The Eagle Outdoors

It's coming, good people. Yes, I know it's warm. Hot, even, with Portland hitting the century mark this past weekend. You know what, though? We're not in Portland. True, I had a young man tell me that further up the Elochoman Valley, the thermometer nudged 93 degrees. That's warm enough, I reckon. The point is fall is coming.

I'm not trying to speed-read the calendar, but there's no getting around the fact that August is almost over and September's seasons (dove, archery, deer and elk, muzzleloader deer, band-tailed pigeons, early Canada goose, etc.) are right around the proverbial corner.

Lest we forget fall salmon fishing, which, theoretically, should be kicking into high gear about the time y'all read this. The daily planner - at least ours anyway - includes the North Jetty, Megler and points upriver, the Naselle, the Grays and, finally, the Elochoman. By then, we hope, we'll have plenty of salmon swimming in the Amana Upright and dozens of Kerr, Ball, Atlas, and Mason pints on the pantry shelves. In the garden right now, we have the first tomatoes, peppers, beets, beans, pickling cucumbers, and soon-to-be apples and Italian plums. The phrase "self-sufficiency" comes to mind. There's plenty out there, courtesy of our Mother (Nature). All you have to do is look. Perhaps ask politely, dig in the dirt, reach up, and pick. This reminds me, if there's someone with a persimmon tree, please let me come knocking after that first frost, won't you?

Back to school

By now, you should have noticed the big yellow vehicles with the flashing red lights and the retractable sign that says "STOP." As of Tuesday, Aug. 26, it's back to school for the young folk here in Wahkiakum. It's going to be a big year for all. There's a new superintendent, a new "lunch lady" at the high school, some switching of roles between the elementary/middle school and the high school, and a new lead maintenance man.

What I would like to emphasize here is to be careful as you go about your morning and afternoon commute. There are buses stopped, kids walking here and there, parking lots, crosswalks and even not at the crosswalks. They're on the bus and off the bus. Kids don't look - or at least many of them don't - and that means you watch out for them. Drive, as the sign says, "as if your kids lived here," which they do. Go slow and be alert.

It's derby time!

This week is a busy one for salmon derbies in and around the Elochoman Marina. On Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning, a small dedicated group of individuals will be again coordinating and holding the annual Warriors & Widows Salmon Derby. Created by the late Bud Mickelson, the W & W derby honors and recognizes military servicemen and women, along with Gold Star Families from around the Pacific Northwest, in a wonderfully unique setting. Attendees are invited to a sponsored meal Tuesday evening, where they're assigned to a boat and captain for a 'No Holds Barred' salmon derby held the next morning. Julie and I have had the pleasure of participating two different times; and, to say it's an incredibly inspiring event is an understatement.

Also on the docket this week is the annual 'Hook the Hawg' salmon derby put on by the folks at the Elochoman Marina, along with the staff of the Wahkiakum County Chamber of Commerce. This year's derby will be held Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 28-30. By the time you read this, boats will already be on the water, with hopeful anglers dragging 3.5 spinners and Spin-Baits behind Pro-Trolls and other flashy things. To everyone involved in both events, good luck and be careful out there.

Mushrooms? Already?

I was thinking, with the little spell of rain we had a few days ago, the golden chanterelles might be a poppin'. Sadly, I found other things to do around the house and never did make it out to my favored haunts. That being said, I heard from a couple different pickers; one around Mount Adams, and the other 'round these parts somewhere.' The latter didn't elaborate, and I knew better than to ask. The two told me that while the fungus may be among us at present, it's going to take some rain before things really get to rolling along. However, it won't be long for those of us who (impatiently) await yet another rendezvous with cantharellus cibarius. I can almost smell them sauteing now.