Fell Channel UpdatesDo you ever take a second to stop and look at the water in a creek when you're hiking or walking? I can't say I do unless I am doing something volunteer related. Recently I was walking Fell Channel on Mosquito and came across a pool that is a favorite for dogs, even though no dogs are allowed on this trail on or off the leash. I was actually taking a few pictures to send to the City in an ask for them to fence off this area of creek entirely to protect it from dogs when I witnessed something. A Coho fry had breached the water to feed. It happened so fast I didn't get a good look, then not 10 seconds later it happened again and again. And so I got my phone out to record. Sure enough I was able to get a couple shots of these guys breaching the water. I couldn't see what it was they were feeding on but it was something I had never witnessed before. I wonder if dog owners took a second to see this beautiful display would they stop allowing their dogs to enter the channel to continually destroy it? Coho Fry and Cutthroat Holding in NumbersFurther up the channel there is a sight that occurs every summer. Large numbers of Coho fry and Cutthroat hold in the first pool where the flow enters the channel from the main-stem. It is hard to understand why they choose this area over the rest of the creek, but I have a few guesses:
Sad to see a recurring theme here, DOGS being a large issue. My question is why are all the largest & deepest pools on Mosquito treated as dog swimming pools? It seems it's a given, "Oh this trail is off leash so the whole creek is game. Oh a nice large pool, yup that must mean its a dog swimming pool, right?" Why is everything North of Marine Drive seemingly overly inviting for dogs to come have a swim? I think it's time only some sections of the creek be welcoming to dogs and the rest become fenced off. The equation is very simple: Constant Dog Pressure = Far Less Fish Don't believe me? Check out the spawning beds on Thain Creek. There is not a whole lot special about that area of creek. The pools are not especially deep, as they run straight up and down being that they are man-made, and they are bound by ivy & blackberry bush on either side. ...Yet they yield the highest density of fish on the ENTIRE watershed. Hmmm wonder why that is? Your answer, no dog pressure. Here's a vid of the fish in tight quarters on Fell Channel.
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AuthorKeegan Casidy Archives
January 2020
CategoriesMosquito Creek,
North Vancouver, British Columbia |