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.