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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.
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