Hoy/Scott Watershed Society

HSWS Membership Renewal Starts Sept. 1

Memberships are valid from September 1 – August 31 each year. New members who applied and paid their membership fee after May 1, 2026 will have valid membership through August 31 of 2027.

Why Renew?

Your membership:

  • Covers your insurance while volunteering with us

  • Allows you to vote at our meetings

  • Lets you work alongside us at the hatchery, in the watershed, and at public events

  • Helps fund the important work we do in salmon stewardship and education

Membership Renewal Details

  • If you joined after May 1, 2026, your membership is already valid until August 31, 2026. No payment is required at this time.

  • If you joined or renewed before May 1, 2025, renewal is required.

    • Students: $5 | Individuals: $15 | Families: $25

  • Payments received will cover you until August 31, 2026.

How to Renew

Please remit payment via our website using PayPal:
 Click here to renew your membership (yellow Donate button).

Remit by e-transfer: Learn more here. *please note “membership payment’ on your transaction.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Are you a NEW Member? Or, returning after some time?

If you would like to join us for the first time, it’s important that you complete our registration form and then submit your payment.

Have you let your membership lapse and wish to return? Great! Please complete the registration form and then submit your payment.

Questions about membership? Email us at hoyscottwatershed@gmail.com

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

Society Receives Coquitlam Foundation Grant

HSWS president, Kyle Uno received the cheque from Coquitlam Foundation executive director, Carol Brodie.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is honoured and deeply grateful to announce that we have been awarded a $3,500 Community Grant from the Coquitlam Foundation.

This generous investment will help us refresh and enhance many of the resources we use to engage with our community and support our incredible volunteers. The funding will be directed toward new marketing and outreach materials, including an updated trade show display, signage, high-visibility volunteer vests, and volunteer recognition initiatives.

As a volunteer-driven charitable organization, we rely on strong community partnerships to continue protecting and restoring the Hoy and Scott Creek watershed. Whether we're welcoming visitors to the Hoy Creek Hatchery, attending community events, delivering educational programs, or working alongside volunteers in the watershed, these new resources will help us present a more professional and engaging presence while recognizing the dedicated individuals who make our work possible.

Kyle Uno, HSWS President, stands second left with other awardee representatives. Photo courtesy of the Coquitlam Foundaion

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Coquitlam Foundation for its continued commitment to strengthening our community. Through its guiding vision—Invest. Enrich. Inspire.—the Foundation enhances the quality of life in our community by encouraging residents and organizations to create lasting legacies through endowment funds that support a broad range of local charitable organizations.

Grants like this have a meaningful impact, allowing organizations like ours to expand our reach, build stronger connections with the community, and continue our mission of environmental stewardship, education, and salmon conservation.

On June 3rd, we were also honoured to be invited to attend the Coquitlam Foundation's Annual Awards Night Celebration at the Evergreen Cultural Centre, where local organizations and community leaders came together to celebrate the positive impact of philanthropy throughout the Tri-Cities. It was an inspiring evening that showcased the incredible work being done by so many organizations dedicated to making our community a better place.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, volunteers, members, and the thousands of visitors who enjoy and learn from the Hoy Creek Hatchery each year, thank you, Coquitlam Foundation, for believing in our work and investing in the future of our watershed and our community.

Together, we are investing in a healthier watershed, enriching our community, and inspiring future generations of environmental stewards.

Volunteers Complete Streamkeepers Level 1 Training

Streamkeepers pose with their certificates

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is proud to congratulate five of our dedicated volunteers who successfully completed Streamkeepers Level 1 Training on May 16 in Port Moody.

Hosted by the Port Moody Ecological Society in partnership with the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, the full-day training provided participants with valuable knowledge and practical skills to help protect and restore local waterways.

A special thank you goes to ZoAnne of the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation for leading the training and sharing her expertise. Participants explored topics including water quality monitoring, riparian vegetation, aquatic invertebrate sampling, juvenile fish identification, and stream stewardship principles—all essential tools for anyone passionate about protecting salmon habitat and healthy watersheds.

We are incredibly proud of our volunteers:

  • Amy Skulj

  • Katelyn Crothers

  • Katherine Wang

  • Mya Cohen

  • Richard Chen

By completing this certification, they have strengthened not only their own knowledge but also the capacity of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society to continue our conservation, education, and habitat restoration efforts throughout the Hoy and Scott Creek watershed.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Port Moody Ecological Society for hosting this valuable learning opportunity and to the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation for providing such high-quality training. Opportunities like these help build a stronger network of environmental stewards working together to protect our local streams and salmon for generations to come.

Congratulations once again to Amy, Katelyn, Katherine, Mya, and Richard on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to seeing the knowledge and skills you've gained put into action throughout our watershed!

Chum Salmon Send-Off a Community Success

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society's April 4 Open House at the Hoy Creek Hatchery became an unforgettable celebration of conservation, community, and salmon stewardship.

What began as our annual Open House quickly turned into something even more exciting. With our chum salmon ready ahead of schedule, it was time to give them an early send-off into Hoy Creek.

Before the public arrived, our dedicated volunteers were hard at work. They spent the morning completing weight sampling and fish counts, providing the salmon with their final meal, and preparing everything for a safe and successful release. Their commitment behind the scenes ensures that every release is carried out with the utmost care.

Before the release, HSWS volunteers conducted a final weight sample to report to DFO.

Once the community gathered, it was all hands on deck. Families, children, and visitors eagerly rolled up their sleeves to help release more than 35,000 juvenile chum salmon into Hoy Creek, sending them on the first stage of their incredible journey to the ocean. Watching thousands of young salmon begin their migration is always a memorable experience, and sharing it with so many enthusiastic community members made the day even more meaningful.

Adding to the excitement, we were blessed with beautiful spring weather and welcomed the CBC News crew, who visited the hatchery to capture the story and help share the importance of salmon conservation with a wider audience.

Events like this are a wonderful reminder that protecting our local waterways is truly a community effort. Every volunteer, every family, and every visitor who participated played a role in giving these young salmon the best possible start on their journey.

On behalf of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, thank you to our incredible volunteers, our supportive community, and everyone who joined us for this special day. Together, we're helping ensure a brighter future for salmon in Hoy Creek and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the hatchery for future events and continuing our shared commitment to protecting the Hoy and Scott Creek watershed.

After a post or two on social media, the community showed up to support and help release the chum!

Note: Our coho smolts were released on May 16 by our volunteers.

Students Release Salmon into Hoy Creek

Congratulations Panorama Heights!

There were plenty of smiles and excitement on March 1 as students, parents, and staff from Panorama Heights Elementary School gathered at Hoy Creek to release the young salmon they had been raising in their classroom over the past several months.

The release marked the culmination of the Salmon in the Classroom program, an inspiring educational initiative that gives students the opportunity to experience the salmon life cycle firsthand while learning about the importance of healthy watersheds and environmental stewardship.

From carefully monitoring water conditions to feeding and observing the developing fry, the students demonstrated remarkable dedication and responsibility throughout the program. Their care and attention ensured the young salmon were healthy and ready for their journey into Hoy Creek and, eventually, the Pacific Ocean.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society extends its sincere thanks to the students, teachers, staff, and families of Panorama Heights Elementary for their commitment to this important program. Your enthusiasm and dedication are helping foster a deeper appreciation for salmon, local ecosystems, and the role each of us plays in protecting them.

Watching the salmon swim into their natural habitat is always a special moment, but seeing the pride and excitement on the faces of the students makes it even more meaningful. We hope this experience has inspired many of them to become the next generation of Streamkeepers and environmental stewards.

Thank you, Panorama Heights Elementary, for helping ensure a brighter future for our salmon and our watershed. We look forward to welcoming you back to Hoy Creek in the years ahead.

Society Members Tour Kwikwetlem Sockeye Hatchery

The kʷikʷəƛ̓əm Sockeye Hatchery

Members of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society were treated to a truly educational and inspiring experience on December 14, touring Kwikwetlem First Nation’s new sockeye salmon hatchery located high above the Coquitlam River watershed.

A huge thank you goes to HSWS volunteer Rodney Lee, who led the tour and generously shared his knowledge throughout the morning. The state-of-the-art facility is currently incubating sockeye salmon eggs, and Rodney provided a fascinating overview of both the technical aspects of the hatchery and the long, determined journey taken by Kwikwetlem First Nation to bring this important project to life.

Participants learned about the unique life cycle of sockeye salmon and the special care required to successfully rear this species—knowledge that deepened everyone’s appreciation for the complexity and importance of hatchery work in supporting healthy salmon populations.

The tour started with an informative talk from Rodney Lee.

Following the hatchery visit, the group toured the surrounding area, taking in views of the Coquitlam River running at high flow, as well as the spawning grounds, dam, and lake reservoir. The broader landscape offered valuable context for understanding how habitat, water management, and salmon stewardship are closely connected.

HSWS members were pleased to be joined by friends from the Hyde Creek Hatchery, making the tour an excellent opportunity for shared learning and collaboration among watershed stewards.

The Hoy/Scott Watershed Society extends its sincere thanks to Kwikwetlem First Nation for welcoming us and allowing us to learn about this vital work. The hatchery represents a significant achievement in salmon restoration and Indigenous-led stewardship in the region.


More photos


For more information about the hatchery and its opening, you can read Kwikwetlem First Nation’s 2022 announcement here:
👉 Sockeye Hatchery Announcement (Kwikwetlem First Nation)

Wrapping up the tour at the Coquitlam mountain reservoir. (Coquitlam Lake) Watershed

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




Watershed Education in Coquitlam’s City Centre

Team-building and getting FISHY with Douglas College staff as they stopped in to learn about our work during a nature walk in Hoy Creek Linear Park. Robbin from HSWS led two group stop ins.

This year, the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society was thrilled to welcome local schools, Douglas College staff, and members of the City of Coquitlam Youth Council for watershed-focused tours at our hatchery. Guided with passion and insight by our volunteers Robbin Whachell and Anne Woosnam, these visits offered a firsthand look at the life cycle of salmon and the vital role of healthy watersheds in the heart of Coquitlam City Centre.

Learning In Action

Participants learned how hatchery operations support salmon enhancement, and discovered how streams like Hoy and Scott Creeks — nestled in the urban core — are critical salmon-bearing waterways. The experience helped bridge classroom learning with environmental stewardship, deepening participants' connection to their urban natural environment.

Riverside Secondary Fishing 11 class stopped by to learn about the two main species seen in Hoy Creek – Chum and Coho! We also hosted Gleneagle’s fly-fishing club.

Engaging the Next Generation

Tours with Douglas College staff and students offered future environmental leaders a behind-the-scenes perspective on salmon habitat restoration. Meanwhile, the Coquitlam Youth Council members, accompanied by their City staff discussed key topics that affect the city and hopefully will help spread watershed education in our community.

Salmon in the Classroom

This was the first year that we can recall, that eggs were provided for the Salmon in the Classroom program from our streams. We were so excited to have students and teachers return to release the hum salmon fry into Hoy Creek after carefully taking care of the salmon for months through the egg to fry stages! Read more

Coquitlam City Youth Council brought great questions from the civic view point.

Why It Matters

Getting students and youth leaders out into the watershed — especially in a landscape shaped by urban development — brings awareness to the delicate balance between city life and salmon-bearing streams. These tours foster a sense of responsibility and respect for the natural systems that sustain salmon and, by extension, our local ecosystems.

Thank You, Robbin & Anne

A heartfelt thank-you to Robbin and Anne for leading these educational tours with expertise and warmth. Your passion inspires both young learners and community leaders.

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Canadian Registered Charity: 863285847RR0001