Standing on one of the many platforms in Poulsbo’s Fish Park on Saturday morning was the Perez family. Parents Megan and Fernando watched as their children, Javier, 6; Grace, 3; and Lucie, 2, intently scanned the surface of Dogfish Creek hoping to catch a quick glimpse of a wayward salmon’s return home to spawn.

Donning cardboard spectacles similar to those worn at 3D movies, Javier said he still couldn’t spot any salmon. The youngster’s comments did not appear to come as a surprise to the two volunteer salmon docents from Washington State University’s Kitsap County Extension Office standing nearby.

Volunteers Sally Manifold and Claire Everett maintained their post on the platform despite a steady trickle of rain and a distinct lack of sunshine which might otherwise make the polarized glasses being handed out by the docents a bit more useful. Despite this, both volunteers maintained smiles as they greeted passersby.

“So many families are really interested and have been here before and seen salmon,” Manifold said. “Many, many families with young children who are really eager to stand on the benches, put on the polarized sunglasses and look under the water, waiting for the fish.”

“It is encouraging, there’s a lot of appreciation for Fish Park, here in Poulsbo. Most of the restoration has been volunteer efforts,” Manifold added. “This is a volunteer-supported park and people know why the restoration is so important, because it helps the fish!”

Poulsbo Parks & Recreation Director Mary McCluskey said Saturday’s salmon tour was the seventh such event held in Poulsbo. McCluskey said while a number of other salmon viewings had been occurring around the county on Saturday, Poulsbo’s was unique in that it was one of the few in the north end of the county and it also boasted a wealth of community partnerships contributing to the event. Many local groups, McCluskey said, were on hand (beneath tents) to provide information on their respective causes. Included in the list of contributors: Kitsap Public Utility District, Rotary Club of Poulsbo, Kitsap Regional Library, Trout Unlimited, Kitsap Audubon Society, Orca Network, Girl Scouts and the Kitsap Conservation Network, just to name a few.

Jesse Adams is an employee with Kitsap Conservation District. Adams manned a tent beside one of the park’s many trails with a colorful sign reading “Salmon Survival Game.” The game Adams said is to illustrate to children just how many obstacles stand in the way of a salmon’s survival and ultimately reproduction. Of the five different levels in Adams’ game, only one participant had made it all the way through.

Seemingly miraculous in light of Adams’ game was the sighting of several darkly speckled chum salmon darting up Dogfish Creek near the north end of Fish Park. Salmon Docent Bob Rosenbladt was on hand at the bank of the creek to point out the fish as they passed. Despite only sighting a few salmon making their way up the creek, Rosenbladt was careful to point out that the fish would continue to make their way back home and those wishing to catch a glimpse should continue to visit Poulsbo’s Fish Park throughout November.

“It’s just getting started,” Rosenbladt said.

—Nick Twietmeyer is a reporter with Kitsap News Group. Nick can be reached at ntwietmeyer@soundpublishing.com