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Posted by Ballpark Frank (69.178.8.75) on 19:00:40 09/06/16
In Reply to: brooks river salmon run posted by Trout
Trout,
The primary run that brings the brown bears to Brooks Falls ramps up in late June and peaks in July, ordinarily. The bear activity is best in July and September. In July, it is primarily the food fest at the falls. In September, it is usually females with cubs and the occasional lone bear hanging out down below, around the footbridge. They feast on expired salmon that have spawned upstream, expired, and washed down to where the current dissipates just short of the lake.
This year, we have seen more salmon still heading upstream at the falls throughout August, and still today. That is why Chunk, Otis, and others are still hanging around there.
I'm not sure which species of salmon are still active heading upstream at Brooks, but I was at the Williwaw fish viewing platform in the Portage Valley a few days ago, and wandered upstream a ways. I saw coho and sockeye, and I know that we are still within the late window for chum salmon as well.
If things keep going the way they have so far this year, we might see the NPS maintenance people dismantling the footbridge for the season before the salmon run comes to a halt. I think that usually happens in late September or early October.
Ballpark
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