First let me say that this is not an advertisement. Second, I
consider this information is kinda like giving away my favorite fishing hole. See, I work in Issaquah and regularly have lunch at Jay Barry's restaurant near Gilman Village. Eating lunch here, I have learned a few new things about salmon than I never would have by just fishing for them. For example, one day I watched as 2 male Chinooks competed for the right to spawn with a female who patiently waited while she cleared her nesting place. The lager male literally herded the other up stream and out of a
long pool. Every time the smaller male changed directions, the larger one was right there cutting him off and guiding him further up steam. Finally, at the end of the pool where a rapid poured in, a breath taking battle between the monster king salmon ensued that must have lasted 10 minutes or more. The little creek was a fury of white water as these two used their powerful bodies and razor sharp teeth to duke it out. Finally the victor (the original larger male) slowly made his way back (backwards) to his mate in the shallow water at the end of the pool. Unfortunately, he was so tired, he was soon washed out of the fast end of the pool down stream not to be seen again. A third male eventually persuaded the female (after some chasing and nipping) that he was an
adequate replacement. Another time I was amazed to see a smaller male latch on to a large Chinook just above the tail like a pit bull on a steak. After watching some of these confrontations, I began to realize that many of the wounds on the spawning salmon are battle wounds from each other. The large hooked jaws and jagged teeth are used much like how a dear or elk would use
its antlers to fight for dominancy and breeding rights.
Anyway, I could go on, but I need hurry and head down for lunch and try to get a creek side seat. Yesterday, the Coho were running and we had to have watched at least fifty cruise passed us in a race to get the hatchery - a few sockeye and Chinook mixed in.

As a side note, isn't the creek and 1/4 mile around the mouth of the creek closed to fishing. Every time I go down there at the State Park, I see several "sportsman" fishing for salmon (don't tell me salmon rods with 20lb test is the tool of choice for bass and trout...). Many people are blatantly snagging right where the creek empties into the lake. I see 'em doing it from shore, wading, and in boats. Who can ya call???
Tight lines!!!

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