2012 Spawner Followup

I headed back upstream two days ago and everything was still blown out.  I also saw that the creek Dave and I hiked along two weeks ago has been heavily affected by the 20" of rain in the area.  All the spawning activity he and I saw is gone - there's no two ways about it.  The entire creek is transformed.  Places where large stumps and logs had created features in the creek are now gone - washed away.  The water got higher than I've seen in 15 years.  I went back today and got up onto a smaller tributary and was relieved to see that it had fared much better.  I could tell the water had been up very high, but the stream had maintained its previous character.  Today it was just starting to clear to about 6".  As I approached the creek I spotted 5 fish working 2 redds right away.  I went on to see 8 fish on 5 redds.  This is reassuring to see fish that have gotten through very thick and muddy, high velocity water to get here, and it's even earlier than I usually see fish up there, but it's tough to have seen how devastated the main creek got.  Looking forward to some clearer water soon and hopefully a late surge of fresh spawners that can make this year a successful one. 

Such awesome photos Eric!    I'd love a day in the woods like that.  Haven't seen any steelies up my creek yet, but the conditions have been perfect for them for the last 4 days or so.  Thanks for the Nature and Fish Porn 

Thanks, Al.   

I got back there today for an hour.  Water's clearing but still milky greenish.  Saw 15 fish and 5 or 6 new redds.  A very large male was hanging on a nicely developed redd as two smaller (~10 pound) females fought over him.  I had the video off when I see him quiver up next to one of the hens and then a big white cloud appeared.  True 'Nookie!   

Thanks, Al.   

I got back there today for an hour.  Water's clearing but still milky greenish.  Saw 15 fish and 5 or 6 new redds.  A very large male was hanging on a nicely developed redd as two smaller (~10 pound) females fought over him.  I had the video off when I see him quiver up next to one of the hens and then a big white cloud appeared.  True 'Nookie!   

You are truly a pescado voyeur!    Thanks for the beautiful scenery pics and fish porn 

Ultra cool Eric,

thank you for sharing your passion(shared by me)of watching ma nature do her thing. Bringing this to us honors the fish and is of the highest virtue. Shannon

Thanks Shannon and Antonio.     Couple clips of the big male and his two girlfriends as well as a smaller fish which seems to want to munch on some roe. 

thanks for sharing that , pretty awesome!

Very cool!!

 

I learn so much here on NCKA and from posts like this one...

THANK YOU!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks Eric,

Makes me want to get out in the woods, with the rain, something I haven't done enough of lately, 

The real deal, hope for future populations there.

  Very cool 

Gorgeous country and Amazing Wildlife it dont get much better then that,

Im rooting for those salmon right now

Thanks for sharing

Solid work Eric, very nice video. 

that was some nice shootin', Tex!

I too, am rooting for the salmon.
The west coast didn't have much in the way of buffalo, it had salmon for the early people instead.
Seeing those fish in their habitat, makes me think on how many times those scenes have played out over the centuries. Cool.
The world keeps on turning....

Very cool report Eric! Awesome pics