The Eagle Outdoors

Julie and I took grandsons Tristan (14) and Wyatt (10) to the Radar Lakes on Friday just to get away for a bit. The weather was gorgeous. State Route 4 was virtually empty. The 69-cent rack at Johnson's One Stop in Naselle had recently been restocked. Can you say "Old Fashioned Glazed Donuts?" The lakes were devoid of humans, and the trout were incredibly cooperative. Finish this with hot dogs roasted over a fire, not one but two salamander sightings, and nary a single full frontal dunking, all in all, it was a right perfect day.

If you're not familiar, the Radar Lakes are located just west of Naselle High School off State Route 4. At the now-closed Naselle Youth Camp, turn right and proceed about three and a half miles to the first major gravel road to the left. There's a spray-painted, red/blue fir on the corner. You can't miss it. The first pond you come to is Snag Lake. Continuing west, you come to our favorite, the aptly named Western Lake. Both are small lakes, ponds really, but they're just the prettiest little puddle you'd ever want to see.

The Radar Lakes have an interesting history. Above the lakes is a long-defunct radar installation, the Youth Camp. Originally known as Air Station Naselle, the Youth Camp was built in 1950-51 to house members of the U.S. military whose duties were to monitor radar units designed to detect the inevitable incoming Soviet bombers intent on destroying the American mainland. Remember, this was 1950. The Cold War had just begun, and Joseph Stalin wasn't hiding the fact he had nuclear weapons. Air Station Naselle was decommissioned by the Department of Defense in 1966, but not before two small ponds, now known as the Radar Lakes, were constructed, I'm told, to give those stationed at the tiny outpost somewhere to swim during the summer months. Is it the truth? I don't know, but it makes for a heck of a story.

Today, Snag and Western lakes are owned by the people of Washington, courtesy of the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Several times each year – note that these particular ponds are open to fishing year-round – personnel from the nearby Nemah Fish Hatchery stock both waters with 'catchable' rainbow trout. Last Friday, we were fortunate to be alone, save for a couple of older gentlemen who came, sat for a bit, and moved along. That said, the lakes and surrounding timberlands are a popular getaway destination during the summer month, so don't be surprised if you're not alone.

Our trip netted us a couple dozen fine fat rainbow trout, all of which were released for the entertainment of the next 10-year-old. Small Rooster Tail spinners in the tri-color 'fire tiger' pattern worked best; however, plenty of fish fell to yellow, green, and a pink/blue/white combination called Rainbow Trout. Power Bait, small garden worms, Berkley Crappie Nibbles; it really didn't seem to matter. The fish were there and hungry. Rate the day on a scale of one to 10, you say? Hands down, a 10, and I'm pretty tight with my 10's.

Local springer update

I spoke to my dear friend and Elochoman Valley neighbor, Rich Casapulla, on Sunday morning, which just so happened to be the supposed final day of the spring chinook fishery here around Cathlamet. I say, "supposed" as Casapulla tells me "rumor has it they're (WDFW) going to open the season back up this coming Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13, and then step back and evaluate the run." Fingers crossed the agency gets good news and then passes that good news along to local anglers.

Fishing a wrapped Kwikfish plug on the anchor, Casapulla caught a small (#7) springer on Friday. "It seems to be picking up," he told me from his boat in the Clifton Channel on Sunday morning. "I'm marking a few fish today. Yesterday (Saturday) was a good day. I probably saw a dozen fish hooked. One boat got three. Another boat got two. Saturday, a buddy had five guys, got four bites, and landed three keepers. One of those was #15.5. Another (local angler) got one around #16. It's picking up, but the rain this week, along with the temperatures and the snowmelt, is going to muddy the water again."

Good luck to all those fishing out of the Elochoman Marina this season. Be safe out there.

Spring!

Every evening, right after I put the girl chickens away for the evening, I take a walk around our place. We have but a small pie-shaped acre; however, we've somehow managed to get a section's worth of flowers and trees on our little parcel of Mother Nature. Each evening, I take a walk just to look and remind myself why I work hard all week mowing, pruning, planting, trimming, and on and on. I decided some time ago that it's unwise to work to create and encourage and then not enjoy, so that's what I'm doing: enjoying.

The plum trees are dragging their limbs in terms of blossoms, but the pears are more than making up for it. The lilacs are swelling, and the front rhododendron, white if you're curious, is days away from opening up. Most of the daffodils are done, but the daphne smells incredible. The trillium I saved from a practice (fire) burn at home is fading to purple, and the tiny grape hyacinths are spectacular. My potatoes, eight tubs worth, are all up. I have English sparrows and tree swallows nesting already, and the two cherry trees are cloaked in white and a promise of things to come.

It's a good time to be alive. My suggestion is to put down your cell phone, turn OFF the news, and get outside, if only for a moment or two. If all you do is stand and look and listen, that's good enough. A mental restart; that's all we need, and all it takes is to step outside.