NOAA Says Summer is Here!

According to NOAA, summer temperatures will be here for at least the next six days.  Their forecast for Friday through next Wednesday calls for sunshine and high temperatures at or above 85 degrees.  Patterson Lake starts to look mighty inviting when the thermometer is up there.  Go swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing or just lie on the beach.  Or sit by the pools up at the Lodge.  Either way, it's a great way to beat the heat.

Early July Fishing Report

The Methow river is fishable but still a bit high. As of 4th of July, the river is coming down slightly, but may bump up again with warmer weather predicted and a stubborn snowpack still in the mountains. The Chewuch is also still a bit higher than perfect early season conditions but an option (remember, it is closed above 8 mile). Nymphing is probably your best. There are some hatches occuring and a dry stone or caddis make pick up some fish. Please be careful wading, the river can be deceiving at this water level. A mistake at this level can be very costly. The lakes are still a great option as we have had a cool spring. The damsels and mayflies are out of course. Fishing the dry or nymph patterns, depending on time of day, can be very successful. Big Twin, Davis and Campbell have provided for lots of fun for fisherman, all requiring single, barbless catch and release gear. Black Pine is another great option this time of year, especially with kids and something green at the end of you line; deep. For more info. on the Methow watershed or lakes, please feel free to email or call our shop, 509 996 4735.  Bret and Kevin in the Sun Mountain Lodge Activities and Fly Shop.

4th of July Family Fun

Lot's of family fun in Twisp for the Fourth of July.  The annual Independence Day parade kicks off down Glover Street at 11am.  Followed by the 25th annual Methow Arts Fest in the Twisp Park beginning at 11:30am.  Lots of hands-on art making booths and entertainment until 4:30 in the afternoon. 

25th Annual Methow Arts Fest

Wednesday July 4th is the 25th annual Methow Arts Fest at the Twisp Park.  One of the all-time great family fun events.  More than a dozen booths will offer hands-on art experiences to kids of all ages.  Wooden boat making, copper arts, tie-dyed tee shirts, face painting, robot making, botanical prints and book arts are just some of the featured activities.  A stage full of performers will be entertaining as well.  Aerial artist Jenn Q, aka Ms Marvel, will be showing her skills in static trapeze, tiny ring and aerial silk.  Brittany Walsh of Wanderlust Circus will perform her repertoire of contortionist and hand balanceing routines.  Plus music from Brody Blackburn and The Last Outlaws, a sneak preview of the Merc Playhouse's upcoming musical The Music Man and dancing from Salyna's Scheherazades.  The fun starts at 11:30 and runs until 4:30.  Cost is $5 for kids and $7 for adults.  For more info visit:  http://www.methowvalleyarts.org/arts-and-events/25th-annual-methow-arts-festival/

Summer Singletrack Celebration, July 5-9

The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) are teaming up for a celebration of Methow Valley mountain biking with a variety of opportunities for everyone to become involved in making the Methow an even greater place to ride.  Show your passion for great rides by joining us at all these great events:  Thursday July 5, 7-9pm, Mountain Bike Social at the Winthrop Ice Rink.  Saturday July 7, 9am-4pm, Trail Building School at the Winthrop Ice Rink.  Sunday July 8, 9am, Mountain Bike Ride, meet at the Winthrop Barn.  Monday July 9, 8:30-10am, Better Living Through Trails, Winthrop Barn.  For more information, click here:  http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/517677/65c10b1ac7/1535507532/9bff9a112e/

Winthrop this Summer

Check out what is happening in Winthrop this summer in the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce events newsletter:  http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/736868/e65c81e3bd/281515915/d2a6172312/

Sun Mountain Big Ring Bash

This Saturday, June 23, the fifth round of the Fat Tire Revolution Series of mountain bike races will be held on the fast and fun single track trails at Sun Mountain Lodge.  The course will be approximately 10 miles of classic, swoopy Sun Mountain single track.  Registration begins at 8am at the Chickadee trailhead.  There will be a free kids race and races for Pro/Cat 1, Cat 2 and Cat 3 riders.  For more information and to pre-register visit http://rideviciouscycle.com/events/fat-tire-revolution-series/sun-mountain/