We could all stand to have our spirits lifted so there'll be some of that here, from home and away. Here's a Sunday read for all of you. And thanks to my subscribers for their patience. . . .
Great update, as always Terry. I really appreciate the salmon discussion, the Government of Canada has never taken Pacific coast fisheries as seriously as Atlantic coast. That said, I had a hand in supporting some research in in recent years and the overall cause seems to be related to a combination of factors:
1. Lack of salmon food sources at the Fraser Delta and in the North Pacific as fry transit into the ocean for the first time, resulting in a higher mortality rate
2. 100+ years of movement in gravel beds and additional deposits of rock waste in the Fraser River watershed, some of it related to prolonged placer mining (as an aside, someone should look into the impact of last year's floods on spawning beds in the Lower Fraser)
3. The usual suspects: rising temperatures, over-fishing and the presence of sea lice in key areas where salmon transit toward spawning grounds.
4. It would be interesting to know more about the impact Alaska's salmon farming methods and whether there is a correlation to their success and the decline in returns to BC rivers, particular in the Skeena, Nass and Stikine systems. This isn't an accusation, just a question as I don't think there's been any substantive research into it.
Lastly, I've repeatedly heard Pacific salmon returns in Russian rivers are apparently consistently strong. It would be nice if someone substantiated this.
Good to see you back, hope the trip on the Triumph was a good one. Thanks for the sockeye update. Never knew the importance of Gobi desert dust and volcanic minerals to salmon runs! Still have 2 copies of "The Last Great Sea," 1 to lend and 1 I keep. Cheers from Sointula.
Sep 11, 2022·edited Sep 11, 2022Liked by Terry Glavin
You're a well of interesting information as always. Please try to enjoy at least some of the rest of your well earned vacation. It's been a dizzying week for all of us.
I am, surprisingly, weepy over the passing of our Queen. I immigrated to Canada from England with my family when I was young. Like many English girls my middle name is Elizabeth! She did so well in the role that fell to her. I am challenged to ponder how well have I done in the life I have been given? May we all do our duty, as she did, with grace, dignity and love. God bless the Queen.
Re dissing Elizabeth, I was told by an indigenous friend who read o social media ( so this is third hand) a native leader advising his fellows to cool it with their knocks on Elizabeth.," She's an elder. We respect all elders."
The yearly spawn of Kokanee on Kootenay lake is in full swing. In another week I'll start my day at first light with my long lens trying to get shots of the loons and mergansers trying to swallow one. Most spawn in the creeks, but there are a sizeable number that spawn in shallow gravel on the shore at favorable spots. Including one across the highway, down a trail just minutes from home.
Kootenay Lake saw a collapse in Kokanee, followed by a collapse of the large Gerard trout that fed on them. Meadow creek at the north end of the lake has a spawning channel that would see half a million fish; for the last few years it hovers around 10,000. It was amazing to peer into the deep eddies of the Lardeau river and see hundreds of redfish, but I felt a small measure of the sadness you described a short while ago among the indigenous as they look into waters that were teeming with life but no longer.
Oddly the main lake has a 4 year spawn cycle, and the west Arm, from Balfour to Nelson is 3 years. The arm is hanging on, with two days per year opening for catching Kokanee. The spawn was down but the fish were large and healthy.
Right now you can see them about 200 meters off shore, both by the water birds and them touching the surface. As the water cools they move closer to shore, and when the temperature is right they come 20 feet from the shore to spawn. It is a feeding frenzy for birds, otters and the odd bear. I feel deeply privileged to watch it year in year out.
Great update, as always Terry. I really appreciate the salmon discussion, the Government of Canada has never taken Pacific coast fisheries as seriously as Atlantic coast. That said, I had a hand in supporting some research in in recent years and the overall cause seems to be related to a combination of factors:
1. Lack of salmon food sources at the Fraser Delta and in the North Pacific as fry transit into the ocean for the first time, resulting in a higher mortality rate
2. 100+ years of movement in gravel beds and additional deposits of rock waste in the Fraser River watershed, some of it related to prolonged placer mining (as an aside, someone should look into the impact of last year's floods on spawning beds in the Lower Fraser)
3. The usual suspects: rising temperatures, over-fishing and the presence of sea lice in key areas where salmon transit toward spawning grounds.
4. It would be interesting to know more about the impact Alaska's salmon farming methods and whether there is a correlation to their success and the decline in returns to BC rivers, particular in the Skeena, Nass and Stikine systems. This isn't an accusation, just a question as I don't think there's been any substantive research into it.
Lastly, I've repeatedly heard Pacific salmon returns in Russian rivers are apparently consistently strong. It would be nice if someone substantiated this.
Keep writing!
Enjoyed hearing about the salmon…the more we discover the less we know. Hope you had a great ride.
...and thanks for the laugh! Poor lad stuck on the height of the bridge. Glad you survived!
Good to see you back, hope the trip on the Triumph was a good one. Thanks for the sockeye update. Never knew the importance of Gobi desert dust and volcanic minerals to salmon runs! Still have 2 copies of "The Last Great Sea," 1 to lend and 1 I keep. Cheers from Sointula.
You're a well of interesting information as always. Please try to enjoy at least some of the rest of your well earned vacation. It's been a dizzying week for all of us.
Typo! I meant WEALTH of interesting information.
I am, surprisingly, weepy over the passing of our Queen. I immigrated to Canada from England with my family when I was young. Like many English girls my middle name is Elizabeth! She did so well in the role that fell to her. I am challenged to ponder how well have I done in the life I have been given? May we all do our duty, as she did, with grace, dignity and love. God bless the Queen.
Re dissing Elizabeth, I was told by an indigenous friend who read o social media ( so this is third hand) a native leader advising his fellows to cool it with their knocks on Elizabeth.," She's an elder. We respect all elders."
Good read, we all need some "Chin Up" reporting to counter the shallowness of these last years.
I am tired just reading the journey the Salmon make.
I wonder if forest fire smoke has an effect, either positive or negative on the food the fish depend on in the interior lakes?
The yearly spawn of Kokanee on Kootenay lake is in full swing. In another week I'll start my day at first light with my long lens trying to get shots of the loons and mergansers trying to swallow one. Most spawn in the creeks, but there are a sizeable number that spawn in shallow gravel on the shore at favorable spots. Including one across the highway, down a trail just minutes from home.
Kootenay Lake saw a collapse in Kokanee, followed by a collapse of the large Gerard trout that fed on them. Meadow creek at the north end of the lake has a spawning channel that would see half a million fish; for the last few years it hovers around 10,000. It was amazing to peer into the deep eddies of the Lardeau river and see hundreds of redfish, but I felt a small measure of the sadness you described a short while ago among the indigenous as they look into waters that were teeming with life but no longer.
Oddly the main lake has a 4 year spawn cycle, and the west Arm, from Balfour to Nelson is 3 years. The arm is hanging on, with two days per year opening for catching Kokanee. The spawn was down but the fish were large and healthy.
Right now you can see them about 200 meters off shore, both by the water birds and them touching the surface. As the water cools they move closer to shore, and when the temperature is right they come 20 feet from the shore to spawn. It is a feeding frenzy for birds, otters and the odd bear. I feel deeply privileged to watch it year in year out.