This past October, the new association placed 270 sexually mature gene-bank salmon into the river, said association President, Darrell Tingley.

They added 7,000 parr shortly after.

A science project is in the works, explained Tingley, to use 8,000 parr over the winter months.

After reaching an agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, these parr will result in smolt.

Although the association hoped to have the river ready for fishing in 2007, that is not the case.

Tingley expects a 2008 fishing date now.

Liming will take place in 2008, he added.

“I think we had a good year starting out,” said Tingley. “Where we are today I would have to say we made great progress.”

Roughly 10,000 sea run trout were released into the river through working with McGowan Lake Fish Hatchery, said Tingley.

That took place in October.

The final phase of populating the river saw 30 sexually mature gene-bank salmon bred at the Coldbrook Biodiversity Facility.

For rearing purposes the resultant eggs will go to the Mersey Biodiversity Facility.

Tingley said if everything goes well this project will create 60,000 eggs.

Tingley hopes to start a tracking program with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in the spring.

He also wants to “plug into a tracking program run by Dalhousie University.”

The salmon association also had an Adopt-A-Stream project manager take a look at the river to offer advice in preparing a funding proposal for 2008.