22
Close to the Water
DOWN BY THE RIVER WITH FRIENDS
by Bruce Bateau No matter where I’ve ventured, I’ve always found boaters a friendly crowd. But rarely have I been welcomed as warmly as I was a few years ago by folks at the Elochoman Marina in Cathlamet, Washington. A quaint waterfront town, Cathlamet is about 30 miles upstream from the Pacific. While better known for fishing boats than rowing boats, I find it a pleasant and convenient place to experience the Lower Columbia River estuary; its shallow waters are a perfect place to explore via small craft. As I was stepping my masts on that first visit, two friendly fellows approached, examined Row Bird’s lapstrake hull, and started chatting away, almost as if they’d been expecting me. We talked for some time before I eventually launched, but only after promising to come back and row with them sometime. I’ve returned to Cathlamet several times since then and even 48º NORTH
joined their club, the Lower Columbia River Chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association (TCSA). The TCSA’s mission is to, “preserve and continue the living traditions, skills, lore, and legends surrounding working and pleasure watercraft whose origins predate the marine gasoline engine.” Recently I caught up with Allen Bennett, one of the chapter’s leaders, who spoke proudly about the area’s rich history of fishing boats, such as the double-ended Columbia River gillnetters, as well as the local boat building families who have been around for generations, and who Bennett described as “anchors to our boating community.” I was curious about how the group has weathered the summer and the pandemic. But there was no need for concern. Bennett, a retired geologist and Navy officer, exudes positivity about boating and hanging out with sailors. He and fellow
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NOVEMBER 2020
