The species had become so depleted in the British Columbia river last summer that the federal government launched an inquiry into the disappearance.

The sockeye that have returned this summer were born in 2006, and left the river for the open Pacific in 2008.

The Pacific Salmon Commission estimates that slightly over 25 million fish have returned to spawn.

A record number of salmon smolts were born in the Fraser during 2005, and experts were baffled as to why they didn’t come back during the summer of 2009.

Some speculated that they were eaten by predators or affected by warmer ocean temperatures and fewer food sources.

Whatever the reason for last year’s disappearance, British Columbia fishermen are now preparing for what may prove to be an epic fishing season thanks to this summer’s river bonanza.

Photo: Stock