Springs are Cute Enough to Kiss

So the sockeye run is winding down but the fall weather made it a perfect day to get back on the Fraser where the Spring and Chum salmon are making up for the difference.  Rick and Ingrid decided to take daughter Nicole and son-in-law Scott out for the day to learn the finer features of bottom bouncing, and bounce they did!   Nicole poses with her first Spring Salmon, a 30 pounder that stripped line and gave her a fine lesson in yelling "Fish On!, Fish On!, Fiiiiiiiiiish On!"  According to reliable sources, by the end of the battle it was not clear who was more tired, the fish or Nicole!

Just to prove it was no accident a second and third Spring tore off a stretch of line and headed for the Harrison River and eventually landed!   This was followed up by some fine sockeye and the family is all smiles as they contemplate some fine barbecuing to come!

Abe and Manny were determined to get their fair share of the 9,492,400 Sockeye which is the final tally estimated for this years run which passed the counting station at Mission.  This is a strong number but still shy of what was originally predicted.  

The good thing is that water temperatures and flows were favourable that good numbers have reached the spawning grounds and the main push of Adams River fish will hit the Shuswap Area in about 10 days making for a spectacular viewing opportunity.  That is a good way to introduce the kids to the life cycle of the salmon and on your way back to the lower mainland, you can stock up on apples and grapes and veggies at the many Okanagen fruit stands.  Not to mention seeing some of the great pumpkin displays.

Even though sockeye are now dropping off the spring, chum and coho will really start ramping up with freshet rains recharging the local rivers.  Sturgeon are starting to move and can be found near the outlets of tributary rivers feeding on the many salmon carcasses.  Sturgeon will start to congregate in the the lower Fraser from Mission downstream to the Pitt River and this area will start seeing more and more of the big migratory fish many of which will be in the 6 to 8 foot range or larger.  Fall on the lower mainland rivers is really heating up.  Bring it On!