CHINOOK HELI-FISH-COUNTING

Shuswap Falls to Mable Lake

In August 1997, Federal Fisheries wanted to establish a base line to be used to facilitate “Heli-Fish-Counting” on this section of the river. A partnership was struck between Fisheries, Triton Environmental Consultants, the Spallumcheen Indian Band and Kalamalka Fly Fishers to catch, tag and release salmon over an eighteen day period (for two seasons). More than 700 salmon were caught. Two different sized hooks were tested for mortality rates. The second year’s test was put on hold due to high water temperatures and high pre-spawn mortality.