Tyler Storgaard

Gravel Donation and Trailer Use Greatly Appreciated

Hoy Creek Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard, and assistant manager, Anne Woosnam shovel gravel off the trailer donated on Feb. 17 (HSWS photo)

Thank You for the Generous Donations and Support

We would like to express our gratitude to Heidelberg Materials North America for their recent donation of gravel, and to High Definition Concrete Ltd. for the use of their trailer.

Community support plays a crucial role in the success of our organization, and these generous contributions are greatly appreciated. Without the support of local businesses and community members, completing essential work projects can be a significant challenge for us.

The donations made on February 17 will aid us in our ongoing efforts to clean and repair failing infrastructure at the Hoy Creek Hatchery. Contributions such as these, enable us to continue our important work in salmon conservation and habitat preservation.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time and effort to the cause. Their hard work and commitment have been invaluable in advancing our projects and maintaining the momentum of our initiatives.

Once again, a sincere thank you to Heidelberg Materials North America and High Definition Concrete Ltd., and all of our dedicated volunteers for their invaluable support and contributions. Together, we are making a significant and positive impact on our environment, and we are grateful for the opportunity to build a more sustainable future for the Hoy and Scott Watersheds.

Matt, Suzz and Annie help with gravel offloading to fill an area behind the Hoy Creek Hatchery in Coquitlam. (HSWS photo)

2023 Broodstock Collection Complete

Matthew Watts and Tyler Storgaard working in the incubation room at Hoy Creek Hatchery preparing the eggs.

It was another busy broodstock season for the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society at the Hoy Creek Hatchery as salmon began to return to stream in October. Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard reports the following:

  • Our Chum are developing past the eyed stage and we have 13,684 in incubation.

  • For Coho, we did just lose a tray not due to fungus or outbreak, but due to a single female that was not viable.  Currently, we have a green egg estimate of 13,655 – the final enumeration to be completed at the shocking stage which is likely to occur in early 2024.

Thanks to all the volunteers who supported these activities, and to our daily feeders who monitor and maintain our equipment.

Egg renumeration. Hoy Creek Hatchery.

Coho eggs in the heath tray, Hoy Creek Hatchery.

Coho broodstock

Youth to Sea spend a day at Hoy Creek Hatchery

A big thank you to the Ocean Wise 'Youth to Sea' program, who spent a good part of Saturday, November 18 with volunteers of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society learning about the watershed, the Hoy Creek Hatchery operations, and the salmon.

The activities were led by Isaac Nelson, community adviser from the DFO and hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard.

"Youth to Sea is a hands-on learning program that endeavours to unite youth to make a difference towards ocean conservation." The youth were led by Ethan Wong of Ocean Wise.

Photos provided by Youth To Sea.

Rare Chinook salmon sighting in Hoy Creek

Hoy/Scott Watershed Society director, Matthew Watts holds a beautiful Chinook salmon while crouched in Hoy Creek on November 11, 2023. The discovery happened after heavy rainfall.

While not common, it’s not unusual to see fish like this enter our streams in Coquitlam under such high water flows.

“We were on Hoy Creek at the trap site targeting Coho,” said Matthew. “I was joined by Tyler Storgaard and Elias Ozmanzai, a volunteer with the Coquitlam River Hatchery. It was about noon and we set our sein nets in the water. As we worked the sein through the pool we saw something big hit one of the nets. After untangling it we new it was a Chinook based of its sheer size and body profile. “

“Another good indication for a Chinook is its black gums. This specific fish was a male and likely weighed 6-10kg. Every year there are a few Chinook present in the creek but we don't always get to experience them up close. Quite a healthy fish, all I could remember was the girth of the tail where I held it. “

Society Participates in CRWS Event

Matt and Tyler representing Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (CRWR Photo)

Thanks to Matthew Watts and Tyler Storgaard for repping us at the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable hosted, "Vital Signs: Checking our Watershed’s Health," at Douglas College in Coquitlam on Nov. 2.

The event had presentations from Community Partners, including City of Coquitlam, Kwikwetlem
First Nation and Living Resources Environmental Consultants. HSWS hosted an information booth and attended the presentations.

While our Society did not present we were able to talk about our work and field questions one on one during the event.

We’d like to thank the Coquitlam River Watershed Society for the invite and engaging atmosphere.

Participants of the Watershed Health symposium in Coquitlam

Chum Arrive for Salmon Come Home

Left to right: Kyle Uno, President, HSWS; Councilor John Peters, KFN; and Rodney Lee, DFO. (Photo: HSWS)

Held in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, the Salmon Come Home festival returned to its traditional layout and format around the Hoy Creek Hatchery on Oct. 22. The weather was mild and enjoyable as the rains held off.

The event celebrates the return of the salmon and the chum had only just been spotted in the stream a few days prior.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) would like to thank Kwikwetlem First Nation councilor, John Peters who provided a welcome to open the festivities, along with the president of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, Kyle Uno.

Entertainer, Angela Brown in hat and rainbow cape is an annual favourite with her stories and costume parade. (Photo: HSWS)

The event was very well attended by other environmental groups and residents enjoyed educational displays, stories and a dress-up parade with Angela Brown and her nylon zoo, musical entertainment by Ruel Morales and Elaina Buenaventura, carvings by Indigenous storyteller, Simon Winadzi Jamesler and Creative Art Cart programs by J Peachy Gallery and crew from Red Fox Society.

A big highlight was seeing live salmon for brief seconds during a talk provided by DFO community advisor, Isaac Nelson, assisted by hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard.

Thanks to Jay Peachy and Friends who put on a pancake breakfast with proceeds supporting the Society.

Thanks also to Radio-Canada / CBC French who came out and featured the event in their newscast that evening.

A great time was had by all!

Children of all ages marvel at the live Coho salmon held by hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard during a talk by DFO. (Photo: HSWS)

New Salmon Statue at Hoy Creek Hatchery

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

2023 AGM and Elections Held

Meet our executive team for the next year! Left to right: Kim Mayes, Director; Robbin Whachell, Director; Tyler Storgaard, Vice President; Matthew Watts, Director; Sandra Uno, Treasurer; and Kyle Uno, President. (Missing: Anne Woosnam, Secretary)

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held an annual general meeting on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Coquitlam library and voted in the following new directors who were re-appointed to the executive:

Director - Kim Mayes

Director - Matthew Watts

Director - Robbin Whachell

The three join the existing executive:

President - Kyle Uno

Vice President - Tyler Storgaard

Treasurer - Sandra Uno

Secretary - Anne Woosnam

The Society would like to thank Rodney Lee who stepped down after years of supporting the executive in a variety of positions. He will remain an active member.

Through stewardship, community outreach, education and advocacy, we are dedicated to protecting the Hoy/Scott Watershed.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, (HSWS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run environmental stewardship group, that conducts a year-round salmon enhancement program in partnership with the City of Coquitlam, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

President Kyle Uno (left) gives an annual report, as treasurer Sandra Uno (center) takes minutes in the absence of Anne Woosnam. Director Kim Mayes looks on.


Donation Received by Montrose Properties

On left: Ken Low, President & CEO of Montrose Properties; center: Tyler Storgaard, HSWS VP and Hatchery Mnger; right: Christian Dietrich, Vice President of Recycling and Waste Services, Ecowaste Industries Ltd.

September 26 marked a milestone in pursuit of our long-term goals for the Society and our commitment to the community.

Montrose Properties and Ecowaste Industries Ltd. presented a $2,500 donation to the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

Stemming from an industry connection with a Society volunteer, Montrose and Ecowaste stepped forward to offer a donation to support our objectives as they have a devotion to sustainability through development practices and waste management. We're grateful for the support we receive from our donors and volunteers alike!

Surplus Coho Fry Released

Matt nets some Coho fry to release into the creek.

On June 29, Hoy Creek Hatchery held approximately 8,405 coho fry.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society's annual aquaculture license with federal fisheries allows us to incubate up to 25,000 eggs but only release 5,000 1-year-old Coho smolts from that brood year in May.

Any excess are released to other creek areas. From those locations, the Coho fry can make use of the habitat, grow and eventually make their way out to the ocean to complete their lifecycle.

Transport bin.

Matt releasing fish into the stream.

HSWS volunteers Tyler Storgaard and Matthew Watts weighed and counted out our surplus fry (5,265), loaded up the truck for transport and released them at 8 different locations along Hoy and Scott creeks. The fry weighed approximately 3.5 grams and are about 5 months old.

The remaining hatchery fry will be transferred to the rearing pond at Hoy Creek and will remain there until they will be released at our Salmon Leave Home event in May 2024.