For FishingMagician.com, I'm Eric Granstrom. While settling into my lawn chair around the campfire last weekend in Winthrop, I was delighted to see bats swooping overhead as daylight faded. My sister and I reminisced about summer fun we'd have as kids tossing pieces of bark into the air at nightfall to see the bats swoop in, thinking it was a free meal, only to veer off at the last second. I just read that we have some sick bats here in Washington. White-nose syndrome, an often-fatal disease of hibernating bats, continues to spread. Scientists with the WDFW worked with the U.S. Department of Energy and a bat rehabilitator on recent surveys that resulted in new detections. White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus which attacks the skin of hibernating bats and damages their delicate wings, making it difficult for them to fly. Infected bats often leave hibernation too early, become dehydrated or starve to death. While the syndrome is often fatal to bats, it does not affect humans, livestock, or other wildlife. WDFW has confirmed white-nose syndrome in King, Chelan, Kittitas, Pierce, Snohomish, and Jefferson counties. If you see a sick or dead bat, call the WDFW. Until next time, Good Fishing!