AND THE WINNERS ARE …

All of us.

It’s amazing when you find something special that brings people together. It might be a hobby, a hobby magazine, or even a design that speaks to a belief. I believe in hatcheries, and it turns out so many of you do, too. The tradition of creating and marking these fish makes so much sense. I guess that’s why it’s been a volunteer effort in the absence of enough funding.

“Sons of Salmon” started with a t-shirt design in the winter of 2019. Since then, hundreds of t-shirts and hoodies have sold as far away as New Zealand, with the profits going to the winners of our first hatchery contest announced in the January 2021 issue of Island Fisherman magazine, which is making its way to readers right now.

Sons of Salmon Logo

Our inaugural contest ask was simple—if you run or work with a hatchery, send a detailed letter with photos. Tell us about the hatchery and what it would use the funds for if they won.

Twelve hatcheries sent submissions. It was very difficult to pick just three winners;
it was clear they all need help. However, three hatcheries excelled in explaining their roots, their purpose, their accomplishments, and their needs. We’ve learned from this first year’s contest, and that will make our 2021 contest even better.

We were hoping to deliver the plaques and the checks in person, take photos, and celebrate the program with hatchery staff but due to COVID-19, we mailed the checks and plaques to the winners this year. We’ll catch up with them in the spring when restrictions hopefully lighten up and the hatch begins.