FISH TALES: Elliott Bay leaping; Fauntleroy Creek counting

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two fish tales tonight:

ELLIOTT BAY LEAPING: We’ve been hearing about this for a while, and finally got some video from Brian. People ask why the fish are leaping; theories include trying to rid themselves of lice!

(added Sunday) Thanks to John Saalwaechter for video with a closer view of the jumping fish:

(back to original Saturday night report) FAUNTLEROY CREEK COHO: On the eve of Sunday’s “open creek” (go to the overlook at upper Fauntleroy/SW Director and wait to be called down), 1-3 pm, creek steward Judy Pickens tells us that volunteer watchers have counted 17 spawners in the creek so far. “Despite the rain and cold, our watchers are doing a great job documenting the fish and creek conditions.”

momosmom November 3, 2024 (6:24 am)

My Father if he were still alive today (108) he would tell us salmon jump like that in open water to rid themselves of sea lice and the salmon that we had caught had those small lice on them, some had less, some had more. So I believe it to be true

Science Teacher November 3, 2024 (8:09 am)

Note that these particular leaping fish are pointed toward the mouth of the Duwamish River. I hypothesize that these are salmon who are working their way “upstream” to spawn. The leaping against a current or small wave is instinctive. After heavy rains, I suspect these leaping fish in the video have sensed outflow and current and trace elements from the Duwamish River, and are headed that way. I surmise that the large J-pod presence in the area, spawners appearing in Fauntleroy Creek, and leaping salmon in the Bay are all part of the same phenomenon.

newnative November 4, 2024 (9:57 am)

Except that there are other fish doing the same thing in other directions and not even in the bay. I saw them several weeks ago outside of the bay going away from the river.

Kate November 3, 2024 (9:15 am)

Ahhhh! Thank you! Witnessing the same thing in Colvos (west side of Vashon) and was wondering what was going on there. You can take the girl out of West Seattle, but you can’t take take the West Seattle Blog outta the girl!

Svenry November 3, 2024 (3:10 pm)

I took this on October 22nd from Duwamish Head. It’s been amazing to see so much activity for so long. Some days it’s like looking into a crowd of camera flashes with the salmon jumping all over the bay/sound.

WSB November 3, 2024 (3:18 pm)

You are a great photographer! Professional? We need help! Your orca (and now fish) photos have been highlights this week!

Matt B November 3, 2024 (4:20 pm)

To the busy body gray curly haired person with black beanie at Cove Park this afternoon—you owe me and my kids an apology for ruining our afternoon. You don’t know the rules, it’s not your job to enforce them, and you were 100% wrong to make a bunch of incorrect assumptions about me and to use a profanity to me. You are a coward and must be a miserable person.

Derp November 3, 2024 (11:01 pm)

If you were fishing for salmon, the area is closed. You can fish from the dock at Seacrest year round, but Elliott bay is only open a few days a year.
- Matt B November 4, 2024 (7:29 am)
  
  Not fishing, just hanging out with my two little kids and dog, sitting on a log. Along with about 5 other dogs I saw there, because dogs are allowed at this spot (surprise! Look it up). But the miserable person decided to lecture me and accuse me of “doing the s**t all the time at Alki,” which came from nowhere and is patently untrue. When confronted with the truth, backed by others who also informed them, did they consider they might be wrong and apologize? Of course not! Always certain, frequently wrong…and definitely stuck up.
- Cbf November 4, 2024 (2:20 pm)
  
  Elliot Bay is open for salmon fishing right now.
- Cbf November 4, 2024 (2:53 pm)
  
  That is not correct. Elliott Bay is open for Salmon fishing. Check the regs.

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