 32, not 29.
… A few thoughts on the upcoming classification shuffle and how it relates to what we just saw.
Four schools that competed in the state 3A tournament will be 2A next season — Franklin Pierce (boys), Foster (boys), White River (girls) and East Valley-Spokane (girls). Expect White River, a girls program that has made 10 state appearances in the last 13 years, to have the biggest impact. The Hornets were 20-7 and will have their top two scorers back.
East Valley, which competed in the multi-class GSL, earned an eighth-place trophy despite an 11-19 record and 0-7 start.
For the 1A tournament, Elma is heading down from 2A and La Salle is coming up from 2B. The Lightning finished second in the 2B state girls tourney.

OK, time for a breather and a chance to fill out another shot-in-the-dark NCAA bracket. Except for the Media Classic basketball games next Sunday at YVCC, farewell winter sports.

Scott

YAKIMA, Wash. — Yakima Valley’s Matt Wargacki and Steven Schoonover combined to shut out Linn-Benton to set the tone in a 4-0, 9-8 doubleheader sweep on Sunday at Parker Field.

Wargacki allowed two hits and struck out six in six innings of work, while Schoonover worked three unblemished innings to record the save for the Yaks, who improved to 6-2 on the season.

In the second game, YVCC scored the winning run in the 10th inning on a two-out single by Dusty Kerns.

Tyler Berman was 4-for-7 combined Sunday along with three RBI and three runs scored.

Game 1

Linn-Benton       000    000    000    —    0    2    1
Yakima Valley    200    010    01x    —    4    10    0
Austria, Hoffman (3) and Miller. Wargacki, Schoonover (7) and Kerns.
YVCC highlights: Matt Wargacki 6 Ks, 2H; Jose Sermo 2-4, 2b; Tyler Berman 2-3, RBI.

Game 2

Linn-Benton        000    160    100    0    —    8    10    3
Yakima Valley    140    002    010    1    —    9    9    3
Phillips, Ragasa (2), Roth (7), Burke (9) and Stuth and Grill (7). Ketron, Hanson (5), Cast (7), Lybbert (10) and Jones and Kerns (9).
YVCC highlights: Berman 2-4, 2 RBI, 3b, 3R; Ben Swisher 2-4, RBI 2b, 3r; Gibby Briones 2-5, 2b.

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Central Washington used home runs from Samantha Petrich and Kelsey Haupert to beat Western Washington 5-4 and 7-1 in a GNAC doubleheader on Sunday at Viking Field.

The victories gave the Wildcats (10-4 overall, 10-2 GNAC) a four-game series sweep of the Vikings (5-7, 5-7).

Petrich opened the scoring in game one with her solo homer in the fourth inning. She also added a double in the seventh.

Christyne Alley added two RBI in the sixth inning, and CWU scored two unearned runs in the top of the 6th to complete the scoring.

In game two, Central was led by a 3-for-4, three-RBI effort from Danielle Monson and Haupert’s three-run homer in the fifth.

Game 1

C. Washington      000    102    2    —    5    9    1
W. Washington    000    000    4    —    4    5    2
Hadenfeld, Reime (7) and Carter. McEnroe and Rutherford.
CWU highlights: Samantha Petrich 2-4, 2b, HR; Taylor Trautman 2-3.

Game 2

C. Washington     030    031    0    —    7    10    0
W. Washington    001    000    0    —    1    10    1
Baxter and Carter. Quint, Hendron (6) and Rothenberger.
CWU highlights: Danielle Monson 3-4, 3 RBI; Kelsey Haupert HR.

YAKIMA, Wash. — Shalene Scott and Julie Hall combined for five RBI in game one as Yakima Valley split a doubleheader with Green River on Sunday at Dunbar Field.

Yakima Valley won the first game 8-3 and dropped the second 12-6.

Scott was 4-for-4 in the first game, while Hall was 2-for-4. Kaley Sherwood was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

In the second game, Green River scored 10 runs in the second inning to seize early control.

YVCC’s Brittany Dorn had a home run and two RBI, while Samantha Smith added three RBI for the Yaks (4-2).

Game 1

Green River    100    020    0    —    3    9    5
Yakima Valley    004    301    x    —    8    12    0
Derick and Schwartz. Smith and Ganuelas
YVCC highlights: Eva Beal 1-4, 2 R, SB; Kaley Sherwood 3-4, 2 R , RBI; Shalane Scott 4-4, R, 3 RBI; Julie Hall 2-4, 2 RBI; Kim Jonas 1-3, R, 3b.

Game 2

Green River        0(10)0    200    0    —    12    10    0
Yakima Valley    003    201    0    —    6    12    4
Duggin and Schwartz. Aimone, Smith (7) and Moehrle-Druffel
YVCC highlights: Eva Beal 2-4, Sherwood 1-4, R, 2b; Samatha Smith 2-4, 3 RBI; Julie Hall 2-4, RBI, 3b; Brittany Dorn 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI; Hollie Lamb 1-2, 2 R.

SELAH, Wash. — John Ford scored his first ace when he aced the 16th hole at the Yakima Elks on Saturday. He used a 9-iron on the 125-yard shot.

Ryan Moore and Jeff LaBissionaire witnessed the shot.