Salmon Fry to Freedom

April 6th, 2009 Glendale Cove, Knight Inlet I am now well into my 5th week here in Glendale Cove and it's all go as the weather warms and the fish numbers increase rather rapidly. Over the past two weeks the number of salmon fry being caught by our 'Fry Splitter' has increased to a handsome 8,000 per day. The fry splitter is designed to catch only 5% of the total fish which are making their way down river and out to sea.

The fry splitter is set up on the 1986 DFO man-made spawning channel and in the midst of the late summer and early fall, this channel is loaded with thousands of spawning adult Pinks, and in the company of the pinks are a handful of hungry grizzlies who are making the most of this opportunity to feast.

In addition to the fry catcher, we have another fish catching gadget which is set up on the natural river that leads to the mouth of Glendale Estuary and finally out to sea, their waterway to freedom.

We are anticipating the 'peak' to occur anytime from now until about mid April, which has been the pattern over the past 2-3 years. It is a joy to witness the beginning of a salmons life, as well I feel very responsible, because for a split second we literally have their future in our hands. As Pink salmon only have a 2 year life cycle, it is crucial there numbers are high 1 out of every 2 years. It is one specie that could easily become obselete they not managed appropriately.

Today we worked along side the river wearing only T-shirts! Although we are making the most of this recent warm spell with the weather, we realise that along with sunshine comes snow melt, therefore the rivers will begin to rise as May approaches, making fish catching difficult. Stand by for more adventures in Glendale Cove.