Q: Can you tell me what happened with Kelly Pond near Stanley? It was bone dry the last time we went up there.
It was a great place to teach my boys how to fish when they were much younger.
RICK A. JONES, email
A: Kelly Pond has seen better days.
It was a popular put-and-take rainbow trout fishing hole, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game had been stocking it for about a decade.
Last spring a bunch of deadfall clogged the ditch that fed the pond. The ditch eroded because of the deadfall and wasn’t able to fill the pond with water.
Then came the Halstead Fire this summer — the area around the pond was thoroughly burned.
Fish and Game has the pond on its radar screen and hopes to begin working on rehabilitation of the fishing hole.
It will take cooperative agreements with the state agency and the U.S. Forest Service and also getting the water rights to fill the pond.
Since it was so popular, Fish and Game really wants to get it up and running.
Small fishing holes like this are so important for teaching kids how to fish.
I’ve never been to it, but it sounds like it was a pretty place located between the Basin and Valley Creek drainages, north of Stanley.
‘13 LICENSE NOT GOOD IN ‘12
Here’s a question and answer about fishing licenses I got from the Idaho Fish and Game’s news package. Incidentally, it’s that time of the year to start thinking about getting next year’s hunting and fishing license.
Q: I just purchased a 2013 Idaho fishing license. Can I use it to fish to the end of 2012?
A: No. To fish in Idaho in December 2012, you must have a valid 2012 state fishing license. The 2013 license is not valid until Jan 1.
But a resident 2012 season fishing license is still available for $25.75. A resident can buy a one-day license for $11.50, plus $5 for each additional day when purchased at the same time.
However, a one-day license holder can’t buy a steelhead permit. Resident anglers must first buy a full-season fishing license to buy a steelhead permit for $12.75.
A nonresident daily fishing license is available for $12.75 for the first day and $6 for each additional day, or a three-day license and permit for steelhead is available for $37.50.
For details see the 2012 Fishing Seasons and Rules available at all license vendors, Fish and Game offices and online at fishandgame.idaho.gov.
Pete Zimowsky: 377-6445, Twitter: @Zimosoutdoors
