Kelso -- Smelt Capital of the World

News that the smelt were running . Grab the gear, pile into cars and meet near the river.


The fish could be there and gone in a flash.

Women and kids lined the top of the bank holding thermoses. Dads, grandfathers and uncles balanced on the bank or edged into the river. Straining to get the net out far into the channel, and to lift a net sagging with pounds of swarming, silver fish back in.


Cross over the bridge, cross over the bridge
Change your reckless way of livin', cross over the bridge
Leave your fickle past behind you,
And true romance will find you,
Brother, cross over the bridge

Patti Page hit song, 1954