Visitors of Hoy Creek Linear Park will notice a new salmon statue beside Hoy Creek, this one with its kype (nose) facing upstream.

The original salmon statue, now aged and chipped has been moved to a new spot, now visible by those entering the park from Princess Crescent east of the Hoy Creek Hatchery.

“It was an exciting time for our volunteers to take part in the cement pouring, and the later positioning of the new salmon, “ said hatchery manager and Hoy/Scott Watershed Society vice president, Tyler Storgaard. “We’ve heard stories from when the first one was poured at least 20 years ago, and founding member, the late Chris Hamming was involved. His wife, Henrietta said that her husband Chris couldn’t believe that they forgot to place it pointing upstream, so it was great to finally correct this with the new statue.”

After the mold had set for a few weeks, the salmon was revealed and set into place on September 23. The Society wishes to thank the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Salmonid Enhancement Program, our community advisor, Isaac Nelson, and technician, Eric Kukulowicz, for their support in casting this new statue.

Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard puts water into the cement mixer on Sept. 16 when the statue was cast.

The old salmon statue being moved at Hoy Creek.

New salmon statued put in place on Sept. 23, 2023

A girl releases a Coho smolt into Hoy Creek at Salmon Leave Home at Hoy Creek Hatchery. (HSWS Photo)

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) held its annual Salmon Leave Home event on May 14, and was pleased to return to a public release of the approximately 18-month-old Coho smolts that have been living in the outdoor rearing pond since last May. This was the first time since 2019 that the public was able to assist with the salmon release, due to the pandemic.

The Society moved the event time to the afternoon to give families time to celebrate Mom (it was Mother’s Day). Weather conditions were hot with a high of 32C, but despite that, a steady stream of people came through the Hoy Creek Hatchery area. To the delight of many, wild Coho fry were visible from the footbridge.

The community had the opportunity to carry a bucket of Coho smolts to Hoy Creek for release; take a peek at the six-month-old Coho fry in the hatchery’s Capilano trough room; meet the volunteers and learn about the Society; make a Mother's Day greeting card using leaves; play the Plinko game and get salmon past predators to saltwater safety; sign a Farewell to the Coho Grads of 2023 card; sign a pledge to protect the salmon; and explore Hoy Creek Linear Park.

After a Land Acknowledgement by HSWS president, Kyle Uno, the MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, Fin Donnelly provided a few words before Kyle presented Keith Kozak, the Society’s first president, with a certificate of appreciation and a gift. Keith spoke about the early years of getting the Society up and running.

The event was supported by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, with Isaac Nelson overseeing the fish release.

The Society would like to thank all its volunteers for the time spent supporting the event, and the community who came out to help. A special thank you to the event sponsor, the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program!

New Salmon Statue at Hoy Creek Hatchery

Salmon Released by the Public at Hoy Creek Hatchery