Pruning an overgrown orchard is task fraught with dueling principles.
At first you must be brutal. Gnarled limbs that have strained for years to achieve their canopy in spite of human indifference must be lopped off in an instant as a tear drop of sad sap pools in the crook of the cut.
But you also must be gentle. The cuts must be undertaken with care so as to be precise and not endanger the remaining limbs. And when amputated branches fall they must be carefully plucked free from the living tree since simple brutish tugging would rip away the bark and tender buds the tree needs to recover and continue to propagate.
This week I found myself tackling the first few of two dozen old fruit tree projects on the farm with the help of my father. Those long suffering trees were covered in a jungle of Himalayan blackberry vines when I bought the farm and the ensuing blitzkrieg attack by an army of goats and cows was the only way the war against the the axis of evil vines was won.
When the dust settled I found many more fruit trees than I had known to exist. That was the good news. The bad news was that many of the trees had been smothered almost entirely and their trunks had taken the brunt of the invasion. Primary branches had snapped under the pull of the vines and slabs of bark, weakened by moss, hungry insects and birds, had fallen away in places. Where the branches hadn’t fallen away they seemed to reach for the sky in a last ditch effort to escape the mad grasp of the invasive brambles.
It was like:
Moss covered bark chunks
Drizzled in sap and lips chapped
Shrill woodpecker laughs
Knowing where to start, and where to finish, on the first round of regenerative pruning are perhaps the hardest parts of all. Trim too little from the overburdened trunk and you will likely see no difference at all come harvest time. On the contrary, if you cut away too much in one fell swoop the whole tree could die. It is an intricate balance to strike, with unintended consequences beckoning from either side of the axeman’s perilous perch.
As we set out to the garden to make the first cuts my father took the lead. He is an experienced orchardist and a man who loves both tools, and any chance to teach.
Once we reached the first tree, a relatively young and well-tended apple variety, he immediately sent me back across the acreage to retrieve a ladder he decided was of the utmost importance. By the time I made it back with the ladder I found my father striking an impressive arborists’ tai chi pose, loppers in hand, as he stood atop the canopy.
On the cusp of 66 years old, my father has never lost his childlike need to climb trees, sans ladder or harness. He says it keeps him feeling young. He also said he promised my step-mom that he wouldn’t fall out of any trees while he visited the farm, which is a promise he somehow managed to keep.
As we worked our way from one old tree to the next I found myself continuously reminding my father in the treetops to take it easy with his exuberant cutting. It was a reminder I’d learned from my old man himself when he taught me that you should never remove more than one-third of a tree’s canopy in any given year.
From his lofty perch atop a split trunk cherry tree my dad ensured me that all of his cuts were made with love and he believed with all his heart that the tree would live. Then he began to recite scripture to me as he continued to cut.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful,” he quoted. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
Stunned by how applicable his words seemed to be I noted how I wished I’d been able to pull from them in a recent tree-centric story. My dad scoffed and said, “It’s right there in The Bible. I mean, it is the most quotable book in the world.”
As I worked to untangle the branches that he had cut I marveled at all the unexpected things there are to learn from a good talk with your father in the garden. It would certainly make a great setting for a plot twist in a book. I bet it would sell a lot of copies.
FISHIN’
As we ease our way into real spring the winter steelhead run is all but over on the Chehalis River. Sure, some folks have been taking advantage of calm river conditions to try their luck, but the bulk of this year’s return fleet has already made its way to the Twin Cities and on to home headwaters.
Andy Coleman of Andy’s Angling Adventures makes his living trolling the waters of the Chehalis, Cowlitz, Columbia, and Lewis Rivers, but for now he’s spending his time on the Cowlitz, with an eye toward the developing spring Chinook run coming in from the mouth of the mighty Columbia.
“As far as the Chehalis goes it's over for now til fall salmon start showing up in September,” wrote Coleman in an email to The Chronicle. “Not sure if they are getting a spring king season, but I doubt it. Been tuff (sic) fishing in there last few seasons and numbers are down.”
Although the mainstem of the Chehalis has cooled down, over at the Sunbirds sporting goods desk in Chehalis bait monger Jerry Barr insists that anglers can still bump into a bit of success out toward Bucoda.
“The Skookumchuck is about to shut down at end of the month but some steelhead are still biting up there near the dam,” said Barr.
While seasonal opportunities are reaching their natural conclusion on the Chehalis River system, the WDFW has acted to put an early kibosh on the Kalama River steelhead fishery. As of Wednesday the lower Kalama River was shuttered to all steelhead retention. That closure will last through May 15 from the mouth up to the 1,000 foot line below the fishway at the upper salmon hatchery. Typically anglers are required to keep all hatchery steelhead caught in the lower river. The state took that action due to a low return of hatchery winter steelhead that has hindered the collection of eggs for broodstock. While anglers are prohibited from keeping lower river steelies they will still be able to hook and bonk spring kings. The daily limit is six fish, two of which may be adult salmon. Additionally, retention of up to three hatchery steelhead per day will remain open in the upper river from 1,000 feet above the upper hatchery fishway up to Summers Creek. Last week the WDFW sampled 28 bank anglers on the Kalama with no catch, while six boat anglers kept two steelhead.
While nothing is certain yet, rumors have been running rampant on the Cowlitz River for weeks now that the WDFW will soon act to shutter that winter steelhead fishery as well. That popular fishery has thus far proved to be a disappointment with a small return to the hatchery and only intermittent bites for boat and bank anglers throughout late February and the entirety of March.
“I have heard from sources that if winter steelhead returns don't pickup (sic) in the next couple weeks they may have to shut it down to get enough brood stock (sic),” wrote Coastal Conservation Association president, Dale Scott, in an email. “I imagine summer steelhead will be even worse. Sad!”
Still, the run has begun to ebb in a positive direction, if ever so slightly, over the past couple of weeks. Numbers reported at the salmon separator below Mayfield Dam last week revealed a real increase in fish in the river. In five days of operation crews recovered 114 winter steelhead and three adult spring Chinook.
“It’s starting to pick up. Some steelhead are starting to come into the hatchery there so there’s been more caught for the bank guys and the boat guys,” said Barr. “The springers are starting to filter in but there’s nothing to write home about yet.”
Creel sampling conducted by the WDFW showed that most of the reel action has been happening just below Blue Creek on up to the Barrier Dam. Last week 78 bank rods and four boat anglers showed no catch during WDFW sampling below Toledo. Upriver though, 39 bank rods kept two adult springers and one steelhead, while releasing another steely. On the water 81 boat based rods managed to land one keeper Chinook and 21 steelhead, while releasing four steelhead and one cutthroat trout. River flow at Mayfield Dam was reported at 5,160 cubic feet per second on Monday with water visibility of eight feet and a water temperature of 42.8 degrees fahrenheit.
On the North Fork Lewis River last week the WDFW talked to 23 bank anglers who reported releasing one steelhead. On the flip side, five boat anglers were able to take one steely home.
Lower Columbia River tributaries like those drainages are expected to offer some of the best spring Chinook and late-winter steelhead fishing opportunities this month. The daily limit for those rivers is two adult hatchery fish of either species, except on the Cowlitz and Lewis rivers, where anglers are allowed only one fish per day. Those emergency restrictions were implemented due to a projected forecast of springers runs to come in at only about 70 percent of the five-year average.
The spring Chinook fishery has been taking its sweet time to heat up and left most anglers wanting for more action all throughout March. However, conditions appear to be primed for a major improvement in pistacorial prospects in April. So far most of the bite has been occuring between Cathlamet and Vancouver, with the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Longview once again proving to be a popular spot to cast a line. That Lower Columbia fishery will continue through Saturday before a temporary closure intended to allow fishery managers to assess the run and calculate an appropriate set of fishing regulations.
As the months shifted on the calendar, effort remained unchained on the river. Last Saturday there were an estimated 1,450 salmonid boats on the Lower Columbia, which was nearly identical to the week previous. As of April 1 only 26 adult spring Chinook had been tallied at Bonneville Dam, which represents the third lowest count to date. The lowest return by April Fool’s Day was 11 springers in 1949. The second lowest early return was just last year when only 17 springers had been counted by the end of March.
Sturgeon fishing remains a catch-and-release only option on the Columbia River below McNary Dam, but the warmwater fishing is beginning to put fish on the table. Walleye fishing has been particularly productive in the dam Columbia River pools.
Barr says that Swofford Pond in Mossyrock has been one of the hottest holes around recently.
“That’s alive and well and I guess the bass are waking up already,” said Barr, who prefers to fish for rainbows. “Went out on Sunday morning and I had to stop because literally every single cast I brought in a fish. I didn't want to be all done in 15 minutes so I just sat there and took in the scenery for a while to let the rod cool down.”
Barr noted that Swofford was stocked with hatchery fish on two separate occasions in March but the fish still haven’t acclimated enough to bite on floating top-water baits. He says rubber worms have been putting the most bass on the line lately, and “The rainbows are hitting everything. Power baits, power eggs, and mice tails.”
In Northeast Cowlitz County anglers have been trying their hand out on Silver Lake. A WDFW prospect report noted that the best results have been for crappie lately. The lake has a ten fish daily limit with a nine-inch minimum. Cowlitz County anglers have also been having luck for panfish in Kress Lake. That lake, along with Lake Sacajawea and Horseshoe Lake are all set to receive truckloads of rainbow trout this month.
April 28 will mark the official opening of lowland lake season and several hundred billabongs will open to fishing on that date. Local waterways set to open later this month include Mineral Lake, Fort Borst Park Pond, Plummer Lake and Carlisle Lake, also known as Old Mill Pond. South Lewis County Park Pond in Toledo is also set to be stocked this month in advance of the annual youth fishing derby.
According to Barr, there are plenty of promising piscatorial pursuits in Thurston County as well.
“MIllersylvania, or Deep Lake I guess they call it, a customer said he’s been fishing there and having great success on 20-plus inch fish,” said Barr. “He said his biggest was 24 inches and he limited out in an hour. That sounds pretty fun.”
Barr added that Offut Lake and Lost Lake have also been producing well.
In Grays Harbor County, Failor Lake is set to reopen for a youth fishing derby on April 21, from 8-11 a.m. That early opener will allow boys and girls under the age of 15 to participate in a fishing derby hosted by the Grays Harbor Poggie Club. The lake will then close again until the following Saturday.
HUNTIN’
A youth-only turkey hunt is set to take place this weekend as a precursor to the regular season. Only hunters ages 15 and younger will be allowed to participate in the hunt. During the regular season all licensed hunters will be allowed to bag toms from April 15 through the end of May.
According to the WDFW, turkey hunters had a 52 percent success rate statewide in 2016. Those turkey hunts have a combined limit of three birds for the season, of which only two may be taken from Eastern Washington, with the exception of Chelan, Kittitas, and Yakima counties where only one gobbler may be killed per person. A one turkey limit is also applicable in Western Washington, although two turkeys may be taken in Klickitat County. Only male turkeys, or those with visible beards, are legal for hunting.
With spring hunting seasons right around the corner the WDFW is amping up its effort to get prospective hunters into hunters education training. A spokesperson for WDFW noted that classes typically fill up in the summer as a fever builds in anticipation of the main fall and winter hunting seasons.
"For that reason, we encourage new hunters to enroll in hunter education courses well ahead of their first hunting trip,” said WDFW hunter education manager, in a press release.
All hunters born after 1971 are required to pass a hunting class prior to purchasing their license, however, credentials from other states are allowed.
"The hunter education program teaches firearm safety, wildlife conservation, hunting ethics, and basic first aid and survival," Whipple said in the release. "This is critical information for a safe and positive hunting experience, and we do not want any new hunter to miss this opportunity."
In other hunting instruction news, the Washington Outdoor Women will soon be offering their annual “Introduction to Waterfowling” workshop. That event is scheduled for April 21 and is open to women 18 years of age or older. The workshop will include instruction from female experts in a broad range of fields.
The gathering will be held at a private hunt club near Monroe. Registration fee of $135 and includes all instruction, equipment, shotguns, ammunition, clays, a light breakfast, a full lunch, and a Washington Outdoor Women t-shirt.
According to a press release from WOW: “Women will learn about the tradition, techniques and ethics of hunting waterfowl from certified instructors and experienced hunters. Learn about shotgun patterning and shooting moving clays, setting decoys, duck calling, protocol in blinds, and understanding why a retriever is such an important partner in this hunting experience. The day is a hands-on learning experience and requires a lot of walking since it is held in actual duck hunting terrain. You do not need a hunting license for this event. Don’t delay – registration is limited!”
Pre-registration is required. For additional information contact WOW by phone at 425-455-1986, or send an email to www.washingtonoutdoorwomen.org.
If you’ve already passed your education class and have your license in hand, there are still hurting options open until spring turkey and bear hunts begin. Cougar hunts will continue to paw on in the backwoods through April 30 in most areas. However, hunters should check for closures in units with harvest limits before marking a mountain lion. And, of course, the sun never sets on coyote season.
CLAMMIN’
A set of razor clam digs proposed for later this month are still awaiting final approval by the WDFW.
Once marine toxin testing has been conducted in the vicinity of the clam digging beaches a final decision will be announced. That decision is usually released about a week before the digs are set to begin.
Proposed razor clam digs are tentatively set for the following dates, tides and beaches:
• April 19, Thursday, 9:46 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Mocrocks
• April 20, Friday, 10:37 a.m.; -0.7 feet; Mocrocks
• April 21, Saturday, 11:34 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging hours will be extended to 1 p.m.)
• April 22, Sunday, 12:38 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging hours will be extended to 2 p.m.)
State law allows clam diggers to keep up to 15 razor clams per day so long as they keep the first 15 clams that they dig. No highgrading allowed. Additionally, all diggers age 15 and up are required to have a fishing license, and each digger must keep their harvest in a personal container.
SNOWIN’
White Pass continues to live up to its name even as we creep farther into spring. Since Sunday night the ski area has received roughly five inches of fresh snow and a winter weather travel advisory was issued for the pass midweek.
While temperatures look like they may inch upward over the next couple of days staff at the ski area are still expecting between 1-4 inches of new snow by Saturday morning. A mix of rain and snow is likely to hit the mountain over the weekend.
“Skiing has been fantastic. Monday was great, if a little overcast,” said Suzy Snowbunny at the White Pass front desk on Wednesday. “It’s springtime, so the weather can change in ten minutes.”
On Wednesday morning the official White Pass snow report noted one inch of new snow had accumulated overnight with a temperature between 29-27 degrees from summit to base. The total snowpack on Wednesday ranged from 70-137 inches, bottom to top.
The most recent snow reports at White Pass can be obtained by calling 509-672-3100.
DISCOVERIN’
Visitors to State Parks will be allowed admission free of charge twice during April in recognition of spring’s arrival and observance of Earth Day. On those free days, April 14 and April 22, visitors will not need to purchase a Discover Pass before heading out to explore the state’s out of doors offerings.
Except for the 12 designated free days each year, Discover Passes are required to access state lands by vehicle. When the Discover Pass program was created in the state legislature lawmakers included language that allows State Parks to designate “up to 12 free days,” each year.
Those free days apply only to state parks and a Discover Pass is always required on WDFW and DNR lands.
The remaining 2018 State Parks free days are as follows:
• Saturday, April 14 – Spring Free Day
• Sunday, April 22 – Earth Day
• Saturday, June 2 — National Trails Day
• Saturday, June 9 — National Get Outdoors Day
• Sunday, June 10 — Free Fishing Day
• Saturday, Aug. 25 — National Park Service Birthday
• Saturday, Sept. 22 — National Public Lands Day
• Sunday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
Discover Passes provide daytime access at State Parks but overnight visitors are still required to pay fees for camping and other accommodations. In those cases, day access is included in the overnight fee. Additional information on the Discover Pass program can be found online at www.DiscoverPass.wa.gov.
