While we humans enjoy our salmon season in the Northwest, we aren't the only ones waiting for the succulent red fish flesh. Salmon season means seal vs. salmon smack-down action.

Head down to the 5th Street dam and bridge in Olympia, stand on the overlook above the water, and wait. If the salmon are in, you'll know it and will soon see the shadowy forms of salmon under the water. The salmon return to the Deschutes River each year to spawn.

Where salmon struggle upstream, the seals will follow.

Right now, there aren't a lot of salmon, but there are seals already waiting and watching. In the coming weeks, the salmon will arrive in increasing numbers through the rest of August and into September and October. You'll know the viewing is good when you drive toward the 5th Street Bridge and are greeted by rows of butts.