Salmon Celebrated and Eggs Incubating at Hoy Creek Hatchery

The annual Salmon Come Home celebration brought the community together on October 26 at Hoy Creek Hatchery to witness the wonder of the salmon returning home. Despite the forecast, the rain held off, and the trails were alive with visitors, families, and friends who came to learn, connect, and celebrate the salmon’s incredible life cycle.

This year’s event was a partnership between the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society, the City of Coquitlam, and numerous community environmental organizations and sponsors who share a passion for local conservation. From salmon education to hands-on activities, the day was filled with opportunities to learn about watershed health and the vital role salmon play in our ecosystem.

A huge thank you goes out to our dedicated volunteers, who made the day possible. They spoke with visitors about the hatchery’s work, shared insights on the Coho salmon fry currently rearing on-site, and assisted Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) with egg and incubation demonstrations during the salmon talks. Approximately 11,000 eggs incubated, and it was wonderful to share this process with the community.

Hoy Creek Hatchery manager and HSWS Vice President, Tyler Storgaard (left) and DFO Community Advisor, Eric Kukulowicz during Salmon Talks where the community witnessed egg take, fertilization and preparation for incubation.

The hatchery is now busy with egg incubation, marking the start of a new generation of salmon that will one day return to Hoy Creek to continue the cycle. The next two months will be key for Chum and Salmon egg incubation.

The festival also served as a special occasion to honour a past member of the Society, Niall Williams, a former hatchery manager and long-time advocate for the watershed. Rodney Lee made the presentation, sharing stories of Niall’s tireless work and dedication in the Society’s early days. His leadership helped shape the foundation of what Hoy/Scott Watershed Society is today — a thriving community of volunteers committed to education, stewardship, and salmon conservation.

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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.

As another spawning season unfolds, the Society extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate and support this meaningful event. Your enthusiasm and participation keep the spirit of stewardship alive at Hoy Creek.

👉 View our Facebook photo gallery and relive the highlights from Salmon Come Home!

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Thank you Volunteers! Just some of the volunteers who helped prepare the hatchery for broodstock and incubation as well as prep for Salmon Come Home!

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.