20x24 acrylic on canvas

Mid summer here on the coast is an exciting time as it marks the time the salmon begin their homeward migration from feeding in open ocean to spawn in our local rivers and streams.

After hatching in rivers they spend various amounts of time there before heading to open ocean to feed. Once the time comes they swim hundreds and thousands of miles to their natal stream by scent. This migration begins with pinks, followed by chinook, then coho, finishing with chum. They endure many hardships along their journey but their determination to give every last ounce of life to spawn before they die is remarkable. Once they spawn, their bodies become a crucial food source for bears fattening up for hibernation, for eagles, wolves and more. What remains fertilizes the stream and forest floor which gives life to plants and trees that are food and shelter to other creatures.

Salmon have always been a major food source and in my blood as I grew up in a commercial fishing family. I have personally commercial fished for them, fly fished for them in our streams, and sport trolled for them in our ocean and still the admiration I have for these fish is immense. There is nothing quite as thrilling as a screaming reel when a big spring takes the hook!

With this painting I wanted to depict spring salmon in open ocean on the migration home. I painted three fish with limited light to add depth and fill up an otherwise empty scene.

Piece will be shipped within 5 business days.