Destination BC Chun Lee
Visitors at the event can observe the salmon in their natural habitat and there ar self-guided tours on trails and large viewing platforms.
Words by Steve Fennell
There are salmon runs every fall on the Adams River but 2022 marks the dominant year when thousands of sockeye return to their spawning grounds in Tsútswecw (Roderick Haig-Brown) Provincial Park to end their four-year life cycle.
One of the most significant biological events of its kind in North America that attracts upwards of 200,000 people from all over the world, the sockeye run signifies the end of the species’ long journey. This includes laying their eggs, migrating to the Pacific Ocean and then returning to the Adams River to spawn again.
To better understand the salmon run, The Adams River Salmon Society is hosting the Salute to the Sockeye that will be held from September 30 to October 23. Although the largest run consists of Chinook every year from September to mid-October, expect to see the sockeye spawning from September through to early November. Pink salmon spawn as well from late September to late October, every odd-numbered year.
Destination BC Josh Humbert
The salmon in the Adams River.
The event provides the opportunity for visitors to observe the salmon running in their natural habitat and includes self-guided tours on accessible trails as well as large viewing platforms. Interpretive walking tours are also led by members of BC Parks, The Adams River Salmon Society, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
These tours provide additional insight into the environment, the species and their life cycle. Educational seminars in the Adams River Salmon Society Interpretive Cabin are also presented.
While the salmon run is the main attraction, the event has a number of services including concessions from local businesses, cultural entertainment, and a popular artisan market. This is where you can browse a variety of original First Nations artwork, photography, pottery, sculptures, jewelry, soaps and more. Potable water and portable washroom facilities are also on-site.
The event is free of charge to BC students from grades two to five while entry fees are $10 per vehicle or $3 per person. All of the proceeds support the event as well as the Legacy Fund, which provides funding to community groups in the Shuswap.
For more details on Salute to the Sockeye visit www.salmonsociety.com or follow updates of the event at www.facebook.com/AdamsRiverSalmonSociety.