Volunteer broodstock angler Chris Gadsden carefully places a wild steelhead in the holding tube (Photo: Rodney Hsu).

The 2008 Chilliwack River steelhead broodstock collection is set to begin on Tuesday January 15th. Each season, up to 20 volunteer broodstock anglers eagerly brave the cold and capture wild steelhead, which then become the production of the next generation at the Chilliwack River Hatchery in early spring.

The hatchery steelhead program provides anglers the opportunity to keep steelhead without harming the wild steelhead populations in the Lower Mainland. Hatchery steelhead are marked by the absence of their adipose fin, which is clipped prior to their release during the juvenile stage.

Up to 70 fish, or 35 breeding pairs, are collected each season. Volunteer broodstock anglers always carry a large rubber tube, which is used to hold the fish in the water once captured. The fish are transported from the tube to the hatchery via a truck that is fitted with a live-well. This process ensures the survival of every captured steelhead is not jeopardized.

The fish are held at the hatchery until they are ready to spawn in early spring. Once juvenile steelhead hatch from their eggs, they are raised for one year at the hatchery. Approximately 120,000 youngs that are produced by this year's broodstocks will be marked and released by the hatchery in May 2009. These juvenile fish typically weigh between 80 and 100 grams.

To speed up the program, anglers who wish to donate a wild steelhead that they catch are appreciated, but the well being of the spawners is the first priority. Please remember the followings:

• You should only assist if there is a broodstock angler within talking distance. By law, you are prohibited to have a live fish in your possession so please release all wild fish with care if a broodstock angler is not within sight to collect the fish.
• Proper fish handling techniques such as the use of wetted bare hands are crucial.
• Keeping the fish in the water at all time improves the spawner's chance of survival.

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