This Run was dependent on receiving advice from the Hatchery that they had arranged for a recipient for the harvested and fertilized Coho eggs. It had been anticipated that this would be in mid-October but in fact it was on Thursday, 24^th that the Hatchery confirmed the harvest would be done on Tuesday, 29^th.  A Run advice was put out accordingly with a request that intending participants give advice by Noon, Monday 28^th so parking could be arranged. Four confirmations + one possible were received. The weather became the next factor… The forecast for Tuesday was not brilliant with possible light rain, clearing to some sun and clouds by mid-morning. By 9:30am on the Tuesday morning, it was evident that it had rained, but there were signs of clearing in the west and the four who had confirmed became the intrepid four who came along for the start 10:15am start. We arrived at 10:45am and things were well under way with the selected fish having been lifted and hung on racks pending being dealt with. We were able to see the complete process starting with taking skin, organ and egg samples for identification and DNA testing. Then came recording the length measurement with a yardstick to take readings from the eye to the root of the tail. The females were then relieved of their eggs, they being fed into a bucket and a male was picked up and bent so he could be squeezed and his melt squirted onto the eggs. The bucket was then tagged and taken for storage for packing and transport to the recipient. All-in-all a very well organized and humane operation with 10 takes being completed by 11:30am.

Two cars then departed and the other two left to drive back to Thompson Regional Park for a Picnic Lunch. The weather improved with some sunny breaks and it was agreed that it had been worth while taking the chance to come on the Run. The rest of the return journey with welcome glimpses of the autumn colors was without incident. To judge by the number of fishermen at the Vedder Bridge, we were not the only ones to be having a good day……

Text and Photos by
Michael Hamilton-Clark, Run Co-Ordinator