In 2012 I photographed several aspects of the tribal fishery on the Columbia River system and plan on doing more this year.

I had been wanting to shoot lamprey fishing at the Willamette Falls for years and I was finally able to line it up with my schedule. It's no small matter either. Lamprey harvesting lasts only a short time in the summer and it takes a boat ride to get there.

The rocks at the base of falls are as slippery as ice and learned the hard way when fell and hit my head, got knocked out and bruised a rib. It was worth it though, it's probably one of the most interesting things I've ever photographed. The lamprey are boiling at the base of the falls and I could feel them hitting my legs. The Native American kids harvesting the lamprey did a great job and learned quickly.

Here are a few photos from my efforts in 2012:

©The Oregonian

Unloading chinook salmon on the Columbia River. Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian — Unloading chinook salmon on the Columbia River.
Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

Iced chinook salmon. Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian — Iced chinook salmon.
Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

On the Klickitat River. Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian — On the Klickitat River.
Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

Sea lion hazing on the Columbia River. Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian — Sea lion hazing on the Columbia River.
Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

A sea-lion feasts on a salmon. Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian — A sea-lion feasts on a salmon.
Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

Dip-netting on the Klickitat River. Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian — Dip-netting on the Klickitat River.
Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian