Are you ready for Outdoor Adventure?

Ron Adams | Pro Staff Verle’s llc

First and foremost, let me start by saluting each and every one of you for your physical, mental and spiritual tenacity in working together for the common good of your fellow man. Thank you. I have utmost faith we will get through this unprecedented global situation and be in the end better off and more prepared than ever before.

With that being said, are you going absolutely nuts to get out and enjoy all of the majestic beauty and awesome fun the Hood Canal has to offer? I know I surely am! Being on lockdown is no fun even though my yard looks fabulous, the garage is clean, the fence is fixed, and the garden is in, well you get the picture, I got a lot done at home.

Restrictions finally started to loosen and as soon as the local lakes opened up, I hit the water at one of the many excellent trout lakes near Shelton. Upon arrival I was greeted by many others who were eager to get out and have some of what I like to call "outdoor therapy." There were people swimming, pleasure boating and fishermen.

Normally, I would get irritated by people water skiing at 8AM while I was trying to fish but this time it was different. I was so glad to see everyone enjoying themselves and being respectful of each other that nothing seemed to bother me at all. It was wonderful to be out and to top it all off we caught some really nice trout which made a great meal for my family. I know everything outdoors pared to maximize your I not only love the water I love the land as well especially the Olympic Peninsula's evergreen forest.

It was wonderful to be out and to top it all off we caught some really nice trout which made a great meal for my family.

Part of the pleasure of that fishing trip was the fact that I took the time to go through all of my fishing gear which I have a lot of, and it was that preparation that made my trip even better. No digging through tangled fishing line, lures stuck together or any of that. It reminded me how important good preparation is to making an outing or adventure reach its full potential.

I know everything outdoors isn't accessible yet, but it will be soon and I encourage you to make preparations now to not only be ready when the time comes, but be fully prepared to maximize your adventure and enjoyment. Recreational boating and fishing are open so it's time to get your boat engine tuned up, pick up some new fishing gear, maybe purchase some new safety gear (check your flares and make sure they aren't expired), or life vests and maybe even some bot wax to put that illustrious shine back on.

I not only love the water I love the land as well especially the Olympic Peninsula's evergreen forest. Winding trails, emerald rivers, delicious mushrooms, and other bounty await. What will I do until I can get to this wonderland of flora and fauna? I will take a lesson from my time on lockdown at home before my first fishing trip and that is, prepare. The preparation I did before I went fishing made the trip pretty much perfect and I hope I will remember that for the rest of my life.

If you are looking for planning help stop in at Verle's in Shelton and I'll get you situated. Verle’s offers boater safety gear such as life vests, flares, rope, horns and much more. Local hunters know us as their "honey hole" for all things hunting so from ammo to camo we have you covered. I hope you will come in and say hi to us. Verle’s is located just south of Shelton on Highway 101 and I hope we can help you prepare for your upcoming outdoor adventures no matter what they might be and make Verle’s your gateway to the Olympics and adventure.