Spawner no-shows...

I've been out looking for spawners a few times since Christmas Eve.  Though we've had much rain it hasn't yet been of the usual amounts in the places where I go to see the fish.  My best prospect for seeing spawners still hasn't reached the flow volume that it needs to, but I thought I would've seen a few fish in there anyway.  So far I've not seen one spawner, carcass or redd this year, but I've not spent that much time, and the conditions haven't been ideal.  I'll be counting on a late run if we get that 4-6" deluge soon in the right area.

Here's a picture of a group of kings in a favorite spot 5 years ago and the same spot today.  Then there's my doctored-up combo scan trying to show that the large one was a big king of 25-40#.

Then there's my doctored-up combo scan trying to show that the large one was a big king of 25-40#.

  Nice photoshopping! 

On Pudding Creek, our first coho showed on Christmas afternoon (late due to no rain) and we've counted 36 fish since then.  As expected, this is turning out to be a bad run year.  Next year will be better.

I saw several carcasses saturday on the S. Fork Eel. Before this recent rain I saw fish holding in pools on the same stretch and even more fish off the main stem.
Hope springs eternal.

Classic noodling pose.

BTW, setting foot in a spawning creek is something I never take lightly.  Over many years I've become quite adept at recognizing the signs of spawning activity, knowing the areas to watch for redds, and I am a firm believer that people (DFG...) should NEVER walk in a spawning stream.  This little creek is one where there is an even coating of moss and silt on the rocks of the streambed.  If a large enough rain event occurs it will turn over the entire streambed and it becomes very difficult to see spawning activity.  Most often though the streambed is only significantly disturbed by spawning activity, so it becomes much easier to see redds and redd-building as the silt and moss are disturbed.  At this time there are no signs at all of any activity in this creek.

Juan - I figured you've been out and about on the South Fork, and I know there are fish around.  The particular creeks that I observe are typically only inhabited by spawners when all other areas of the river are near flood stage.  I've seen and documented spawners in my favorite spot for 11 years straight, so hopefully this won't be the first year with no return to that old-growth spot.

littoral - Noodling?

 

littoral - Noodling?

 

Noodling: Basically a form of bare-handed fishing performed by crazy people.

And What! no surprised bears either,

the ocean was so full of food this year that at lesat the ones that were out there probably did OK, yeah, hope springs eternal,

Definition of a fisherman,

One who is ever hopeful-

Dale L

crazy people

Ah, that would apply to me!     Seriously though - it would never be appropriate to noodle a salmon!  I'd love to give it a go on a catfish some time. 

And What! no surprised bears either,

the ocean was so full of food this year that at lesat the ones that were out there probably did OK, yeah, hope springs eternal,

Definition of a fisherman,

One who is ever hopeful-

Nope, no bears - and I was looking for them!  Did see a deer in the deep woods - that's rare.  It's pretty spooky-lonely out there - awesome therapy, but hyper-vigilant back-watching is crucial.   

BTW, setting foot in a spawning creek is something I never take lightly.  Over many years I've become quite adept at recognizing the signs of spawning activity, knowing the areas to watch for redds, and I am a firm believer that people (DFG...) should NEVER walk in a spawning stream. 

I have to completely disagree with you there.  Spawning surveys are the least intrusive way to quantify fish numbers.  Spawning surveyors around here are capable field biologists that have considerable training in how to walk in spawning streams.  Its easy to be an armchair anything, but the people that work for me and the CDFG biologists in the mendo area are dedicated and conscientious, and they care greatly about these fish.  Its OK to allow legions of steelhead and salmon fishermen to walk around in the streams, but not trained biologists whose intent is to determine how well the fish are doing?

How can you know how the fish are doing if you can't even count them?  Redds are the only physical evidence the fish leave in the streams - and you don't have to impact the fish to count them.

Eric, sorry to disagree....but I do.

There are a bunch of big steelies at the Nimbus hatchery now.

Eric, sorry to disagree....but I do.

Don't be sorry, Dave - I'm glad to have the opportunity to discuss it, and I'm stoked to hear that you and others doing the work down there are so conscientious - I came off wrong originally because I do believe that most/all the folks doing the work do care alot about the resources.  However, I've witnessed what I consider careless trampling, so that's where my statement came from.  I'll re-phrase:  I feel that more emphasis should be put on doing as little as possible to disrupt live fish in the streams and the highest priority should always be put on not disturbing redds.

Thanks for caring!