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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
February 25, 2016     Shelton Mason County Journal
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February 25, 2016
 
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Page B-6 - Mason County Journal - Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 eaver ". gc S continued from page B-2 or, in two instances, massive old growth stumps with springboard notches. I could only wonder how earl / loggers must have dragged, floated or otherwi. "se moved the massive timber out of such terrain. Obviously, somebody loves this trail. I counted two solid footbridges and five resting benches, well-placed with rewarding views. A laminated posting claims Beaver Pond is recog- nized as part of a bird-watching loop of associated trails. After a quarter-mile descent, you come to the second bench, where you can go either way around the 2-acre pond. I chose counter-clockwise. The water was high and the pond surface came to within 4 inches of the trail, but at no point did the trail run mucky or troublesome with footing. In a few spots, the trail carves nar- rowly through the moss, resembling the gutter between lanes in a bowl- ing alley. I resisted side trips; moss is fragile and easily harmed by human trampling. The pond's water is very clean and with another warm month, frogs and water spiders will be tickling the sur- face of this shallow pool. At one point, the trail crosses the rocky scrapes where the Hamma Hamma spills its banks and claws out a channel that feeds the pond. This makes a plentiful and colorful stop for rock hounds; you can snatch some wine-colored jasper or, my wife's favor- ite, any and all heart-shaped stones. Along the south shore, you get a wonderful view of 6,154-foot Mount Pershing. Suddenly the micro-rain- forest of the Beaver Pond is overshad- owed, quite literally, by the majestic Olympics and all the giant wonders of this magical land. However, the scene-stealer for me was a small gray bird, an American Dipper, also known as a water ouzel. These chesty little birds are constantly dipping, as though doing knee bends, while they gather moss for their nests or slip underwater -- battling fast rapids and waterfalls -- to feed on in- sects and tiny fish. I've been watching dippers do their clownish water dances for years, but Saturday was the first time I heard one sing. Melodious, spirited, vibrant as a robin's evening song --t here I was, totally alone on a little, half-forgotten pond and I couldn't help thinking that this bird sang just for me. • Mark Woytowich is a writer, photographer and video producer who lives in Potlatch. He can be reached at Woytowichdesign.com. Journal photo by Mark Woytowich Most people can hike the short and easy Beaver Pond Trail, which winds like a monorail through deep, spongy moss. continued from page B-2 fly, jig, or other lure through likely steelhead holding water is very effec- tive, and a fun way to cover different sections of river over the course of a day of fishing. COASTAL RAZOR CLAM DIGGING The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved clam digging at Long Beach through March 10, leaving plenty of time to head out for an afternoon or evening spent on the beach hunting for clams. Evening low tides that drop to one foot or lower provide the best oppor- trinity to find and dig up razor clams. For the novice digger, a sturdy pair of boots or hip waders to keep yourself dry in the tidal zone on the beach is a good place to start with gear. Add to that a clam "gun" or shovel, and mesh net or basket to carry your captured clams, and you'll be ready to dig. Once equipped, razor clam digging is not only straightforward, but an incredible amount of fun that will have you, your friends, and your family rambling around the beach and laughing aloud each time you spot a clam hole and begin the race to dig it up before it goes too deep to reach. Whether you are fishing for steel- head or digging for razor clams, be sure to check the Washington Depart- ment of Fish and Wildlife regulations for limits and seasons in the areas you want to fish. It is always the angler's responsibil- ity to know where, when and how he or she can fish. Following regulations and showing respect for our region's fish and game will ensure that we can enjoy them for COOKING WITH KERN 6:00 - 8:00pm • $40 per class Basics of Cooking: March 3, 2016 Soups & Salads: March 10, 2016 Hors d'oeuvres: March 17, 2016 Starches: March 24, 2016 COOKING WITH FRED 11:00am - 12:30pm • $40 per class Pressure Cooking: April 13, 2016 Dungeness Crab: April 20, 2016 Spring Soups: April 27, 2016 No Iceberg Here: May 4, 2016 Rebates Available for Groups of S or More and also for "bundling" multiple r/asses/ OLYMPIC COLLEGE COMMUNITY EDUCATION 601W Classes are held at the Transit-Community Center Franklin St, Shelton, WA 98584 • (360) 426-9434 years to come. wa.gov, grew up on the south Fishing regulations Puget Sound. He can and rule updates can be • Jason Rolfe is a fish- be reached at jleerolfe@ found at: www.wdfw, ing guide and writer who gmail.com. ...that we use the finest materials and craftsmanship on all the jobs we do. 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