A summer fin-ale
One of the more compelling stories from the natural world is that of the salmon, which, born in a river, head downstream to the ocean as soon as they are able. Then, after swimming about in the vast big blue for one or more years, they find their way back to that selfsame stream in the fall to spawn and create the next generation of the navigationally gifted.
Help welcome the salmon home this fall with the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative at Knight Park this Saturday, Sept. 21.
“It’s an opportunity to celebrate the native Chinook and Coho to their natal streams,” said Staff Scientist and Project and Communications Manager Paul Robertson. “What better place to celebrate salmon than on the Salmon River.”
Salmon-centric activities include “grass fishing,” an activity for kids hosted by Oregon Fish and Wildlife and fish printing for all ages. Americana style music will be provided by Tom O, a local musician known for his warm style and original songs. Snacks of smoked salmon will also be provided.
The highlight of the day, according to Robertson, are the estuary tours.
“We will be offering 45-minute trips up and down the estuary,” he said. “They will be aboard a US Coast Guard-certified pontoon boat. It’s the only thing that we are having to charge for.”
Trips cost $20 per person and registration is required. Sixty spots are available for trips leaving at 10:30 am, 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.
You can also check out the estuary from just offshore.
“We will have a salmon viewing station at the event too,” Robertson said. “It’s a special bucket that has Plexiglass at the bottom that allows you to see deep into the water, it’s pretty fun. People might want to bring boots if they want to do that one.”
Welcoming the Salmon Home runs from 10 am to 3 pm at Knight Park, located at 2341 N Three Rocks Road in Otis.
If you miss this event, there is another one nigh at Knight Park: the Kayaking in the Daylight trip on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 to 1 pm. The guided estuary tour fee is $25 and is BYOB (bring your own boat).
For more information about these and more upcoming events hosted by the Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative, go to cascadehead.org.