Close call at the NFL Coho Hatchery

[Fast Water]

Took the family up to the hatchery today to look at the water. The water dropped down about 4" from the last time I looked at it.

The Hatchery Manager said that the river was but a couple feet from knocking out their primary pumps. :shocked:

The smolt ponds look much better today and and he said that they will wait until the regular cleaning to remove any residual silt.

We looked at the incubation trays and though they were cleaned last night there was still quite a bit of silt in them from continuing deposition. It souldn't take that long to clear up.

The wife and kids very much enjoyed their inside tour of the hatchery. :grin: I encourage all families to visit your local hatcheries and enjoy the wealth of information available. It was a very teachable outing for our family.

:grin: :grin:

[KingFisher85]

No pictures for us to day Mark? :wink:

[Fast Water]

Nope. Thought I'd give the bandwidth a little rest. :wink:

I would like to take some pictures this spring of the hatchery process with description and the like. If I can distract myself from fishing that is..... :hoboy:

[KingFisher85]

Well I noticed the river came down to 38K and the EF is down to 5K i think.

[JeepMcMuddy]

Hey Mark, is the hatchery open to public tours? I live down in vancouver, and owuld get a kick out of seeing the process. Is there a number I can call to arrange that?

Matt "JeepMcMuddy"

[Fast Water]

Jeep,

I'm not sure if it is "open" per se I've never asked, but these people are really nice and I'm sure Aaron (Hatchery Manager) will take the time to show you around. He has mentioned several times that it is part of his job.

One of the cooler (pun intended) things there is their walk in deep freeze. The have a 20+ pound Coho and a 43 pound Chinook hung up in there. Fair warning. It's negative 10 degrees in there. Brrrrr......

The Hatchery number is 360-225-7413

[Irie1]

Fast water. Any tellin whether the EF or the NF are going to be in fishable shape by the time of the sportsman show

[Fast Water]

Irie1,

I would say yes and yes.

The NFL is at 19K and dropping. The color is nice. EFL is at 3K and dropping. I have not seen the color but I would imagine it will be in good shape in a day or so.


NAVIGATION WARNING NFL:

I have seen something equivalent to a small forest floating down the NFL the past couple of days. We have not had flows like this in a few years and all boaters will need to take it easy for a bit until things clear up and you get a handle on situation.

:grin:

[Irie1]

Thank you !!!!! Will be stopping in friday after the show, hopefully for another good word or two.


thanks again
Irie1