Today was most magnificent!
I wore pink for the occasion of my first salmon run adventure where a giant chinook jumped above the thunderous roar of Cariboo Falls.
It was thrilling to observe!
The chinook is the largest of five salmon types found in British Columbia. It weighs up to 60 pounds, and according to my wilderness guide, Gary Zorn of Eco-tours BC, British Columbia has the largest chinooks in the world.
(And the largest sockeye salmon run in the world.)
I watched the gray chinook, with silver on its back, defy the powerful gushing water as he jumped up valiantly against the force of the river.
After traveling thousands of miles from the ocean, the chinook's natural instinct to return to the spawning 
ground from which he is born, is so powerful that he musters strength to fight nature's force against him and continue the journey home.
So exciting!
When the chinook finally makes it home, he will fertilize the females eggs and die.
Bears and bald and golden eagles will feast on the salmon.
And the life cycle continues.
The chinook, or King salmon as they're known in America, are a marvel of nature.
So much a marvel that as I waited patiently on slippery moss-covered rocks for the treat of seeing jumping chinook, one of the most phenomenal feats of nature I've ever seen, I wondered...
What is civilization?
What is the civilization that drove me north to seek space and clean air?
The civilization that drove me away to find my natural rhythm otherwise buried beneath the sound of honking cars? How civilized is that?
Nature is so well-planned.
Instincts so well-developed.
Nature all knowing.
Why can't more of us trust and respect nature within ourselves, and without?
The salmon is an elegant species in an elegant life-cycle governed by nature.
Maybe we need to join nature more often to experience our own nature, and appreciate other species in our eco-systems that join as one whole.
The chinook salmon run lasts 6 weeks beginning in mid-July.
According to Gary, they arrive like clockwork every year.
These fish like deep, fast-moving, cold water.
Licensed fishermen (I'm licensed for 4 more days!) are allowed to take one salmon a day for three days, beginning the first week in August. If you want to take one home to eat or harvest, you need a salmon tag with your fishing license.
Due to the powerful force of nature, it's hard to hook a chinook.
It can be dangerous, too.
"I've seen reels and lines explode!" You've got to control
the rod," Gary said, as he moved his arm up and down to demonstrate.
"Once on the hook, a chinook can take 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours to reel it in. What we eat probably comes in from the ocean on a fish boat."
Gary took my hand for this shot, and a few others in slippery areas near the rushing water's edge.
I've been doing a lot of hand-holding this journey as I break personal boundaries with new experiences, such as this amazing salmon run viewing on the "Don't slip on the mossy covered rocks!" adventure.
Another great day.
I suggest you check out a salmon run, if not this August, then next. And having an experienced guide like Gary Zorn is a must. He can be reached here or by calling (866) 299-9100.
Or arrange a wilderness viewing tour in the fall when grizzlies and bald and golden eagles feast on salmon carcasses amidst fall color foliage.
Watch the life cycle in action.
With over twenty-five years leading wilderness adventures, Gary specializes in black and grizzly bear eco-tours, bird-watching, gold-mine tours, alpine hiking, and winter wildlife viewing, which includes snow-shoeing and dog-sledding.
Gary's passion for grizzly bears, the signature species of the Canadian wild, has led to a life committed to studying their habits and habitats. As such, he's known as the Cariboo Mountains "Bear Whisperer".
Located in the quaint gold-mining town of Likely, Gary runs an Eco-Tour Lodge with his lovely wife, Peggy, who is quite a cook!
Three home-cooked country-style gourmet meals are provided along with comfortable beds and hospitality.
These meals are so delicious, I don't want to leave.
If you're interested in clean air and escaping big city living, consider an eco-tour with Gary and Peggy Zorn.
You'll experience an adventure that will stretch you in ways you haven't dreamed of.
Here's a photo of Mitchell, Gary and Peggy's 14 year old grandson, hiking in nearby alpine meadow.
He came with us today on the salmon run, a real pleasure to have around.
This eco-tour surely has been an experience to remember the rest of my life.
Wildlife photos in this post are courtesy of Ecotours-BC.
To read about my 2nd salmon run, which was outside Portland, Oregon click here.
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