Where Are the Salmon?

So Friday I went to Brooks Camp.  After our long boat ride, we went to the falls as the main reason for going was to show the Game and Fish Representative our fish ladder at the falls.  We got to the falls platform and a nice size male was eating fish remains and grass.  We looked into the river and for the first time since the salmon arrived at Brooks Falls back in early July I could not see any salmon in the river.  I had been there all most two weeks ago and there were still a fair amount of fish in the water but no more.

After a few minutes of waiting bear number one was joined by bear number two.  Two males about the same size who with their enormous bellies tried to sense each other out.  They hefted their weight and circled around each other but then decided that neither was worth the energy to fight and both headed in their own direction.  After examining the fish ladder it was down to the riffles to see if there were any fish or bears.  At first neither were there.  Then we managed to count about five salmon and with the five salmon came Backpack.  He chased one of the fish around in the water until finally catching it.  We watched as he devoured his meal then left to search for more.  So far all the bears we had seen were three males. 

There must have been a wind storm at the park since everyone left as there were a couple of down trees across the path.  Otherwise, Brooks Camp was pretty quiet.  We stopped to have lunch in the snack shack which is a little building where staff can have lunch safe from bears.  It is half way between the lower platform and the falls trail.  As we sat and ate our lunch 284 walked by.  I watched and said hi 284.  She stopped and looked at me then continued on through the woods away from the river.  It was the last time I will see her before she dens for the winter.  I am hoping she has a good sleep.

After lunch it was on to the lower platform.  Again we saw no salmon in the water.  Because there are no salmon the bears using the river have dropped tremendously.  Holly and Flo, two of our largest females, were trying to find some fish and another male was up river.  410 was asleep on the beach.  That was it for the bears.  With the bridge gone for the winter I could not cross to see who was sleeping in camp.  I did not see 402 and her cub or Tundra.  Both favorites of mine.  I am assuming that they are munching berries on the way to the denning area.  Finally it was time to leave.  I did not get the big farewell like I received two weeks ago.  We just slipped away virtually unnoticed.  No fish and a few bears.  Sleep tight everyone and see you in the spring.