A. Returning spawners that can't reach their natal stream, will usually attempt to spawn in any nearby suitable reach of stream or river. In fact, there is a fairly large "stray rate" of fish that can't reach their original spawning sites; they either drop down lower in the stream to spawn or even spawn in other nearby streams. A good example of this was seen after the Mt. St. Helens eruption. Returning fish in the Toutle River found many things blocking their way - adverse water quality, physical obstruction, etc. These fish dropped down and entered other tributaries to spawn.