We are tapping the spring here. First we had to pump out the water, cut a hole in the tile and place a drain connector in the tile.

Then we dug a trench, laid the pipe and connected it to the drain connector we placed in the tile.

Mike and Jim Lawler set up the tank and cleaned it. Note the insulation around the tank as the hatchery is not heated.

On January 21 the club de-installed the tank and moved it to our hatchery. The tank was heavy but moving it was made easier because of the snow. (1)

The Atlantic salmon eggs arrived
on February 8, 2006 via FedEx.

The eggs were shipped in an insulated cardboard box packed with ice.

Mike Mercodie at the CNY Sportmans Show on February 4. There was a sizeable crowd there.

Paul is making a presentation to the crowd at the CNY Sportmans Show held at the Kallet in Oneida.

Mike and Dawn at the Camping
and Outdoor show held at the
Turning Stone casino on March 17-19

Pete Renne helped out with manning the booth at TurningStone Casino. He is showing Mike and a small visitor how to tie some flies.

Paul talking to an interested vistor at the Herb Philipsons Sports show in New Hartford.

Mike and Tom at the Oneida Lake Association meeting at the Cicero - North Syracuse High School

The club held an open house for the hatchery on May 19. Tom Tkachuk is having a heated discussion with a visitor.

Refreshments kept spirits high and the conversations going at the open house.

Tom's dog knew best how to beat the cool, damp conditions of the open house.

Some of the visitors at the open house walking up the slope from the hatchery..

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Paul is demonstrating how theclub stocks the fish which are placed in bags in coolers. Pails are used to carry the fish to the stream once the site has been reached.

Jim Commenucci taking shots of the proceedings. Note the pails used for carrying the fish to the stream.

Gene Carey is bagging the fish, squeezing out the air and adding pure oxygen. The bagis then sealed air tight. (2)

Madison, our littlest fish stocker gives it a try by scooping a net full of Atlantic salmon fry. (2)

After sealing the bag with the fish, the bag is then transfered to a cooler for transport to the site. The fish are then transferred to the stream in the pail. (2)

Once on the stream we start looking for a good place to stock the fish. The fish should be placed in 10 to 15 inches of water which is flowing through and around rocks. (2)

The bottom structure will not only give the fish a place to hide from predators, it will give them a place to find food. Each fish will find its own "home" rock. (2)

Atlantic salmon prefer swift water flowing over rocks as it is generally well oxygenated. Care must be taken as the rocks are slippery. (2)

On October 7, the club replaced the pipe from the spring and tapped the second spring. Dick and Paul are installing threaded fittings to the end of 10 foot lengths of 1 1/2 inch pipe.

Five sections of pipe are connected using threaded fittings. Then the sections are connected with flexible fittings. Here the second pipe is being installed

Dick brought his camp stove and prepared lunch for the workers. It was greatly appreciated

Shown here is a view from the hatchery of the two supply lines run from two springs.