Sawyer is proud to partner with artists and Save Our Wild Salmon conservation efforts to protect and restore wild salmon, steelhead, and the healthy river systems they depend on.

“Save Our Wild Salmon is honored to partner with Sawyer on this project to raise awareness and funds to support our advocacy efforts,” says Joseph Bogaard, Executive Director of the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition. “Healthy fisheries, healthy rivers, and responsible companies like Sawyer Paddles and Oars remind us all about how environment and economy can, and must, go hand-in-hand.”

Hear from Gregg Schlanger about his design and inspiration and learn more at greggschlanger.com.

“Lonesome Larry, Sockeye Dreams”

My artwork for the Sawyer SquareTop Artisan Series Oars addresses the disappearance of Columbia River Basin Sockeye Salmon. Specifically, it focuses on the Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon.

At one time, up to sixteen million salmon swam the Columbia River Basin annually. Today, Snake River Sockeye are in danger of becoming extinct. The Redfish Lake Sockeye Salmon was listed as an endangered species in 1991.

Of the thousands that once completed the Salmon River run, only one Sockeye Salmon returned to Redfish Lake in 1992. He was given the name Lonesome Larry.

The transparent black-and-white sockeye depicted on the shaft represent the spirits of the salmon that once returned home. This oar serves as a memorial to Larry and a reminder of the importance of protecting and restoring wild salmon populations throughout the Pacific Northwest.