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	Fish Migration at the West Springfield Fish Ladder by Henry Warchol, WRWA Secretary Would you like to trap the big one (Salmon) and count the multitude of shad and other fish that are passing thru the observation window at the Fibermark fish ladder in West Springfield? We could use your help on this important endeavor. Salmon, shad, trout and bass are but a few species that migrate upstream to spawn. Last year 2,762 shad; 3,638 sea lamprey; 2 striped bass; 4 blueback herring and 5 salmon were registered at the fishway. Dr. Caleb Slater of Mass. Fish and Wildlife directs the monitoring at this fishway and others in the State. Monies for the program of trapping and counting the fish passage have dried up and volunteers are needed to fill in this vital restoration effort. Two American eel passage ramps were also put in place last year. After spawning in the Sargasso sea off the coast of Florida, the (catandromous) American eel come up coastal rivers at about four inches in length in the Westfield river and spend their adult growth cycle in fresh water, just the opposite of the (anadromous) shad and salmon. Volunteers are needed for April, May and June, to monitor the passage of these fish. One probable time scheduling is for a three-hour shift in the morning and another three-hour shift in the afternoon, when most of the activity takes place. There will be training and getting the fish way operational the first part of April. To sign up and set a time and date schedule, contact Henry Warchol 562-3467.