You guys know me by now—I’m a sucker for all things nature and the interconnectivity of species. So, for that reason, I think herring ought to interest you—there’s no more direct link between the health of the Pacific Ocean and Northwest salmon and steelhead runs than the abundance or lack thereof of herring.
Sea lions, humpback whales, seals, seabirds, and salmon and steelhead all depend on herring for its massive protein load. That’s why I recently asked permission to share some images of a herring spawn with you. And a great thanks goes out to Tonic fan and Dean River steelhead guru Adam Tavender, who graciously gave permission to use these images in a post. In response, all of you should head over to Tavender’s Web site, www.adamtavender.com, to check out additional killer images from the herring spawn and his travels with a fly rod. Awesome stuff!
Roe collects on the beach after high tide.
Ok, the herring spawn. In many places around the Pacific Northwest, herring move into the shallows to spawn on kelp. I’ve harvested herring during the spawn around Baranof Island in southeast Alaska and it’s an amazing sight. Tavender recently took these pics near Comox, British Columbia.
Ravens battling over the best bites of spawn.
Seiners working the waters for herring and their roe.
Life and death cycle. A spent herring and its contribution to a next generation and all other species that depend on the herring’s success.
Milky herring spawn in the waters near Comox.