“One of those years” is how Fauntleroy Creek/Watershed steward Judy Pickens put it as she shared this report, after volunteers spent two weeks watching for fish that just didn’t show up:

After two weeks of ideal habitat conditions – 12-foot tides, rain to flush the creek, no obstructions – salmon watchers have gone home after spotting just one coho spawner. That fish had just nosed into the creek as the tide ebb, leaving it there to the mercy of two very active river otters.

This is not the only year we’ve had so few fish. Last year’s 274 was an exciting aberration. Other recent counts: 14 (2011), 0 (2010), 18 (2009), 2 (2008), 89 (2007), 0 (2006).

Early reports of lots of coho in the Sound didn’t hold true here. We always have tribal fishing, sometimes right in the cove, and noise from construction on land near the ferry terminal likely wouldn’t have affected spawners in the water.

Next year should be great!