The Washington OutdoorS Report - week of Dec 4

WINTER TROUT OPENER:
Staci Lehman, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in Eastern Washington, shared reports from the Winter Trout Opener that occurred on Black Friday, November 25, at several lakes in our region. In her words, “Fourth of July (Lake) fished pretty well for those willing to put in a little effort to get to open water. Most people who did were rewarded with limits. Overall, the fish were a little smaller than in years past, but were still really nice (only two of the 50+ fish checked were over 20 inches. Most were 15-18 inches).
 Hog Canyon (in Spokane County) was 90% ice covered. Staff observed several people ice fishing, but only checked one angler who walked down to the open water and caught 3 fish about 14 inches.
 The one lake that was stocked for this event (North Elton Pond) in Yakima County was very successful. Staffer Joe Tucker says he arrived around 10 a.m. and searched a while to find somewhere to fish – due to the lake being about three quarters iced over.  He ended up bushwhacking along the South end of the pond to find some non-frozen water where he limited out in 45 minutes. He was using roughly a 1-ounce barrel weight with around 3 feet of leader, and a size 6 hook, with garlic scented power eggs to float the bait above the weeds.
The fish were very nice sized, hovering around a pound. One went over, and the rest were just below this weight. They ranged 14-17 inches. The trail to get to the “fishable” part of the lake was overgrown, with lots of logs to cross, and a small stream to cross, but it was a successful trip. There were multiple Kayakers in the water and everyone that was fishing the unthawed area of the pond were catching fish.”
AUDUBON CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
It’s once again time to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count. Put together by the Audubon Society, it’s billed as “the nation’s longest-running community science bird project.”
If you have not participated in this event before, here’s how it works. Between December 14 and January 5, both novice and experienced bird watchers will meet up with a coordinator and then go out and count the birds they see by number and species within a defined circular map area that is used every year. Last year’s volunteers surveyed birds in 1,842 circles across the nation. The one-day counts are tallied and you can see both statewide and national trends regarding the populations of birds for this time of year. You will want to contact the coordinator for your area in advance or sign up online to participate at https://www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count.
The trends are interesting. Some birds, like the American bald eagle, have been doing well with numbers up over 5 percent on average each year since 2009. Likewise, the California valley quail has done well adapting to our habitat with a 2.8 percent year over year increase. Also, up this year, our state bird, the goldfinch, which saw a 2 percent increase per year over this timeframe. On the other hand, western meadowlark numbers are down 2.2 percent and snowy owl numbers have decreased each year by 1.6 percent in our state.
Are you wanting to participate and want to find a circle near you? Here’s the ones in our region that have openings for participants:
COLVILLE - Compiler: Barbara Harding, Email: stellerijay@hotmail.com,
Count Date: Dec. 17.
OMAK/OKANOGAN - Compiler: Matthew Danielson, Email: mattie_rubio@hotmail.com
Count Date: Dec. 18.
LEAVENWORTH - Compiler: Joe Veverka, Email: joe_veverka@yahoo.com
Count Date: Dec. 20.
Dates for bird counts in the Goldendale, Wenatchee, Chelan, Bridgeport, Grand Coulee and Chewelah Circles have yet to be determined. Check the Audubon Christmas Bird Count website for updates. Then, sign up, break out your bird guides, your binoculars, and spend a day in nature looking for birds and having a good time while you are at it.

John Kruse – www.northwesternoutdoors.com and www.americaoutdoorsradio.com