Do you like fish? If not, you might not enjoy this post. :-) We live near the Sandy River, which is a wonderful river that is comprised of snow melt from Mt. Hood and rainwater. It's a wild rushing river with rapids and it's always changing. It flows into the Columbia River which flows into the Pacific Ocean. Our family has enjoyed it in many ways, we've rafted down it, canoed down, floated in inner tubes and swam in it. It's also famous for it's Smelt runs. Everyone gets very excited when the Smelt come in. Dayle has taken the kids down and they fished for the smelt using dip nets and filled up buckets of them, brought them home and Dayle smoked them. It's been the first time since 2001 that they've come to the river - they are now a threatened species. We heard on Sunday that they had arrived so we went down to the Troutdale bridge and walked out and saw the school swarming below us, their average size is 6-10 inches long. The school of fish is 20 miles long, coming up the Columbia River!!
Lots of them!
Dayle shot this short video with his iPhone.
Yesterday I began to cut out the body and legs of the bunny kit I got from Alicia Paulson. Then we got a phone call from our son inviting us over for a visit and dinner of "mac and cheese". So, off we went.
That is so interesting about the smelt, my Dad used to fry them when I was little and we were camping. I so wish I had grabbed one of those bunny kits, next time I hope she makes a whole lot more because these got picked up so quickly. Lots of wonderful blogging friends out there making this darling rabbit. I worked this morning and am now having an afternoon with yarn in my hands, it is delightful.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you Teresa,
MEredith
Thanks for teaching me about smelt so beautifully, Teresa! And the video is cool, Dayle :) My camera battery died at the end of the meal at Tad's so my daughter used her iPhone to snap some photos...I had forgotten my phone...sigh... I hope to concentrate on Miss Maggie this afternoon, too. I am calling her Miss Maggie 10001 since I did not get a kit but just the pattern :)
ReplyDeletexx,
Gracie
I'd not actually heard of smelt before - thank you for broadening my horizons. Look forward to seeing the completed bunny!!! This morning I went to my Sugar Craft Class and enjoyed the company of friends. This afternoon I paid a much needed visit to the hairdresser. Have also managed a bit more knitting of the prayer shawl for my friend. love and hugs Anne x
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post. I had heard of smelt before but knew nothing about them. Thank you for the lesson! I love your little shed in the garden, it's adorable.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the fish. You've reminded me of the time my (now 25-year-old 6ft+ tall) oldest nephew Oliver was about 5 and my Dad took him trout fishing. Having helped catch a fish and Dad having bopped it on the head, my nephew said "Grandad, it's not dead is it - it's eyes are still open". Then, when my sister-in-law cooked the fish for dinner, Oliver wouldn't eat it and when asked by my Dad why, said, "my teeth wouldn't open". I'm envious of your forecast 70F. We had snow last weekend and it's been so cold that it hasn't melted from the lawns and fields yet. It's hard to believe it'll be the summer term in schools in three weeks - we haven't had a glimpse of spring yet!
ReplyDeleteThat is a LOT of Smelt Teresa. Did you guys try to catch any or is that even allowed since it's been so long since they came up the river? I enjoyed all of the pictures and video. Such a beautiful day here too! This weekend is supposed to be 68. We're hoping to spend the day at the lake. Yippee!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see all the bunnies around here when you all get them done.
Blessings,
Betsy
OOOH, I love that last shot. So pretty.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing to see all those fish Teresa. Lucky you with warm sunshine. ..winter still has it's grip here x
ReplyDeletei've been wanting to work on a bunny this year. has not happened yet . hmm. love the house pic!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the Sandy River...I should, it is part of our family history. A long time ago, in the 80's or early 90's, we went smelting at the Sandy River--of course then they weren't endangered:(
ReplyDeleteAwesome photo of the smelt! Love your pup's face in the rabbit pic (love Alicia's bunny)! LOVE the fact that it is going to be warm, sunny, nice and dry this weekend:)
Blessings, Aimee
Wow...that's a LOT of fish! Is the bottom photo taken at your home...with the mossy roofs? That's really cool! Happy crafting!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the smelt! My husbands Italian family always cooked smelt as one of the Seven Fishes of Christmas. I would eat the smelt over the squid and octopus...Can't eat anything that has legs and remotely reminds me of a spider! Today is the day I volunteer at my hospital so that is how I spent my day. No crochet today as I am between projects since finishing my wave blanket that I just posted on my blog. Can't wait to see your shawl!~Hugs, Patti
ReplyDeleteWow .. what a lot of fish !! I don't think we have those fish here - maybe we do but I've never heard of them or perhaps they're called something else ???? I must show my daughter and son-in-law this post-they're both keen on fishing and are heading off to the coast for the Easter weekend. He's so keen it takes a week for him to get his gear organised and the boat ready. Guess I'll be having a quiet Easter at home.
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting, about the smelt. Are they the size of minnows? I love the photo with the barn. The green roof is so charming!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment Teresa. It means a lot to me.
Love,
Kris
We always fried the smelt but I bet they're good smoked as well. My husband is a big fan of smelt fishing. It was one of his favorite pass times while he was attending college near Lake Superior. He has many interesting stories about those week end fishing trips. ;-)
ReplyDeleteA very lovely and interesting post today Teresa. I learned a little history about the river, Loved it! Garrett loved Dayle's video, we must have watched it over and over again about 10 times! He was fascinated!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Shari
Now that's a lot of fish. I like your helper. I think he wants to make the bunny ears ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures Teresa and video! Thanks for the photos. Nice to get an invitation for mac and cheese, you deserve a break!! Can't wait to see the bunny! Wish I had seen the kits.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your beautiful weather, xoRobin
Great pictures Teresa. How wonderful to see a school of fish that is now endangered. I love the bunny kit. It looks like it will be so very cute. I'm loving the weather. We are n spring action with the kids. We went to the beach for a couple of days and it was just wonderful. :) hope to see you soon :)
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