2011 Salmon Fest tab_low

Wenatchee River

Salmon Festival 21st Anniversary Celebration

A FREE outdoor celebration of nature with activities, entertainment, food booths, arts and crafts and much more!

October 1~2, 2011 • 10a.m. to 5 p.m.

Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery • www.salmonfest.org Supplement to the Leavenworth Echo, Cashmere Valley Record, Lake Chelan Mirror and Quad City Herald

2011 WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

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SEPT. 21, 2011

Weekend Festival Map R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Directions to the festival

12790 Fish Hatchery Road, Leavenworth.

Take U.S. Hwy. 2 to Leavenworth, Wash. At the west end of town, by the Union 76 station, take Icicle Road for two miles. Turn left onto East Leavenworth Road to the entrance on the right.

Salmon Festival Shuttle Schedule Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 1 & 2 Departs Downtown Leavenworth

Arrives Fish Hatchery

Departs Fish Hatchery

Arrives Downtown Leavenworth

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The Salmon Festival Shuttle will run from 10 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The shuttle will stop at the top of the town park hill on Hwy. 2 up behind the gazebo and will bring you right to the front entrance to the festival. Look for the Salmon Festival shuttle sign on Hwy. 2.

Make it easy for yourself and ride the FREE shuttle to the festival!

Pet policy at Salmon Festival For the safety, health and enjoyment of all Salmon Festival visitors, please leave your pets at home.

If you need a place to keep your pet while you enjoy the festival please contact Leavenworth Pet Lodge for accommodations at

509.548.4719 or at www.Leavenworthpetlodge.com.

Service dogs are allowed into the festival.

Thank you and we certainly appreciate your cooperation.

Restrooms Festival Entry, First Aid Volunteer Check-In Discovery Hunt Gyotaku - Fish Printing Festival Sales Booth Sidewalk Chalk Art Costume Parade Area Salmon Storytelling Tent Creativity Corner Art Tent Sardis Raptor Center/Birds of Prey Exhibit Discovery Garden Recycling Station Exhibit Area Rolling Rivers Make Tracks Inspirations from Nature Art Main Stage Food Court Trout Viewing Arts & Crafts Booths Kayak, Snowshoe & Archery Demos Outdoor Recreation Exhibits/Stage King Sized Aquarium Fish Tagging Trailer Pedal Go-Karts Salmon Viewing Migration Golf Salmon Maze Native American Village Nature Trail

WENATCHEE RIVER

SALMON FESTIVAL OFISHAL PUBLICATION Published by NCW Media Inc. The Leavenworth Echo Cashmere Valley Record Lake Chelan Mirror Quad City Herald Wenatchee Business Journal

P.O. Box 39, 215 14th Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826 509-548-5286 • www.leavenworthecho.com Publisher: Bill Forhan Ad Manager: Carol Forhan Editor: Ian Dunn Art & Production: Clint Hollingsworth Ad Representatives: Lindsay Timmermans and Carol Forhan Writers and photographers: Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, U.S. Forest Service, The Leavenworth Echo staff Cover Design: Based on the 2011 poster by Candice Dillhoff, which includes drawing by Brandi Permin ©2011 NCW Media, Inc.

SEPT. 21, 2011

2011 WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

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Salmon Fest Activities and Entertainment Schedule Saturday – Oct. 1

Eye to Eye with Our Local Fish

On the Hatchery Grounds

Gaze through the crystal clear waters of this large aquarium and see freshwater fish up close. Learn more about our local fish species with a “user friendly” identification process.

(check activity site for scheduled times) • Storytelling by Gloria Roberson and Tracy Faulkner in the giant salmon tent • Outdoor Recreation exhibits, demos, activities and fishing • Watch Chalk Art being created by local artists on the sidewalk in front of main hatchery building • Animal Costume Parade on Chinook Avenue • Sardis Raptor Center presentations on lawn of main hatchery building • Music with Ken Bevis at gazebo (check schedule at main entrance)

Native American Village • Ongoing – Drumming, dancing, traditional salmon cooking, exhibits • 11:30 a.m. Snagaim Axasniikangin, Aleut drum and dance troupe

• 1 p.m. Snagaim Axasniikangin, Aleut drum and dance troupe • 1:45 p.m. Acoustic music with Ken Bevis • 2:15 p.m. Salmon Festival Volunteer of the Year Award • 2:30 p.m. Reptile Man Scott Petersen

Sunday, Oct. 2 On the Hatchery Grounds: (check at activity site for scheduled times) • Storytelling by Gloria Roberson and Tracy Faulkner in the giant salmon tent • Outdoor Recreation exhibits, demos, activities and fishing

Children and parents are invited to dress in colorful costumes of birds, insects, wolves, and other creatures and “fly, hop, crawl, swim or walk” in a short parade down Chinook Avenue.

Salmon Run (Sunday only) Discovery Garden

The Leavenworth Echo file photo

Students from the Cascade Discovery Program (alternative high school located on fish hatchery grounds) demonstrate horticultural practices in their beautiful garden.

Exhibits • Chalk Art Exhibit in front of main hatchery building • Animal Costume Parade • Sardis Raptor Center presentations on lawn of main hatchery building • Music with Ken Bevis at gazebo (check schedule at main entrance) • Bavarian Brass Band (check schedule at main entrance)

anese fishermen once recorded their daily catch, by making a fish rubbing (gyo=fish, taku=rubbing). After the fish is painted, paper is carefully pressed over it for a colorful, lasting print.

Migration “mini” golf Play a round of miniature golf while learning about the migration of salmon – it’s not so easy! Sponsored by Wilbur Ellis

• Ongoing – Drumming, dancing, traditional salmon cooking, exhibits • 11:30 a.m. Snagaim Axasniikangin, Aleut drum and dance troupe

Main Stage • 1 p.m. Snagaim Axasniikangin, Native American Dance Troupe • 1:45 p.m. Acoustic music with Ken Bevis • 3:30 p.m. Reptile Man Scott Petersen

2011 Saturday and Sunday Activities

Native American Village In this intertribal village, you will have the opportunity to observe American Indian culture, including bead work, basket making, the preparation of salmon using traditional methods of baking and drying and drumming and dancing.

Participate in our popular adult 10K run, or 5K walk, or kids can try the small fry race. All races take place in the beautiful Icicle Creek watershed.

Sign up time 8 - 8:45 at the hatchery.

Rolling Rivers

Children enjoy arts and crafts activities at the Salmon Festival each year.

Native American Village Main Stage

Costume Parade

Many agencies and organizations in our community share information through “hands on” interactive activities. The Mid-Columbia Fish Resource Office, Wenatchee Fly Fishers Association, Audubon Society, just to name a few that will be joining us for this salmon celebration.

Discovery Hunt Kids can participate in a discovery hunt to test their knowledge of our natural resources. Answer questions, collect 10 stamps and win a prize!

Creativity Corner Art Tent Express yourself by creating your own salmon art with glue, paints, glitter and a lot more! Professional artists will help you find your creative side!

Students and parents alike learnthrough-playing in a giant sandbox!

This hands-on interactive watershed modeling activity is a unique learning experience, in which participants learn the fundamental elements of a healthy and properly functioning watershed.

Outdoor Recreation Exhibits and Demos Connecting People to Nature! Join us at the outdoor recreation exhibit area! Find everything you need to get started on a journey discovering the great outdoors! Experience kayaking, fly fishing or biking; learn about avalanches, skiing, climbing, camping and more! Get your questions answered about where to go, what to do and how to find it in the Cascades!

SEE SALMON FEST ON P. 8

Salmon Storytelling Tent In this colorful 30-foot long nylon inflatable salmon tent, hear Native American legends conveying the importance of salmon, wildlife, and rivers to their culture from a creative and imaginative storyteller.

Gyotaku Capture your Salmon Festival experience in the same manner that Jap-

Salmon Maze In this 40-by-40 foot barrier-free maze, experience the many challenges of aquatic life and migration when you discover yourself as salmon, hatching and struggling to survive. Meet predators along the way as you go through the salmon’s amazing life cycle. An activity sheet is given to each participant to complete.

What’s Hatching?

Take a guided hatchery tour by a hatchery employee and learn about the salmon’s life cycle, see live salmon eggs, discover how fish are aged, and watch the yearling salmon eat lunch.

The Leavenworth Echo file photo Visitors stop for a snacks on the lawn outside the Hatchery Theater.

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SEPT. 21, 2011

Wenatchee River Salmon Festival 21 and Still Having Fun!

By Corky Broaddus

W

e’ve come of age. Who would have guessed we would celebrating the return of the salmon to the Wenatchee River for the 21st time this year! The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival has truly created a life of its own, still growing and thriving and connecting people with nature through these many years.

Set in the pristine majesty of our beautiful Cascade Mountains, the Salmon Fest is an outdoor education adventure not to be missed. This 21-year-old nationally award winning nature event provides inter-active intergenerational natural resource education, shares the cultural significance of salmon to the people of the northwest, promotes and engages all ages to outdoor recreation opportunities, and offers a boost to the tourism economy of north central Washington.

Salmon Fest brings partners and “spawnsors� from local, state, and government agencies, corporate and community contributors, schools, private businesses, and non-profit organizations.

A core planning team, fifty partnerships, hundreds of volunteers, youth crews, and natural resource specialists dedicate several thousand hours of their time each year to bring this unique creative outdoor festival to you. Key festival hosts include the not-for-profit,

Alpen Geschenke Beef/Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fried Vegetables Pan Fried Noodles Rice and Egg Rolls Visit our booth at Salmon Fest!

developed in 1994 by education specialists on the planning team.

Natural resource specialists and outdoor enthusiasts lead the activities with energy and knowledge that excite and activate festival visitors to connect more deeply with the natural world around them.

The festival runs Sept. 29 – Oct. 2 and is hosting a record-setting 90 classrooms from schools throughout central Washington on the two opening days. More than 1,000 poster entries were received this year during the Salm-

Friends of Northwest Hatcheries, Leavenworth Fisheries Complex, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, and the Chelan PUD. Many other organizations, corporate businesses, schools, and agencies also play valuable roles in festival production.

The success of the Salmon Fest is all about linking science and fun together. Meeting environmental education goals set by schools and Washington State education mandates created the need for a sanctioned festival curriculum. This curriculum was

Let the runners begin‌

A

s fall begins to roll in and salmon start coming upstream, it is time to revel in our beautiful surroundings.

A perfect way to celebrate our watershed and contribute to its environmental health, as well as your own, is to participate in the 9th annual Salmon Run/Walk.

This is a fun family oriented activity geared for all levels of exercise enthusiasts.

The Salmon Run is a cooperative effort hosted by Mt. Stuart

Physical Therapy, Balance Point Health and Fitness, U.S. Forest Service, and the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. Held Sunday, Oct. 2, registration is from 8-8:45 a.m., with races beginning at 9 a.m.

For kids, the Salmon Run features a Small Fry Obstacle Race for kids 5 and under, led by Frannie and Frankie Fish, and Sammy Salmon. The “small fry� can experience some of the barriers salmon face while running, climbing,

See you at the 9th annual

SALMON FEST RUN Sunday, October 2 Pre-registration starting at 8 a.m. s MTSTUARTPT COM

Icicle Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited of

“KIDS IN THE CREEK� at Salmon Fest

Photo submitted by Corky Broaddus Salmonfest Executive Director Corky Broaddus and Festival Director Betsy McIndoe on Fest youth poster contest. The inter-tribal Native American Village is featuring one of the United States top Native American bead artists, Roger Amerman, as he shares his stories and works

of art. Exhibitors from throughout the Northwest will be sharing their work in the outdoors. The giant aquarium will house species of fish native to central Washington. Recreation organizations and

SEE WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL ON P. 8 and crawling with their fellow fry through the course. The next age group is the “Smolts,� a 1-k race for ages 6-13 on pavement, over obstacles and through the fish hatchery.

For adults, a 5-k run/walk is offered through the hatchery grounds, mainly on trails with some pavement winding along the hatchery grounds, onto Icicle road, and then ending back at the hatchery.

Following the race, a prize drawing takes place after the awards ceremony. Many local businesses contribute to this drawing.

The Salmon Run is more than

just a run. It is a community effort of many upper valley agencies and businesses. The aim is to provide a good, healthy, and fun atmosphere appropriate for all ages.

All the profits from the race are donated back to this award-winning festival.

What a great way to kick off the last day of the Salmon Festival!

For information on the races call Mt. Stuart Physical Therapy at 509-548-3133 or e-mail Claudia at Claudia@MtStuartPT.com Come and join in on the fun, you still have time to train for the event!

2011 WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

SEPT. 21, 2011

2011 Salmonfest Willkommen!

15 Festival Favorites

C

atch a Rainbow…fish that is! Kids will learn to tiea-fly, cast and then “go for the big one.” Rods and reels are provided and you take your fish home with you!

Do “The Tour”, the world famous Hatchery Tour that is. Salmon Fest is held at one of the largest hatcheries in the world. You’ll discover how fish “tell” their age and discover the incredible journey our salmon take.

Check out the chalk walk and watch creative, colorful and original Chalk Art materialize in front of you by local artists.

Ready, set; swim (actually run or walk)! On Sunday join the Salmon Fun Run, with either an adult 10K run, or 5K walk. Kids really enjoy the small fry race. All

races take place within the beautiful Icicle Creek watershed.

Is that your tummy rumbling?

There’s a delicious assortment of food available from Salmon Fest’s Food Court. From Kettle Korn to Salmon dinners, it’s all “yum” from here.

Get ready for winter walks with snowshoes! Learn how to strap on a pair of snowshoes and then walk, step and turn along our “winter path”.

Love the out-of-doors? Come see the latest in Outdoor Recreation activities and equipment. Presentations will be held throughout the weekend, from bicycles to kayaks and climbing.

Get a Bulls Eye. Try your hand at Archery with special compound bows that even kids can

The Leavenworth Echo file photo The ancient Japanese art of fish printing - Gyotaku - is a main attraction for children of all ages. use. Learn how to aim, release and then hit the target.

It wouldn’t be Salmon Fest without our friend Scott Petersen, the Reptile Man and his cast of live reptiles. Scott has been featured with Bill Nye, The Science Guy; Channel 5 “Evening Magazine”; KOMO TV; “Northwest Afternoon” and featured in Ranger Rick Magazine.

Enter the 30-foot inflated Salmon Tent and let the story tellers take you on an journey with Native American legends

about Coyote and other forest friends.

Meet live, special, winged raptors from the Sardis Raptor Center and learn how the “Hunters of the Sky” live, fly and survive.

Swim on up to the sales booth for your limited edition 21st festival T-shirt and other festival items that will be on sale!

Visit the Native American Village. There’s yummy delicious salmon to taste, cooked the traditional way over the fire. Listen to the drums and see the dancers

Welcome to the 2011 Salmon Festival!

Your old fashioned hometown pharmacy. &RONT 3T s

Visit the

Is proud to sponsor

SOUP CELLAR

The Salmon Maze

in the Basement of Village Pharmacy

at the Wenatchee River Salmon Festival

Barn Beach Reserve B R I D G I N G E N V I R O N M E N T, A R T S & C U LT U R A L H I S T O R Y

347 Division Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826

PrCelebrating, omoting thpromoting e environm ental, and eco n o m i c a n d s o c i a l s u s t a i n ability conserving the environmental, artistic and cultural heritage of the Greater Wenatchee Valley of the thGreater rough eWenatchee ducation aValley. nd stewa ardship. w w w.barnbeachreser ve.org

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5 honor this village located in a sacred spot next to the river.

Enjoy a Salmon Festival classic! Create your own work of art and paint a fish! That’s right, learn the ancient Japanese art of Gyotaku and make a personal fish print to take home.

Do you know what a “high fin” is? Learn with our mascots Frank and Frannie. They love to give hugs and they’re the biggest walking salmon you’ll ever see! Big and little kids love these guys!

This is just a small sample of the many fun things to see or do at Salmon Fest!

Salmon Festival T-shirt Design

Don’t forget to pick up your souvenir festival T-shirt! This year we have chosen a wonderful chalk art design from a previous Salmon Fest by local artist Cordi Bradburn.

Cordi has been graciously donating her skill as an artist to the Salmon Fest for many years. Colorful and vibrant, her nature inspired designs are always a favorite. Cordi’s talents are well known as she has taught many art classes at Osborn Elementary, dressed up many windows with her colorful murals around town, and even created the life sized sculpture located in front of the town library. We count ourselves fortunate to have many local artists involved in Salmon Fest each year. Be sure to visit this year’s Chalk Art Saturday morning and you may see Cordi and other artists giving their time to create new sidewalk art. Stop by the sales booth and buy a T-shirt in either men’s short sleeve, or ladies cut short sleeve or youth tees. We will also have a small selection of men’s and women’s sweatshirts for the cool fall temps!

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‘Go Play Outside’

The Leavenworth Echo file photo Children learn about aquatic life in Icicle Creek.

By Keith Underwood,

president, Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington (GoPAW)

T

he “Go Play Outside” initiative project was developed in 2003 and is a program that the outdoor recreation community in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife created as a way to provide further support of outreach activities. The Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington, a 501(c)3 non-profit, was created to support this initiative assuring, that local groups across the state had sufficient communications about opportunities and individual support for their activities. The initiative is funded through a partnership agreement between GoPAW and WDFW and a Youth Donation account specifically setup to receive public donations for this project.

Since the beginning, the Go Play Outside initiative has provided much needed volunteer and monetary support for programs, especially during hard economic times that we are facing right now. With public donations of $18 – $25,000 annually, groups have been able to purchase much needed supplies and tools for events. These include updated pellet guns, traditional bow, modern compound bows, targets, fly rods and spin casting rods, fish and much more.

A special partnership with the Salmon Festival committee

has developed over the past two years due to the decline in WDFW participation and support of the Youth Outdoor Adventure Expo’s that were held in Longview (2006) Kennewick (2007), and Thurston County (2008). GoPAW and its alliance members saw a need to continue these types of events, but needed to secure a venue that would work. Through GoPAW’s youth fishing activities, a discussion began with the Salmon Festival committee and in 2010 GoPAW brought a small version of its shooting sports activities and a snowshoe track to Salmon Festival to see if it would work. It was a hit! Most of the groups that provide activities for this event either are or have been involved in Go Play Outside initiative events and activities in the past. With the success of the 2010 venue, GoPAW and its alliance members are proud to provide a larger venue for traditional longbow and modern archery, pellet or air rifle shooting, a snowshoe track, and new this year is support for a live trout fishing activity!

GoPAW strongly believes that it takes a community to build a child and through both monetary support and its many volunteer alliance members, we seek to make this happen.

GoPAW has stepped up its contributions in support of the transportation of students on the Thursday and Friday venues by assisting with funding needs.

Additionally GoPAW has provided the funding needed to support the trout pond set up and take down, and purchase of the fish for this year’s event.

GoPAW hopes you enjoy this great event and hopes to see you in the future at these popular events and activities. You can learn more about GoPAW and its many activities by visiting us on Facebook by searching for “Go Play Outside Alliance of Washington” in the groups section or by visiting our Webpage at www.gopaw.org.

SEPT. 21, 2011

Outdoor Recreation Exhibits and Activities Catch a Rainbow at Salmon Fest!

Kids will get the opportunity to catch a rainbow, a rainbow trout that is, in the Outdoor Recreation Area at Salmon Fest this year. Since the kids are going to get lessons on how to cast a fly, and how to tie a fly, why not get a chance to catch a fish on it? Imagine tying a fly and a few minutes later actually see a fish eat it!

One of the hatchery raceways will be filled with water, and trout planted in it.

Kids that have taken their fly casting lesson and have tied their own fly are welcome to fish. Rods and reels will be provided, and the fish will be cleaned and bagged for the trip home. The fish will be stored and refrigerated and can be picked up as families leave.

What a great experience. Learning to cast, tying a fly and then using that fly to catch a fish!

Kids learn pellet gun safety and test their skills Just added to the Outdoor Recreation Area last year it is one of the most popular stops for families at Salmon Fest. Kids really enjoy this opportunity to see how pellet guns work and test their skill at shooting at targets.

A large trailer has been converted to a shooting range to travel to events like Salmon Fest. Trained Gun Safety Instructors give the kids some basic information on gun safety and then let them give shooting a try.

Kids get a real sense of accomplishment when they punch holes in the targets at the far end of shooting range.

Kids learn to tie their own fishing fly The Wenatchee Valley Fly Fishers have been coming to Salmon Fest for years, and now have moved to the Outdoor Recreation Area. They will be near the Fly Fishing Lessons provided by the Federation of Fly Fishers, and just a few steps away, children will be able to sit down with one of their members and actually tie their own fly!

All the material and instruction is provided by the Wenatchee Valley Fly Fishers, and in just a short time, children will have created their own fly.

There is instruction on the different types of flies, the hooks being used and the types of feathers and other materials necessary for fly tying.

Every morning, Gary Anderson, wades into the nearby river and gathers all sorts of aquatic critters and has them on display. Kids get a close up look at what fish in our streams use for food, and how flies are tied to rep-

resent them.

The Wenatchee Valley Fly Fishers is a large, active club and regular meeting featuring national and internationally known personalities in fly fishing. They also have regular fishing outings where their members fish different lakes and streams in the area.

Jetcraft Fishing Boat Dave Graybill, “The Fishing Magician”, has been coming to Salmon Fest for years. He will often bring along for display his latest fishing boat. This year it is a Jetcraft 1925 Discovery from Bob Feil Boats and Motors.

This boat is outfitted for fishing our region, and has all the equipment that any angler could want. It is powered

by Yamaha motors, has Scotty electric downriggers, a Lowrance depth sounder, and a Minn Kota bow mount electric motor, with I-Pilot. Dave will be happy to explain all the features of this fishing boat, and his experiences fishing with it on the lakes and rivers of Central Washington.

Rod Building Some anglers that pursue sport fishing will extend their enjoyment of the sport by learning to build their own rods. This satisfying craft adds hours of pleasure. Once again, Jack Smith, master rod builder, will be in the Outdoor Recreation Area, actually building rods on site.

Stop by to visit with Jack. He will explain how to choose a blank for the type of rod you want to build. He will show you how to select the rod guides, ferrules and other pieces that make up a fishing rod. Watch how he winds the thread on the blank to keep the rod guides in place. It’s an opportunity to learn the basics from a real master!

Kids can paddle their own Kayak Leavenworth Mountain Sports is a local company that specializes in helping people gear up to enjoy many outdoor sports that are available to us here. For several years now they have brought kayaks to Salmon Fest so that kids can experience the fun of paddling in one of the hatchery raceways in the Outdoor Recreation Area.

Each child is outfitted with a life jacket and placed in a stable kayak. In the confined space of the raceway they are able to navigate with their paddles.

There are two-person kayaks available that allow adults to paddle with their youngsters that are too small to single handle a boat.

This is one of the most popular activities at Salmon Fest. Each year, hundreds of kids get to safely “get out on the water” paddling in their own kayak!

Try your hand at Archery target shooting High Mountain Hunting Supply of Wenatchee is the Major Sponsor of the Outdoor Recreation Area, and last year at Salmon Fest his staff helped hundreds of people try their hand at target shooting with a bow and arrow. It was an enormous hit, and they are back this year!

High Mountain Hunting Supply provides special compound bows with light, 12- and 15-pound pulls, so kids have no problem handling them. The staff helps each individual learn to properly place the arrow on the string, pull, aim and release their bow. Targets are placed against slope, so there are no safety issues when there is a “miss”.

High Mountain Hunting Supply celebrated its fourth year in business recently and is dedicated to providing information and instruction in a wide range of outdoor sports, including traditional firearms, black powder, archery and fishing. They included a seminar room in their latest expansion, and offer seminars on a regular basis.

Operation Life Saver Operation Lifesaver is a national, non-profit, public education program dedicated to ending collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights-ofway.

Each year Operation Lifesaver’s 3,000 presenters teach millions of drivers and pedestrians how to make safe decisions around tracks and trains. This year the Operation Lifesaver Trailer will be in Salmon Fest’s Outdoor Recreation Area.

The Operation Lifesaver Trailer offers an interactive, computer-based experience that all youngsters will enjoy. The virtual program offers kids many options to learn about railroad crossing safety. Mascots Sly Fox and Birdie impart important information in videos at touch on subjects like What to Do and What Not to Do near racks or trains; what Crossing Signs and Signals mean, and other topics.

Operation Lifesaver has developed many programs for other outdoor users, such as hunters, anglers, and runners.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES CONTINUED ON P. 7

2011 WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

SEPT. 21, 2011

leased back into the wild or sent to AZA-accredited zoos where they can be appreciated by millions of people.

The Karelian dog breed is a special breed that have been trained to track and tree bears. The demonstration concludes with audience participation to help Cash do his job and trap a bear.

Salmon Fest hopes to have the demonstration take place twice a day on Saturday and Sunday in the Outdoor Recreation Area. Look for the schedule at the entrance.

Wenatchee Sportsmen’s Association (WSA)

The Leavenworth Echo file photo Students explore a model eco-system. Education is a large part of the Salmon Festival.

CONTINUED FROM P. 6

Learn how to use Snow Shoes Introduced in the Recreation Area last year, the Snow Shoe activity was a big hit. Because there is no snow on the ground at Salmon Fest, straw is laid down on a circular track and it acts just like snow, only without the cold!

Participants will be fitted with real snow shoes and then guided along the track to receive instruction on to use them. How to walk, step and turn on snow shoes is all part of the instruction. You will be ready to try snow shoes this winter after participating in this instructional tour.

This very popular activity has been featured at the King County Fair, plus community and sporting events around the state of Washington.

Traditional Bowhunters Traditional Bowhunters of Washington are a non-profit organization established in 1990. Its purpose is to promote the use of traditional equipment for bowhunting and archery.

Traditional Bowhunters believe in the romance of bow hunting with traditional archery equipment. They adhere

to and believe in the rules of fair chase as set down by the Pope & Young Club.

Traditional Bowhunter members appreciate the beauty of handcrafted bows, arrows and archery tackle. They enjoy the thrill of crafting self-made archery equipment, and want the excitement and fun of experiencing traditional archery with bare long bows or recurves.

Traditional Bowhunter members are dedicated to providing instruction for the making of traditional equipment for, and by the individual archer. Members believe that the advancement of modern archery equipment is moving archers and bowhunting farther from the involvement in archery by not encouraging direct involvement in the sport changing the image of bowhunting as a close-range, primitive weapon sport.

A highlight of their activities is the annual Traditional Bow hunters of Washington Selfbow Jamboree, where kids age 12 and under get to make their own bow from a vine maple stave. Dozens of children finished functioning bows at this year’s event held at the Historic Museum and Pioneer Village in Cashmere.

Look for the Traditional Bowhunters at Salmon Fest this year by following

Welcome to Salmon Fest!

Wishing you a festival full of fun from all of us at Windermere s www.windermereleavenworth.com Windermere Real Estate/NCW

the path that leads past the bridge near the Native American Village.

Bear Dog Back by popular demand is Rich Beausoleil and ‘Cash’ the Bear dog.

Accompanied by Jon Gallie, with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Cougar and Bear Safety program, they put on a very informative and entertaining demonstration on how to avoid negative encounters with black bears in our region.

Every year black bears are transported out of our area and sometimes even destroyed due to the lack of precautions by property owners. It is the job of Beausoleil and Cash to track and trap these animals. The demonstration educates the observers on how important it is to manage bird feeders, pet foods and refuse on their property to discourage bear encounters. By taking these precautions, the lives of many black bears could be saved.

Cash is a Karelian Bear dog stationed in Wenatchee with handler and WDFW Bear & Cougar Specialist Rich Beausoleil. Cash works throughout Washington State and has done an incredible amount of work with biologists and wildlife officers. He assists in both research and management activities and has helped capture more than 50 cougars and 100 bears statewide. Some of these captured animals were outfitted with GPS radio collars, the data from which is providing WDFW with valuable management information.

Cash has helped safely capture 14 orphaned cougar cubs and 24 orphaned bear cubs, all of which were successfully rehabilitated and re-

The Wenatchee Sportsmen’s Association has been present at Salmon Fest for years and this year they became a major sponsor. The group is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of wildlife and enhancement of habitat. All money raised by the WSA is used for projects in our local area.

The WSA was founded in 1928, and is a 501-(C)-3 non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and responsible management of all fish and wildlife in their natural habitat. WSA strives to ensure that habitat and outdoor recreational fishing and hunting will be preserved and enhanced for future generations.

The WSA is also a major sponsor of the Kids Fish-In Day at the National Fish Hatchery in June. They provide not only needed funds for the event, but also a staff of volunteers that make the day of fishing for youngsters possible.

Every year WSA members donate thousands of volunteer hours and drive thousands of miles to for projects that benefit fish and wildlife in our area. Be sure and stop by their tent and learn more about this dynamic group.

Disaster Safety Chelan County Sheriff’s Deputy Gene Ellis and his crew have been at Salmon Fest for years giving important

7 information on outdoor and home preparedness, and what to do when emergencies or disasters occur.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has a wide range of tools and equipment they use in rescue operations, and they will share their knowledge and stories with you at Salmon Fest.

Learn about how to be best prepared and why and how the Sheriff’s Office helps when things go bad.

Be sure to stop by and visit with these folks and pick-up some information while at Salmon Fest. Look for their display near the entrance to the Outdoor Recreation Area.

Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) Once again the Washington State Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers will be on-site in the Recreation Area at Salmon Fest. Their Certified Casting Instructors will provide free fly casting lessons to anyone interested.

These expert fly fishers will have fly rods for those who wish to get a lesson, and will explain the basics of casting, while you have the rod in your hand!

You will discover the ease with which anyone can learn the skill of fly casting in a short period of time. These instructors are devoted to helping you learn what you need to get started to begin enjoying the sport of fly fishing.

The Fly Fishing Federation is dedicated to promoting the sport of fly fishing through conservation, restoration and education. There will be FFF staff to provide information on their mission, goals and includes information on invasive species.

Osprey Rafting A very popular exhibit in the Outdoor Recreation Area is the display of rafts, kayaks and other equipment used to float our area rivers. The excitement of white water rafting is represented by the folks from Osprey Rafting Company.

At their display is a big screen televi-

SEE EXHIBITS AND ACTIVITIES ON P. 8

The Leavenworth Echo file photo Arts and crafts projects include working with leather and other natural materials.

8

2011 WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

SEPT. 21, 2011

Outdoor Recreation Exhibits and Activities CONTINUED FROM P. 7 sion that will be showing videos depicting the thrill of whitewater rafting and kayaking on our local rivers. The show is definitely worth a stop on your visit to the Outdoor Recreation Area.

Osprey Rafting comes to Salmon Fest to facilitate the enjoyment and appreciation of our river in order to emphasize the importance of protection and care of our water resources for everyone, including wildlife.

Pedal Go-Kart Race Track Families should be ready to race a peddle go-kart around a track when they drop by this exhibit at Salmon Fest. West Coast Berg LLC has been providing this fun activity at Salmon Fest and folks look forward to getting some exercise on karts designed for

kids and adults alike.

When kids discover the fun of peddling these karts, they don’t even realize the important exercise they’re getting. The company also provides educational messages helping participants understand the need for children to play outside and use their imagination to get adequate exercise. Competing with friends and family on the track adds to the fun.

West Coast Berg LLC is dedicated to getting kids to play outside, and this exhibit introduces them to a fun and safe outdoor activity. Look for the West Coast Berg LLC Go-Kart Race Track just past the fish identification aquarium trailer near the entrance to the Outdoor Recreation Area.

RiverCom 911 Knowing what to expect when you

dial 911 is explained by Kay McKellar, public education coordinator for Chelan and Douglas Counties. RiverCom 911 provides this important service, and understanding how it works increases its effectiveness.

For example, knowing your location really helps emergency responders locate you in an emergency. This can even mean paying attention to mile numbers on the highway. Since people are so mobile and cell phones are used so widely it is important to make sure they understand the technology and its capabilities.

People will learn about calling 911 and there will be activities about water safety and bike safety at their booth. Visitors will receive tips on how to make their visit safer and more enjoyable by being prepared.

Salmon Fest Activities and Entertainment Schedule CONTINUED FROM P. 3

automated fish tagging.

Chalk Art

Art and Craft Vendors

Watch art come alive on the sidewalk with colorful chalk! Local artists donate their time to create nature related pictures and you can see it happen on Saturday morning.

Find the perfect nature inspired gift at the Art and Craft booths. The wonderful variety of items are all nature related, handmade or made in the US!

Festival Community Art Project

Icicle Creek Nature Trail

Take part in creating a large, multi colored, glass mosaic with local professional glass artist Teri Zimmerman.

Help Teri create a beautiful piece of art to honor the Salmon that we celebrate!

The finished mosaic will remain on display at the hatchery after the festival.

Take a stroll on the beautiful one

mile trail that meanders along the Icicle Creek. Keep an eye out for Big Salmon looking for a place to spawn as their life cycle brings them back to where they began their journey.

Food Court Try some tasty treats from our food court! A wide choice of snacks and full meals are available in the nice surroundings of hatchery park and the main stage venue.

Enjoy The

Discovery Hunt and Face Painting at this year’s Salmon Fest!

Wheel of Fish Spin the wheel and answer a question to learn fun fishy facts – and get a prize!

Salmon Tagging Trailer Learn about the latest technology in

WENATCHEE SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Frank, Frances, and Sammy Salmon have been hugged by 100,000 kids since the festival began.

MISSION STATEMENT “Dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the wildlife and enhancement of habitat.� s 7ILDLIFE 0RESERVATION s (ABITAT %NHANCEMENT s %DUCATE /UR 9OUTH WWW WENATCHEESPORTSMENSASSOCIATION COM

Join in the drumming!

Photo submitted

by Corky Broaddus

On Saturday you can find the beat of the festival at the gazebo – literally!

Join Recycled Rhythm at 12:45 for a percussive adventure with recycled drums and instruments. Local beat masters Rusty Gibbs, Sam Broaddus, Jake Lodato, Bob Mark, Samantha Switzer, Lynn Lyons and Aaron Gibbs will begin performing at the gazebo, lead a drum parade of participants to the main stage and then conduct a drum circle for those wishing to take part in the fun‌and the beat! There will be instruments for participants to borrow – so get your rhythm going and get in step at the gazebo at 12:45. See you there!

Wenatchee River Salmon Festival CONTINUED FROM P. 4 businesses will invite festival goers to try archery, shooting, water sports, rod building and fly tying, camping and packing, bear and grizzly seminars, snowshoeing, and much more. Food, music, and chalk art will fill “Chinook Avenue�. The festival is free and packed with family fun!

If you have never visited Salmon Fest before, now is the year to do so. We invite you to share in a “salmon experience� with us.

Please visit our website at Salmonfest.org. For more information contact Executive Director Corky Broaddus or Betsy McIndoe, festival director and president of Friends of Northwest Hatcheries at 509-548-7641. See you soon!

2011 WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

SEPT. 21, 2011

9

2011 Wenatchee River Salmon Festival announces Volunteer of Year

T

he Wenatchee River Salmon Festival awarded the 2011 Mary Ware Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award to Ron and Penny Evensen of Wenatchee, Wash.

“We are so pleased to honor Ron and Penny as our 2011 Volunteers of the Year. They have been involved with the festival since almost the beginning and have been the backbone of our medical unit. They have given numerous hours of their time to

2011 Poster Contest Winner The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival is proud to announce that Brandi Permin from John Newberry Elementary School, Wenatchee, as the Grand Prize winner of the 2011 Wenatchee River Salmon Festival Poster Contest.

This year the festival received 1,074 art posters submitted from 30 grade schools throughout North Central Washington. The posters focused on this year’s theme “Salmonfest Willkommen!” Posters are judged on the basis of creativity, artwork, slogan and theme.

Ms. Permin’s poster is part of the “O-FISH-al” festival publicity announcements for the 21st Wenatchee River Salmon Festival, and distributed throughout the region promoting the festival.

Congratulations also go to the 2011 Runners-Up: Averi Hunsaker (Kenroy Elementary, East Wenatchee) and Chelsea Craig (Abraham Lincoln Elementary, Wenatchee).

All winners receive specially printed T-shirts featuring their artwork, and their teachers receive certificates for art supplies, courtesy of McDee’s Art Center.

Salmon Fest,” Executive Festival Director Corky Broaddus said.

The Mary Ware Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award is a special volunteer recognition named for Mary Ware, one of the festival’s most dedicated and special volunteers, who passed away in 2007.

“One way we can say “Thank You” is by honoring those special people who make the festival happen.” Ron and Penny were nominated because of their dedication to Salmon Fest and

the myriad of ways they have helped. “They are always there, from sunup till sundown, treating everything from scrapes and bee stings to worse. They put in countless hours and are quick to help anyone with just about any need,” added Broaddus.

Over 500 people a year volunteer to help the Wenatchee River Salmon Festival come to life for the festival.

Ron and Penny, Salmon Fest salutes you!

Photo submitted by Betsy McIndoe Ron and Penny Evensen of Wenatchee are the Wenatchee River Salmon Festival’s volunteers of the year.

Wenatchee River Salmon Festival announces 2011 scholarship winner The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival is proud to announce that Alex Steele was selected as the 2011 recipient of this year’s Nancy Duree Natural Resource Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a student who is continuing their education in a natural resource field at an accredited college or university.

The $1,500 scholarship is named in honor of Nancy Duree; one of the founding Salmon Fest Core Team members who believed strongly in helping local youth understand and develop natural resource management skills.

The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival scholarship has been offered since the festival’s beginning 21 years ago to area

youth.

Steele graduated from Cascade High School in Leavenworth, Wash. in June.

He is now attending Whitman College and plans to study Biology and Environmental Studies.

“We are really proud to honor Alex with this scholarship and we wish him the best of success.”

The selection committee reviewed many highly qualified applicants this year but, “Alex was selected because of his passion for natural resources as evident in his essays, his strong academic record, and a well rounded showing of community service, leadership abilities, and strong recommendations,” said Festival Director Betsy McIndoe.

Hatchery tries out new release method

By Ian Dunn Editor

R

ight on schedule, 1.2 million spring chinook salmon were released this past spring into the Icicle Creek by the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. But this year, there was something different about the fish release, something that moves away from the practice, used basically since the hatchery’s inception in 1938.

Since 1938, the tiny fish have been released via an underground pipeline. It has never been real fish friendly, as they

say, with the high velocities of water slamming and jarring the fish against the concrete walls.

But now, there is a new, more fish friendly way, to release the fish.

“This method is a pump and pipe system, that takes them 850 feet downstream. It gets them into the current. If this buys us a day or two of quicker migration, that’s great. With 1 percent survival, we’ll take every day we can get,” said Travis Collier, assistant hatchery manager.

Every day the fish are in the river, there is a 1 percent mortality rate. So, if the average transporta-

Photo by Carol Forhan A technician examines data from the new hatchery release method. tion time is 45 days from hatchery to the ocean, there would be a 45 percent mortality rate.

“The big plus for this method,

CONTINUED ON P. 11

Salmon returning to the Wenatchee River travel 500-miles and over seven dams from the Pacific Ocean to get to their place of birth.

2011 WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

10

SEPT. 21, 2011

Success of Salmon Festival Indian Village credited to one man

By Ian Dunn Editor

T

he Indian village at Salmon Festival has been going strong for nearly 20 years now. That is due in no small part to the efforts of Roger Amerman, who started with the village in just the second year of the festival.

In the beginning, there was not much of an village.

“I was doing my Indian dancing. We did not have much, one teepee and me,” Amerman said.

“I was waiting for some of the Colvilles to show up. I was a one many show.”

The organizers of the festival wanted to involve the Colville and Yakama tribes, but that was a tricky proposition, as there was much animosity between the factions, primarily over disputed fishing rights on the Icicle Creek.

Organizers envisioned an intertribal event, not favoring one tribe over the other.

“We did not want to show any

Submitted photo Roger Amerman is the man behind the Salmon Festival Indian Village. bias. We wanted to respect the indigenous tribes that were there,” he said. “My job was to get more involvement. I took it on.”

So Amerman, a Choctaw Indian, went about building and coordinating the village. He tried not to show favoritism toward one tribe or the other, even when the tribal elders were putting pressure on him to feature one tribe exclusively.

“That was a very contentious time. We are way beyond that now. But I am not saying they like each other,” he said. “At Salmon Festival we always encouraged going through the political realm of the tribes. We ask the official leaders of the tribe. But we also ask participation at the grass roots level.”

Even today, Salmon Festival does not have official recognition from either the Colville or Yakama tribes, but there is grass roots representation. Amerman says it is like a whole bunch of friends now.

But the folks there do not represent the Colville or Yakama tribes officially.

“We tried to bring them in on an official level. But they were making demands,” he said. “We still invite them officially. We have tried to include them on an official level.”

In the beginning, Amerman’s goal was just get Indians to the festival. And once that did happen, it turned out to be a little problemat-

Unangan culture returns to Salmon Fest

T

he festival is proud to once again host the Unangan tribal dancers at the festival (pronounced oonangah, meaning Aleut). Snagaim Axasniikangin is the only Unangan Dance Troupe outside the state of Alaska. The Unangan have lived on the Aleutian Islands, in Alaska for over 10,000 years.

Wearing traditional regalia and face paint they dance to bring the history and traditions of Un-

angan to all, and every garment, tattoo and item you see are true to ancestral design.

The troupe has been dancing together for four years and honor their ancestors by sharing their culture with others. Dancing also enables them to deepen their own connection to their ancestors by telling the stories of daily life and environment of the Unangan People. Through song and drum, you will under-

stand that their traditions run deep and true in their spirits and hearts. All of the members have tribal family history and are proud to share it at events such as Salmon Festival. Their performances are always energetic, fun and a cultural learning experience!

Note: They are Unangan (meaning Aleut), and the dance group’s name is Snagaim Axasniikangin, meaning Dream Dancers.

ic. Kids would be running around, often unsupervised, he said.

“It was hard to watch other people’s kids. It was tough. We paired it down. We select families who will represent well,” he said. “If there is someone who is bad with the public or the other tribes, they won’t be here next year.”

Amerman calls this development, phase two. Once the village was stable, he was able to pare it down. “We have a real consistent crew. They know what they are supposed to do. They do not party. It only takes one or two to really throw it off,” he said. “The evolution has just involved really quality participants. The communities are very good with the public. We have to field a lot of questions, sometimes from pretty big groups.”

Participants get a little money for coming to Salmon Festival, but they keep coming because they really love Leavenworth, he said.

Plus, they appreciate the coordination of Salmon Festival.

“We play an important role and we have a voice. We don’t always have that,” he said. “At Salmon Festival, people notice the good feelings at the village. We are not just a partner. They embrace us. That’s the feeling that keeps us coming back.”

For the past 20 years, Amerman has been coming to Salmon Fest, which is big for him personally because the Pendleton Round-Up is held at the same time. He hails from Pendleton and never used to miss the Pendleton Round-Up. He met his wife there.

“It’s a bold statement for me to miss the Pendleton Round-Up, but I love the people and what I do at Salmon Fest, over and above that,” he said. “Plus, I am a family man now.”

Now, there are families at the

festival from the Yakama and Colville tribes. Politics play no part, he says. It is just a peaceful gathering, much in the same way it used to in be times gone by, when Indians would come from all over to participate in the salmon fishery.

“When the resources were in abundance, the Wenatchi’s invited tribes from all over to come.

Now, with the resources limited, the Colville and Yakama fight,” he said. “There used to be nothing to fight about. That’s where they developed alliances. I think we bring that traditional issue of welcome.”

One of the newer developments at the village is the establishment of a long house. The idea has been around for years, but the funding has not been there. Now, with the involvement of the Chelan County Public Utility District, the long house is planned for 2012.

It is rare to see a long house, even on the reservations, he said.

“This is going to be monumental. These are considered special structures, social gathering places. Ceremonies. They seems to almost have a spirit to them,” he said. “Very special so you want to do it right.”

For the opening of the long house, Amerman is hoping to bring in native troupes from all over the country.

“Our dream is to bring in native peoples from all corners of the U.S.,” he said.

So Amerman will continue his long involvement with the festival this year. He’s looking forward to the long house next year, and hopes they bring back the sweat lodge.

And once again, fortunately for all who love Salmon Festival, he’ll miss the Pendleton Round Up.

Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.

Icicle Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited Serving

BARBECUE SALMON DINNERS Photo submitted by Betsy McIndoe The Unangan tribal dancers, Snagaim Axasniikangin, perform on the main stage and at the Native American Village during this year’s Salmon Festival.

at Salmon Fest

2011 WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

SEPT. 21, 2011

11

The Reptile Man

S

cott Petersen is no stranger to Salmon Fest. Not only is Scott one of the festival’s most favorite entertainers, he has performed for over 800 schools in the Northwest. Corporations such as Microsoft, Boeing, and Eddie Bauer have found this program to be exciting for all ages. You can see Scott on Disney’s nationally televised “Bill Nye - The Science Guy.” Other credits include Evening Magazine, Northwest Afternoon, Town Meeting, Q13 Kids Club, and ‘Watch This’.

Scott is a zoologist and educator and he brings his live cast of reptiles to the stage. His programs focus on the natural sciences and teach students about the importance of all animals in the balance of nature.

Fish Trivia Questions • How many eggs does a salmon lay?

• Is a fish warm or cold blooded?

• What are the names of a Chinook salmon?

• Do salmon and trout have teeth?

• How many miles does a salmon swim in a day?

• What is the largest salmon ever caught on record?

• What species of salmon are raised at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery?

• What is the study of fish called?

Answers: 1)Up to 5,000 eggs 2) Cold blooded with body temperature changing with the temperature of the surroundings 3) Chinook salmon are also known as King, Tyee, blackmouth, and quinnat 4)Yes, not used for chewing, but for holding onto slippery prey 5) 30 on a good day 6) Chinook 127 lb. 7)Spring Chinook and Coho 8) Ichthyology

The Leavenworth Echo file photo One of the many colorful characters seen at Salmon Festival.

Welcome to Salmon Festival

We service everything we sell on-site

Photos by Alison Gene Smith

Hunters of the Sky… Sardis Raptor Center Salmon Fest presents you with a rare opportunity to see a variety of some of our most fascinating birds…live! You will be fascinated with these beautiful and majestic animals, while learning about their habitats and the critical role they play in our environment.

Sardis Raptor Center will host a special program entitled “Hunters of the Sky.” You will see a variety of live birds, including owls, hawks, falcons and eagles, some of which are trained to the glove. All birds in the tour are residents of Sardis Raptor Center with previous injuries that prevent their return to the wild.

Hatchery tries out new release method CONTINUED FROM P. 9 in my opinion, is there is no jarring to the fish. Very fish friendly. And it is not as labor intensive. It requires two people as opposed to seven or eight,” Collier said. “But it takes more time.

Our traditional release, we can do in one day. This could take two or three days to get the fish out of here.”

In case of emergency, the old system could always be used to get the fish out. The screens can still be pulled to get the fish out in short order. But in the meantime, Collier would prefer to be working smarter not harder.

It is their biggest day, releasing those fish they have raised for the past 16 months. Another important aspect to the method is it give the hatchery the ability to scan the fish as they exit the facility.

Some 15,000 fish have pit tags, which allows fish managers, up and down the Columbia River to monitor the migration. The importance of having the data upon hatchery release pertains to predation.

As much as they try to prevent it, predation does occur at the hatchery. Because of this, Collier said they never really know just how many fish they are releasing, including how many pit tagged fish.

“You end up with half the pit tag reads at the dam. Well, if we didn’t lose them in the hatchery, then somewhere in the river.

With this system, I know with pretty good certainty the number of pit tagged fish that are released into the river. We can scan all those tags going out.”

The fish are transported out of the hatchery via flexible tubing, which contains readers at different points to monitor the pit tagged fish passing through.

The readers are spread out to because sometimes the reader does not pick up when pit tagged fish collide.

“This system tightens things up. It takes away that unknown.

Predation is a big deal. Not a bad thing. It’s predator avoidance training,” he said. “You are going to encounter these things in the wild. We’re raising these fish in hatchery setting and sending them out.”

The ponds at the hatchery are all covered, but you still can’t keep the birds out. In the wintertime, the ponds are left open.

Collier said most of the predation seems to be from mallards who stay over the winter. Sometimes, there would be as many as 50 mallards in a raceway during in morning.

From what he has seen, Collier plans to keep the new system. He first saw it couple years

ago at fish culture conference, and then later in use at the Winthrop Hatchery. So, the hatchery bought one last year and tried it out.

In 2010, they released half the fish the normal way and the rest via the pump and pipeline.

“Everybody was in agreement that was a good methodology. We were going to do both methods this year, but I was convinced this was a better way to go,” he said. “It gets them out into the current and spreads them out. They are not holding.

When we open our fish ladder in a month and those fish are still sitting out there, they could return to the hatchery. We want them out of here.”

To try and get a read on the fish going out, Collier said they slow the pump way down, and the fish are going out almost single file. But, what normally takes 20 minutes, takes an hour. But, it’s worth it.

“It’s kind of been an unknown here...what the predation number is. We’re releasing 1.2 million, but maybe that is not the case.

Pretty tough to say. But with the ability to read them as they go out, we can extrapolate what that number is,” he said.

Ian Dunn can be reached at 5485286 or editor@leavenworthecho. com.

12

2011 WENATCHEE RIVER SALMON FESTIVAL

SEPT. 21, 2011

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