The Library Fish Caper

One of the great loves of my sister-in-law Diane during her 35-year teaching career was raising fish in her classroom. The Fish and Game department collaborated with her for 12 years, supplying the fertilized fall Chinook eggs that were part of the classroom, in their special tank with the cold water circulating system. The 4th grade students became monitering scientists, testing water, keeping records, and ultimately releasing the little fry into Patterson Creek in Bay City.

Diane loved that project. So after a couple years of retirement, she petitioned the Tillamook library board to let her do the fish project in our little Bay City Library. The F and G guys were delighted to supply the eggs again, and so a much smaller tank system was installed right in the midst of our books and computers, and the adventure began.

The librarian rounded up books and videos, ranging from the life cycle to history of the salmon fisheries here, Diane supplied games and coloring pages and other handouts for parents to help teach the children, and the local Girl Scout troop made the fish tank one of their learning projects.

The library fish were the talk of the town. The pub across the street reported that patrons were always comparing notes on the growth of the babies, and the librarian reported that there were noticably more folks coming by the library. No one left without checking on the fish eggs. Such excitement when the first hatchlings appeared! With colorful charts and lots of educational materials posted around the tank area, everyone got to know just what was happening at each stage.

Finally the babies were big enough to be placed in the creek. The date was announced, and the crowd gathered at the library.

Terry began dipping out the 250 little guys and gals into the transport buckets.

The release site was up the creek a ways, involving a 10 minute walk through forest and along wet soggy trails. This youngin' was prepared!

Patterson Creek is most visible as it runs through the city park, just by Mom's house. The upper creek is on private property, and rarely enjoyed by visitors. It's a beautiful creek, the epitome of Oregon coast streams.

Mom has been a part of every release, and she was on hand to help with this one. Terry packed in the table, and got things set up before the crowd arrived. Everyone was to have the opportunity to release a fish; the little cups are just right for small hands.

Terry and librarian Debby start transferring lively little fish into the cups. They seemed to know where they were, some tried to jump out of the cups a little too soon!

At last - the first release!

Instead of 4th graders, the group consisted of families with children young and old. It was a perfect day, the clouds parted for the hour of activity and the sun made the woodland and creek magical. The parents and other adults were just as excited as the kids! Lots of cameras!

Mom and our beloved recently retired head librarian, Rita, supervised the transfers and enjoyed the sweet spirit of the adventure. The families, children and friends were quietly exhuberant, very respectful of the seriousness of the release, yet enjoying the woods and feeling of being totally away from town - only a few hundred feet away.

Most of the adults took a turn releasing some of the fish, with as much excitement as the children!

Diane released the last baby - you can tell by her expression how much she loves this project.

As everyone began the walk back to civilization, Terry lingered to watch the little fish as they darted about their new home. They will stay in the quiet water a day or two, then begin the journey toward the sea.

There was such a feeling of joy and satisfaction as the group chattered and walked back to their parking area. Diane says they are already planning for next year. The tank is cleaned and packed safely away until next spring.

We hope some of the babies survive to return to Patterson Creek when it's their time to spawn and continue the fascinating life cycle of the salmon.