Zach 4/17/2012 2:35:15 pm
Hey Dan -- The Applegate is closed now to allow steelhead to spawn. That's the short answer, and there's a ton of river around the state that close March 31 to allow steelhead to spawn. There's quite a few people, myself included, who believe fishing should be open later in the season, especially on the Applegate because the dang river doesn't hit its peak until late March and there's tons of hatchery fish in there now ... then closes. It's a complex issue on the Applegate, because you don't want anglers stepping on spawning wild steelhead redds. Anyway yes, spawning fish is the reason you're not allowed to fish now. [ Report abuse ]

Dan 4/16/2012 2:27:09 pm
Hi Zack as a new resident to GP can you explain to me why fishing is 'closed' on the Applegate from 3/31 to Memorial day weekend? Thanks Dan [ Report abuse ]

Zach 3/28/2012 11:00:42 pm
Hey Talia -- Glad you enjoy the blog, it's certainly a lot of fun to put together. Hope you can make it back soon! [ Report abuse ]

Talia 3/28/2012 2:17:31 pm
I enjoy your blog. I've been living abroad, in a big city for a couple of years now, but I've been missing me some Oregon something awful. Keep writing your blog, it's been great to catch glimpses of Oregon through your writing. [ Report abuse ]

Zach 3/11/2012 11:44:57 pm
Concerned reader -- Fair enough. This blog itself (titled: Going to school at Nugget-Powerhouse) wasn't for publication in the Daily Courier - where I am a lot more detailed in warning readers about the dangers of prospective rapids, mountains, etc. However, your point is well taken. One thing that I didn't include in this blog, and perhaps should have, was that I've been lucky enough to go boating with guys that are much better than me, and who on a run like Nugget-Powerhouse can show me the lines, the easiest route, and could get me out of trouble if it arose. Also, I've done a number of easier runs in the very early process and my main point was that Nugget-Powerhouse was a great place to learn to make the jump from a novice Class II boater, to someone that can feel comfortable running large water. So thanks for your concern, it's something I'll remember when writing about these topics in the future. [ Report abuse ]

Concerned reader 3/11/2012 7:09:40 pm
Dear Zach, I enjoy your story about your love of kayaking, and for the great outdoors. Although, since you do publish to the general public I would warn you against calling this run, and class III and IV rapids in general, a "nice place to learn". As a professional guide and certified outdoor instructor I urge your readers to seek professional training and/or the assistance of a guide if pursuing outdoor ventures beyond their skill level. Thank you for allowing comments and best of luck in your future outdoor pursuits. [ Report abuse ]

Zach 3/8/2012 7:00:50 pm
Alex -- Well, mostly I bribed a lot of people. You'd be surprised what a few grand can buy. Nah, kidding. Mostly I worked really hard at writing through high school, college and with my first few jobs at tiny newspapers. Plus I basically gave up any semblance of a social life - there's really no difference between life and work -- though it's a pretty good life. [ Report abuse ]

Alex 3/8/2012 5:18:14 pm
How do you get a job like this? seems like a pretty sweet deal [ Report abuse ]

Zach 2/20/2012 5:08:35 pm
At any rate, whether he was talking about the Green-Colorado specifically or running wild rives in general, Buzz was an amazing guy. And "The Doing of The Thing" was a great book. [ Report abuse ]

Zach 2/19/2012 2:26:12 pm
Kurt -- Well, Will was talking about Lava Falls, which is on the Colorado, and I was talking about the running of rivers in general being the "thing," which would include the Colorado and Green, among all the others. He wrote the passage I quoted after his first trip -- he did it from the uppermost point of navigation on the second trip. [ Report abuse ]

Kurt 2/18/2012 11:31:24 am
"The Doing of the Thing".. you guys missed the point entirely. The "Thing" was running the Colorado from the uppermost point of navigation all the way to Boulder Dam. [ Report abuse ]

Zach 2/17/2012 7:37:27 am
Thanks Will, it was a strong read. I think you're correct about the "thing" but I also got the sense that the authors used it in the sense of, all of rafting was the thing, all of the reward was being on the river. [ Report abuse ]

Will Volpert 2/15/2012 7:46:45 pm
Zach - Great story about Buzz Holmstrom. I've read the book and think that the "Thing" was running Lava Falls. Hence, the "Doing of the Thing". [ Report abuse ]

Zach 2/12/2012 4:14:23 pm
Marty -- Wow, that's a pretty awesome trip idea. I am almost positive that there will be tons of snow up there, and that you'd have to just drive up the road as far as you could and then hike to the trailhead. There should be even more snow next week, according to the weather, since this coming storm is suppose to dump snow at 2,000 feet. The best winter entry trailhead to the Siskiyou Wilderness is probably South Kelsey, which is at a lower elevation. Your best bet, though, since I haven't been up there since late summer, is to call the Six Rivers Ranger District Office in Gasquet at (707) 457-3131. Before I hike in there during spring or into winter, I always call them to get an idea of what the roads and trails are going to look like. There's always way way more snow than I expect. Hope that helps! [ Report abuse ]

Marty 2/12/2012 11:14:50 am
Hey Zach, I was hoping that you could give me some info about devils punchbowl. Some friends and I were thinking about hiking it next week but are unsure if it will be snowed over. What do you think? If you don't think that would be a good idea what trail would you recommend for an overnight hike to try out some new equipment. Thanks in advance. [ Report abuse ]

Zach 2/8/2012 8:55:33 pm
Thanks Murph, it's a fun part of the job! [ Report abuse ]

Zach 2/8/2012 8:54:55 pm
Thanks Kurt. It was a fun story because normally with those types of stories, you're writing about something tragic that happened to someone in the wilderness that wasn't prepared. But these guys clearly were, and so even though they got into a spot of trouble, they were able to make it out without any real issues. Heck, they even made it out by the date they intended. [ Report abuse ]

Kurt 2/8/2012 5:26:38 pm
Zach.. I really enjoyed your recent piece about the Kalmiopsis backpackers. It's refreshing to read about someone "in the woods" who knows what they are doing for a change. [ Report abuse ]

Murph 2/8/2012 2:46:13 pm
You take some awesome pictures, Zach! [ Report abuse ]

Zach 1/12/2012 9:43:39 am
Jim, I think I just posted the link on your Facebook page ... but if not, just go into the "stories" area and copy and paste the link. Or just shooting me an email at: zurness@thedailycourier.com. [ Report abuse ]