Description
The Coho Salmon: Oncorhychus kisutch
These salmon are bright silver with a metallic blue dorsal surface and so they are nicknamed “Silver Sides” or “Bluebacks”. They live about three years. The average catch is between six and twelve pounds. Coho can reach a length of three feet and a weight of thirty pounds growing rapidly the last year. They come back from the ocean to their freshwater home streams at this time. With water temperatures becoming too warm, and their streams being polluted by chemicals, these fish are on the endangered list. Environmental groups and sport fishers are doing much to rehabilitate streams and rivers.
The Cooper’s Hawk: Accipiter cooperii
This isn’t a common hawk and would be found eating small birds and mammals more often than fish but I happened to see one one my hike and so it found its way into these salmon after I laid my washes and the colouring and patterns made me see him again. They nest in tall trees and are very solitary. Just one more reason to manage our forests in a responsible way.
