Anglers from near and far will converge in Sandpoint for the annual K&K Spring Fishing Derby, hosted by the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club Saturday, April 25 through Sunday, May 3. Hefty cash prizes are a big part of the appeal (that, and bragging rights) with the winning adult rainbow pulling in $2,500. LPOIC Board of Directors Vice President Clint Nicholson expects a lot of fishermen and fisherwomen out on the lake for this year's spring derby. "The fishing has really improved for the large Rainbows now that the Kokanee fishery is back. This year could see several 20 pound fish and maybe even several over 25 pounds." Nicholson added that there is a new Junior Division this year, where big prizes can be had in the 14- to 17-year-old class.

    The annual LPOIC Pin Auction will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the Elks Golf Course. It's open to the general public, so make plans to attend. For more information, visit LPOIC.org. And good luck to all participants!

    In addition to the Derby frenzy, anglers can find inspiration via the cinema at this year's Fly Fishing Film Tour Friday, April 24, and Fly Fishing Film Festival Saturday, April 25 at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave.

   As spotlighted in last week's Sandpoint Reader, there are some pretty special places that can only be reached on foot in North Idaho. Here's a couple to check out, and for the full article click to read the digital version.
- Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail. A trail count last summer found daily use at more than 200 walkers and bikers along this out-and-back shoreline trail. Since securing waterfront for public use, the Friends of Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail are now focused on trail improvements and eventually connecting the trail to Ponderay with a railroad underpass. Take a survey to help with future trail plans at POBTrail.org.
- Long Bridge and Sagle Bike Path. This trail connects Sandpoint to Dog Beach and everything south of the Pend Oreille River. A trail count one rainy Sunday last fall recorded 500 users of the trail that day. North Idaho Bikeways and Bonner County have teamed up to apply for funding to repair this critical connection to Sagle.

    Yep, it is Sandpoint's biggest party of the year, with hundreds of classic cars on parade and on show throughout downtown, parties, music, dancing ... and fun up to here! It's the Lost in the '50s celebration, wheeling its way into Sandpoint May 14-17.

    The 30th annual retro event features terrific musical acts each night for the concert and dances including the Rock 'n' Roll Heaven show at the Panida, plus big mainstage shows featuring Rocky and the Rollers, The Crests with Tommy Mara, and the legendary Frankie Avalon along with The Dixie Cups.
-- Stay connected via the '50s Facebook page, and for more information visit Sandpoint.org/lostin50s.

    In anticipation for Lost in the '50s and all the great summer events coming our way, the Sandpoint Business Improvement District hosts their annual Shake the Sand Out! spring cleanup day in downtown Sandpoint Saturday, April 18. Volunteers are welcome to join in this community effort; registration starts at 8:30 a.m. in Jeff Jones Town Square, where gloves, bags, maps and breakfast will be provided! To pre-register or for more information, please contact Kim at 208-263-2161 or e-mail [email protected].

    The ospreys generally come back to the Sandpoint area during the first or second week of April. And folks near and far will be able to see them on the Sandpoint osprey cam at Memorial Field. As always, there's suspense to start with ... Have last year's nesting pair made it through the winter and the dangerous long journey to return? Their nest on the platform will need to be rebuilt after the winter, a big job - will they take it on? Can they protect the nest against other ospreys and ever-present geese? Go see the nest now, at SandpointOspreys.com.