Photo Gallery: Gilmore Fish SmokeHouse Busy with the Fall Salmon Run

By Cole Goodwin

Dallesport, WA, September 8, 2023 – The Columbia River Gorge is alive with activity as the fall salmon run (August-November) hits its stride. Today Gilmore Fish Smokehouse had purchased approximately 30,000 lbs of Coho, Sockeye, and Chinook from Native American fishermen.

When asked whether 30,000 pounds was a lot, Jim Olheiser, who has been a fish buyer for nearly 25 years replied that it was “pretty average” for them during the busy season.

Olheiser didn’t have much more time for chit-chat however, as he had a job to do slinging fish, shoveling ice, and loading fish into refrigerators while his daughter Robin Bratton tallied prices and poundage for the fisherman when CCCNews arrived this afternoon

While a portion of the fresh catch will journey to wholesale buyers and subsequently make its way to retail stores and eateries, other fish are destined for a 36-hour cold smoke. This process promises locals a delicious and juicy treat.

For locals and other folks in the vicinity, fresh and smoked salmon, along with bait and other offerings, are available at Gilmore's on-site retail location at 167 Highway 197, near Dallesport. As a family-run enterprise with limited staff, it's advised to call ahead or simply look out for the open sign.