Sunday,  February 16 , 2025

Linkedin Pinterest
Photo of Al Thomas

Stories by Al Thomas

Columbian Outdoors Reporter

Gifford Pinchot National Forest snow report 3/2

March 2, 2017, 6:00am Outdoors

Snow depths at winter recreation areas in the southern end of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Read story

Veteran salmon angler Winston Falls of Vancouver pauses at the Langsdorf Landing boat ramp on the Columbia River downstream of Vancouver. He starts salmon fishing in late February and fishes a couple of days a week -- or more -- until late October.

Longtime angler is hooked on a feeling

Veteran salmon angler Winston Falls of Vancouver pauses at the Langsdorf Landing boat ramp on the Columbia River downstream of Vancouver. He starts salmon fishing in late February and fishes a couple of days a week -- or more -- until late October.

February 26, 2017, 5:00am Clark County News

Winston Falls of Vancouver is an elite Columbia River salmon angler. Read story

Spring chinook fishing upstream of Interstate 5 will open on March 1 and is projected to continue through April 6.

Lower Columbia spring chinook season projected to last through April 6

Spring chinook fishing upstream of Interstate 5 will open on March 1 and is projected to continue through April 6.

February 16, 2017, 6:07am Clark County News

Angling will be open on Tuesdays this spring as no commercial fishing is contemplated during the early portion of the salmon season Read story

Hoof disease in Southwest Washington elk started in the Cowlitz River valley but has moved into other areas.

Bill would shift elk hoof disease management to WSU

Hoof disease in Southwest Washington elk started in the Cowlitz River valley but has moved into other areas.

February 16, 2017, 6:05am Outdoors

Senate panel votes to remove responsibility from Department of Fish and Wildlife and transfer it to Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine Read story

Ocean salmon season off southern Washington and northern Oregon closed prior to Labor Day in 2016 and another short season looms as a possibility this year.

Weak coho run forecast for Columbia River

Ocean salmon season off southern Washington and northern Oregon closed prior to Labor Day in 2016 and another short season looms as a possibility this year.

February 15, 2017, 4:06am Clark County News

Poor returns likely will mean another short fishing season off southern Washington and northern Oregon coasts in 2017 Read story

First spring chinook counted at Bonneville Dam

February 13, 2017, 10:39am Clark County News

Some die-hard anglers already are fishing for salmon in lower Columbia River although peak of season will be in late March or early April Read story

Commercial fishermen repair a gillnet near the mouth of the Columbia River in Astoria.

Oregon governor chastises fish commission over gillnet decision

Commercial fishermen repair a gillnet near the mouth of the Columbia River in Astoria.

February 13, 2017, 6:03am Latest News

Kate Brown tells Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission its position reneging on the Columbia River bi-state salmon reforms is not acceptable Read story

Gillnetters repair a net in September 2012, in Astoria, Ore.

Gov. Brown, Oregon officials tangled up over gillnets

Gillnetters repair a net in September 2012, in Astoria, Ore.

February 13, 2017, 6:03am Clark County News

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has scolded the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for its decision to renege on a bistate agreement to limit gillnetting to off-channel areas in the Columbia River and told it to change the policy by April 3. Read story

Dick Borneman of Vancouver with a 29-pound spring chinook caught in 2010 near Caterpillar Island.

Little support voiced for hunting, fishing license fee increase

Dick Borneman of Vancouver with a 29-pound spring chinook caught in 2010 near Caterpillar Island.

February 9, 2017, 6:53pm Clark County News

House committee told proposal asks for too large of a jump, especially given dwindling fishing opportunities Read story

Elk with hoof disease have been sighted in Southwest Washington for close to two decades. (Photo by Mount St.

Elk hoof disease legislation gets mixed reviews

Elk with hoof disease have been sighted in Southwest Washington for close to two decades. (Photo by Mount St.

February 9, 2017, 6:07am Outdoors

Provision that would allow citizens to euthanize limping animals gets criticized in state Senate committee hearing Read story