A Day To Remember

Steelhead Fish Release

By Alyssa

Wednesday, May 21st, the 6th grade classes went down to our Mark West Creek to release the baby steelhead we were raising in the class. We partnered up and went down to the creek. First thing we did was we split up the classes again to check the quality of the water just to make sure it was absolutely safe to release our steelhead in. The water had perfect salinity, temperature, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen. After the tests, we got back together, found our partners, and received our fish. When we got the fish, we had to put the cup in the creek so that the water lined up to about halfway. This was done to let the heat transfer occur so that our fish would be perfectly fine switching our water. Our friends from the Sonoma County Water Agency came along with us. We had Rosie and Kory, but also supervisor James Gore to help us. My friend, Karen Cabral, and I named our fish Gustaf. We were surprised when we heard someone yell out, “Who wants another fish?” Karen went over and got it. The new fish’s name was Peebins the girl. Around the time Gustaf was done with his heat transfer process, Karen got us yet another fish which we appropriately name Gunther. We had triplets! When me and Karen’s fish were finished, we walked to a rocky path in the middle of the creek and said our farewells. Gustaf went, and then his sister Peebins followed. The two stood by each other until Karen and I released Gunther together. Gustaf, the eldest, ran off to embark on his journey. Peebins and Gunther stayed near each other for the rest of the time we were there. I will never forget the fact that together with Karen, we introduced 3 fish to the real outside world.