Salmon Spawning in Clayoquot Sound

Rite of death - Ritual of triumph

It happens come Fall, beginning in late September, gearing up toward the 2nd week of October, and well into November; it’s been happening for eons. But, and still, it remains a wonder of the natural world.

Here, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island we are privileged with the opportunity to watch firsthand, the culmination of this epic journey.

Of the five species of Salmon, perhaps it is fitting that the largest, the majestic, powerful ‘Chinook’, should be the first of the five to run the gauntlet; valiantly wrestling with impossible, betimes, insurmountable odds to complete the almost mythical mystery of its’ life cycle. Undaunted by rapids, log jams, predators, storms, gaping wounds; battered, bloated, and discolored they persevere until the goal is achieved:

To return to where it all began four years ago; the dappled stream, the shallow creek, or the shimmering pond where their lives began, and where once reached, their lives will end. So when finally, against the horrific odds, defying the mathematical probabilities, they arrive at the place their particular destiny dictates; they spawn, and soon after, they die.

But - it’s not over, the cycle continues;

dozens of Bald Eagle, King Fisher, Herring Gull, Heron & Crow perching on the ancient limbs of the Old Growth Rain Forest swoop down skimming the pools, harvesting manageable morsels discarded by the rotund Black Bears (many of whom are nearly as wide as they are long, so stuffed are they). The Bears are gorging their last meals just prior to their winters hibernation.  

Soon, into late November and early December the mink slink across the banks, the Turkey Vultures arrive for the final cleanup

A Tiny Salmon fry emerges from beneath the pebbled pond bed, and overhung banks to feed before embarking on her departure.
Wrestling against horrific odds, defying the mathematical probabilities, those who survive the ordeal will arrive at the place this particular phase of her destiny dictates, it is of course, her natural habitat, the Sea. As she’s a survivor, she will grow strong and powerfully wise in a fish/sea like way, and then, when her span is nearing the end, she again will brave the horrors, valiantly wrestling with impossible, betimes, insurmountable odds to complete the almost mythical mystery of her life cycle.

Undaunted by rapids, log jams, predators, storms, gaping wounds;
battered, bloated, and discolored she will persevere until the goal is achieved: she is back to  where it all began, the pond where she was hatched; on the pebbled bottom she will deposit her eggs, and thus, the eons pass.

This really IS a “MUST SEE” There is a  Hatchery in Tofino, but the best location for this spectacle is just beyond the Junction, a pleasant 30 minute drive from Tofino.

The experience is somewhat one fancies, like being present on the day of creation—fish swimming, arching over the boulders, flopping on the banks; birds, swooping about in a frenzy, Black BEARS (often with cubs) —splashing about in the water gorging themselves in the dappled light of the pools, their black coats bejeweled with water droplets, dazzling in the light. Spectators are on a catwalk about 5 feet above;  it’s a dramatic and powerfully moving experience.  

The location is THE THORNTON CREEK HATCHERY their program is dedicated to Salmon Enhancement.
do note that my description ends with, ‘and thus the Eons pass’--------well! Unless or until there is a dramatic change in policy with a more enlightened view from the Federal Government of Canada, and some creative commitment to the hatchery programs, undoubtedly, ‘Eons will pass’  but the activity in the sea, in particularly as it relates to Salmon is dismal. If you are a fisherman, you, or I, just might catch the last Salmon!---yes! The prognosis really is poor!

We at Clayoquot-Orca  are very pleased to be active supporters of the Salmon Enhancement programs, both in Tofino, and the Thornton Creek Hatchery. This fall we are making plans to host a  fundraising breakfast and dinner, as well as some special lounge/musical nights in the Chuckling Oyster Lounge at Clayoquot-Orca Resort with proceeds going to these programs. We feel privileged to live in this soo special world of Clayoquot Sound. Of course it’s  a delight to introduce our guests to the plethora of special activities and adventures, we in our small way are enthusiastic about helping to insure that Tofino and Clayoquot Sound retain the marvels that draw the world to our shores.

Activities