Blackhawk On The River

Stacey Gebhards entertained and educated at the first Armchair Speaker Event held on Saturday, October 4th at the Blackhawk Equestrian Center Ranch House. With mulled wine and cider in hand, guests were treated to a history of how Idaho has managed the fish in its over 2,000 alpine lakes. From a glimpse at how these lakes were created to stocking techniques to variables that impact how large fish grow to cooking techniques and where to find common and rare species of fish in Idaho’s high-mountain lakes, Mr. Gebhards shared a wealth of knowledge that left guests anxious to get out there and fish!

The next Armchair Speaker Series will be on Saturday, November 15th at the Ranch House where Stacey Gebhards will share cold weather survival skills. Please call the Blackhawk on the River Sales Office at 208.630.5070 to RSVP.

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Join us at the Blackhawk on the River Sales Office (112 N Third Street) Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00pm - 4:00pm for an open house! Learn about the exciting Real Estate Auction Blackhawk will be hosting on Labor Day, September 1st. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to own you private preserve on the river!

Located in the heart of Blackhawk on the River, Blackmare and Rock Lakes not only provide a stunning backdrop, they also are home to a vibrant eco-system. At Blackhawk on the River’s inception, both lakes were created by feeding river water into each and introducing fresh water shrimp, crawfish, engle worm, snails and female trout. Over the last three seasons, Blackmare and Rock Lakes have flourished at amazing rates achieving the same ecological balance it takes natural systems 20 years to create.

Opaline Aqua Farm was on site in July to put the finishing touches on these self-sustaining eco-systems by introducing male fish. Rich Cuttingham, owner of Opaline Aqua Farm, tested the health of the lakes by overturning rocks along the shore. What he found were hundreds of insect eggs which he says is a sign that the lakes are vibrant and healthy and mimicking the same eco-system found along the river. By introducing male fish, both Blackmare and Rock Lakes will become completely self-sustaining.

Blackhawk on the River homeowners can enjoy catch and release fishing in both lakes. Mr. Cuttingham’s two sons practiced their fly fishing skills as he stocked the male fish. Within a ten minute span of time, both boys caught a rainbow trout. According to Dan, he “almost caught one more, but the fish was way too smart.”

Pony rides, lemonade, watermelon ice cream and very colorful horses…what more could you ask for on a Sunday afternoon? The first Paint the Pony Ice Cream social brought out kids of all ages looking to try out their artistic skills on a very unique canvas. After pony rides and a lot of ice cream, the paint came out and Scooby and Pretty Boy received stunning makeovers. Don’t miss out on your chance to leave your mark on the Blackhawk horses at the next Paint the Pony Ice Cream Social on August 3^rd!

This summer, Blackhawk on the River welcomed a group of cow elk to the community as they took up residence below the Equestrian Center to calve. Elk typically begin their migration from lower elevation wintering grounds to their summer habitat in the mountains between May and June. While bull elk migrate much earlier, cow elk take advantage of the spring and summer foliage in the lower elevations as they prepare to give birth. The Blackhawk Wildlife Preserve provides an ideal location for elk calving grounds as these animals typically seek out brush-covered areas with nearby timber to use as cover. Today, most of the elk have left the Blackhawk Wildlife Preserve for their summer homes high in the mountains, but look for them again as they come down to the meadows this winter.

Blackhawk on the River homeowner Bill West, our resident fly fishing guru, recently discovered an 18-inch rainbow trout spawning in one of the braided side channels at Blackhawk. Wanting a closer look, he cast into the channel and hooked the trout on the first cast. After a quick view of the trout’s stunning coloring, he released the fish back into the channels for others to enjoy.

Blackhawk on the River has worked in coordination with Trout Unlimited to restore the side channels flowing off of the Payette River and winding throughout the development as they provide ideal spawning grounds for the native fish.

To kick off the Campfire Summer Schedule, Blackhawk on the River homeowners enjoyed food, friends, and astrology at the first Stargazing BBQ on Saturday, June 7^th at the fishing grotto. Between roasting s’mores over the campfire and getting a fly fishing lesson from Blackhawk on the River homeowner Bill West, kids of all ages enjoyed the scenic setting along the banks of the Payette River. 

 “These events are such a wonderful opportunity to socialize with the Blackhawk family,” said Jil Wickander, Director of Outdoor Pursuits and Environmental Stewardship. “Our hope is to make these BBQs a summer tradition.”

If you missed this first Stargazing BBQ, don’t despair…you still have a chance to get in on the fun! Blackhawk on the River will be hosting three more BBQs throughout the summer: July 5^th , August 2^nd and August 30^th .

Blackhawk on the River Sales Concierge Haden Tanner found an unexpected running partner this summer along the River Trail in the Blackhawk Wildlife Preserve. Rounding a corner along the trail, Haden came face-to-face with one of the largest species found in Idaho, the North American moose. Standing seven feet tall at the shoulder and weighing over 950 pounds, these powerful animals typically seek out wetland vegetation in the summer months…and found just what they were looking for at Blackhawk. Although the encounter was brief, with the moose retreating soon after his arrival, Haden says that it was an incredible experience to have been so close to one of these majestic animals.

By BRIAN MULHERIN
Daily News Staff Writer

A world championship medal is coming to Ludington.

Dave Maclean of Hamlin Township took a bronze medal at the Masters World Cup skiing championships in McCall, Idaho, Monday.

Maclean medalled in a 10-kilometer freestyle or skate race for skiers from age 45-49.

There were 42 other skiers in the race and they all started together.

“I got a good start, I was in probably fourth place at the start and shortly after the start a group of four of us kind of broke away from the rest of the group,” Maclean said. “For the last probably seven k, there were just four of us together in the lead who kind of took turns changing places until just before the finish and then it was kind of a sprint between the four people.”

Maclean finished 3.4 seconds behind winner Jen Francois Duchampt of France and 1.7 seconds behind Kent Murdoch of the U.S. Maclean’s time of 24.02 minutes was fast, but he said it’s difficult to figure out personal records in a sport with such variable conditions.

Maclean also raced in a 30k race Sunday and placed 13th.

Today he will race in a 4×5k relay, representing the United States with

three other skiers. He also will race in a 45k race on Friday, but prefers shorter races.

“The relay, it’s going to be a pretty tight group with the Russians, the Italians and the Americans,” Maclean said. “Especially the Russians. It should be a pretty exciting race. The 45k, I’m not real excited about. But the pressure’s kind of off. After the relay, I’m going to relax and have some more fun.”

The medal caps a remarkable season for Maclean, who has finished in the top five of most of his races and even won the VASA race in Traverse City Feb. 9.

“It feels great, it’s pretty exciting,” Maclean said. “There’s quite a few Michigan skiers out here, because as far as anybody can tell it’s the first medal that anyone from Michigan has won.”

- Reprinted from the Ludington Daily News 3/5/08 - Ludington, Michigan.