Approximately 25 dedicated and eager docents, and SPSSEG and MCD staff congregated in the Kennedy Creek parking lot on that crisp, sunny, autumn day.

All enjoyed a fascinating talk on salmon biology Steve Schroder, a WDFW salmon research biologist, a salmon dissection by Bruce Stewart, fish pathologist from the NWIFC, and a guided walk through the trail by long-time, expert docent Ken Guza.

I think it is safe to say we all left energized and excited for the opening weekend (Nov. 1) of the Trail.

In other news…

One of the aims of this blog is to track the progression and change in the creek throughout the month of November.  To follow this transformation, I will provide weekly descriptions of the creek from Station 3, the bridge overlooking Fiscus Creek, and Stations 8/9.

During the Saturday (Oct. 25) training, temperatures rose to around 60 degrees F as the sun emerged.  The vine maples were aflame with the color yellow, as they underwent their winter senescence.  As I walked the trail I welcomed the scents of the fresh autumn air, the decomposing leaves, and the earth itself.  Clear water peacefully flowed through Kennedy Creek and it’s tributary, Fiscus Creek.

The water that flowed by Station 3 barely reached the level of the side channel that runs directly in front of the mesh netting viewing area.  Leaves and assorted detritus covered the side channel gravel.

The benthic zone, or bottom of the stream, was composed of substrate that ranged from fine sediment to medium sized gravel.  I expect that once salmon are actively spawning in the stream channel, the fine sediment will be displaced from the suction created by the female as she ‘digs’ her nest, or redd, a word that has Scottish roots meaning “to clear or tidy.” Females will indeed ‘clean’ and ‘sort’ the gravel in their redds and thereby displace the organic matter that now darkens the gravel in the stream.

The Fiscus Creek bridge overlooked what amounted to a trickle of water, certainly not high enough to accomodate the large-bodied chum.  The water flowed its low, well-worn pathways, and detritus blanketed the stream banks.

At Stations 8/9, the water was high enough to be approximately 4 to 5 feet from the mesh netting at the viewing station.  It was here that a single, diligent male chum was seen making his way up the creek.

This one salmon was a contrast from the 10 or so males I saw that navigated their way up the creek almost two weeks ago.  Here the stream bed also appeared dark with organic material, and very sandy.  It would seem that this sandy bottom would be an unsuitable substrate for the chum, who require medium sized gravel for their redds.

As the season progresses, we can all expect these conditions to change dramatically.  Please check back next week for continuing updates, including current photos.  Of course, don’t forget to visit the trail and experience the magic for yourself!