Check the Fish-In Menu page - the dates are set, May 4-5-6-7 Ephrata, WA. Big rainbow trout, (triploids have been planted in Rocky Ford Creek), and panfish and trout in the local lakes. Everyone is welcome. No fees, no registration.
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
VEE and I will be there ready to fish.
REE
I may be able to get to this one this year. Sure gonna try.
Woohoo!
I was really bummed that I missed it last year. I’m definitely going to make it a point to be there this year.
~Matt
If work will let me, I’ll be there this year.
Can’t wait to get back to some of those waters.
And don’t forget, LF, that there is some outstanding smallmouth fishing in some of the nearby lakes…
Keith
I was there before I found FAOL, but heard people talk about it and was told by several members about the sight and have always wanted to go and be involved with all the nice people I met that day. I sure hope it works out this year, but crazy work schedules have always kept me from it.
Adam
vox clamantis in deserto
Perhaps I should warn those planning on attending-- so far my two planned trips were to Venice, Louisiana, two weeks after Katrina hit and to Forks for steelhead on December 20 of last year.
For those who record those things, that was the day after the recent rains hit…
I’m not saying I’m jinxed, but…
Keith
I will be there…just need to figure out what days. Looking forward to it 
Take care everyone and cya around. Mark
Can any of the locals comment on the conditions at the nearby airport (Ephrata Muni)? I’m considering flying up for this (gotta use that new pilot license somewhere) but the comments I’ve read online for the local airport aren’t very encouraging.
Would I be better off flying into the larger airport 10 miles to the south east (Grant County Int’l Airport)?
2 mediocre reviews of Ephrata Muni is hardly enough to go on and I figure maybe somebody local has a better idea of Ephrata Muni’s general condition.
Any chance of getting a rental car either at the airport or in Ephrata (assuming I can get a taxi ride)?
One last question…does the fishing start on the 4th or is that when folks start showing up and pitching tents?
Thanks.
The fishing is open, can fish Rocky any time at all. Most folks will try and get some fishing in when they get there…
Hopefully Cary can give some info on the airport situation - I do know we drive right by one between town (Ephratha) and Rocky Ford.
Love to have you join us!
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Thwack, Ok I’m local, what I know about Ephrata muni is this. It is a circa 1930’s army air corp fighter base. It is host to a couple aerobatic schools each year. It is one of the hot spots for gliders in the northwest and hosts numerous championships each year, world championsips, as well as recreational gliders all year during the season. I have flown once out of Ephrata muni and landed once. I’m not a pilot but I felt no bumps out of the ordinary and we seemed to have plenty of runway. The # for Port of Ephrata is 509 754 3508
If you want a good look at the runway, watch the movie “Always” with Richard Dryfuss and John Goodman, not only a great movie, but the training scenes for the new pilots was filmed there at Ephrata Muni.
Further south is Moses Lake International Airport. Monster runways, former SAC base (Larson Airbase) used by JAL for training 747 pilots. Also touch and goes by USN, Airforce, and Hosts Big Bend CC Flying school (one of the finest in the country (IMHO)I believe Big Sky is our Airline dejour. Columbia Pacific Aviation should be able to answer any questions you have about Port of Moses Lake Phone # is 509 762 1016
If you need more info email me. But whether you fly drive walk or swim, be sure to show up.
Cary Morlan
Living my dreams one day at a time
[This message has been edited by Linemender (edited 21 February 2006).]
[This message has been edited by Linemender (edited 21 February 2006).]
[This message has been edited by Linemender (edited 21 February 2006).]
Cary,
Thanks for the good info. I’d read about the gliders etc at Ephrata’s airport. They’re not the concern. The mediocre reviews grumbled about fueling (no prices posted, no receipt given, no clue how much they were charged) and similar things.
The complaints are both from last summer so they’re likely still pertinent.
That airport looks like the best choice (assuming I can get a taxi to take me to town since there’s no rental car at most tiny airports).
Moses Lake is the same as Grant County at least on AirNav.com (where I originally looked up Ephrata to see if there was an airport nearby). It looks like a decent backup plan but not as convenient.
Thanks for the phone #'s. They’re different that what I saw on Airnav so I might be able to talk to additional people there for more insight.
I’m hoping to make it in part of the flying adventure and in part for the fishing time.
It looks like about 5 hrs of flying in a Cessna 182 (likely the fastest thing I can take by May…assuming I remember to move up from the current c-172 slowpokes). One stop, probably in Grants Pass, OR area for fuel. If I can get airborn early, I should be able to fish by dinner time…
Thanks
Hrm…I found the Port of Ephrata’s web site and it says there’s an aerobatic training camp May 3-17. I’ll have to see how active that will make the area or if squeezing in one more little plane is no big deal.
The Port page also mentions a courtesy car (a common feature of tiny airports!) so that might be my ticket in to town after landing.
Thwack,
I flew in there a lot about 30 years ago. Cary has a better handle on it these days.
I wouldn’t sweat the transportation. I’m sure someone can give you a lift. Shoot me an e-mail and I’ll give you my cell number.
Jeff
Linemender:
Sorry to say, I can’t make it again this year. I was hoping I could show as I missed last year, but I have a son graduating from WSU that weekend. I will be thinking of all you, fishing bows and gills! Have fun!
Dr Bob
Jeff - thanks for the great offer. If I can make it up there, I don’t want to be a burden on anybody. That’s why I was hoping I could find a rental car (but I’m striking out on that at the moment).
I figure I’d need to head to the grocery store once I got there to have food (vs. flying it all in…ice is heavy…but that might be easier).
Hey folks, if you’re planning on coming please drop me an email so I can put you on the “going list” - folks really look forward to seeing who is going to show up. Jeffw?
Love to see you there too! Denny won’t make it this year, it’s the same as the SowBug.
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Well…I finally have my schedule worked out for being there. Due to situations at work beyond my control, I wasnt able to get all the days off I wanted. As a result I will be arriving Saturday morning (unless by some miracle at work I am able to leave earlier than I think on Friday). I will probably stay Monday and part of Tuesday after the Fish-In to play around and make up for not being there earlier in the week.
Look forward to seeing everyone there.
Take care everyone and cya around. Mark
LF - it’ll likely be some time late next month before I know with any certainty if I can make it. That’s why I haven’t emailed yet. I want to make it but that’s only part of the battle. 
Dr. Bob, dang, gonna miss ya again. You know to get in touch anytime you can get over right? Thwack, if you need a ride anywhere when you first get here let me know, I can accomodate. Mark, if you stay over, I can maybe still fish wit ya if you’re interested.
Cary Morlan
Living my dreams one day at a time