Tenderfoot hatchery is a DFO hatchery that enhances coho, chinook and some years, Pinks for the Squamish system. Steelhead fry were stocked for about 9 years but were discontinued by order of Ministry of Enviroment (now WLAP) as they wanted this system to be a "wild" system only. Since that time, the stocks have crashed, particuarly in the upper Squamish and Mamquam Rivers. While the reasons for the crash have been well documented, steelhead stocking would have still provided fish in this survival downturn period. As Redside 1 stated, WLAP is not about providing fish or fishing oportunities, but about doing nothing and hopeing something comes back to the rivers.
Mr. Pink there are spawning/rearing channels on this system, particuarly on the Cheakamus and at Shovelnose Creek. Most were built by DFO or with Forrest Renewal money which is long gone back into general revenue and are primarly designed for salmon production. However, Shovelnose, Ashlu and two channels on the Cheakamus were built with steelhead components in them. Nothing of significance has been built by the Province. No big surprise there. You wrote: "My first time to the upper squamish this week,what a great river,it s big,clean and needs fish". Your right, it is a great river but it only runs clean durring the fall and winter. The rest of the year it's very cold and glacial with visability measured in inches. It also needs fish ( steelhead) and the only way that is going to happen is to put pressure on your MLA and they can then put pressure on the government to fund a serious recovery program. If that dosen't happen, then continue going to the upper Squamish for a nice drive as there won't be any steehead there. All in time for the world to see in 2010.