March 1 opener is upon us

Today, Friday, March 1, is the March 1 opener for fishing on several waters in Washington. This is the first of several fishing opening seasons in the Columbia Basin.

The March 1 opener can be a big deal in the Columbia Basin. The weather is the biggest factor, as with all spring fishing openers. One of the more popular waters is Martha Lake.

Usually, the expectation would be a parking lot full of campers. This year, not so sure. The snow just might be keeping anglers away. However, there may be some diehard fishermen willing to wet a line. Photos are always welcome. Send them to me at: dclay@atnet.net. Include a phone number, in case I have questions.

Lakes opening at midnight on March first in Grant County include: Cascade, Merry, Spring, Martha, Nunnally, Quincy, Dry Falls, Dusty, Lenore, Caliche, along with Winchester Wasteway, the portion within the Winchester Game Reserve.

Pheasant Forever banquet March 30

Wildlife banquets are entertaining as well as fun, as we have discussed in recent columns. The next banquet is just four weeks away.

The Columbia Basin Chapter of Pheasants Forever has scheduled a banquet, fundraiser, membership drive and upland celebration on March 30, at the Lakefront Hotel located at 3000 W Marina Drive in Moses Lake.

Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30. The evening celebration includes dinner, raf?e, live auction and silent auction offering guns and other merchandise designed for the upland enthusiast.

Funds raised by our chapter at this event will help us to support upland habitat and hunting in Central Washington.

Ticket prices: $70 for single includes dinner and an Associate Pheasants Forever membership $100 for a couple includes two dinners and an Associate Pheasants Forever membership $40 for youth under 16 includes dinner and a Ringneck Pheasants Forever membership.

Online tickets available at https://www.pheasantsforeverevents.org/event/3850. For additional information or tickets by mail contact Dick Price at dickprice@nctv.com or 509-762-9027, Sean Dougherty at CBPheasants@gmail.com or 304-851-0706, and Anne Tyson at aktysonemail@gmail.com or 425-471-3284.

No tickets will be sold after March 23. No tickets held at the door.