Shortly after calling Salmon Watch 2024 a done deal on Nov. 10 with 19 coho spawners, more began streaming into lower Fauntleroy Creek. A few volunteers came back on duty to keep counting fish and monitoring drift logs to ensure that newcomers could access the mouth of the creek. By Nov. 24 when the season again appeared to be over, they had tallied 347 vigorous spawners – a considerable increase over the previous high of 274 in 2012.
At least 400 visitors came to see fish and learn about habitat and stewardship. They included student groups ranging from preschoolers to high schoolers.
Tiny “home hatch” fry should emerge from their protective blanket of gravel in three to four months. They will feed in the creek for just over a year before leaving for saltwater.
Photo of Dennis Hinton and this year’s count of spawners by Tom Trulin.