The release of all chinook and sockeye with external floy tags and/or with one or more holes, round, approximately 1/4 inch diameter, punched in the caudal (tail) fin is mandatory from July 1 through Oct. 15.

This requirement is for the mainstem Columbia River from Priest Rapids Dam upstream to Chief Joseph Dam, including the Similkameen and Okanogan rivers.

Reason for action:

Several fish-marking programs are currently being conducted by Fish and Wildlife, the Yakama Nation and the Colville Confederated Tribes to study survival and migration patterns within the Columbia River system. Radio and/or acoustic tags will be placed inside chinook and sockeye salmon and will be identified by a colored external floy or anchor tag below the dorsal fin.

In addition, fish will also be identified with one or more round holes punched in the tail. The success of these studies will be dependent upon anglers' ability to recognize these tags and to release the fish as quickly as possible. These fish are part of a study and have been anesthetized; the FDA requires a 21 day ban on consumption of these fish.

Anglers can still retain adipose-clipped salmon that are not identified with a floy tag and/or a tail punch.

Sisters on the Fly at fairgrounds next weekend

Sisters on the Fly; vintage trailer tour

Don't miss this fun event folks. These people have some unique trailers. The smallest we say during a Steamboat Rock State Park tour had a 7- by 7-foot base. Another had a canopy bed inside and another had...well, you should take the tour and find out. Read on.

Look for Cowgirls Gone Wild at the Grant County Fairgrounds on July 7. The local Sisters on the Fly members are planning an event at the Grant County Fairgrounds. On Saturday, July 7, the public will have a chance to tour the trailers from 9 a.m. until noon. The group is asking for a donation in exchange for the tour, which will be given to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation.

Their mission statement is:  "Offering empowerment and sisterhood through exceptional outdoor adventures."

Information about the group continues on their website: As a group of women we challenge ourselves in all that we set our mind to. There is no age, color, religion or political group. All women who want to share in the adventures of sisterhood are welcome. This sisterhood has grown to more than 2,400 women since inception in 1999. This is a national organization and state their current membership range in age from 21 to 93, with most being in between.

This group of women is known for their love of vintage travel trailers, which are restored into a mixture of individualized treasures.

Contact Connie at 760-2954.

Garnet note: Don't miss this one folks. These trailers are marvelous and worth the effort to participate in the tour.

From Donna Caraway:

I am affiliated with Sun Basin Pony Club, which is a part of the United States Pony Club. This is an English riding club that does cross country jumping, dressage, show jumping, games and other English riding activities.

Three weeks ago five of the kids from Sun Basin attended a Dressage/Show Jumping Rally. This is the equivalent to a horse show in the 4-H world. It was at Spokane Sport Horse Farm.

On Sunday, at the show jumping part of the rally, the Sun Basin kids won first place in Horse Management and second place in the jumping part. This is really a big thing for them since there were seven teams.

Contact Donna at 750-0318

Great to hear and congrats to the Pony Club. Yes, this column is interested in such competition with Basin youth and adult participants. Next time send names and photos.

Rock doves

I have yet to receive a contact concerning this subject. There must be landowners who want to get rid of a few of these pests. Read on.

The rock dove, rock pigeon or just pigeon is common in the Columbia Basin. These birds hang around farms and grow in numbers to be a nuisance.

I have a friend who considers these pesky pests to be a culinary delight. The two of us would like to help landowners, who have too many of these birds, get rid of a few.

Contact me at dclay@atnet.net or 762-5158.

Raffle permit hunts

Besides the special hunt permits, hunters may apply for raffle permit hunts. These hunts are a way to raise money for the species which the hunter applies.

Fish and Wildlife states: "Proceeds from the sale of single-species raffle tickets will be used for the management and benefit of that species. Proceeds from the sale of multiple-species raffle tickets will be used for general game management."

This is a great way to raise money. There is no limit on the number of tickets a person may purchase. The person buying one ticket may win or the person buying 100 tickets may win. As with any raffle, the more tickets a person purchases, the better her chances to win.

An example of a hunt includes a three-deer raffle where the winner may harvest one additional buck black-tailed deer, an additional mule and an additional white-tailed deer. The season is Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. A ticket costs $6.

Another example is a mule deer hunt in any Game management unit open to mule deer hunting, entitling the hunter to one additional buck mule deer. The hunt dates and ticket cost are the same.

There are raffle hunts for black-tailed deer, white-tailed deer, elk sheep and goat. An interesting raffle-hunt species is moose. The hunt dates are the same, the hunt is open in any open moose unit, two permits are available and the tag allows the hunter one moose of either sex.

Deadline to purchase raffle tickets is July 13.

Keep invasive species out of Washington waters

Boaters can help protect Columbia Basin and Washington State waters by following a few simple precautions. All watercraft should be cleaned, drained and dried before launch and after leaving the water for a new destination. Transporting aquatic invasive species is illegal in Washington, with a potential fine of $500 plus decontamination costs for violations.

These precautions are critical in preventing the spread of invasive species, according to Fish and Wildlife. Many invasive species are easily seen, such as attached mussels and aquatic plants, but many others are not, such as juvenile mussels, plant spores, along with fish and shellfish diseases.

Specifically, boaters are asked to take the following steps before launching or moving their boat to another destination: Remove any visible plants, dirt or animal life from boats, motors, trailers, boots and other personal gear and equipment; Pull the plug to release lake or stream water at the source from fish wells, wakeboard ballast tanks and bait buckets.

Rinse equipment in fresh potable water and dry, or allow to dry, before the next use.

Cleaning and draining watercraft immediately after leaving a water body will prevent accidental spread of invasive species on the ride home as well as avoiding potential fines.

Anyone bringing a boat or other aquatic equipment into Washington State must follow special certification procedures if the craft has been in a water known to be infested with zebra or quagga mussels. Certification of inspection, and certification of decontamination if zebra or quagga mussels are found, is required before entering Washington.

Most states with zebra or quagga mussel infestations provide information on approved vendors that offer inspection and decontamination services. Decontamination requirements for Washington State require that all zebra or quagga mussels, including empty shells, be removed from exterior and interior surfaces.

Anglers should also take precautions. Clean and dry waders, floats, bait buckets, nets and anything else that touches the water which could offer a place for aquatic invasive species to hitchhike.