A Visit to the Tribe Fish Hatchery – August 12, 2020

This morning we woke up to overcast and cool weather.  There is lots of wind and Washingtonians are concerned – as all of us in the west are – about fire hazard. 

 

One of Russ’s second cousins – Timmy Peone – is the head fisher watcher in charge for the Spokane Tribe Fish Hatchery so we got a nice tour.  This guy is so well versed and knowledgeable about his job and the fish that they are working hard to keep in good supply.  He showed us the long skinny tanks where the little fingerlings begin their lives and then the round tanks that they graduate to.  The round tanks not only hold fish but they have a current that the fish swim against.  Kinda like a lap pool.

 

By the way, did you realize that somehow the professionals at this place are able to change the DNA of the eggs to be hatched so that they are no longer male or female?  The reason is that they don’t want these “farmed” fish to interbreed with the natural fish when they are introduced to the waterways.  Who knew?

 

Here is a picture of Russ and Timmy – can you see the family resemblance?  I can. 

 


 

Timmy is extremely proud of what he is doing for his tribe and doing it without not much help from the federal government.  He managed to luck out after he graduated from college and land this job.  His qualifications spoke for him and his membership in the tribe was perfect.


Here is a picture of a mural which was painted in the hatchery building.

 

 

 

Love this mural.  Another thing I learned today was that there is a legend among native American people that the morning dove and the salmon are married.  The native Americans know that the salmon are running (and ready to be fished) when they see a morning dove and hear its call.

 

Kinda cool huh?

 

We wanted to go to the local Tribal Council building to see some native American artifacts that are on display there but we were unable to get in because of COVID19.  We did however get to see the pow wow grounds.  Wish we were here during their pow wow but, of course, that was cancelled this year.

 

Out to dinner tonight at one of Russ’s other cousins.



 

 

 

 

 


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