calling back the salmon

Once again, I learned too late about a special ritual held the past four years in the Smartsville and Timbuctoo area in eastern Yuba County. Once again, I missed the annual "Calling Back the Salmon" ceremony, held this year on Saturday, October 10. Although I can't offer a first-person account of the event, I did talk with my Smartsville and Timbuctoo Project partner Kathy Smith, who filled me in on some of the details.

The early-morning ceremony began on the eastern side of the Yuba River beneath the Parks Bar Bridge. After about an hour, the gathering disbursed temporarily: Reportedly, the catching of the totem salmon is a private ritual reserved for members of the participating Maidu tribes.

Runners carried the salmon up Timbuctoo Road through Timbuctoo, then through Smartsville and up to Lake Englebright (Englebright Reservoir). From there they continued to South Yuba River State Park, a.k.a. Bridgeport State Park, where everyone was invited to attend closing ceremonies and a lunch featuring-- you guessed it: salmon.

Kathy estimated that there were about 25 runners participating this year, up from perhaps 10 runners last year. (During the morning ceremony under the Parks Bar Bridge, someone asked, "Is that bridge still out?" referring to the dilapidated Timbuctoo Bridge, still closed to vehicle traffic.)

Admittedly, the above account is just a hint of this special event, marking its fourth year. You can find out much more by visiting the official Calling Back the Salmon site, plus the South Yuba River Citizens League page, and its Save Yuba Salmon page.

I live about two and a half hours' driving time from the Smartsville and Timbuctoo area, so I need to plan a bit to attend this event. At least I can pencil in the event for October of next year.