This past weekend The Renaissance Man was asked to give a presentation for The Native Fish Society as part of the 2014 River Stewards Retreat at Camp Westwind on the Oregon Coast. It was a fantastic event, and I was lucky enough to tag along for the adventure. Camp Westwind is located just north of Lincoln City in the Cascade Head Scenic Research Area.

When you arrive to Camp Westwind, you can access the camp in one of two ways…walk in, or take a ferry across the Salmon River. We walked in most of the way to camp, and the scenery was breathtaking. It reminds me of how much I like to be outdoors and that I need to make a point to explore more often!

The Salmon River estuary behind me is pretty impressive.

At the end of our journey was the main lodge at Camp Westwind where all of the presentations were taking place as part of the weekend retreat. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures inside the lodge; that’s what happens when I get caught in the moment, I forget to take pictures. I will tell you that the enormous whale bone was hanging gracefully from the wood rafters was a sight to see!

The beach was pretty amazing as well! The Pacific Ocean makes my heart sing. There is just something about the smell of salt air, the soft roar of the ocean, and sand between my toes that keeps me coming back for more. I think I may have been a mermaid in a past life!

Now I have to say, that before this event I had never heard of The Native Fish Society, but I’m sure glad I do now. This organization is doing so many amazing things for native fish runs in Oregon. It was great to hear presentation from the different River Stewards about issues that they face in their local regions.

I learned all about Traditional Ecological Knowledge or “TEK” in relation to tribal knowledge about the rivers and the fish that run in them, nickel mining and the impacts it can have on rivers and streams, ways to get the general public excited about native fish via the “Redband Rodeo,” the shortcomings of GIS mapping done in the 1980s for headwater streams, and one of the coolest things was the video created earlier in the day about river snorkeling on the Salmon River.

I can’t imaging a more perfect ending to a beautiful day. Photo credits go to Salmon R. River steward Duncan.