The weather, it all depends upon the weather.

Reports reaching my desk indicate most of the Columbia Basin lakes scheduled to open on Tuesday, March 1, are partially or totally covered with ice.

Weather forecasts of lows in the single digits, low 20s and low 30 over the next few days don't help the situation. The opening day forecast is for a high of 49 degrees and a low of 35 with a few showers anticipated.

While the expected weather does not project the picture of a family of four, with 5- and 6-year-olds, enjoying a day of springtime fishing, there is one benefit; the fish will still be in the lakes when the ice melts.

We were planning to camp at Martha Lake for the opener, but the weather has scared us away. Now we don't plan to fish at all on the opener, but will travel around to various lakes looking for photographic opportunities.

Oh, I suppose we will have a couple of rods in the rig just in case we find some open water.

As Fish and Wildlife explains the situation:

At least 18 rainbow trout-stocked waters in the northcentral region open to fishing on March 1, but only a few will likely be fishable early in the season. Only two lakes in Grant County, Martha Lake, just east of the town of George, and Upper Caliche Lake, just west of George, were at least half-open from ice as of the latest visual survey.

Anglers can expect fishing at Martha Lake to be good for 11- to 13-inch trout that were stocked late last fall. There are also a good number of catchables, measuring at least 14 inches to be caught in Martha.

Upper Caliche Lake will fish well, too, but the trout will be smaller, running 8 to 10 inches. Fish and Wildlife was unable to plant fish late last fall when the lake was iced over with the early winter weather in November.

Two other popular March 1 opening waters, Quincy and Burke lakes on the Quincy Wildlife Area southwest of the town of Quincy, were mostly iced over and unfishable, but may be partially open now.

When they do open up, they are expected to fish well since they received pretty hefty catchable plants last spring and fall. Burke Lake was stocked with 18,000 rainbows weighing a third of a pound and Quincy received 16,000.

Other Columbia Basin lakes opening March 1 in the Quincy Wildlife Area include Upper, Lower and West Caliche lakes, southwest of George; Dusty Lake, a selective gear rule fishery south of Quincy; and several small "walk-in" lakes, including Cascade, Cliff, Crystal, Cup, Dot, George and Spring.

Three other lakes, Lenice, Nunnally and Merry, on the Crab Creek Wildlife Area in southwest Grant County just east of Beverly, open under selective gear rules March 1.

Lake Lenore, north of Soap Lake, opens for catch-and-release trout fishing March 1. Anglers can expect 2- to 4-pound Lahontan cutthroat trout, but fishing can be slow until April.

Reminder: Steelhead anglers fishing the upper Columbia River and its tributaries are required to retain any hatchery-origin adipose-fin-clipped steelhead they catch up to the limit of four fish per day.

The Wenatchee and Icicle rivers remain open to steelhead fishing until further notice. Anglers may retain hatchery steelhead with a clipped adipose fin and a hole punch in their tail fin on the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers, along with other waterways in the upper Columbia.

Y.O.U receives nonprofit status; auction set for March 31

From Cindy Carpenter:

"Great news, Dennis. We received notice this week that our 501(c)3 application has been approved and all contributions to Youth Outdoors Unlimited are now tax deductible as set forth in the guidelines from the Internal Revenue Service.

"In addition, our first official dinner and auction will take place at Sporty's Steakhouse on Thursday, March 31st. Dinner starts at 6:30, with auction to follow. Tickets are available at Sporty's and are $40 per person with $25 being donated to Youth Outdoors Unlimited. 100 percent of the auction proceeds will go to benefit Y.O.U. 

"We are currently requesting donations for auction items from businesses or individuals who would like to make a contribution to helping us raise money. We will have live and silent auction items. If anyone has an item they would like to donate they can call Cindy Carpenter at (509) 431-1604 or email us at you@youthoutdoorsunlimitedwa.com. 

"If you would like to donate an auction item please contact Cindy Carpenter at (509) 431-1604."

The Spencer Report

By Spencer, Awesome Kid, Kimbro:

Hi Dennis, First an important note: My dad's birthday is tomorrow: Happy Birthday Dad.

This last weekend my family and I went up to my Grandparents house by Springdale. They still have at least a foot of snow in the mountains where they live, plus Grandma said they got 3 inches Wednesday morning too.

While we were snowmobiling, on Saturday, we found fresh moose tracks in the snow. We didn't get to see the moose, but we knew it had been close.

Sunday we did some sledding down the road on my Grandparents property. We kept a look-out for the moose, but never did see him.  

On Monday I hung out with some friends at the Kangaroo Bounce House here in Moses Lake. We had a great time. 

The hunter safety class in just over a month away and I am super excited to get started on the classes.

That is all I have for this week, have a great weekend and I will talk to you soon.

Spencer

Great report, Spencer. Yes, Happy Birthday to Spencer's dad.

Geocaching; a family sport

Geocaching is fun for the entire family. This sport consists of using a GPS to find treasures. It is a fun sport and families can participate around the Columbia Basin or during a trip around Washington or around the our great nation. We are glad to see Jim Turner push for a local chapter. Read on.

From Jim Turner:

"Geocaching, treasure hunting, outdoors, hiking, families doing outdoor activities together, meeting new people, making new friends, just having great outdoor fun. All of these are possible in the sport of geochching.

"The Washington Sate Geocaching Association has around six chapter and they are spread around the state. Several of us are assessing the need for one here in the Columbia Basin. Keep your eyes and ears open for a Geoevent in the near future."

Contact Jim at: Cell 750-9965 or Home 765-5611.

Thanks for getting this started, Jim. Put us down a two of the first members.

More from Cindy:

"Youth Outdoors Unlimited is a Columbia Basin Based non-profit corporation organized to take terminally ill and disabled youth on hunting and fishing trip and other outdoor adventures. 

"This is not a one person organization, but a group of hunters and anglers who just want to promote and share their love for hunting and fishing in the great state of Washington. Volunteers are welcome to join the fun of helping youth with outdoor adventures.

"Our Board of Directors consists of Bob Bersanti, Kandi Bersanti, Curt Carpenter, Chris Newhouse, Don Sell, Joe Carpenter and Cindy Carpenter.  Together as a Board we are committed to providing the best experience possible for extraordinary children dealing with extraordinary medical conditions. 

"We are now accepting applications for youth from the State of Washington who qualify and would like to go on an extraordinary adventure. Applications can be obtained by contacting any of our Board Members or by emailing you@youthoutdoorsunlimitedwa.com."

Opening Weekend of Dutch Oven Cooking and Camping for 2011

The 17th Annual Opening Weekend of Dutch Oven Cooking and Camping will be at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake. This is a great location with lots of space, grass, and trees. Everyone is welcome to attend all three days or come for a day, or a meal; just be there. Everyone is welcome.

The dates are April 15, 16, 18. The Dutch oven group will be on the north end of the Fairgrounds. We will not have an enclosed area but we will set up a big tarp. We have 20 sites reserved, but additional sites should be available.

The Opening Weekend has always been a schedule-free gathering. It's a time for people to gather, camp, cook, and enjoy each other's company. More details to follow.