I’d hoped to attend a celebration of life today for the late Eric Carlisle, SEHAB member and salmon whisperer extraordinaire. However, an oncoming cold kept me closer to home, though Yumi convinced me to get out in the fresh air for an hour and check out the spawners on Stoney Creek.

Cariboo Dam fish ladder

Stoney Creek chum in full spawning colours

Dippers appear with the salmon — they dive for loose eggs

Rivalry results in explosive action