The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Region Fisheries Program has started an eight-week “Sammie the Salmon” social media campaign, following the progress of a spring chinook salmon released from Winthrop National Fish Hatchery.

The service will use Twitter and Facebook to post updates as Sammie travels 600 miles and passes nine dams on her two-month journey to the Pacific Ocean.

The posts will include images, video and updates on the dangers she faces (such as dams and predators), her observations of the ecosystem around her and the physical changes she experiences on her voyage from the Methow River to …

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Interesting story from the Andy Porter of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin:

MILTON-FREEWATER — Remains of a crashed plane found near the South Fork of the Walla Walla River dates from decades ago, a Umatilla County official said Monday afternoon.

The crash site was found by hikers Saturday below a ridgetop west of Harris Park. Jan Good of Umatilla County Search and Rescue said the wreckage dates from an airplane crash that occurred in the late 1960s or early 1970s.

The twin-engine aircraft was piloted by a Milton-Freewater man who had his wife with him, Good said. Both died in the

…

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Because of construction, there will be limited parking at the Twanoh State Park watercraft launch.

The work being done includes rebuilding the large day-use parking lot with eco-friendly materials to help reduce pollutants reaching Puget Sound and Hood Canal, said a news release from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Boaters are encouraged to find alternate launch sites during construction, which began today and is expected to be completed no later than June 30.

The lacking of parking will be an issue in May because park is a popular launch site on the Hood Canal during the …

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The Boston Marathon is Monday and tomorrow we will profile a handful of South Sound residents who are participating in the 26.2-mile race. Qualifying for the race is the ultimate goal for many marathoners.

Here’s a list of South Puget Sound runners who will be in the field of 27,000 Monday morning at 7. There will be 546 runners from Washington in the race.

MEN
NAME, CITY, AGE
William Ackley, Puyallup, 59
Kurtis Alfano, Buckley, 38
Mickey Allen, Tacoma, 55
John Becker, Puyallup, 49
William Betz, Tacoma, 49
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Columbia River anglers will get four more days to catch hatchery-reared spring chinook salmon below Bonneville Dam.

Realizing tough fishing conditions have held this year’s catch below expected levels since late last month, fishery managers from Washington and Oregon agreed Thursday to extend the season through April 19.

This extension follows an eight-day extension previously approved that runs through today.

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The next razor clam dig will take place on four ocean beaches, beginning Tuesday.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced late Wednesday it had approved the dig, after marine toxin tests showed clams on all four beaches are safe to eat.

Two beaches – Long Beach and Twin Harbors – will open for digging Tuesday through April 22 until noon each day, plus April 23 until 1 p.m. Copalis and Mocrocks will be open for digging April 21-22 until noon and April 23 until 1 p.m. under that plan.

Fishery managers agreed to an extra hour of digging …

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Here is the story I just filed for tomorrow’s paper.

This year’s South Sound recreational salmon fishing seasons will be nearly identical to last year. That is the assessment of fish managers from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife after they and tribal co-managers Wednesday agreed on fishing seasons for 2011.

The seasons were finalized during the meeting of the Pacific Fishery Management Council in San Mateo, Calif. The agreement sets dates and regulations for salmon fishing in Puget Sound, the ocean off Washington’s coast and the Columbia River.

“The seasons throughout Puget Sound pretty much replicate last year’s …

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UPDATED: 9:14 A.M. WEDNESDAY
The phone number for Brian Peters has been corrected.

The Paul Bunyan Rifle and Sportsman’s Club is hosting the Washington state
Youth Hunter Education Challenge on Saturday.

Participants will have their skills tested in archery, muzzleloader, shotgun and .22
rifle shooting. But the testing isn’t confined to the shooting range. They also will be tested on wildlife identification, orienteering, hunter responsibility and hunter safety.

Equipment and ammunition is provided, or participants can bring their own.

The top five scoring participants earn a position on the state team and …

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