Dreams of the Stilly

One of my favorite daily reads is the Stillaguamish Steelhead Society Blog. It's nothing more than a picture of the famed Stilly taken from the same spot everyday. I always find it interesting to see the different flows, the varying light, and though chained to the desk I'm momentarily transported to the river. This recent shot shows the first hint of snow that is now hitting the Puget Sound area in full force, classic steelheading conditions.

Too bad there are not many steelhead left in the Stilly or other Puget Sound rivers.

Take Action! Protect the Thompson From Hatcheries

Photo: Brian Niska

The definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

From Osprey Steelhead News

This year, for the second time this decade, fisheries mangers opted not to open the BC's legendary Thompson River. For the last 5 years returns have hovered at extremely low levels, with only 800-1200 fish returning annually. Now, with steelhead stocks critically depressed some ill informed angler groups are calling for a hatchery program. Thirty years of science and recovery efforts elsewhere have demonstrated that hatchery fish are not adequate replacements for wild and that when spawning in the wild, their reproductive success is often reduced as much as 90%. Adding a hatchery on the Thompson would only serve to further depress wild stocks. At this point the wild population cannot afford such a setback.

Sign the petition today and tell fisheries managers the Thompson must remain wild.

Don't suppose you've seen my adipose?

Scientists Enlist Seals In Hunt For Steelhead Ocean Hideout

Federal fishery biologists are engaged in a high seas hunt to locate prized Columbia River steelhead.

Scientists want to know where these threatened fish disappear to while they mature in the Pacific Ocean.  To help the search, the researchers have enlisted some unusual -- and furry -- assistants.

LINK (Via: OPB News)

Seals are also being used to chart the ocean floor.

57 elephant seals, which have an electronic tag affixed to their skulls, are being used to collect data about the seafloor's topography, called bathymetry.

LINK (Via: Gizmodo)

Wild Steelhead Need More Advocates!

Wild Steelhead Need More Advocates
by Jack W. Berryman

West Coast wild steelhead populations are disappearing at an alarming rate and if more advocates do not join the fight to save them, they will surely be gone forever. This advocacy must come from those who care most about these magnificent fish. To know them is to love them! And, for the most part, the largest and most knowledgeable potential advocacy group is steelhead anglers.

Read more (Via: The Wild Steelhead Coalition)

Adios El Nino

This spring El Niño conditions have weakened gradually after a winter of mild sea surface temperatures, now scientists at the National Weather Service have announced that the Pacific has officially entered La Niña conditions.

The last two occurances of La Niña conditions have coincided with record breaking returns of both salmon and steelhead in watersheds from Oregon to Vancouver Island.

LINK (Via: Osprey Steelhead News)