"Washback" or Washing Back?

In the last post, the speculation was that those poor herring in the photo were struggling to make it up the river and falling back.  After a little research, I'm inclined to think that they very likely were spent herring who have already spawned and are working their way back to sea.  The strain of the journey and the spawning leaves them very thin, but they recover quickly after they make their way back to salt water (assuming they make it!).

So, as you're observing during these last few days, think about that as a possibility.  At least some of the thousands of fish that have made the trip are on their way back to Prince Cove and Nantucket Sound.