This morning buck, Emmathedog, and I made our first trip to the upper Chilliwack River to count steelhead. This is the 8th consecutive year we have done this and, as usual we start with saying this is not a population estimate; we simply count fish we see at 3 different sites, at the approximate same date each year. In doing so we establish spawning times and behaviors and, possible trends. Some comments are usually included.
We lucked out as the rain stopped when we reached Chilliwack Lake. Gate locked and about a foot of snow greeted us but it was well packed so walking to the lake outlet was easy, especially for our 3rd crew member. The water level at the lake spawning area was the lowest we have seen but there is still plenty of gravel for fish to spawn on now, and way more when the lake level raises. Water conditions for observations were acceptable and we saw none. On the approximate same date in 2015 we saw 2; in 2016 we saw 7. No counts in other years were made at this app. date.
Centennial Channel was next and here we saw the usual vandalism we see every year – trees chopped down across the channel, garbage left, beer tins, etc. DFO has left the gate valve to the channel open so there is as much water in the channel as we have seen – all for the good, in our opinion. No fish were seen today, and no fish were seen in other years on this app. date.
Last stop was the Middle Creek bridge pool and spawning pad. Visibility was limited and none were observed. The only other app. dates for comparisons were in 2015, when we saw 5, and 3 in 2016. While looking for fish from the bridge we watched a float drift down … still attached to a rod and an angler. This dude was hidden under the bridge so he was not visible from the road, and when confronted claimed he did not know the area was closed. Right. His gear was high end .. this guy knew where he was. He left right away.
On returning we stopped at the hatchery where staff were spawning steelhead. The manager thought 40 females and a few less males were captured for brood. Interestingly, the hatchery staff were unable to capture many fish this season, suggesting there were not many to be found in the first good holding water in the closed area.
Much more in the next 6-7 weeks.
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Topic: 2018 steelhead counts in Chilliwack River (Read 28552 times)