One of the best free winter outdoor experiences you can find anywhere happens right now at the National Fish Hatchery in Leavenworth. Every year they offer free snowshoe tours that include a trained naturalist that explains how wildlife and plants deal with the harsh environment of winter in our region. The snowshoes are provided and those who plan on taking the tour should be dressed in warm clothing and winter boots. It is open to individuals and families with children eight years old and up. The tours are offered on both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to twelve noon from January 9th through February 28th. To get in on one of the tours you must make a reservation. You can do so by calling the National Fish Hatchery at 509-548-2921. The tours are made possible through the sponsorship of the Friends of Northwest Hatcheries, and cooperation with WSU Extension and the Barn Beach Reserve. I also want to remind anglers of another free opportunity, which is the seminar in fishing Rufus Woods Reservoir, on Wednesday, January 20th at Town Ford in Wenatchee. Joe Heinlen is the featured speaker and the seminar begins at 6 p.m.