DENNIS. L. CLAY
Herald Columnist
Recent Stories
Kids Fishing Day a week from tomorrow
The annual Kids Fishing Day will take place a week from tomorrow, June 1, at Cascade Park. The Moses Lake Park and Recreation Department is helping to organize the event. Although they ask registrations be complete by close of business today, it is possible to register until all times are full.
Outdoor survival is an ongoing education
Don Urquhart assisted with railroad route planning
Special hunting permit applications deadline next Wednesday, May 22
The deadline is near, don't dawdle, dally or otherwise delay in deciding which hunting permits you desire to submit. Read on.
Outdoor survival training essential
Erlenmeyer, Slate find walleye, take home a dozen
Michael Slate sent in a report about a successful fishing trip with Tim Erlenmeyer recently. The pair found a group of walleye near Goat Island and fished bottom bouncers and walleye spinners. Could this be a worm harness?
Knowledge Hill held four-room Wilson Creek School
Before the well was drilled, water was hauled up Knowledge Hill to the Wilson Creek School, coal and wood also. Read on.
Continued study of big game pamphlet helpful
The new big game hunting pamphlet has been published and is available to hunters who should obtain a copy and study it from cover to cover.
Perch, Deep top opener lakes
Fish and Wildlife Fish Biologist Chad Jackson offered the following results report of the lowland lake opener last Saturday. Read on.
Abe Loewen built a garage on Main Street in Wilson Creek
Abe first had a garage behind the family home and later build a garage on Main Street in Wilson Creek. Other Loewen family history below also. Read on.
Hunting pamphlet requires study
The 2013 Washington state Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet has been published. These regulations are effective from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. Women and men expecting to hunt this fall should acquire and study it from cover to cover.
Last chance: Daedalian Scholarship deadline April 30
Yes, the deadline is near, but if you hurry, there is time.
Lowland lakes opener is tomorrow
This is it, the big fishing opener. Years ago, before there were three fishing openers, the April opener was the largest outdoor sporting event in the spring. Perhaps it still is. It certainly is the largest fishing event of the year.
Work party scheduled for tomorrow
Volunteering not only makes the person involved feel good, but it helps the organization sponsoring the project as well. We have a project taking place tomorrow. Yes this is short notice, but those interested should simply show up at the work site by following the directions below or trying to call Rich Finger. Cell coverage is spotty at the work site, so a phone call may not be possible. Read on.
Madge was skittish in the cold weather
Firsthand accounts of life in the early days are interesting and sometimes exciting. School teachers had lots to do in those days, especially during cold weather. Read on.
Spring turkey season begins Monday
The youth turkey season is over. Beginning Monday, adults will have a chance to take two birds. Read on.
Soil free of weed seed when pioneers arrived
The Grant County Noxious Weed Board has indicated the beginning of this or the other weed was in wheat seed contaminated when brought from the old country. Mordhorst also indicates Columbia Basin soil was free of weed seed when the pioneers began farming. Read on.
Water system purification is fundamental
This is the second of a multi-part series about preparing for spring camping.
It's Daedalian Scholarship time again
OK, we went through this last year at this time, but it is appropriate we again inform readers. As you read this, remember one of last year's scholarship winners was from Moses Lake and the $1,000 scholarship was matched by the national Organization of Daedalians.
Crane Festival held in Othello this weekend
The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival marks 16 years of existence this year. Wow, congrats to all who work on this educational event.
Spring camping on my mind
This is the first of a multi-part series about preparing for spring camping.
Moses Lake Food Bank continues to help those in need
The Moses Lake Food Bank is doing a great job of putting food on the tables of those who need a helping hand. Years ago when I worked for the State helping disabled veterans find jobs, veterans would meet me at my desk. An assessment was made and the vet was sent on a job interview.
Wolf sightings abound, some close to home
They are getting closer. Mike Garneau of the Warden area sent word of a wolf sighting south of Wenatchee. Apparently a rancher found a dead pregnant cow with wolf tracks and signs of a wolf feeding on the carcass.
Making progress shelf by shelf
Cleaning the freezer is taking more time than estimated in the beginning. Still progress is constant and the advancement can be observed when the door is open.
Packing clinic scheduled by the Crab Creek Riders
The Crab Creek Riders, along with the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, enjoy getting away from civilization and pack into the backcountry. Both organizations are, therefore, interested in helping to maintain the trails they use when traveling in the mountains. Many of the CCR members are also members of the BCHW organization.
Volunteers needed for springtime work
Nesting boxes need servicing and the shore of Moses Lake too. Volunteers provide the labor to accomplish much work in the Columbia Basin. There is always room for one more volunteer, so if you are inclined to help, read on.
March 1 opener report continued
Space restrictions restricted us from reporting all of the March 1 opener report we had available. Today we continue with the report.
Missing pen remains a Columbia Basin Herald mystery
Over the next few weeks this column will highlight the contact Columbia Basin Herald Editor Ned Thomas had with the White House and President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. Today we continue with Thomas' own account of receiving the pen used to sign the final Columbia Basin repayment contract:
Delicacies discovered while cleaning freezer
Wild game on the menu
The work of harvesting a game bird, animal or fish makes the flesh taste sweeter.
Anglers catch near limits on season opener
The March 1 opener is history and anglers from all across the state enjoyed the first weekend of the season. In addition, the Quincy Trout Fishing Derby was held last Saturday. The results of the derby were not available at the time of this writing.
Special pen presented to Herald Editor Ned Thomas
Over the next few weeks this column will highlight the contact Columbia Basin Herald Editor Ned Thomas had with the White House and President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. Today we continue with Thomas' own account.
A day of reconnaissance and visiting with friends
Day trips are a common outdoor experience for my wife Garnet and me. Ephrata friends, Rosann and Bill Green, have mentioned the idea of using a goat to help trim their pasture area instead of having to use a lawn mower. After the goat helped keep the pasture grass down for the summer, it would become winter meat.
Quincy trout derby tomorrow
The third annual trout derby is scheduled to take place on Burke Lake tomorrow. The lake will be stocked with around 100 trout in the 14- to 18-inch range, plus 35 fish weighing 6 to 7 pounds.
Editor has his say with President Kennedy over lunch
Over the next few weeks this column will highlight the contact Columbia Basin Herald Editor Ned Thomas had with the White House and President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. Today we continue with Thomas' own account.
State wolf population increasing at a fast pace
Gray wolves seem to enjoy Washington so much their numbers nearly doubled in the past year.
Tour ends Columbia Basin Herald editor's visit to White House
Over the next few weeks this column will highlight the contact Columbia Basin Herald Editor Ned Thomas had with the White House and President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. Today we continue with Thomas' own account.
First fishing opener one week from today
Three years ago, my wife, Garnet, and I were camping at Martha Lake. We arrived on Feb. 28, the day before the traditional March 1 opener and backed the travel trailer to the end of the long, narrow spit jutting into the lake.
Father and son team scores on ducks
Christmas Eve 2012 was a good day for Peter Steffens and his father, Dr. Thomas Steffens. The father and son team brought home five ducks after an outing with Ecternkamp's Guide Service, 766-6791, on Potholes Reservoir.
President Kennedy was wearing a dark gray business suit
Over the next few weeks this column will highlight the contact Columbia Basin Herald Editor Ned Thomas had with the White House and President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. Today we backtrack a bit and then continue with Thomas' own account.
Present gun laws sufficient
Gun control: The present gun laws are sufficient.
Steelhead season on Wenatchee River opens
The Wenatchee and Icicle rivers are open to steelhead fishing today, Feb. 8. Plus the Wenatchee River will open today to fishing for whitefish.
White House hosts luncheon during Kennedy presidency
Over the next few weeks this column will highlight the contact Columbia Basin Herald Editor Ned Thomas had with the White House and President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. Today we backtrack a bit and then continue with Thomas' own account.
No need for more gun control laws
This is the first of a two-part series about gun control.
Columnist takes time to tie up some loose strings
Several items have been floating around in my world without closure. It is time to give you an update.
Spring-like temperatures again teasing
Again we are being teased. The temperature, as this is being written, is standing at 40 degrees and this is at 4:40 p.m. It is as if a light switch had been flipped. The forecast for the next 10 days calls for lows in the high 30s and highs in the low 40s. This is much more acceptable to late-winter and early-spring fishing.
SHOT show provides look at new products
This is the last of a two-part series about the 2013 SHOT show.
Illness hampers last week of hunting
The plan for this week in January was to hunt geese every day and shoot a few ducks if they were located, but, alas, the plan was not even commenced. Last Sunday a cold seemed to be hammering away at my body. Tuesday was my worst day. The cough improved on Wednesday, but an achy feeling, along with an upset stomach, fatigue and a lack of appetite settled in. I have the flu. I don't want to hunt anything or go out the front door for any reason.
Herald editor, President Kennedy talk over luncheon
Over the next few weeks this column will highlight the contact Columbia Basin Herald Editor Ned Thomas had with the White House and President John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. Here's the report from Thomas' own account.
Las Vegas trade show an enlightening experience
This is the first of a two-part series about the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT) held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Another reminder: Hunter reports due soon
Hunter reports due by Jan. 31 at the latest and by Jan. 10 to be entered into a special hunt opportunity.