The Eagle Outdoors

First rattle out of the box, congratulations to the Wahkiakum high school boys football team for their overwhelming 78-38 victory against Moses Lake Christian last Friday. MLC came out of the blocks with the first TD within minutes of the game getting underway, putting at risk a friend's earlier prediction of a 60-6 Mules win; however, the Mules fought back, improvised, overcame, and never looked back. All in all, the boys played a tremendous game and, while I hesitate to name names, Stoddard, Robinson, Carlson, Vehlke, Mendez, Leitz, Hurley, and West all played exceptionally well. Every one of the Black 'n Red who stepped onto the field that evening played exceptionally well.

The 10-0 Mules will go up against the 10-1 Pomeroy Pirates Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. at Kelso High School. I highly suggest getting outdoors and showing your support for the 2025 Wahkiakum Mules. The boys have earned it.

Black Friday Fishing

Thanksgiving is coming quick and, while I'll admit my mind's wrapped almost entirely around Julie's most excellent roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sourdough rolls, and homemade cranberry sauce (among other delectables), I'll have to say there's a little bit of fishing floating around the 'ole grey matter as well. Trout fishing, that is.

Each year, as they have for the past 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) stocks a long list of lakes prior to the Thanksgiving holiday in what they refer to as their Black Friday Fishing Event. "The WDFW has offered Black Friday fishing for more than a decade," said WDFW Inland Fish Program Manager Steve Caromile. "It's a great way to get outdoors over the holiday weekend. The WDFW stocks jumbo trout in lakes near communities, making it easy to spend a few hours on the water with friends and family."

Out of curiosity, how does Caromile define the word jumbo? According to the WDFW, the more than 65,000 trout to be distributed in some 25 lakes statewide will weigh up to three pounds and measure 17 inches in length. You're going to have to have a whole hog in order to wrap one of those up in fat bacon before sliding it onto the BBQ!

Unfortunately, Wahkiakum-based anglers will find it necessary to travel out-of-county in order to partake in this year's Black Friday event. The closest participating waters - those that are slated to receive stockings - include Clark County's Battle Ground Lake and Klineline Pond and Cowlitz County's Kress Lake. The latter is a short, 40-minute drive from Cathlamet, but somewhat limited in terms of shoreline/bank access.

Anglers 16 and older will need a current fishing license, and folks are reminded of the five-fish daily bag limit. For more details, visit the WDFW's website at wdfw.wa.gov. Hopefully the weather will cooperate over the Thanksgiving weekend. Still, even if it doesn't, that's no excuse not to get outside and walk off those eight pieces of pumpkin pie you ate Thursday. Pie or no, get those young ones out there; you'll be glad you did.

Outdoor Speed Round

Wet seed molds quickly in this climate and, unless you're a petri dish, mold is desirable for neither bird nor human. Check your feeders often. Dispose of any old / moldy feed, give the feeder a good scrubbing with Dawn dish soap and water, and allow it to dry thoroughly. I have several feeders, and I'll swap them out as needed during the fall and winter months. The same is true with my sugar-filled hummingbird feeders. The bottom line is to keep them clean.

Do you heat partially or exclusively with wood? When was the last time you cleaned or had your chimney cleaned? We're coming up on what we firefighters call "chimney fire season," with most incidents being preventable with twice-annual cleaning. I do my own chimney and that of a friend; however, if you don't or can't do your own, contact your fire department and ask for information. Wahkiakum Emergency Management Coordinator Austin Smith uses and recommends Cory Bradley of Three Rivers Chimney (3riverschimney.com), headquartered in Kelso. To contact Cory, call 360-477-8549.

Washington hunters and anglers will soon be able to maintain their hunting and fishing documentation (e.g. licenses, permits, authorizations, and catch records) electronically on their smartphone. "Following the December 2025 launch of the MyWDFW mobile app, license holders will be able to select to become a mobile license holder for the '26 license year, with those products becoming valid on April 1, 2026," said WDFW Spokesperson Eryn Couch. Me? My colleagues in "technological ineptitude" and I just hope the old school paper method of packing licenses afield remains in place. I won't always have an 8-year-old in tow to help me figure out this damn phone! Until next week, be safe, lend a hand, and get outdoors.