COLUMBIA FALLS — The Downeast Salmon Federation invites the community to celebrate spring at its 24th Annual Smelt Fry & Fisheries Celebration on Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Columbia Falls.
A beloved Downeast tradition for more than two decades, the Smelt Fry brings together families, neighbors and visitors to enjoy a classic Maine meal while celebrating the region’s rivers, fisheries and coastal heritage.
Held across downtown Columbia Falls at the Wreaths Across America Gym (8 Point St.), DSF’s Pleasant River Hatchery, and Union Hall, the event offers a unique opportunity to experience conservation in action while enjoying a long-standing Downeast tradition.
What to expect:
- Fried smelt meal purchased on the day of the event
- Live music throughout the day from Maine Academy of Modern Music, Creosote, and Les Tres Etoiles
- Family-friendly kids activities
- Hatchery tours at DSF’s Pleasant River facility
- Educational displays about river restoration and sea-run fish
- A beer shack with Airline Brewery
Before the event, be sure to attend Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association’s Late for Lunch River Race. Registration for this free event starts at 9:30 a.m. at the PRF&GCA Club located at 1597 Tibbettstown Road in Columbia.
“This event is about more than just a great meal — it’s about bringing people together around the rivers and fish that define Downeast Maine,” said Dwayne Shaw, executive director of DSF. “Every year, the Smelt Fry reminds us that restoring wild fish populations takes community, and it’s that shared commitment that gives us hope for the future of Atlantic salmon.”
Proceeds from the Smelt Fry support DSF’s work to conserve and restore wild sea-run fish and the rivers, estuaries, and coastal ecosystems they depend on across Maine.
This year’s Smelt Fry is made possible thanks to the generous support of: Versant Power, Machias Savings Bank, Airline Brewing Co., Smithereen Farm, Little Blue Electric, Mongr.net, 207 Self-Storage, Look Lobster Co., Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Allan Huntley Plumbing & Heating, Hannaford and Morton Moo’s Ice Cream.
Downeast Salmon Federation is a Maine-based nonprofit dedicated to conserving and restoring wild sea-run fish in Downeast Maine. From headwaters to the ocean, DSF works to reconnect rivers, protect habitat, and rebuild fisheries that support both ecosystems and coastal communities. For more go to www.mainesalmonrivers.org.
