Lil’wat Fisheries Program Manager, Maxine Bruce reports:

Ama Sqit Nsneknukwa7 (Good day, my friends and relatives) – I’m waiting patiently for the Birkenhead River Sockeye salmon to arrive. According to the Fraser River Panel’s weekly updates, the sockeye salmon return is projected to be about 148,000. (I think I’ll go for a ride after dinner to the Lillooet Lake to see if anybody has their gillnet set. I heard they’re catching sox at Samaqwam area).

The annual Sockeye salmon surveys will be underway in a few days; the Birkenhead River salmon count & the sampling program. In addition, this year the salmon surveys will take place on the Green River, Miller Creek, Ryan River, Railroad and Sampson Creek and if there’s an opportunity a quick trip up the valley to check Leanna Creek. The Birkenhead River Chinook Salmon survey is up and running till just after September 19th.

The Annual Birkenhead River Chinook Salmon River-Bank Walk will take place on September 5th, 12th and 19th starting with the tailgate meeting at 8:30am at the Land and Resources office in Mt Currie. The purpose of the Annual River-Bank Walk is to count the amount of Chinook Salmon in the spawning ground. The whole spawning grounds are surveyed in 1 day on the same day each year. Volunteers encouraged and appreciated!

Kukwstumkalap, Nilh ti