outdoorADVENTURES - The river runs red

The river runs red

OCTOBER 2006 — VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10

As nature goes through its colourful fall makeover, it also unveils one of its most spectacular phenomena—the return of the sockeye salmon to their birthing grounds to reproduce and perish. This October, there will be over two million salmon travelling colossal distances, braving predators through strong currents to emerge into the crystal waters of the Adams River.

Situated just west of Salmon Arm and a short 45 minute drive from Kamloops, the Adams River flows through Roderick Haig-Brown Park where the quadrennial Salute to the Sockeye festival takes place. From Oct. 1 to 22, the festival will celebrate the extraordinary journey these fish endure to ensure the continuity of their species. A large number of activities are planned throughout the month.

“There will be an opening ceremony on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. featuring speeches from many parties such as MLAs Kevin Krueger and Claude Richmond, First Nations representatives and major sponsors,” explains Pat Moulton, advisory director to the Adams River Salmon Society for B.C. Parks. “It will also be opening day for many food concessions and local artisans selling their crafts all through the Salute.”

The park offers over 26 kilometres of hiking trails with numerous interpretive panels that explain and demonstrate the life cycle of the sockeye salmon and during the Salute to the Sockeye additional information will be close at hand.

“There will also be interpretive staff available to answer any questions visitors may have. They’re members of B.C. Parks, the B.C. Conservation Foundation and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. They’ll be easy to recognize,” says Moulton.

The interpreters will be on site from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. During the week, school tours will be running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and visitors are welcome to join these as well.

An easy-to-access viewing platform showcases a spectacle of oscillating scarlet red and mossy green shadows, the characteristic colours of the spawning sockeye.

“Although the platform offers great viewing opportunities, visitors are better off walking along the river trails where the water is shallower,” Moulton points out. “As the years go by, the spawning channels change and so do the best viewing points. The trails are also quieter than the platform as the crowd is dispersed,” she adds. The Adams River Salmon Society is currently building a world-class interpretive centre that will showcase the Shuswap region to the world.

“The facility should be fully operational by 2010,” says Moulton. “Our big vision is to make Roderick Haig-Brown Park a year-round destination and a gateway to the North Shuswap.”

The centre, located on the banks of the Adams River, will feature displays of the sockeye salmon and other fauna and flora native to the park, educational workshops and seminars, food concessions and arts and crafts shops. The society also intends to have a strong First Nations presence with local native culture and history represented.

The park has a significant heritage—pictographs on canyon walls display evidence that First Nations people were present long before European occupation. And within the park are several remnants of kekulis (pit houses), which were used to store dried salmon and other foods.

“First Nations [representatives] will be attending the opening ceremonies and will have interpretive displays highlighting their cultural linkages to the salmon and environment,” explains Jeremy Heighton, advisory director to the Salmon Society for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. “In addition, the North Thompson Indian band will also host a display with regards to traditional uses for the returning salmon.”

In previous years, the Salute to the Sockeye festival has attracted over 100,000 people during the three-week period.

“Most visitors come to view the sockeye on the holiday weekend [Canadian Thanksgiving] between Oct. 7 and. 9, so it’s extremely busy,” comments Moulton.

If you choose to visit at this time, expect to wait two to three hours before entering the park. Once on site, you’ll share your experience with over 15,000 other sockeye salmon enthusiasts. Any other day during the three-week event should be a more relaxed affair, although weekends are busier. Whether you choose to try to avoid the crowds, or just go with the flow, it’s a spectacle of colour that shouldn’t be missed!

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