Smelt Run on the Sandy River - March 22, 2104

Eager smelt dippers on the Sandy River - Troutdale, Oregon

Smelt return to the Sandy River this month!  A limited season provided an opportunity to dip Columbia River smelt (Thaleichthys pacificus) returning to spawn in the Sandy River.  Smelt are anadromous - they live most of their life in the ocean and return to freshwater to spawn.  Smelt are an oily fish and are the source of oolichan grease that was a valuable commodity for many Northwest native peoples.  Potlatch ceremonies of the tribes living on the Northwest coast of what is now Alaska and Canada included large quantities of the oolichan grease.  The grease was used in ways similar to butter, and was eaten, given away, and burned during the potlatch ceremony.

See link below for recipes:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Smelt.htm

Two ski poles make an extension for a net

Smelt numbers are in decline, and over the last 30 year few runs have been large enough to draw people to the banks.  The season was severely limited this year, and the State Police used their sirens and loudspeakers at noon to announce the end of the season.

Histories and Mysteries of the Columbia River Gorge

Friends of the Columbia River Gorge announce this years hiking challenge:
20 places to visit of historical or geological interest

Including such places as Celilo Falls fishing village, ice age flood remnants, fish wheels, and Lyle convict road (I hadn't heard about that place - there is always more to learn).  If you become a member of the Friends, you are eligible for prizes if you complete the challenge, which of course I plan to do.

 Here is one of our winter visitors, a pair of Anna's Hummingbirds - Calypte anna - who arrived in the middle of October and will leave before the middle of March (based on what has occurred the previous two winters).    I was busy during the recent stormy cold weather keeping the hummingbird food defrosted (it freezes below 28 degrees F.) In the summer we have  nesting Rufous Hummingbirds - Selasphorus rufus - that arrive in March and leave at the beginning of October.

 The history of ice storms in the Columbia River Gorge continues with the most recent storm on
March 1, 2014 - surely the latest in the calendar year that I have experienced. 

 Ice built up overnight and through much of the day on March1, coating everything.

Late in the afternoon it began to melt

 But there were casualties among the trees - these willows were rooted in very wet soil and the weight of the ice on the branches pulled them down.