End

of the

Run

11/23/03

At the southern tip of Puget Sound, at the mouth of Kennedy Creek, the annual run of fall Chum Salmon is coming to a close. As the thousands of fish make the attempt at going upstream to spawn, fishermen try to head a few off at the pass.

The fish that make it, will lay their eggs, fertilize them, then die. Many will wash back down the creek and into the Sound, where low tide reveals their carcasses -- for the gulls and other scavengers.


The young man has hooked his first fish as dad shows him how to do it--	Like this?

You got him ! Now reel him in !	For them, it's catch and release!


The experienced fly fisherman couldn't keep them away.	While his friend's first catch was quite a thrill.

	In the meantime, less then a mile away, nature was busy.
Female salmon dug nests in the gravel, while males strutted their stuff trying to catch her attention. The most handsome will be allowed to fertilize her eggs.

Finally, when all is said and done -- all was said and done.