The Eagle Outdoors

Once again, folks, there's a lot going on courtesy of Mother Nature, so we'll dive right into it this week. I'm writing this on Father's Day, so a Happy Father's Day - albeit belated by the time this article publishes - goes out to all the dads out there, including my very own, Captain Michael E. Johnson (U.S. Army, Vietnam 1965-66).

Trump administration pulls out of PNW salmon restoration agreement

Given the significance of salmon to the people, the culture, the history, and the wallets of those living in the Pacific Northwest, I thought many would find it interesting that the Trump administration last week pulled out of a Biden-era agreement that would have helped restore salmon populations throughout the Columbia River Basin.

In December 2023, former President Joe Biden announced "a 10-year partnership with tribes and states to restore wild salmon, expand clean energy production, increase resilience, and provide energy stability in the Columbia River Basin." For a complete read, you might Google the fact sheet dated 12/2023 with the quoted information.

Essentially, the agreement would have dedicated $1 billion over the next 10 years to new funding for fish and wildlife in conjunction with the Bonneville Power Administration, tribally sponsored clean energy innovation and production, increased flexibility to deliver differing amounts of this clean energy through the calendar year, and in-depth studies of the Snake River dams, i.e. "how the transportation, irrigation, and recreation services provided by the four Lower Snake River dams could be replaced to help inform Congress should it consider authorizing dam breach in the future."

In contrast, the current administration, upon ending the restoration project, referred to the agreement as "radical environmentalism," with the newly-directed priority to be "power generation from hydroelectric dams in the region."

There's a lot of moving parts here. I know how I feel about the whole thing; however, I'd love to know your take on the situation, perhaps via a letter to our editor?

Health and Human Services holds second annual 'fishing experience'

Julie and I, led by the wonderful folks at Wahkiakum Health and Human Services, specifically Diana Zimmerman and Terri Howell, hosted our second "kids fishing extravaganza" on Tuesday, June 17, at the Elochoman Marina. The event was part of their year-round activity calendar, which includes a little bit of everything, e.g. flying kites. I love flying kites, and I don't do it nearly enough.

Last year's fishing event went incredibly well, if I do say so myself. We had a great turn-out, including twin boys who not only fished for the first time, but caught some really nice little bluegills. This year, as they did last year, Michael Kirby and the folks at The Cathlamet Market donated the hot dogs, chips, pops, and accessories for the kids ... and the adult-kids. Thank you, Mister Kirby. McKenzie Jones was kind enough to let us use the Elochoman Marina as a backdrop. This year, the Shakespeare Company graciously donated spinning and spin-casting rods and reels for all the young anglers.

To pontificate: this, folks, is what we all should be doing when it comes to young people, fresh absorbent minds, and The Great Outdoors. Take a kid fishing this summer. Get a young person outdoors. Sit by the river and watch the ospreys. Something. You never know the catalyst you might be.

Save the date – PIGYS 2025

It's close. I can feel it. Those three wonderful days in June when I fill the back of the truck with stuff I either have, don't need, or, ideally, both. I speak, yes, of the annual Puget Island Garage (and) Yard Sale 2025, to be held Friday, June 27 through Sunday, June 29. Take cash. Brush up on the art of negotiation. Do not put it down until you buy it or decide, without question, you don't want it. Yes, you do need that $4 fish pole and a third George Foreman Grill. Trust me.

Kress Lake closed beginning June 16

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will close the Kress Lake Access Area in Cowlitz County on June 16 to control invasive aquatic weeds. The access area will reopen on June 17. The temporary closure will allow WDFW staff to apply a treatment to Kress Lake to target an infestation of Eurasian watermilfoil, a fast-spreading invasive aquatic plant that outcompetes native vegetation, degrades fish habitat, and interferes with recreation.

Operating under a Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) permit, WDFW will apply an herbicide in areas of the lake where watermilfoil is most concentrated. When used as directed, the herbicide does not harm fish and minimizes damage to native aquatic plants. Funded in part by an Ecology grant, the project will sample aquatic vegetation before and after the treatment to assess the effectiveness of the application.

Thank You

Over the past few weeks, I've had several folks tell me how much they enjoy reading The Eagle Outdoors. Now, before I'm labelled an egomaniac, let me just say a couple things. First, thank you. It's both a pleasure and an honor to write for y'all, and I mean that sincerely.

Secondly, and most importantly, I'd like to make clear how this writing business works, albeit briefly. Typically, I'm given specific instructions from an editor as to what to write, how to write it, how many words, blah, blah, blah. Think of it like a recipe. So much this, so much that. Deviate, and the souffle' falls or, in my case, I don't get paid.

The driving forces at The Eagle, on the other hand, allow me the freedom to write what I choose, how I choose, and all in a conversational kind of format. Sentence fragments; obscure, though explained, references, and a lot of 'remember when' subjects, thoughts, and ideas I've wanted to express for quite some time but couldn't because, well, it didn't have to do with catching bluegills or hunting mallard ducks.

So, to the staff at The Eagle, and most of all to you folks who have helped resurrect one of the last remaining small town newspapers in the nation, I extend a tip of the 'ole hunting cap and a heartfelt "thank you." Be safe out there. It's a bit of a strange world.