Author: aadogelis@gmail.com

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Here’s an interesting little story that highlights some unexpected salmon activity, although it doesn’t directly involve the Fraser River. The Upper Georgia Basin, specifically north of Nile Creek on Vancouver Island, typically sees Pink salmon as its dominant run during even-numbered years. In contrast, the Fraser River, along with Howe and Puget sounds, experiences large Pink salmon runs in odd-numbered years.

This year, the number of Even Year Pinks in the Upper Georgia Basin has been extraordinary. According to the Pacific Salmon Commission’s test fishery at the Area 12 Blinkhorn sites, the 2024 purse seine test fishery in Area 12 was nearly four times the brood (parental) level and almost 30 times greater than the previous three cycles (2016, 2018, 2020).

Interestingly, some Pinks have been recorded far south off the Southwest Coast of Vancouver Island in the Area 20 PSC test fishery, which is unusual for an even-year run. Even more surprising, a few Pinks have been spotted in the Fraser River this year during the Brownsville Bar test fishery. There was even a photo posted on Facebook showing a Pink salmon caught off Bowen Island.

These are indeed interesting times for salmon enthusiasts!