While we are all celebrating the massive return of the Sockeye, we must remember that only last fall, the forecasts were gloom and doom for the future of the Sockeye Salmon. Now, everyone puffs out their chests and says, wow, 36 million fish. Guess we're OK now. I hope so, but expert or not, we haven't a clue really about what happens from the moment the tiny little eggs hatch next spring, until the adult fish return from the oceans in 4 years time.

Will there be joyus celebration, or will we revert to the dismal numbers and dread of losing a spectacular fish in our rivers. This is one of the major reasons for so many Fisheries personnel on the spawning site this year. They are hoping to learn as much as they can about this fish, to better understand the fluctuations in cycles and survival.

In this picture, the fish congregate, and are resting as they continue their journey upstream to the place of their birth. Will we see these numbers again in 4 years time.

We can hope to learn, and hope for the future of the species