On the last Saturday of 2023 I went down to where Comox Avenue meets Brooklyn Creek to replenish the brochures at the bridge, and met a family who where all excited about having just seen fish jumping up the fish ladder. I was very surprised to hear this as it’s too late in the year for spawners to be in the creek. However, as the story unfolded it turned out that the “fish” were not what I imagined. I was thinking 12 inches and over, however when they explained the size of fish, their fingers showed “about 2 inches”!
After replenishing the brochures I walked to the fish ladder, and sure enough, with patience and good eyes I saw the little guys trying their best to go against the strong current from the recent heavy rainfalls. They are most likely coho fry. I thought no one would believe this story so I videoed and the results are below… Let me know what you think about this unusual occurence…
Alan – good video – who would have thunk it?
I have heard about coho going upstream as late January.
Robert, do you mean full-size coho?
Wow !
great observations by the family and thanks for actually capturing this on ‘film’. these look remarkably energetic. either coho parr or possibly baby cutties. very cool.
I received several new signups, and a lot of reaction/responses to this news. Here are some excerpts:
Thanks Alan, very interesting! I am guessing these small fry (likely coho?) had been swept downstream by the recent heavy rains, and are now trying to re-establish themselves further upstream. As I say, this is a guess on my part. The info I have found below suggests that the fry may either upstream or downstream to rear.
Cheers,
John
ps. here is some info from the Chapter by K. Sandercock in the book Pacific Salmon Life Histories:
Coho fry from small tributaries may move upstream or down- stream to rear and may occupy areas not accessible to adult coho (Neave 1949). At a length of 38-45 mm (Plate 18), the fry may migrate upstream a considerable distance to reach lakes or other rearing areas (Godfrey 1965).
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This is what I was able to find out from a friend who is quite knowledgeable.
J.
Subject: Re: Brooklyn Creek News
No I’m not surprised. Juvenile Coho Salmon move around the watershed a lot more than we think that’s why it is very important to eliminate fish barriers. They do this to seek the most suitable habitat for growth and safety. In the winter they will gravitate to backwaters that have lots of cover and food where the water is usually a bit warmer for optimum growth. Those fish they saw were probably seeking a winter refugia site upstream (warmer with higher dissolved oxygen). In the summer they move to coolwater refugia sites that are fed by cool groundwater.
Fish always have a story to tell 🙂
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
What an interesting event, and a lucky encounter with those folks who spotted the little fry trying to make it up the ladder. I’m glad you had the opportunity to video the little guys for all of us to enjoy.
J.N.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Great u-tube post Alan! I wonder if they are cut-throat.
I will look for them.
I.M.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Excellent 🤓
G.M.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It’s amazing what those small fry do! Already honing their instinctive jumping skills.
Thanks for observing this and filming it, Alan.
F.Y.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Great news Alan! Soon it will be 25 pound coho jumping up Brooklyn creek!
Cheers
Ron
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OH NO!!!! They don’t have any fat reserves for this sort of activity. If they landed on a rock they’d probably die. Did you YELL at them to stop it? I think this is bad news 😢.
M.S.
A comment from YouTube:
@thecount1001
fantastic. very exciting. they are called parr at this point and will be smolts by spring!