DENNIS. L. CLAY

Columbia River dams help prevent flooding

Thank goodness we have Columbia River dams. These dams provide us with electricity, which is especially evident right here in Grant County, because our county's public utility district owns two of the dams, Wanapum and Priest Rapids, and our electrical cost is less than we might otherwise experience.

Raffle Permit Hunts deadline three weeks away

MOSES LAKE - The Washington State Raffle Permit Hunts deadline is July 22. Our way of thinking about this opportunity is to consider it a gamble, yes, but one where we can spend as much money as we want. Another way of thinking is to consider it a tax where a taxpayer spends as much as he wants.

Discover Pass goes into effect July 1

MOSES LAKE - Open your wallet, it will cost more to visit state parks and other recreational lands in Washington State after July 1. As reported last week, the Discover Pass will be required to access certain recreational areas in the state.

Special hunt drawing results now available online

Hunters who are waiting for the results of the special hunt drawing need wait no more. The 2011 special-hunt permits drawing results are available on line at the Fish and Wildlife website.

Lunch with the Troops next scheduled for Tuesday

The Monthly Lunch with the Troops event for June is scheduled for next Tuesday, June, 21. The luncheon will take place at the Porterhouse Steakhouse in Moses Lake from noon to 1 p.m.

Fair Centennial Committee seeking members

A Grant County Fair Centennial Committee has been formed, but we want to invite members of the public to join us. Give me a call at 762-5158 or 750-0541.

The Spencer Report

Life has been busy lately, sorry for the late report. In April I went through Hunter's safety course with my sister, Skylar. We did really good. I got 100 percent on my written test. We had a great time shooting at the gun range in Ephrata to end our Hunter's class. Now I have my certificate that says I can hunt. 

Youth Outdoors Unlimited welcomes their next hunter

Youth Outdoors Unlimited is excited to welcome their next hunter into the Y.O.U. family. Justin Ristine from Lake Stevens will be hunting this fall with Youth Outdoors Unlimited. Justin was born with one arm, but continues to be a great example of how you can learn to do anything in life that you choose, it just may require some creativity.

Grant County Historical Society

The Grant County Historical Society has compiled several volumes of Grant County history. The books are available for purchase at the Historical Society Museum gift shop in Ephrata.

Wind River

Wind River

And another reciting report from Drano Lake

The daily limit at Drano Lake has increased for hatchery spring chinook salmon. Up to six hatchery spring chinook may be retained. Up to four may be adult chinook. The limit increase is in effect from yesterday through July 31.

YOU Program continues to recruit Columbia Basin youth

The YOU Program is a non-profit group organized to take youth who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness and/or disability and who have a dream to hunt or fish on their own outdoor adventure.

Fishing remains good in the Columbia Basin

Grab your rod, pick a fishing spot and enjoy a day on the water. Reports from various sources indicate fishing remains good to hot, depending upon the weather, of course.

Lunch with the Troops

Don't forget: The next Lunch with the Troops luncheon will be held at the Porterhouse Steakhouse in Moses Lake next Tuesday, May 24 from noon to 1 p.m.

Wolves remain protected in Washington State

Wolves have been removed from federal Endangered Species Act protection in the eastern third of Washington State, but they remain protected as a state endangered species throughout Washington.

Fish and Wildlife

Snohomish County Museums and classmates

MOSES LAKE - Leaving the wide-open spaces of Eastern Washington to the jam-packed territory we know as Western Washington is difficult for my wife, Garnet, and me. Perhaps not all of the areas on the other side of the Cascade Mountains are jam-packed, but the region certainly seems more congested to us. We need a good excuse, a good reason, one easily justified, to travel over Snoqualmie Pass. A few weeks ago we found several.

Grant County Historical Society

The Grant County Historical Society has compiled several volumes of Grant County history. The books are available for purchase at the Historical Society Museum gift shop in Ephrata.

Special hunt permits for fall animals due next week

It is difficult to think about the fall hunting season when the spring weather is just beginning to show signs of warming, but hunters need to pay attention.

Wilson Creek history

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.

Pygmy rabbit recovery effort renewed in Basin

Renewed field efforts to recover endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits are under way this spring in eastern Washington shrub-steppe habitat.

Next lunch with the Troops is set for May 24

The April Lunch with the Troops event was a huge success with over 60 people attending at the Porterhouse Steakhouse. Rock 'n' Roll Legend and hunting enthusiast Ted Nugent called during the lunch to talk with the troops and lead the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Whale watching out of Everett a huge success

MOSES LAKE - When growing up in Moses Lake, Mom, my sister, Denise, and I were invited to Las Angeles by my Uncle Vern. The idea was to visit Disneyland and Marineland of the Pacific. What's more we traveled by train all the way leaving from Ritzville, as this was the only passenger train stop in this area. It was an exciting adventure from beginning to end.

The Hutcheson boys were nearly seven feet tall

The Grant County Historical Society will hold it's monthly board meeting Tuesday, May 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ephrata American Legion Post Number 28. The Heritage meeting will follow with Jim Bennett as the featured guest speaker.

Geer explores Boeing museum, manufacturing plant

This is the first of a three-part series about a week on the coast of Washington State.

Where the fish are: 2011 fishing prospects

The most constant factor in any opening day of fishing is the weather.

Birding trip reveals seven golden eagles

Birding

Great wildlife viewing in Basin

MOSES LAKE - This is the first of a two-part series about wildlife viewing in the Basin.

Spring thoughts bouncing around my mind

MOSES LAKE - Spring is official, at least on the calendar. We still have until May 15 before the average last frost date has come and gone. But one thing for sure is the fact daytime temperatures will continue to warm and before long summer will arrive.

Fishing on opener lakes still good

Trailer camping hints requested for upcoming articles

A couple of years ago, a series of trailer camping tips were offered in the Columbia Basin Herald. A reader called and offered a few more tips, but I was busy at the time and was to call him back. In the meantime, I lost his telephone number.

Fishing opener Tuesday, Martha and Caliche lakes are good bets

The weather, it all depends upon the weather.

SOAP OPERA ICON ENJOYS THE GREAT OUTDOORS

"Don't get married to this guy," Katherine said from the screen. "You know nothing about him."

No clear answer to all ethics scenarios

MOSES LAKE - This is the second of a two-part series about hunting ethics.

Master Hunter applications accepted until February

Tour of Buck Knife factory educational

MOSES LAKE - Sometimes a day away from school provides an assortment of learning experiences in a true-life setting. Such was the case last Monday when Ted Mead, a 14-year-old attending Royal City Middle School, spent several hours in Post Falls, Idaho.

Cindy Carpenter provides update on YOU program

How do new worthwhile programs get started? Cindy Carpenter will

Giving is the Clay Feats theme of the year

Interesting how themes become a part of a column. The three or four weeks before Christmas feature Christmas gifts. The last of the year article recaps the writings of the year.

Steelhead still hot on Upper Columbia

Anton Jones has been busy on the Upper Columbia River and Rufus Woods Lake. Read on.

Reflecting on the past year

MOSES LAKE - The past 364 days have been great with many outdoor-related opportunities presented and many acted upon. It's time to reflect a bit.

Colockum elk winter range closures subject of Jan. 6 meeting

Fish and Wildlife staff will discuss Colockum elk herd research

Horses trained to get up only when told to do so in 1917

First deer report suggests below average harvest

The first report from the opening weekend of modern firearm

School names should honor local icons

GUEST EDITORIAL

Ducks have yet to make appearance

Word on the street is the long-awaited flight of northern ducks

Turkey Hunt A Success

Welcome. So here we are at the blog. Feel free to comment and add your take on the content. This should be a great way for readers and friends to visit about the outdoor scene and life in general.

It's walleye time again; snagging illegal

Gorrell, Loss find Rufus Woods pleasing in February

Ed Gorrell and Glen Loss headed for Rufus Woods Lake a couple of times in February and limited on triploid rainbow trout.

Growth mystery solved; monofilament fishing line cause

MOSES LAKE - Monofilament fishing line has recently been found to cause a strange growth in trout. The link was first detected at various Columbia Basin lakes and even in Crab Creek and Rocky Ford Creek several years ago.

Second fishing opener scheduled for next week

Region Two Fish Manager Jeff Korth has sent along the prospects