Nature Vancouver Trip to Adams River
Trip Report by Cynthia Crampton
From October 11th to 13th, 2022, thirty-two members of Nature Vancouver participated in this trip to witness the dominant year migration of the sockeye salmon. Twenty members traveled by Enjoy the Journey chartered bus, and twelve by private vehicles. We all stayed at the Sorrento Conference Centre, on the Shuswap Lake.
After reaching the Centre, some of them settled in but most of them went down to visit Shuswap Lake, on the property.
Next day – to the River! The Salute to the Salmon volunteers were on the River, First Nations Guardians and others. We learned that the silver salmon leaving the ocean turn red when entering the fresh water river. They do not eat during the 18 or so days it takes them to reach Adams River. They then seek out the exact spot – the exact spot – where they were born, four years earlier. There, the females build their redd and deposit their eggs, and the males, fertilize them. Covering her eggs, the female then dies, as does the male. Their work is done.
We watched this happening from the observation spots on the river. We saw Fisheries scuba divers removing tags from returning fish, all containing valuable information. The drought and high temperatures have delayed many sockeyes from coming in to the river, but we saw enough to see the drama. We hiked around the Roderick Haig-Brown provincial park, now renamed, in the spirit of reconciliation, Tsútswecw Provincial Park. Haig-Brown was such an icon, instrumental in saving this area for the fish migrations, and I hope his name is not forgotten. Evidently, his family were consulted about the name change, and approved it. We hope the fish will make it to Adams River once the river temperature lowers. It is a race, as the longer they have to wait, the weaker they will become.
En route home, we stopped at Stake Lake, and hiked around it. The hills and vegetation are dry, and need rain, but are stunningly beautiful. Signs of autumn leaves were everywhere.
To be a part of this cycle of nature, is a privilege, and was not lost on any of us. And to do this in the company of our friends in Nature Vancouver – what a pleasure.
Thanks to Sorrento Conference Centre for their hospitality, for the young bus driver, Lacey, who drove us there, and for all who contributed to our journey.
So much for the memory book. Thank you.
