DENNIS. L. CLAY
Herald Columnist
Recent Stories
Time is short, but scholarship still possible
Time is short, but applying is still possible. This is a scholarship for the flight students, in the area, such as at Big Bend. If you are reading this for the first time, don't delay, but hurry to the website and apply. Read on.
Lowland lakes fishing season opens tomorrow
The big opening each year is called the lowland lakes opener. This includes Blue, Park, Deep lakes in the Sun Lakes area, plus a few others scattered around the Columbia Basin. The big day is tomorrow, April 28.
Reflections on the first camping trip
There are times when letting go of an event or adventure is difficult for me. Our first camping trip is one such case.
Kay Evans continues with history of Hartline
The history of our greater Columbia Basin towns and cities fascinates me. Today we hear more of the history of Hartline. Read on.
Crab Creek Riders mini-clinic next Saturday
Calling all members and prospective members of the Crab Creek Riders; the first event of the year is not far away. Read on.
First camping trip to Steamboat Rock State Park
Raindrops are making a rhythmic noise at they hit the roof of the travel trailer. The pitter-patter sound provides a good, positive and secure feeling. This part of the Great Outdoors is welcome no matter if in a tent, a building with a metal roof or in our travel trailer.
April 1 opener results continued
Garnet stocked the trailer
This is the second part of a multi-part series about preparing the camping trailer for spring camping.
Now is the time to purchase a new fishing license
The Washington fishing license anglers had last Saturday is out of date. They expired at midnight March 31. In order to continue fishing legally, anglers 15 years of age and older must purchase a 2012-13 license. Licenses and permits are available online, by phone, at 1-866-246-9453, and from sporting goods stores and other retail license dealers around the state.
Chicken killing mule provided food for Slim and his brother
Seldom does a mule provide as valuable as one Slim and his brother used to help George Horner during harvest. Read on.
Spring camping on the agenda
This is the first of a two-part series about preparing a travel trailer for spring camping.
Maj. Gen. Richardson; a chaplain using humor
On March 2, my wife, Garnet, and I traveled to Fairchild Air Force Base for lunch. This wasn't just any ordinary lunch, but, rather, 92d Air Refueling Wing 2012 National Prayer Luncheon.
Youth turkey season next weekend
The life of a wolf
Wolves are again living in Washington State. At the present time, there are no federal or state plans to reintroduce the animals into the state.
Sandhill Crane Festival continues through Sunday
The Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge have teamed up to bring us another Othello Sandhill Crane Festival, centered at the Othello High School. As in years past, the festival will offer a series of tours to view the birds and lectures to participants about the cranes and the unique landscape of the refuge and Othello area.
Elkins' Bremerton Amtrak adventure continues
Other travel journals welcome
This column welcomes other travel journals from readers about their adventures around the Pacific Northwest. The story can be short or long; a fishing trip to the ocean or a camping trip to the Blue Mountains.
Five wolf packs currently in Washington
More suspected
This is the second of three columns about wolves in Washington State.
Spring turkey opener one month away
The 2012 Wild Turkey Spring Season pamphlet is now available in sporting goods stores. The spring season dates are April 15 through May 31. The hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Kelby travels the world before serving as Wilson Creek Postmaster
The Rev. David H. Crawford compiled and published a history of families in and surrounding Wilson Creek titled, "Family Memories of Wilson Creek Area." The book was printed in 1978, which was the 75th anniversary of the town. David's son, John Crawford, has given permission for those memories to be a part of this column.
Wolf plan is acceptable, so far
This is the first of a multi-part series about wolves in Washington.
Yamamoto wins big at Burke Lake Fishing Derby
Information is sketchy from the Quincy area about the trout derby held at nearby Burke Lake last Saturday. The big winner was Calvin Yamamoto, a Quincy resident, who caught a tagged fish worth $2,000.
March 1 opener sees lower turnout, but still a winner
My wife, Garnet, and I drove to Martha Lake in the afternoon and found several people fishing and around seven parties with established campsites.
Burke Lake tournament scheduled for tomorrow
We would have brought this to your attention in early February, but just learned about it ourselves. The 2012 Quincy Valley Trout Derby is scheduled to begin tomorrow morning at sunrise and continue until 1 p.m.
Tormenting brother gets Slim Jolly the switch
Teasing siblings has been a family ritual since the beginning of time. Slim Jolly continued the practice and then feels the switch. Read on.
First opening day of the year for several lakes
Today is the first day of March, yes, but it is also known as the March 1 Opener, meaning several lakes will open to fishing today.
Mr. and Mrs. Niels Johnsen immigrated from Denmark
The story of the Niels Johnsen family seems to be typical of an immigrant family arriving from a foreign country and settling in the Columbia Basin. Toward the end of the story, this may be this week or next, see if you can spot a name familiar to most people living in the Basin. Read on.
Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting two weeks away
As much as we hate going to meetings, this one may be of interest to all outdoor-minded people, especially those who hunt and fish, but also those who are interested in the wolf situation.
Year 21 completed, on to year 22
The Columbia Basin contains an abundance of activities for outdoor-minded people. Hunting, fishing, birding, camping, hiking, geocaching, biking, wildlife viewing to name a few. My job has been to help you, the reader, learn more about these activities and how to participate.
Harmless pranks can provide chuckles for all
During the past four weeks several pranks have been presented in the Thursday outdoors column. Others have contributed pranks they have pulled on others or experienced themselves.
Today is first day of the Great Backyard Bird Count
The 2012 Great Backyard Bird Count begins today. The count will last for four days with the last day on Monday, Feb. 20. This count is a big deal in our book. It is a chance to participate in an international event and the rules only require a participant to count the birds in their backyard for 15 minutes.
Great backyard bird count only one week away
MOSES LAKE - Mark your calendar: Friday, Feb. 17 through Monday, Feb. 20. These are the dates of the 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count. The event is a joint effort lead by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Other partners include Bird Studies Canada and Wild
Sheriff Jones to speak at the Heritage Meeting next Tuesday
If you have found a bit of time on your hands and need a worthwhile effort to explore, check out the Grant County Historical Society. The monthly board meeting is coming up next week followed by the Heritage Meeting. The public is invited and encouraged to attend both meetings. Read on.
Appropriate co-conspirators necessary
This is the third of a four-part series about fun and harmless pranks.
Elsie James attended the Hoover School near Krupp
We elders have heard stories of attending one-room schools when our grandparents were growing up, 80 to 100 years ago. The potbellied stove was used to keep the room warm. The teacher used it to warm Elsie's feet. Read on.
Wildlife viewing, upcoming bird count makes for family-oriented fun
We beat the drum for wildlife viewing often. The activity is interesting and fun, plus it is suitable for a young family. The upcoming Backyard bird count is also a fun time and lasts for four days. Read on.
Setting up my best prank ever
Over the years, from the time I was a youngster, to recent days, many pranks, tricks, shenanigans, jokes and hoaxes have taken place within my viewing range. Most have been a part of family fun, but not all.
Service at parking business provides breath of fresh air
My wife, Garnet, and I believe in follow and observe the "Shop Locally" slogan. However, there are times when conducting business 100 miles away from home is necessary, such as needing to leave our vehicle in Spokane during an out-of-town trip.
Duck, goose hunting ends this Sunday
The bird hunting seasons are coming to an end, but other seasons continue for a few more days to a couple of months. Read on.
Harmless pranks; a family tradition
This is the first of a three-part series about harmless family pranks.
Grant County enjoyed fun on the ice in the 1940s
The Herald recorded fun on the ice of Moses Lake during the 1940s. We could be having the same type of fun, if only our winters were a bit colder. Not sure I want it to happen, but there was sure fun on the ice through the 1960s. Read on.
Public meetings to discuss northeast elk plan
Fish and Wildlife has scheduled three meetings to discuss and take public comment on the draft northeast Washington elk management plan. The plan which has been revised and is subject to additional revision in response to hunter input regarding elk numbers.
Master Hunter application period now open
The Master Hunter Permit Program application period is now open and will continue through Feb. 15. All requirements of the program must be completed by Nov. 15 of this year. Look for complete MHPP details in next week's outdoors column.
Skating on the lake was once a common pastime
Who else remembers skating parties on Moses Lake? When in high school it was a common practice to head out to Ed Ibe's house where we would scrape the snow from the ice, build a fire in a 55-gallon drum, drink hot chocolate and try to stay upright on the ice. By the way, Ed was a member of the Moses Lake High School Great Class of 1965. Read on.
A chance to give back to the outdoors
Readers who have followed this column for a few years will know the first column of each year is a call to arms.
Make the best of 2012
MOSES LAKE - With 2011 winding down fast and 2012 heading our way, take a few minutes to reflect on the old year, but concentrate on the new year. Think of ways to make your actions positive. When faced with a negative situation change it to a positive situation. Just do it...
Jan. 2 is last day for hatchery steelhead, whitefish angling
MOSES LAKE - Impact on wild steelhead is given as the reason for the closures of hatchery steelhead and whitefish fishing on the upper Columbia River and several tributaries. The last day for these fisheries will be Jan. 2 from Rock Island Dam to Chief Joseph Dam, as well as steelhead fisheries on the Wenatchee, Icicle, Entiat and Methow rivers.
The end of another good year
Wow, an entire 52 weeks have passed since writing the last end-of-year column. This is an annual event and provides a chance to reflect on the events of the past year.
Howard Hirschel remembers dust storm of 1931
Wilson Creek History
Payne or Paine found, lost again
The story last week, about Dave Helms finding a sit of shooting sticks at the Boyd Mordhorst Shooting Range, was productive. Payne or Paine called me. He did tell me several of his friends have contacted him about the story in this column last week and he was, indeed, the person in question.
Last-minute Christmas shopping is at hand
Life in the Columbia Basin is full of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Fishing, bird watching, camping, outdoor cooking, hunting, wildlife viewing all are possible and most of these undertakings can be accomplished during the same trip.