| President's Message | 2003 Symposium | Fishway Open House | | Waite Award | Upcoming Events |
	Over 500 Attend Fishway Open House by Kathy Meyer, WRWA Membership Chair A combination of sunshine and warm weather brought over 500 people to WRWA's annual open house of the fish ladder and eelway at FibreMark in West Springfield on Sunday, May 18. Don Humason, WRWA member and State Representative, was among those who toured the fish ladder. Many people were surprised to know that the fishway even exists, since it is hidden away. They were very impressed with the operation of the fishway, which allows passage of adult fish returning to spawn in the Westfield River, and with the beauty of the river and it cascades over the damn at this site. Although not many fish were passing through the ladder that day due to below freezing temperatures the previous evening, we did see some shad and numerous birds were on hand, including nesting Canada Geese. Special thanks to Gabe Khatchadourian for doing an outstanding job of organizing this event , Caleb Slater of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife for coming to help us out, and to all the WRWA members who helped guide visitors including Mike Young, Ken Taylor, Matthew DelMonte, Henry Warchol, Joan Pearsons, Ron Lucassen, and Ken Epstein.