It’s not an optical illusion, those are salmon

Spawning coho observed in exceptional numbers

By Erica Ryberg

The South County Spotlight, Nov 25, 2009

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Spawning salmon are swimming through Scappoose and Milton creeks in what Rita Beaston of the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council said are better than average numbers.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is reporting 60 coho salmon already this year in the fish monitoring traps at Bonnie Falls in the north fork of Scappoose Creek.

“It’s better, but there’s lots of room for improvement,” Beaston said. “The numbers have been very, very low for a long time.”

For the last 15 years, there’s been no fishing in area creeks because of low salmon numbers, but Beaston said that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile to get down to area creeks and tributaries and do some fish watching to help track salmon.

“Keep your eyes open for fish,” said Beaston, whose agency works throughout the year to improve salmon habitats. “We’d like to know how far and where we’re actually seeing fish.”

The seemingly increased number of salmon passing through Scappoose and Milton creeks mirrors a recent trend reported throughout tributaries around the state.