Salmon in Idaho

Matt_n_Barb

Matt_n_Barb

Well-known member
Barbara and I have been working in Idaho this summer.
Sawtooth_Morning_Salmon_Smiley_JULY20112.jpg
[/img]

We have been doing topographical surveys of the Salmon River. The weather has been fantastic with morning temps last week 30 and 2 pm temps of 65-75.

We also saw a Chinook last week swim through the pool we were working in. This run is listed under the ESA, and the population is small. It was nice to see the fish.

Matt
 
Last edited:
Wow, what a beautiful setting (provided there are no oil wells right outside the photo). Lucky guy to have that view from the office window.
 
Tod,

No oil wells... Much of the area in the photo is under various conservation easements disallowing development.

Matt
 
Matt,
Thanks for posting that shot. I love it. You happen to live in God's country.
Al

How many miles inland did that Chinook have to swim to get to the spot where you saw it? I forgot what you had told me.
 
Sure is purty country. I was just thinking about the trip I took into the Bitterroots back in 1995 and the 6 Ft. diameter cedar trees we saw in the bottoms. I'd love to go back one day. We all have places that we call 'god's country' and Idaho certainly has to be near the top of the list for me.
 
Al,


The estimate for river miles from Central Idaho to the Pacific is 900 with a 7000 ft elevation gain. It always astounds me that they makes it up or down river. It seems there are 9 downstream dams and it is estimated that every dam contributes 7-12% mortality, add to that the stuff that eats them and other habitat induced loss, it is amazing that any fish return.

Matt
 
Tod,

The Chinook was very dark with white spots where the flesh is beginning to deteriorate, that fish had been in fresh water for 900 miles or more and probably had entered the Columbia River system late last summer or early fall. I hope there was a male around to fertilize the eggs she was carrying.

Last September we saw 3 dead and one live Chinook, 10 miles or so down stream from the area where we saw this one. One of the dead ones was almost 3 feet and that is a large Chinook for the Idaho runs, fresh she might have weighed 30 plus.

Matt
 
Tod,

The Chinook was very dark with white spots where the flesh is beginning to deteriorate, that fish had been in fresh water for 900 miles or more and probably had entered the Columbia River system late last summer or early fall. I hope there was a male around to fertilize the eggs she was carrying.

Last September we saw 3 dead and one live Chinook, 10 miles or so down stream from the area where we saw this one. One of the dead ones was almost 3 feet and that is a large Chinook for the Idaho runs, fresh she might have weighed 30 plus.

Matt
Click to expand...


I've seen them hanging in pools really dark like that - amazing to think about. All the different species and different runs even within species.
 
Al,


The estimate for river miles from Central Idaho to the Pacific is 900 with a 7000 ft elevation gain. It always astounds me that they makes it up or down river. It seems there are 9 downstream dams and it is estimated that every dam contributes 7-12% mortality, add to that the stuff that eats them and other habitat induced loss, it is amazing that any fish return.

Matt
Click to expand...


makes you wonder what it was all like before the dams, and man's imprint on the runs....

Then I start to think about the proposed Pebble Mine in AK and what that might do to that fishery.
 
i read a book once by a wildlife bioligist who's discertation involved staying out there for the whole winter and keeping some hatchery fish runs open. It was very interesting, can't remember the title or author.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top