Historic Hood River
Fisherman at Celilo Falls
11-14-2018
Notes
Here’s a more intimate view of Celilo Falls captured by Joe Kollas and shared with us by Paul Kollas. I’ll add a reminder of Ed Elmo’s visit to the Dalles Library tonight at 6:30. Learn all about it here.
Charlott
Apparently they let Joe Kollas down on those old slippery platforms. I would imagine that that man’s feet got awfully cold by the end of the day as it appears to me that his shoes are nothing more than tennis shoes. I do see his rope and apparently he has it tied around his waist under his rain gear. You can just see from the glint on the rocks how wet it is.
We know that those old nets were heavy and worse when they were down in that pounding water. I think he might have his net basically resting on the bottom and that string he has is in some way giving him an idea when a fish might be in the net. I don’t know though, as I have never been up this close to an actual fishman on the platforms.
If this was a local Wyam member Ed Edmo would probably be able to tell us who this is. I think it might be, due to the fact that from what I understand people basically owned or their family owned their own platform. However, we have to keep in mind that during the fishing season people came from various areas all over to fish Celilo.
L.E.
He is using what is called a hoop net. I personally think salmon caught in a hoop net taste better than those from a gill net.
I have read that Seufert Cannery built the system of cable cars, board walkways and ladders that we see in so many photos. The problem was, the Indians had to sell their fish to the cannery.
Certain families had certain rights to certain areas of the river, with traditions.. such as, if a fisherman drowned, the family couldn’t fish there for a set amount of time.
Even now, if you see an Indian fishing from a platform, he has family rights to be there.
It is a fascinating area of history, tradition, and genealogy that most of us no very little about.
Charlott
L. E……..I went to the presentation that Ed Edmo gave last night in The Dalles. Fantastic evening with huge attendance.
It was his older brother, also named Ed Edmo, now deceased who was the umpire that you spoke of. His father’s name was also Ed Edmo…..So many Ed’s.
L.E.
Thanks Charlotte. Glad it was a well attended event.