saviour fish

Sometimes you need a fish to save the day.

Ty's birthday dawned grey and drizzly.  Not the weather we had hoped for.  Our gusto to head out on a day of outdoor adventures felt dampened and we were inspired to do little other than eat a large breakfast, drink too many cups of coffee and  listen to records (I even let him listen to The Wall since it was his special day- our disparate views on Pink Floyd may be the largest point of contention in our relationship).  But by noon, with the false enthusiasm of someone who just wants to crawl back into bed, we attempted to make the most of the special day headed off into the rain.

The weather was not the only thing stacking against us.  Our next stop was Diana Lake to do a little hike, but not only did we arrive in rain to find that the trail was still covered in a foot of mushy, crusty snow, but also full of recent wolf poop. Wolf poop = wolves (see, my biology degree is useful).  I picked up a pokey looking stick as defense, but we ended up shortening our hike to a bit of a walk due to the nasty walking conditions and, ultimately, my scaredy-cat-ness.  I'm not scared of wolves for my own safety, but have heard too many accounts of attacks on dogs and while Mr. Mase is a big guy, he'd be no match for multiple wolves. I concluded (quite correctly, I might say) that having our dog, the most important thing in the world to Ty, attacked by a wolf was not the stuff of fabulous birthdays.

Wolf poking stick, obviously.

Feeling a bit bummed that the day wasn't working out as we'd hoped, our last ditch at saving the day came down to a fish.  And not just any fish, a saviour fish.

Heading up the Skeena again, we were looking for eulachon activity.  Eulachon (also know as ooligan, oolichan,candlefish and saviour fish) is an anadromous smelt. Best birthday EVER!

What all birthdays need: Interpretive Signage!!

But really, eulachon are exciting.  As the first pulse of nutrition available after a long winter, eulachon are a major food source for both wildlife and First Nations around the rivers that support runs.  Birds and marine mammals (seals and sea lions primarily) crowd into the rivers to feast on the concentration, bringing a flurry activity to the still icy Skeena.  First Nations harvesters can also be found along the shore.  Eulachon are not only the first source of fresh food in many months, but due to their extremely high oil content, can be rendered into grease.  This grease was an incredible trading commodity between nations.

Searching the drizzly Skeena for signs of action

Despite the rain, we did manage to find a frenzy of bird activity (happy birthday, you're welcome!). While my photos don't do it justice, we sat beside the road cheering as we watched the hoard of gulls reeling in the air and then diving into the water only to alight again with the slender fish in their beaks!

We stopped beside a bridge to watch some fishing, chatting with a few of the fishermen.  I was surprised to see that they harvest the fish by dipnet- and even more surprised to see that almost each scoop had a fish or two in it. I could do little but imagine the swarms of slippery, slender fish that must be present underwater for this method of fishing to be effective.

Unfortunately, eulachon are in trouble.  Of the three designatable units identified in B.C., two are listed as endangered (Fraser and Central Pacific Coast).  As a child, I can remember a time when the  Fraser near our home was full of sea lions feeding on eulachon, an event that no longer occurs off of New Westminster because of the sharp decline in that population.  The Skeena/Nass unit is faring slightly better and but is still  listed as Special Concern.  In other words, saviour fish around the province need a little saving of their own.

Nonetheless, the fish were found, the day was saved. We headed back into town for a pint over looking the water.

And, yes, I am available to plan your birthday.  ;)

PS.  My photos are kind of crap, but a couple of wonderful local photographers, Arianne and Mike ('From the Treehouse') took some stunning photos of action on the Skeena this month...check them out here.