A rainbow through the mosquitoes after an East Machias River rain storm
Peter Gray Hatchery Update  
Good morning to all those that support the Peter Gray Parr Project in one way or another and welcome to the June Peter Gray Hatchery update. Time has been flying here in Downeast Maine. Already July??!! - mind-boggling.

We have enjoyed a nice cool, wet start to our summer here in Downeast Maine. This is of stark comparison to the past three years of hot, dry summers and falls with very little to no rain. As we look out the Peter Gray Hatchery window and see an East Machias River with plenty of water, it gives us a sense of hope that the Atlantic salmon out in the river are having a great year. Perhaps they have the same sentiment as American producer Arthur Freed: " I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain; What a wonderful feeling, I'm happy again."

Our joint smolt trapping operation with the Maine DMR wrapped up on June 20th. This end date is a couple weeks later than the past few years of trapping - likely due to the cool temperatures and higher water levels in the river.

2019 Smolt Trapping

New smolt captures: 220

Peter Gray Hatchery Origin: 200
Wild (or naturally reared) Origin: 20
Recaptures: 42

2019's 220 smolt captured marks the second highest number of smolt captured during the Peter Gray Parr Project! The numbers haven't been crunched yet to determine the total estimated smolt population, but it most likely will fall somewhere between 2016's 1259 smolts (206 captured smolt) and 2017's 1691 smolts (260 captured smolt).

Given the harsh growing conditions these smolt have endured the past couple years, we believe the higher number of smolts is a promising sign for the salmon population in the East Machias River. Through record breaking drought conditions and high temperatures these little athletes were able to survive 2-3 years in the river and make their way towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Stay tuned for the next hatchery update where we should have a preliminary smolt population number for you. For more information on smolt trapping please read that hatchery update here or check out our website.

Please check out some drone footage of smolt trapping on the Downeast Salmon Federation's YouTube page, or you can click these links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dUv4IgvbR4, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XvJQl_gvKc.

Thank you for taking the time to read through our updates. If you are new to receiving these updates and would like to catch up on some you have missed, please visit our website here . Also, if there are any of your friends you think would enjoy this content please share with them or let us know their email address to add to the list!

If you like the work we are doing, please considering donating towards the continuation of the Peter Gray Parr Project . Thank you!
Truck

Do you have a reliable pickup truck sitting around? Are you a fan of the Peter Gray Parr Project and the work we do? Would you like a tax deduction for the value of that pickup in 2019? Please consider donating that pickup to the Downeast Salmon Federation for use in the wide variety of field work we do throughout the year. Currently, the Downeast Salmon Federation doesn't have a pickup truck to accomplish all of the very important, boots-on-ground projects that are taken on each year. These tasks would include stocking salmon, habitat restoration, redd counts, land stewardship along rivers, among many others. If this is something you are interested please contact zach@mainesalmonrivers.org. *Picture below for attention*
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$30,000 Charlie Harriman Peter Gray Parr Project Matching Gift Challenge
We are almost half-way to our goal for the 2019 Peter Gray Parr Project Matching Gift Challenge!

Long-time DSF friend and supporter, Charlie Harriman, has followed up his very generous and successful 2018 challenge with another challenge: every donation to the Peter Gray Parr Project will be matched 50% - Your $100 gift becomes a $150 donation to the Peter Gray Parr Project!

To date, our member contributions to the 2019 Matching Gift Challenge have totaled almost $30,000. Generous members and supporters like Charlie are leaving their mark on the future of Atlantic Salmon in Downeast Maine! You can leave your mark, too!

Thank you, Charlie, for your steadfast commitment to the Peter Gray Parr Project!
You can also support the Downeast Salmon Federation by purchasing some swag! Hats, sweatshirts, and t-shirts can be found HERE . Other ways to help are to become a member !

We hope this update finds you well and you enjoyed reading about the Peter Gray Parr Project . Thank you for all you have done, and continue to do, in the pursuit of Atlantic salmon restoration!

Kind Regards,

Peter Gray Hatchery Staff 
If you'd like to read more on the Peter Gray Parr Project 's beginnings and future please read our  Parr Project Booklet. 

There is a short Parr Project video on our website  HERE.
 Thank you to the Trout and Salmon Foundation for your continued support of the Peter Gray Parr Project !
Please support our work by becoming a member  of the Downeast Salmon Federation. Together, we can restore sea-run fisheries in Maine.