Tr: A week in E. Wash

Just back from a week at my place on the Touchet R.. Super hot and the
fish were not liking it. So i fished lite, but i did fish, mostly
early and evenings. Mostly caught Cutts, 6-12", with a few Rainbows,
none more than 12-14", all on #16, blackish, ovipositing caddis.
Rolled a few biggies and lost 2, on greenish crayfish flys. Chubbys
appeared to be browns which are not supposed to be in this river.

Mainly I worked on making some changes in the farming aspects of this
land. The second cutting of alfalfa was about 18" high. That is great.
However, my lessee is starting a new heard in Oregon so I need to make
some changes. The plan is to switch crops, going from water heavy,
multiple cutting irrigated alfalfa, to hard red winter wheat sown this
fall. If all goes right we will leave our water right H2O in-stream,
leased to a non-profit water trust. Be good for the steelhead if I get
the approvals and generate a little cash flow for some tree planting
and beer.

Harvest of Soft wheat is fully underway. Prices not looking good for
soft wheat, hay or alfalfa. Too many need cash and so are dumping
early. Folks who can are tarping and holding. The more time I spend in
farm country the more respect i have for these folks and the key role
they play in the environmental issues ahead of us.

Dave