"Week-of-the-boats" is coming

LEABURG: Brad Dimock, Colorado River guide, river dory historian, dory builder, teacher, and owner-operator of Fretwater Boatworks in Flagstaff, will be a featured presenter from 5 to 7 p.m. at the McKenzie River Discovery Center’s Hatchery building, April 22nd. His talk will tie into the evening’s theme, “Spawning Grounds: It Started with this River” and will be a show-and-tell of the links between the McKenzie, Rogue, and Colorado dories, some of the histories, and “generally enamor the audience with tales of connections, exploits and good humor,” according to organizers.

In addition to Dimock, Spawning Grounds will feature the donation from Bob Hirt of the last known drift boat built by Woodie Hindman. Steve Mealey, one of the earliest proponents of the Discovery Center, will accept the gift on behalf of the MRDC, and he will set the stage for Spawning Grounds.

Dr. Gordon Grant, research geologist and hydrologist for the USFS and courtesy OSU professor, will speak to the landscape- hydrology and suitability of the drift boat to this environment.

The program will be capped with a progress report of Discovery by Executive Director Shirley Braunstein and Board President, Gene Jones. According to Roger Fletcher, evening program coordinator, seating is limited. RSVPs are therefore requested by text (503.559.0204) or email ([email protected]).

This program is the capstone event for the week-of-the-boats. which includes the a drift boat building workshop April 17 – 21, taught by Jayson Hayes of Hayes Custom Boats, followed on Saturday by the popular Wooden Boat Festival from 10-4 at Eagle Rock Lodge. Fletcher notes that the boat building class is full, and that Randy Dersham of the Oregon Boat Project is coordinating the boat festival.

The MRDC is at the site of the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery, next to Leaburg Lake.