Morel Mushroom Hunting Club
Newsletter July 2008
Happy 4th of July!
The blue area, is of course Lactarius indigo. The red stripes are Russula emetic, and the white stripes are Amanita virosa!
"History Channel- Modern Marvels Episode"
By: Chris Matherly
Many of you have watched the Travel Channel- Cash and Treasures Morel episode. Recently, I was contacted by the History Channel. The Producer of "Modern Marvels" met me in Yakima, Washington. She said she was doing a mushroom episode, and was also filming with Paul Stamets, and a mushroom farm in Kennett Square, PA, as well as a University Lab, to get many aspects of Mushrooms, and she needed the Wild Mushroom Hunting aspect, and contacted me for this. I took her to a burnsite area there, and boy, were the Morels sprouting everywhere! Hard to believe that one of the mountain passes still was closed with over 8 feet of snow still on the roadway! But, timing was perfect for this small area that burned last August, about 45 miles from Yakima.
The day before the film crew arrived, I scoped out some areas, did not have my cameras with me, only my cell phone camera, so missed some great wildlife shots. I did get the mother Elk as we were leaving with my cell camera....
The Black Foot Morel, Morchella atrotomentosa, only found in burn areas.
I quickly filled my sack in just a couple of hours during the filming. About 15 pounds worth, in that short of a time. There were a few varieties that grow in the burn sites, the mystical Black Foot Morel shown above, is just plain bizarre! The black velvety stem slowly lightens with age, and the cap and stem become a tan-yellow when mature. There is also the common Fire Burn Morel, that resembles the Western Natural Black Morel. "Brownies", "Greenies", and Blondes are also in these areas.
Mature "Blackfoot" Twins....
A unique and unknown variety, distinctive pit and ridge patterns, unique color.
The common "Burnsite Morel", has black ridges. Notice the charred tree in the background.
They call this one a "Brownie".
History Channel Crew Member filming a clump of Morels.
Not a bad clump, but check this out:
Now, that's what I'm talking about! Nothing on Earth like a burnsite for Morel freaks like myself, there are breathtaking sights to see and experience.
Here is a Natural Morel, growing under living Pine, Spruce, and Fir trees.
A Wolf showed up to intimidate us, and it worked! Until I found out that it belonged to a commercial picker that was onsite on the burn also!
The Crew getting ready for the interview.
Interview in progress.....
We were also able to film some edible Yellow-Tipped Coral, and Spring King Boletes.
The part of the episode that I am involved in is the aspect of Wild Mushroom Hunting in general, not just a burnsite, but all edible hunting. Also, we talked about poisonous mushrooms, was able to film a Gyromitra, and discuss the rewards and dangers of Mushroom Hunting. The episode is supposed to air in September, and I will let everyone know as soon as I get the dates.
I want to especially thank August Steinborn, for his local efforts and help in finding us the best locations for filming. He was a great help, and it was so nice for us to meet. August is a great guy! Thanks August! Also, I want to thank my Son, Elijah, as he also was a big help on this trip.
August left, and Chris right, holding a total of about 85 pounds of fresh Morels, which dried to about 8 pounds!
My Son Elijah, who couldn't keep his eyes open with the brightness of the snow! Mt. Rainier in the background.
Guided Forays Now Open For Registration:
Feel Free To call me anytime at (478) 318-2794 to discuss any of these forays. I will be glad to take your registration right over the phone in person!
(In order of earliest date first)
July 2008- Chanterelle Foray in Georgia I still have 4 openings for this event!!
August 8th-12th, 2008- Wilderness Area- Washington State Fire Burn Morel Foray
October 2nd- 5th, 2008- Mount Saint Helens Matsutake and Porcini Foray
October 17th-19th, 2008- Hen Of The Woods Foray- Indiana/ Ohio- email me now if you are interested in this foray! chrismathe@aol.com
September - November 2008- Several Forays may be planned with David Fischer?
November 21st-23rd, 2008- Late Fall Edibles Foray- Georgia- email me now if you are interested in this foray! chrismathe@aol.com
Late Winter Truffle Foray- Oregon- email me now if you are interested in this foray! chrismathe@aol.com
You do not have to be a member to use these helpful tools:
Registration is Now Open For several Guided Mushroom Hunts in 2008:
Featured Info:
It is finally completed! 3-disc set, 5 1/2 hours of content!
<--click
to view trailor
Over 15 years in the making, over 5 1/2 hours of mushroom content. How to find 125 of the most common edible mushrooms, also includes about 11 of the most common poisonous mushrooms. This is a must for every serious mushroom hunter. There is commentary on where and when to find them on each species. Species included are:
wood ear, lions mane, other hericiums, aborted entolomas, honey mushrooms, clitocybes, blewits, man on horseback, 3- matsutakes, imperial cats, gypsy mushroom, many edible russulas, several edible puffballs, many edible amanita species, hen of the woods, chicken of the woods, black staining polypore, dryads saddle, beefsteak polypore, several other polypores, 2- cauliflower mushrooms, shaggy manes, mica caps, many bolete type mushrooms- suillus, gyroporus, tylopilus, boletus, leccinum, hygrocybe, waxy caps, lobster mushrooms, purple laccaria, jelly tooth, several hedgehogs, truffles, gilled bolete, many chanterelles, including white and blue chanterelle, and black trumpets, colybia, several lactarius species, several lepiotas, agrocybe, pluteus, hypsizygus, oyster mushrooms, many agaricus, several morel species including fire burn morels, gyromitras, verpas, volvallaria, coral mushrooms, wine capped stropheria, platterful mushroom, helvellas, brick caps, xerulas, velvet foots, ustilago, and many more. Poisonous ones include several amanitas, russula emetic, green gilled lepiota, galerina, and more.
Each disc includes an easy to navigate menu to skip right to a particular species if you wish. Each species is a different chapter. I am proud to offer this, and glad to have finally completed it!
$49.95 Includes shipping!
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