Salmon Falls

Editor’s note: Today’s blog post was written by Adam Boone. Adam is an avid outdoorsman and asked us to consider a salmon blanket. The result is Salmon Falls, which is proving to be a very meaningful design. The following is extracted from his initial proposal. Thank you, Adam!

Salmon Runs

Salmon runs are annual fish migrations where the fish swim back to the upper reaches of rivers to spawn on the gravel beds of small creeks. After years wandering huge distances in the ocean, most surviving salmon return to the same rivers where they were spawned, swimming up the rivers until they reach their original birthplace. Trout, a sister species to salmon, follow similar migrations, although they mostly move between creeks and large freshwater lakes.

Salmon Culture

Salmon and trout populations have played a significant cultural role throughout the history of Oregon, and continue to do so in modern day. This is especially true for the Native Americans who have lived along the PNW Rivers. Salmon has been a crucial source of protein in the diet of the original Pacific NW people. In modern day, fishermen — tribal, commercial, and sports — all need salmon runs to thrive, in order to support their livelihoods.

Salmon Today

Many species of salmon and trout are at or near their lowest numbers on record. Fish hatcheries have been propped up to curve this decline, but not enough salmon and trout return home for a meaningful run. Reasons include: waterways at record lows from prolonged drought, pollution, dams blocking passage upstream, and a myriad of external factors. The salmon and trout that do return to spawn are described as the resilient ones, swimming strong against all the change mankind and Mother Nature have thrown their way.

Salmon Falls honors those resilient ones.

–Adam Boone

In colors that evoke the Pacific Northwest, a leaping Chinook returns to the stream where he hatched. Below him, the salmon life cycle unfolds: eggs to fry to smolt to adult, with other stages between.  The annual journey to reproduce is arduous, and fewer salmon make it each year, due to environmental changes. Those who are familiar with the salmon runs understand the need to protect these determined and resilient creatures as they make their way to home waters.

This blanket art was drawn by our talented designers. The blanket is made in the USA in our Pacific Northwest woolen mills. Salmon Falls is also available in a large ceramic mug.

See all our mugs at www.pendleton-usa.com

See the blanket here: SALMON FALLS