The Frank lab in July strengthened ties with its Vollum Institute partners with a retreat on the Deschutes River.

We were joined by members of the Murthy, Jackman, and Saunders labs, with the goal of building relationships and exchanging ideas as part of Dr. James Frank’s joint appointment to the Vollum.

Riverside party in the pools at the mouth of the Deschutes river.


While most members of the other labs slept in on the camping trip, the Frank lab (and friends) rolled out at 4 a.m. to fish the Deschutes. Coached by Dr. Frank. Xander successfully landed a bass within his first three casts!

We lined the bank with folks throwing spinners in hopes of encountering a migrating steelhead.
Xander got the skunk off the bank – he found a smallmouth bass!
We couldn’t find any steelhead this day, but the Frank lab will be back to fish again next year!

“The camping trip was a lot of fun, and also productive,” Dr. Frank said. “These connections built a strong foundation for future collaboration, and we all look forward to working with the Murthy and Jackman labs in the future.”

Frank, Jackman, Murthy and Saunders labs in their element.

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