Fish Camp II tells tale of explorers' fishing experience
By Christian Richardson, Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2004
Sgt. Floyd Honor Guard member Mike Berger of Sioux City, right, talks to Steve Koch of South Sioux City, and his daughter, Taylor Koch, 9, during Fish Camp II, a Lewis and Clark Bicentennial event on Saturday at Crystal Cove Park in South Sioux City. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- Celebrating a bountiful fish catch from 200 years ago, Fish Camp II drew people of all ages to Crystal Cove Park.
Saturday's events brought an estimated 350 patrons interested in observing a portion of the Lewis and Clark journey that landed the explorers near what is now the South Sioux City and Sioux City area.
"We had a great, great morning," said Donna Goodier, of the South Sioux City Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The entertainment was phenomenal."
"The weather was gorgeous," Goodier said. "We couldn't have asked for a better day."
However, with President George W. Bush's arrival, attendance dropped in the afternoon, she said. Possibly it was due to people heading to hear Bush speak at the Tyson Events Center as well as the temporary closing of the Veterans Memorial Bridge, Goodier said.
It is believed that in 1804 Captains Meriwether Lewis' and William Clark's group fished in the Omaha Creek. Rather than using fishing poles, the men used nets that they dragged along the water and caught a large number of fish, journals indicate.
A local group of actors took to the stage twice on Saturday to re-create the Lewis and Clark stop and now-legendary fishing experience. They took the place of the more well known Lewis and Clark group from St. Charles, Mo. Those re-enacters were in Decatur, Neb. on Saturday, Goodier said.
Capt. Lewis, portrayed by Matt Rixner, said the opportunity to play the captain offers an educational experience.
"Hopefully we can get in their heads and feel some of the things they felt," Rixner said.
Rixner is a member of the Corps of Discovery Players, an eight-member troupe.
The actors try to be relatively authentic but they also shoot to connect with the audience, Steph Eastman, play director, said.
Saturday's events brought an estimated 350 patrons interested in observing a portion of the Lewis and Clark journey that landed the explorers near what is now the South Sioux City and Sioux City area.
"We had a great, great morning," said Donna Goodier, of the South Sioux City Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The entertainment was phenomenal."
"The weather was gorgeous," Goodier said. "We couldn't have asked for a better day."
However, with President George W. Bush's arrival, attendance dropped in the afternoon, she said. Possibly it was due to people heading to hear Bush speak at the Tyson Events Center as well as the temporary closing of the Veterans Memorial Bridge, Goodier said.
It is believed that in 1804 Captains Meriwether Lewis' and William Clark's group fished in the Omaha Creek. Rather than using fishing poles, the men used nets that they dragged along the water and caught a large number of fish, journals indicate.
A local group of actors took to the stage twice on Saturday to re-create the Lewis and Clark stop and now-legendary fishing experience. They took the place of the more well known Lewis and Clark group from St. Charles, Mo. Those re-enacters were in Decatur, Neb. on Saturday, Goodier said.
Capt. Lewis, portrayed by Matt Rixner, said the opportunity to play the captain offers an educational experience.
"Hopefully we can get in their heads and feel some of the things they felt," Rixner said.
Rixner is a member of the Corps of Discovery Players, an eight-member troupe.
The actors try to be relatively authentic but they also shoot to connect with the audience, Steph Eastman, play director, said.
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