Coquitlam

Niall Williams Thanked for Years of Stewardship at Hoy Creek

Dennis Marsden, City Councillor; Rodney Lee, former HSWS hatchery manager; Niall Williams, tributee and former HSWS member and hatchery manager; and Kyle Uno, HSWS President.

At this year’s Salmon Come Home event on October 26, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society had the pleasure of recognizing one of our earliest and most dedicated members, Niall Williams.

Former hatchery manager Rodney Lee joined us to present Niall Williams with a Certificate of Appreciation for his many years of commitment and leadership at the Hoy Creek Hatchery. Joining in the presentation were Kyle Uno, President of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, City of Coquitlam Councillor Dennis Marsden, and several of our newest volunteers, who listened with great respect as Rodney shared stories of Niall’s lasting influence.

Rodney reflected on Niall’s deep roots within the Society and the stewardship community:

“I started with the Society back in 2008. To me, Niall was synonymous with all things hatchery. He was the hatchery manager and dealt with all aspects of running the hatchery and coordinating with Maurice and Scott from DFO. He had wonderful knowledge of the history of the area as well as the value of the various locations in the Tri-Cities. For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out if he was a naturalist who raised salmon, or a salmon hatchery guy who was a naturalist. I’ve come to understand his love for nature as well as the love for the community that he lives within.”

“To those who don’t know him well, Niall might appear very quiet and reserved. For those of us who had his friendship, we got to know a very thoughtful, intelligent, generous, and kind man. I’m thankful for the gifts of knowledge he shared — from conducting invertebrate salvage prior to pond cleanouts, to managing the fish fence, weirs, and water levels. There was nothing better than working side by side, getting our hands dirty, and working with fish!”

Niall Williams in Hoy Creek during Salmon Come Home back in the early days. (HSWS Fonds)

Rodney also emphasized the foundational role that both Niall and Linda Gorsline played in keeping the Society active during its earlier years.

“During my early years with the Society, it was Linda who managed the affairs of the organization, and Niall who had the technical knowledge to make the hatchery run. To me, through that time period, if not for Niall and Linda, there would not have been a Society and hatchery for us to enjoy today.”

Members of the local stewardship community — including Dave Bennie (Noons Creek Hatchery), Ruth Foster (Mossom Creek Hatchery), and Elaine Golds (Burke Mountain Naturalists) — have also expressed their shared recognition of Niall’s tremendous contributions to watershed and habitat stewardship across the Tri-Cities.

We are deeply grateful for Niall’s many years of dedication, mentorship, and passion for salmon and nature. Thank you, Niall, for everything you’ve done to support the health of Hoy Creek and inspire future stewards!

At Salmon Come Home 2025 | Rodney Lee (HSWS), Niall Williams (HSWS Honouree), and Dave Bennie (Noon’s Creek Hatchery)

Tips for Spotting Salmon in Local Streams

Can you spot the salmon? (Photo: HSWS)

Nature has its own timing…

Each year there is an increase in the number of phone calls and emails the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) receives about the salmon return.

We’re often asked, “Can you tell me what day the salmon are returning?” or “Is there a less busy time to see the salmon?” or “I went to look in the creek but could not see any salmon. What is the best day to come?”

Rain is the most important ingredient. Once the rains return, the salmon follow.

While we know that chum salmon generally return in early October after the first heavy rains, there is no set date, and it fluctuates year to year. Our usual response to this question is to check our website or social media pages.

The good news is, chum and coho salmon have been spotted in Hoy Creek since Oct. 19, 2025.

Wait for the rain to subside and the water levels to lower to spot salmon. Heavy rain results in fast and high-moving water making it difficult to see the salmon.

Hoy and Scott creeks run through urban. private and public lands. You can view salmon any time you like from public areas like the Hoy Creek Linear Park, or beside Guildford Way or off Lansdowne Drive for Scott Creek.

A chum salmon in low creek water on a dry day may not be seen on a heavy rain day when water is rushing and the level is higher. (Photo: HSWS)

Tips for when and how to view:

  • Check first. It’s best to go once you’ve heard that the salmon have returned and have been spotted in the creeks (check our website or social media channels: Instagram or Facebook page).

  • After a rain, or on a clearer weather day. When the rains subside, creek depths lower, and this allows for the water to be quieter and more clear to see through.

  • Listen! You may often hear a salmon before spotting it. They move over shallow waters, or up over rocks or logs by flashing their tails making a splashing sound.

  • Look carefully. Salmon, in particular chum salmon, have similar colours to the rocks or stones in the stream and are therefore naturally camouflaged. Coho are even better at hiding than the chum. If you are expecting to see bright red salmon, you’ve come to the wrong creeks.

  • Sunglasses may help. Fishermen often wear polarized sunglasses to better spot fish in the water.

  • Resting places. Salmon have an arduous journey upstream. They can often be spotted under bridges or hanging branches or fallen logs to build up strength for their next climb.

  • Patience! Salmon may be right where you are looking, but they can be very hard to spot. Take lots of time. It’s often best to stay in one spot for some time to observe before moving further up or down the creek to try another area.

  • Don’t be discouraged. Salmon may not be out every day in the exact spot you are standing during the time you are there. The creeks are long. Try to come another day. When you finally do spot a salmon, you’ll be glad you did! 



Salmon Come Home Map & Scavenger Hunt

Location via Google maps.  The Hoy Creek Hatchery is located on Hoy Creek Trail, west of the City Centre Aquatic Complex at the corner of Pinetree and Guildford Way. Simply Google "Hoy Creek Hatchery" to locate.

Hoy Trail has several entrances:

- Walk-in from Princess Cres. west of City Centre Aquatics Complex
and Lafarge-Lake Douglas Station;
- Walk-in from behind Douglas College and head south;
- Walk-in from Guildford Way (between Johnson and Pinetree) and head north;
- Walk-in from Walton Avenue, or behind Walton Elementary and head south;
- Walk-in from the foot of Lasalle Place and head northeast.

Salmon of Hoy and Scott Creeks:

Chum salmon begin to arrive in early to mid-October through to early November.  Generally, the peak of the run is around the 3rd week of October. They have dark red and black stripes.

Coho salmon arrive in late October through to late December.  Typically, the peak of the run is the 2nd or 3rd week of November.  There are very few fish around into December but there has been the occasional year with good numbers of fish in the stream through to mid or late December.

During odd-numbered years (e.g. 2021), Pink salmon may be found in Hoy and Scott creeks from September to early October.  They are not typically found in large numbers.

Although they don't favor smaller streams like Hoy Creek and Scott Creek, occasionally, Chinook salmon from the Coquitlam River find their way into the creeks.  This may happen under heavy rainfall conditions when the water levels in our streams and rivers are high.  The occasional fish find the current in the creek attractive and detour away from the heavier flows in the Coquitlam River.

Learn more about the lifecycle of the salmon.

Enjoy your salmon spotting!


"The salmon runs are a visible symbol of life, death and regeneration, plain for all to see and share ... The salmon are a test of a healthy environment, a lesson in environmental needs. Their abundant presence on the spawning beds is a lesson of hope, of deep importance for the future of man."
-- Haig-Brown, 1974 (The Salmon)

NOTE: It is illegal to remove any aquatic life (dead or alive) from local streams.

Hoy-Scott Watershed Society Announces 2025 Board of Directors

President Kyle Uno (right) delivers a Year in Review at AGM on Sept. 24. The meeting was hybrid for society members.

The Hoy-Scott Watershed Society held an annual general meeting on Sept. 24, 2025, at the Coquitlam library and voted in the following president, treasurer and directors:

  • President – Kyle Uno (second term)

  • Treasurer – Sandra Uno (second term)

  • Director - Anne Woosnam (past secretary, assistant hatchery manager)

  • Director - Kim Mayes (reappointment)

  • Director - Matthew Watts (reappointment)

The above mentioned join the existing board members:

  • Vice President – Tyler Storgaard (final year of second term, and hatchery manager)

  • Secretary – Robbin Whachell (final year of first term, past director, past president)

The AGM highlighted a Year in Review for the society which highlighted:

  • 20K chum fry/smolts; 17K coho fry

  • Salmon in the Classroom releases

  • Habitat restoration project on Hoy Creek 

  • Public education and awareness: Festivals and Tours

  • Instream water quality monitoring

  • Invasive species removal: Touch-me-knot, Policeman’s Helmet 

  • Spawner survey data

  • Challenges: Break-ins, poaching 

  • New charity status

A Year in Review at our AGM on Sept. 24 at the Poirier Branch of the Coquitlam Library.

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.

Treasurer, Sandra Uno delivers the Financial Overview. In 2025 the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society became a Canadian Registered Charity: 863285847RR0001




Invasive Species Work Integral for a Healthy Riparian

Adela and Anne seen near a hedge of Smallflower touch-me-not on Hoy Trail.

This summer, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society continued its important work tackling invasive plant species in Hoy Creek Linear Park — efforts led by our dedicated volunteers Anne Woosnam and Robbin Whachell. Invasive plants such as Himalayan balsam and Smallflower touch-me-not can quickly spread, outcompeting native plants and altering the habitat that salmon and other wildlife rely on. With the help of our volunteers and community partners, we’ve made great strides in reclaiming space for native species to thrive.

June: Smallflower Touch-Me-Not

Our summer work began in June with a focus on Smallflower touch-me-not (Impatiens parviflora), an invasive balsam species we first encountered along Hoy Trail last year. Despite last year’s efforts, it was clear how aggressively this plant can return — spreading quickly through the same areas.

Thanks to the persistence of Anne, Adela, and Robbin, we were able to pull large amounts from the trail edges before they could set seed. Early intervention is key, and each pull helps prevent further spread. (Learn more about this invasive balsam here: BC Invasives – Smallflower Touch-Me-Not)

July: Himalayan Balsam

Anne helps fill bags and the wagon with tall Himalayan balsam along Hoy Trail.

End of June and into July, attention turned to Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), another invasive species that thrives in moist riparian areas like Hoy Creek. With its pink flowers and explosive seed pods, it may look beautiful, but it can quickly dominate streambanks and crowd out native plants.

This pull was a true community effort: together we filled nine large bags of balsam, with even more left in piles for collection. Volunteers included Anne, Tyler, Dylan, Matt, Rhyann, Lucas, and Robbin — along with Alex from Broombusters Coquitlam, who brought energy and expertise. A big thank-you as well to residents Jen and David, who jumped in after seeing us at work. That’s community stewardship in action!

We are grateful to the City of Coquitlam Natural Areas team for coordinating pickup, and to Broombusters Coquitlam for donating collection bags to support our efforts.

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)

Why It Matters

By removing invasive plants, we’re giving native species — the plants that provide food and shelter for insects, birds, and salmon — a better chance to flourish. Every bag pulled means less seed dispersal next season, and a healthier creekside ecosystem for years to come.

Thank You Volunteers

A huge thank you to Anne and Robbin for leading this summer’s invasive species pulls, and to every volunteer and community member who joined in. Your hands-on work is helping protect Hoy Creek and its surrounding habitat.

Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier watershed.

Facebook Photo Album

Restoring Hoy Creek’s Riparian Zone: A Community Effort

We’re excited to share that restoration of the riparian area around Hoy Creek—disturbed last summer during the removal of old concrete structures—is now complete!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our amazing volunteers, the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) team, and supportive friends and family, the area has now been replanted and is ready to thrive.

It wasn’t easy work—digging, hauling, planting—but the spirit of teamwork made the effort lighter and the days brighter. As always, we are grateful for our incredible community and those who stepped up to help.

💚 Special thanks to Tyler, Thomas, Anne, Amy, Jiameng, Eric, Glenda, Dillon, Kathy, Madeleine, and Sam for giving your time and energy to make this restoration possible.

We also extend a BIG thanks to the Pacific Salmon Foundation for their ongoing support of salmon and habitat recovery in our region!

🌱 If you’re walking the Hoy Creek Trail, you may notice green fencing in the restoration area. Please respect the barrier and help us protect this young growth by reminding others to do the same. With a little time and care, this area will return to a lush, vibrant habitat that supports both wildlife and the health of our watershed.

Break-in at Hoy Creek Hatchery

Notice to Area Residents: Break-in at Hoy Creek Hatchery

We regret to inform the community that a break-in occurred at Hoy Creek Hatchery, discovered the morning of January 13th by one of our dedicated feeders. The incident has left us puzzled, as the items removed were primarily related to fisheries education or hatchery operations.

We kindly ask for your assistance in keeping an eye out for anything unusual. If you noticed anything suspicious or if you notice any discarded items or suspicious activity along the trails or around city center, please report it to the Coquitlam RCMP.

How to Help:

  • Report any findings to the Coquitlam RCMP non-emergency/information line at 604-945-1550.

  • Reference File No.: Coquitlam 25-977 when making your report.

Your vigilance is vital in helping us recover these materials and ensuring the safety and integrity of our hatchery operations. Thank you for your continued support.

— The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society

Atmospheric River Helps Salmon Come Home

Youth volunteers introduce our Coho fry to the public in front of the rearing pond at Salmon Come Home on Oct. 27 (HSWS Photo)

The positive impact of recent rainfalls provided the necessary flows for salmon to reach their spawning grounds throughout the watershed. The Salmon Come Home event on October 27 was a wonderful celebration of this remarkable species, bringing together our team, community, and sponsors to honour their incredible journey.

As we rejoice in their return, it’s crucial to recognize the challenges they face. Human and pet traffic through creek beds can disturb sensitive spawning areas, and pollution events pose significant threats to their survival. Additionally, erosion from heavy storms can release fine sediments that suffocate eggs (redds).

Let’s continue to protect these vital habitats and ensure that our salmon have a safe journey home. Thank you for your support!

Maple Creek Streamkeepers and the salmon dissection table kept so many residents engaged and educated. (HSWS Photo)

What an amazing day at the festival! So many Coquitlam residents joined Hoy/Scott Watershed Society and the City of Coquitlam to celebrate the incredible journey of the salmon. A huge shoutout to our volunteers, and our sponsors, Qualex-Landmark and FortisBC, continued support from Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program; and all the community groups who shared their knowledge and passion for nature.

We were truly blessed to witness so many salmon in the stream—an inspiring reminder of the resilience of nature. Together, we can continue to protect and appreciate these beautiful creatures.

Check out our photos and relive the magic! ps. We are grateful by the media visit from CityNews TV.

Etienne Siew, a former hatchery volunteer serenaded us throughout the festival. (HSWS Photo)

Hoy Creek Hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard holds a live Chum salmon to show the public during the DFO Salmon Talks.

Salmon Talk Comes to Seniors at Parkwood Manor

Robbin and Anne are both board members and volunteers of Hoy/Scott Watershed Society.

On November 1, Hoy/Scott Watershed Society (HSWS) volunteers, Robbin Whachell and Anne Woosnam, brought the wonders of the local ecosystem to Parkwood Manor in Coquitlam. Engaging residents who live adjacent to Hoy Creek, the duo led a lively and informative discussion about the life cycle of salmon, the significance of their presence in the watershed, and how they contribute to the health of the local environment.

Residents of Parkwood Manor, many of whom regularly stroll along Hoy Trail and cherish the tranquil scenes of the stream, enthusiastically participated, asking insightful questions and sharing their observations. The talk not only deepened their understanding of the natural world surrounding them but also highlighted the close connection between the community and the watershed.

HSWS extends its sincere thanks to the management of Parkwood Manor for facilitating this enriching 1-hour session. We are thrilled to have already received an invitation to return next year and look forward to fostering this connection once again.

Through stewardship, community outreach, education, and advocacy, we are dedicated to protecting the Hoy/Scott Watershed, and it is opportunities like these that help strengthen our mission.

Anne answers questions after the talk.




Resident Gifts Salmon Return Painting

Local resident painter, Ollee stands next to the Hoy Creek Hatchery with the painted he gifted. (HSWS Photo)

On October 24th, a Coquitlam resident stopped by with a special gift. Artist, Ollee, presented hatchery manager, Tyler Storgaard with his painting called, “Come Home” featuring beautiful Coho salmon jumping up stream.

The Society wishes to thank Ollee for this thoughtful and generous gift!

“Go Home” is a special gift!

Society Conducting Annual Spawner Salmon Survey

An example of what you could see in the section where the salmon survey is taking place. Dead fish are cut so as to not count them the next time we pass the same area. (HSWS photo)

Should you see salmon in Hoy Creek or Scott Creek that have been cut in half, or have the tail or head cut off, that means those salmon have been marked for our annual Salmon Spawner Survey.

We count live and dead fish weekly in a designated stretch of the stream. The dead salmon are cut so as to not double-count the dead fish the next week. This helps get an absolute count of salmon that have spawned in a particular area of a stream.

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 of the number of returning fish. Data is submitted to the Streamkeeper’s database as well as to Fisheries & Oceans Canada.

Each week, results are recorded.

Questions? Email us at hoyscottcreeks@gmail.com

Stay Connected!

Canadian Registered Charity: 863285847RR0001