April 2012 Archive

Saturday, April 28, 2012

High water on Lake Coeur d'Alene adds obstacles for Harrison Pike Tournament

Images of the Coeur d'Alene River near Rose Lake taken April 28, 2012

According to the USGS latest Lake CDA elevation reading, the lake has reached 2133.13ft, which is just a smidgen above the minor flood stage threshold of 2133ft. The lake is expected to crest at 2133.37ft tomorrow at 5PM.

Fishermen competing in the 18th Annual Lester V. Smith Memorial Pike Tournament this weekend are cautiously navigating flood debris while expanding their quest for the big one to include recently submerged areas where witty Northern Pike will seek out safety (and frogs)!

Good luck to everyone fishing this weekend. Have fun and remember to check with local authorities regarding speed and wake restrictions enforced during flood stage.

Share your photos and fishing stories on Lake Coeur d'Alene's facebook page or join the conversation by posting your comments below.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Day 2 - 2012 World Jet Boat River Marathon Championship

April 15, 2012, St. Joe River, St. Maries, Idaho

Current Overall Standings:

1. Mark Cromie, The General, New Zealand, 1:35:48

2. Dale Whiteside, Whitey, Canada, 1:40:00

3. Gord Humphrey, Unnatural Disaster, Canada, 1:42:34

4. Chad Burns, Bad Habit, Canada, 1:43:14

5. Ryan Rogers, Pure Insanity, Lewiston, Idaho, USA, 1:44:58

6. Randy Sundberg, Wild Injun, McKinleyville, CA, USA, 1:46:19

7. Duane Carmont, Revelation, Riggins, Idaho, USA, 1:58:24

8. Rick Hollingworth, Little Smokey, Canada, 2:00:29

9. Spencer King, Sunset Shaker, Canada, 2:08:47

10. Tyson Allen, SS Adrenaline, Canada, 2:09:05

11. Bill Schafer, Bud Light Baller, Spokane, WA, USA, 2:16:55

12. Shay White, Predator, Meridian, Idaho, USA, 2:34:31

13. Mike Rowe, The Rowe Boat, Canada, 2:46:41

14. Jake Barney, Never Satisfied, Lewiston, Idaho, USA, 2:51:24

15. Terry O'Keefe, Riptear, Monitor, WA, USA, 2:58:35

16. Jeff Edwardsen, Maniac, Lewiston, Idaho, USA, 3:19:29

17. Guy Anderson, Fluid Drive, USA, 3:56:28

(Results from 2012 U.S.A. World Jet Boat River Marathon Championship)

Even the Elk were out enjoying the races in the rain today!

More photos and jet boat race video clips on LakeCoeurdalene.com Google Page

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Day 1 - 2012 World Jet Boat River Marathon Championship

Day 1 Results
April 14, 2012, St. Joe River, St. Maries, Idaho

1. New Zealand driver Mark Cromie in The General, 1:04:39.

2. Canadian driver Gord Humphrey in Unnatural Disaster, 1:04:59.

3. Canadian driver Dale Whiteside in Whitey, 1:07:14.

(Results from 2012 U.S.A. World Jet Boat River Marathon Championship)

YouTube video clips of the St. Joe races: Video #1 Video #2 Video of "The General"
More photos and jet boat race video clips on LakeCoeurdalene.com Google Page

Saturday, April 7, 2012

2012 World Jet Boat Marathon Championship

2011 World Jet Boat Marathon Champion Gord Humphrey's CDN1 / 357
photo taken 4/7/2012 at Aqua Park in St. Maries, Idaho

Spring may seem slow in arriving to northern Idaho, but things are about to pick up pace. Don't be left in the wake April 14th-21st, but get in on the unforgettable action as the 2012 World Jet Boat Championship heats up on these surging Idaho rivers: St. Joe, Snake, Clearwater and Salmon.

Earlier today, we spoke with members of Humphrey's Unnatural Disaster CDN1 / 357 racing team and captured this photo at Aqua park, which is where all boats will be gathered Saturday morning. As you can see, the mountains above the St. Joe are still snowcapped, and runoff from last week's heavy rains is expected to provide obstacles and a few speed bumps for the teams preparing for next weekend's races. Driver Gord Humphrey and navigator Chris Zapesocki will be defending their 2011 World Title, and it's going to take more than a few floating twigs to slow them down.

We were fortunate to catch a quick word with the crew, and we learned that this boat can run in as little as 1" of water, although it needs deep water for the take off when it nearly stands on end. CDN1 is capable of speeds in the 135-140MPH range, so if you're planning to attend the races, be sure to keep your eyes on the course and don't blink!

About the St. Joe Races

St. Joe River

The first leg of the 2012 World Jet Boat Championship will be held on the St. Joe River April 13th, 14th & 15th. According to the latest update on the Facebook fan page, 34 teams are currently registered to compete, including teams from Canada, New Zealand, Mexico and the United States. Racing starts at 9am, April 14th, below the 3rd St bridge (IFI Landing) in St. Maries, ID, where racers will begin the 25-mile run up to Calder Bridge at speeds up to 140mph!

#55 Jet Boat in St. Maries, Idaho

The hosting community of St. Maries, Idaho, will kick off festivities Friday night at the Cormana Bldg & City Park with dinner and fireworks followed by live music featuring PJ Destiny. Races will run all day Saturday and again on Sunday morning. For detailed event information and a list of activities, visit the St. Maries Chamber. Watching races is free for spectators in designated viewing areas. The North Central Idaho Travel Association (NCITA) has posted a helpful map to help you find places to view the boat races.

If you want a quick bite before heading up to Calder, stop in and see Kay at the Junction Drive In. The grandpa burger with tots and a milkshake is my favorite order. Following the St. Joe races, the action will continue on the Snake, Clearwater & Salmon rivers. The final race and awards ceremony will take place Sunday, April 21st, in Riggins, Idaho. For more information on these races, visit the NCITA website, or check out 2012 World Jet Boat Marathon Races on Facebook.

Be sure to come enjoy the fun!

Additional photos added 4/12/2012:
2012 World Jet Boat Races

Mom (Patty) getting ready for an
Unnatural Disaster!

Ryan Rodgers' #285 out of Lewiston, Idaho

Monday, April 2, 2012

Welcome!

At LakeCoeurdAlene.com, we're here to help you find everything there is to love about Lake Coeur d’Alene. Our foremost objective is to help visitors have a good time. Having grown up on the lake, we have deep appreciation for the lake’s beauty and recreation, as well as the individuals and organizations who have devoted so much effort to preserve it for future generations.

About the founders:

Aaron grew up landlocked in Des Moines, Iowa. After meeting co-founder Tom at an internship in Seattle and taking a couple trips to the lake, he quickly fell in love with the area. In his own words it was “the beautiful landscapes mixed with people and endless fun on the water” that had him hooked. He is married with a four month old son and continues to make Lake Coeur d’Alene his number one vacation destination.

Tom's family has lived in the Coeur d'Alene area for three generations. After attending WSU (Go Cougs!), he moved to Seattle and later to Chicago. His true passion remains here in northern Idaho. Every summer, Tom gathers friends for a week of good times at the lake. Spending as much time here as possible, he enjoys boating, riding ATVs, fishing, kayaking, floating the north fork, and lounging on the dock at Grandma's Cabin.

Some of the best times of our lives were spent on Lake Coeur d’Alene. On this blog we'll share our lake adventures, your stories, and upcoming activities so readers can share in the fun and get ideas for their next trip to the lake.

We’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment and get involved! Tell us about your experiences on Lake Coeur d’Alene or things you’d like more information about. We’re looking forward to a beautiful summer on the lake!

~ Tom and Aaron