HSWS attends meeting with MPs McKinnon and Beech

MP Ron McKinnon and MP Terry Beech

On January 18, MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Ron McKinnon provided an opportunity for local hatchery administration to speak with Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Terry Beech, to discuss the current issues, as well as challenges facing watersheds and hatcheries in our community.

President, Robbin Whachell and hatchery manager and vice president of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, Tyler Storgaard attended the meeting. Also in attendance was the Watershed Watch Society, Hyde Creek Watershed Society, Mossom Creek Hatchery, and the Maple Creek Streamkeepers Society.

HSWS Continues Adults Salmon Spawner Survey in 2020

Rodney Lee, (right) speaks to three of the four volunteers (left to right: Anne Woosman, Jerome Cho, and Hannah Blanchard about that day’s spawner survey tasks.

Former hatchery manager and Hoy/Scott Watershed Society director, Rodney Lee led a spawner survey in 2020.

Spawner surveys are a basic form of stock assessment where the data can be used to gauge the health of salmon returns. In short, we walk the creek and count live and dead salmon (by species) to get a sense for the number of returning fish. Data is submitted to the Streamkeeper’s database as well as to the DFO.

Four of our volunteers participated and went out each Saturday between Sept. 26 and Nov. 7. Participants had to walk in chest waders in and around the stream including stepping over fallen trees, walking on in-stream rocks and muddy banks, and crouching under overhanging tree branches to identify salmon species targeting chum and coho but occasionally other species (chinook, pink) may have been seen.

Thanks to those who participated!

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Left to right: Maiya Callister, Anne Woosman, and Jerome Cho.

Winning Greeting Card Entry Unveiled

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HSWS greeting card cover 2020.

In November we put out a call for photos or artwork for our first annual greeting card.

We’d like to thank everyone who provided images or artwork, and those that helped vote for their favourite entry via our Facebook page.

Our winner was seven-year-old, Daniela Guidos who presented this drawing of chum salmon returning to Hoy Creek, specifically in the pool area below the bridge adjacent to the hatchery. Her image also feated the cement salmon that sits by the creek.

Daniela’s image received over 80 likes.

May we take this opportunity to congratulate Daniela, and wish everyone the best of the season!

Photo or Artwork Sought for 2020 Holiday Greeting Card

Your photo or artwork can be featured on our first ever holiday greeting card!

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is looking for a photo or drawing of the watershed and/or salmon returns, to be featured on our 2020 holiday greeting card.

If you’re a resident of the Tri-Cities and love to draw, paint, or take photographs, you can submit an entry that depicts the wonders of nature along Scott or Hoy Creek, or the Hoy Creek Linear Park. Or, perhaps you’re an artist who can provide a drawing about the work we do as a Society.

To submit your high-resolution photo or artwork, please email hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com with ‘Holiday Greeting Card Submission’ in your subject line. Provide your full name, home address and contact phone numbers.

The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27.

Entries will be posted to the Society's Facebook page on Saturday, Nov. 28 by 12 noon whereupon the public can weigh in on favourites and the most 'Likes' will become our winner.

Contest rules:

• Must be a resident of the Tri-Cities.

• Open to all ages and abilities.

• One entry (one image OR art piece) per person.

• Must be your own image or artwork.

• Must depict nature scenes from Hoy or Scott Creeks, or watersheds of same, or the work of the Society.

• The photographer or artist's name will be used in promotion and credit provided on the greeting card.

• By providing your image or artwork, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has full rights of use in print and digitally (web and social media).

Questions? Email us at hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com

Coho broodstock collection underway at Hoy Creek Hatchery

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An unmarked coho male (HSWS Photo)

After reaching our quota for chum salmon eggs which are now incubating at Hoy Creek Hatchery, the volunteer team has switched to coho broodstock collection.

On Saturday, Nov. 7 the crew headed up to seine the fish trap pool which is located below the fire hall. On the way up they performed a trail clean.

Eight coho were transported back to the hatchery and placed in the Capilano trough where they will ripen for egg take.

Four of the catch were unmarked males and the other four were hatchery marked females.

NOTE: With current BC Health orders in place, hatchery management has suspended all group activity at this time.

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Youth volunteers seining for coho salmon broodstock in Hoy Creek with hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. (HSWS Photo)

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A hatchery marked (no adipose fin) female coho. (HSWS Photo)

Way-finding signs helping residents navigate Hoy Creek Linear Park

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A newly installed way-finding sign at the junction of Hoy Trail just north of the Guildford Way trail entrance.

Thanks to the City of Coquitlam, making your way around the Hoy Creek Linear Park just got a whole lot easier!

In October trailhead signs were put in place as well as interpretational signs along the trail providing information on the history of the hatchery, the work of our Society and what you can expect to find along the watershed from salmon species to slugs.

Last week, way-finding signs were put in place at trail crossing areas and key locations to help navigate the area.

“Having all the signage in place has been a real bonus, in particular, that we were unable to host our Salmon Come Home event this year,” said Society president, Robbin Whachell. “With such a great return of chum salmon, visitors to the Hoy Creek Linear Park had a lot to see! The signage is a huge asset to the public.”

To celebrate the return of the salmon, the City of Coquitlam has created a map of prime viewing areas around the city as well as a children’s nature scavenger hunt to enjoy in the great outdoors. 

Check out our Salmon-spotting Tips.

Chum salmon eggs incubating at Hoy Creek Hatchery after two-year lull

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Photo: HSWS on Oct. 31 (HSWS Photo)

Last weekend we had a successful couple of days reaching our Chum salmon broodstock quota thanks to hard-working volunteers and with the added help of the Department of Fisheries & Oceans crew who were out on Monday to conduct a field egg take.

The Hoy Creek Hatchery is currently holding almost 27,000 Chum (as a green egg estimate) and thus we’ve concluded our Chum brood collection.

“Looking ahead we’ll be focusing our efforts on Coho broodstock, and will be seining the fish trap pool,” said hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard. “With the current weather we've been experiencing, we are hopeful to see some fresh coho push in. “

The weekend forecast is calling for clear skies and cooler temps, and this should help for viewing and hopefully catching coho for broodstock. Coho commonly return from late October to mid-December and are not as easy to spot as the chum.

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Chum salmon after egg and milt take for broodstock. Fish were returned to the stream. (HSWS Photo)

“We’ve had a huge turnout for viewing this year,” said society president, Robbin Whachell. “We’re receiving emails and phone calls. Last weekend Hoy Trail there was a steady flow of families and people enjoying the fall colours and salmon-spotting. The salmon did not disappoint and this year we have seen a great increase in returning chum compared to the last two years.”

Those coming out to view salmon should be mindful that bears have been spotted for several weeks off and on in the Hoy Creek Linear Park and around the hatchery. The City of Coquitlam has put out a map showing optimal places to view salmon with tips about bears. Go to coquitlam.ca/salmoncomehome.

The Society’s chum salmon program was reintroduced at the hatchery in 2016, thanks to a grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation in 2015.

Learn more about the salmon we raise HERE. Read our tips for spotting salmon.

Check out other photos and video on our Facebook page.

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Eggs being weighed and counted in Hoy Creek Hatchery. (HSWS Photo)

Above, a full grown chum salmon lies dead in Hoy Creek after completing its lifecycle, while the young coho fry swim about. As the body begins to breakdown, its particles will release and nourish other fish life, birds, insects and the riparian area (plants on the banks) of the stream – thus completing a cycle of life.

Salmon-Spotting Map and Scavenger Hunt Released by City of Coquitlam

Click to open this activity page and download from the City of Coquitlam website.

While the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society has cohosted our Salmon Come Home event with the City of Coquitlam for over 25 years, this year will be different. 

Salmon Come Home has been canceled due to pandemic regulations, but we're excited to tell you that it's prime viewing for chum salmon in Hoy and Scott Creeks. Chum salmon started arriving on Thanksgiving weekend.

To celebrate the return of the salmon, the City of Coquitlam has created a map of prime viewing areas around the city as well as a children’s nature scavenger hunt to enjoy in the great outdoors. 

Head out and enjoy the fall colours and all the wonders of nature.

Check out our Salmon-spotting Tips.

Enjoy the salmon-spotting season!

BC Premier Visits Hoy Creek Hatchery

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Left to right: Maya Uno, HSWS youth leader; Robbin Whachell, President, HSWS; Fin Donnelly; and John Horgan, BC Premier.

On Oct. 21, during his campaign stop in Coquitlam, Premier John Horgan visited the Hoy Creek Hatchery for a brief tour to learn about the work of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society and see the return of the spawning chum salmon, as well as young salmon being raised at the hatchery.

The premier was accompanied by Fin Donnelly, former official opposition's critic on fisheries and oceans until 2012.

Assisting the president of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, Robbin Whachell was youth leader, May Uno.

This is the first time a premier has visited the hatchery which was built in 1997.

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Feeding the coho salmon in the hatchery’s rearing pond at Hoy Creek.

See more photos on our Facebook page

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Chum salmon were in stream for the tour.

Chum salmon return to Hoy Creek

Video freeze frame to see a chum salmon making the jump. Often it takes several attempts.

The first chum salmon of the season were spotted in Hoy Creek over the long weekend on Oct. 10 as former hatchery manager, Rodney Lee led a spawner salmon survey in the afternoon and saw five within the hour. On Sunday, Oct 11 another member of the society spotted two salmon jumping the lip below the bridge beside Hoy Creek Hatchery.

After the rains off and on throughout the week, Saturday, Oct. 17 there was a steady show of chum salmon to the delight of volunteers, and those out walking their dogs or enjoying the colourful dry fall day.

Chum salmon are usually seen from early October to mid-November. They are easiest to spot. Coho usually return in late October into December and are harder to spot as they are better at hiding.

Rodney holds up a chum salmon at a previous Salmon Come Home event. No festival will be held this year due to the pandemic, however residents are encouraged to come out and witness the return.

Society volunteers will next work on getting chum broodstock and they’ll be raised from the egg to fry stage before being released back into Hoy Creek. The Society’s chum salmon program was reintroduced at the hatchery in 2016, thanks to a grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation in 2015.

Learn more about the salmon we raise HERE.

Check out other photos and video on our Facebook page.

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Salmon spotting on Oct. 17

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Two chum salmon in Hoy Creek on Oct. 17