So some of the early predictions for the 2014 salmon season are starting to make the rounds. Four years ago, the largest sockeye salmon run in a century resulted in about 36,000,000 fish returning to the Fraser River. The migration of the resulting fry back to the ocean turned out to be very strong and last year the return of immature 2nd or 3rd year salmon were very strong which indicates that the return of mature fish this year should also be strong.
The strong cold upwelling ocean currents of the last few years have brought nutrients to the surface increasing the plankton and krill just in time for the record numbers of salmon fry to feed on them. This year, they are adults and hopefully making their way back to the Vancouver coastal waters and the Fraser River. It is reported that the low estimate for Sockeye are about 7.5 million fish but some estimates are 5 or 10 times that amount. While 10 times seems more than a little improbable, optimistically, 25,000,000 or more Sockeye would be wonderful. The north coast is looking forward to a strong Chinook season this June which hopefully carries on down to the south coast as well. If the Coho runs which have also benefited from the ideal ocean conditions are as strong as last year (and all signs are that they are) it could be a hot time on the water! Here's hoping to lots of tight lines!! (PS, Hopefully you heard it here first)
The strong cold upwelling ocean currents of the last few years have brought nutrients to the surface increasing the plankton and krill just in time for the record numbers of salmon fry to feed on them. This year, they are adults and hopefully making their way back to the Vancouver coastal waters and the Fraser River. It is reported that the low estimate for Sockeye are about 7.5 million fish but some estimates are 5 or 10 times that amount. While 10 times seems more than a little improbable, optimistically, 25,000,000 or more Sockeye would be wonderful. The north coast is looking forward to a strong Chinook season this June which hopefully carries on down to the south coast as well. If the Coho runs which have also benefited from the ideal ocean conditions are as strong as last year (and all signs are that they are) it could be a hot time on the water! Here's hoping to lots of tight lines!! (PS, Hopefully you heard it here first)
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