Clatsop County deputy sheriff, Myron Jones and Frank Daly
with a mixed bag of ducks 1950
Most duck hunting centered around the many various
islands in the Columbia River such as Russian, Seal, McGregor's and Grassy. In the early
days they were reached by rowing each morning, in the dark, up to seven miles. Later some
attached sails to their skiffs and eventually out-riggers for outboard motors. Around 1920
power gillnet boats were introduced, allowing the duck boats to be towed or hauled to the
hunting sites. Choice spots were given names like The Pot Hole, Butcher Block, Bunch &
Hump, Johan's Ridge and The Willows.
Hunting the islands was dangerous strong winds and rains sprang up with
little notice. Some hunters weathered out the storms in their boats, while other, caught
on the open water, lost their lives. The small lakes in the nearby Clatsop Plains area
just inland of the coastal dunes were also hunted.
