I know the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery bicentennial celebration was several years ago now. Makes no difference, my family and I still enjoy dropping in on the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center. That beautiful facility overlooks the Missouri River just outside Nebraska City.
We spent an afternoon there again recently with family that was in town. We did not frequent the hiking trails nor any of the outdoor exhibits this trip. There was plenty to see and learn inside.
I particularly like the display upstairs–a complete review of the fish and fisheries the Corps discovered on their adventure. Yes, not only did “a river run through” their trip, but fish ran through it too, a variety of fish all the way from the catfish of the “muddy Missouri” to the salmon runs of the Pacific northwest.
Lewis anticipated that fish and fishing would be a part of their journey. He appropriately procured fishing gear to go on the trip. For the cost of what I would lay down for just one muskie bait, Captain Lewis went to the local tackle shop and bought 125 hooks, several lines and a rudimentary fishing reel.
What I have found especially intriguing about the fish and fishing display at the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center are the accounts of one of the members of the expedition. I absolutely believe that one member was a fish head like many of you, like me. From the brief accounts that I have read, it appears that this guy was one that took advantage of every opportunity to catch fish.
Silas Goodrich was his name. He was that guy on the Corps of Discovery who always had a line in the water, who always caught fish. I am betting he also always caught the biggest fish. You know exactly the kind of guy I am talking about:
Captain Lewis referred to Goodrich as the “principal fisherman” of the corps. He also said that he was “remarkably fond of fishing”. I imagine as the crew struggled to get boats upriver, in the heat and mosquitoes, ole Silas had a line tied to the back of the boat so he could “troll” on the way.
The Great Falls of the Missouri was a landmark eagerly anticipated by the expedition as they traveled up river. I can only visualize the sight they must have seen as they first laid eyes on it. Accounts are that Silas Goodrich immediately unfurled a line and started catching fish. He was not there to see the sights, Silas was on the fishing trip of his life! Who can blame him? At that location he was catching 23-inch cutthroats!
As you might guess, there were no purists on the Corps of Discovery, and that especially applied to Goodrich. Nevertheless, Silas knew exactly how to catch fish. Pieces of meat or organs cut from game taken to feed the crew were frequently used at baits. Silas also knew grasshoppers were “matching the hatch” on at least part of the journey.
Anyway, follow the links in this post to learn more and see materials I referenced. Better yet, make a trip the the Visitor Center and check out the fish and fishing display yourself. There are even more stories of rattlesnakes, grizzly bears, fish, and of course fishermen like Silas Goodrich!
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