The Eagle Outdoors

"The World Through Your Eyes"

Those words appear on the back cover of a new book written by April Vokey. On the same cover, Vokey describes herself as a "mother, storyteller, and outdoorswoman who believes the best adventures begin with wonder." The book is perfect for ages three to seven, and for grown-ups who need a reminder to slow down. Forgive me, as I'm getting ahead of both you and myself.

No "newcomer" to the world of the outdoors and outdoor education, Vokey is the founder of Anchored Outdoors, a social-media-based outdoor classroom that, with an emphasis on the fly-fishing element, offers lessons in everything from fly fishing to wilderness survival and foraging. "The World Through Your Eyes" is Vokey's first children's book. "[It is] more than just a story; it's a reminder of how much we can learn from the little ones in our lives," Vokey said. "For children, I hope it instills confidence, showing them that their perspectives matter. For adults, I hope it serves as a gentle nudge to appreciate life's simple joys. Woven throughout is a powerful lesson. Children don't just learn from us; we learn from them, too."

The book begins simply as a fishing trip with Vokey and her daughter, Adelaide, known as Addy. As she walks the long forest path, hand in hand with her little one, the author sees the world in black and white. The sun is blinding on the water. There are slippery rocks and a tangle of discarded fishing lines. Addy, on the other hand, sees a kaleidoscope of color. As Vokey writes, Addy "saw things a little bit differently." Diamonds, rainbows, puzzles, wonder, mystery, excitement in the ordinary; all of these, thanks to Mother Nature's hand, become, to Addy (and with youthful assistance to her mother), extraordinary.

"The World Through Your Eyes" is a quick and easy read. Each page is brightened not only by Vokey's observational transformation but by amazing illustrations, courtesy of Canadian artist, Diane Michelin. To give you an idea, just think of that scene in "The Wizard of OZ" when the film goes magically from black-and-white to color. The art in "The World Through Your Eyes" is simple but poignant. An angler myself for more than five decades, I can "see" the scenes created by Michelin's brush; the river, the rocks, and the time spent together.

If you've spent time in the outdoors with someone you care about deeply, you'll completely understand Vokey's message in "The World Through Your Eyes." If not, you have some work to do. Fortunately, there's plenty of help out there; just ask Addy. To learn more about Vokey's work with anglers internationally, visit anchoredoutdoors.com. To order Vokey's newest book, go online at theworldthroughyoureyes.com.

Outdoor Speed Round

Steelhead fanatics from around the Pacific Northwest will converge on Lewiston, Idaho's Hell's Canyon Hotel this weekend (Jan. 9-11) for the annual Steelhead Expo. Located at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, two of the planet's premier steelhead waters, the expo's list of events includes family-friendly activities, a fishing derby, dozens of gear and tackle vendors, and guides and outfitters, along with daily seminars by some of the hottest names in the fishing industry like Yakima Bait's Jarod Higginbotham and steelhead fishing legend, Bill Herzog. For more information or to get advance tickets to this year's event, visit steelheadexpo.com.

Thursday, Jan. 15, marks the close of yet another Washington forest grouse season and, from everything I heard, it was a good one. Grouse hunting has declined in popularity throughout most of western Washington over the past decade, with the majority of the birds – ruffed and blue grouse – being taken incidentally by either deer or elk hunters. Too bad, really, as upland bird biologists speak positively about the grouse population west of the Cascades, not to mention the challenging birds are fantastic on the table. There's always Sept. 15, 2026, I reckon.

Finally, what would a week in The Eagle be without mention of yet another round of razor clam digs on the Long Beach Peninsula? Tentatively, mind you, but the WDFW has announced digs from Thursday, Jan. 15, through Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, on Long Beach and Twin Harbors, along with Mocrocks and Copalis. The latter pair are on alternate tides. Expect these latest opportunities to be confirmed early next week. As a note, the tides themselves aren't stellar, ranging from 0.0 to a low of -0.5 feet on the evenings of Sunday, Jan. 18, and Monday, Jan. 19; however, what else is there to do at 4 p.m. on a Monday now that the regular football season is over?

Until next week, take the time to get outdoors. Walk the Whitetail Trail at the refuge, sit by the Elochoman, or take a drive to Long Beach. There are steelhead to be caught and, hopefully, smelt for which to prepare. On a nice day, of which I know there have been few, step outside and look around at your world. It only takes a moment, but the benefits can last a lifetime.