We had a very intense , very wet, snow on the afternoon of December 23. It made a nice Christmassy picture. I had to sweep the boat top a few times, so the heavy slush wouldn't stretch the canvas. By bedtime it was raining.
Thursday, 31 December 2015
changes: urchins, kelp, dolphins, orcas
Green urchins dominate the bottom in large areas. This is a patch in Q Cove. In the extreme these are called urchin barrens, and appear to result from the Sea Star Wasting Syndrome which killed most of the starfish from California to Alaska. The sea stars ( starfish is the old term ) would be a top predator on the bottom and kept everything in balance. I've posted about this before, but now the cause is know to be a virus. The sea star population seems to be coming back. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/scientists-solve-mystery-of-west-coast-starfish-deaths/
Kelp has disappeared from many areas because the urchins graze it off before really gets started growing. This photo shows a kelp patch holding on in November. Bull kelp is an annual plant.
Although there are many local spots where the kelp forests have disappeared such as locations in Georgia Strait, there are other exceptional examples. I have noticed that on the south side of Race Point to Middle Point in Discovery Passage, the usual extensive kelp bed was gone this year, but on the north side of Race Point into Menzies Bay, the kelp bed was wide and strong as usual.
The most unusual thing was the several kelp stems that appeared in the Tyee Pool, on the south part, near the Can Bouy. That was a new thing, and a set of challenges for rowing precious lures around.
The Pacific White-Sided Dolphins have become a regular sight in summer. I think that it is a newer development to see them often in winter. Here is a gang in November in front of the Tyee Club clubhouse,( which is closed until the rowing season begins July 15 when the big chinooks come home. )
Also note how tall the boat houses appear in the background due to high winter tides and high river level in the river .
These Orcas ( Killer Whales ) are likely looking for seals in the mouth of the Campbell River. This is November. These are the mammal eating type of orcas, which have been called Transients but are re-named Biggs Orcas. In recent years they have stayed in the general neighborhood all year round, but they move around a lot to ambush their prey, which include seals ,dolphins, and porpoises.
Humpback Whales
Of course we should not intentionally be so close to whales, but it can happen that one surfaces nearby while we are fishing.
Friday, 23 October 2015
Armin and Bernard
Armin and Bernard are from Italy. They were here fishing rivers in Canada, as Armin has for several years.
Armin contacted me from Chilliwack, where they were fishing for salmon and enormous sturgeon ( catch and release ) in the mighty Fraser River.
" Is it too late in the season for ocean salmon fishing ?"
Well, we can fish for salmon all year round here. Come on up, this just the right time for chum salmon. They enjoyed the ferry and drive up Vancouver Island. Look at those bright beauties !
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
October cohos
Here's a late October coho showing that it is very mature and still bright and feeding like crazy !
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Dale, Lyn, Cory, Nancy
,
Targeting chum salmon and a bonus coho comes aboard as well. While we were trolling slowly along Separation Head, this massive surprise must have come around the corner at depth and suddenly it surfaced close beside us. Didn't see that coming.
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