Stranded ?
We headed out on a bright sunny morning in totaly calm seas. It would be a well deserved holiday after a very full and somewhat stressful summer.
Campbell River would be our destination to pick up our first crew, Dr. Bob and his brother-in law Larry. We spent 14 hrs getting to Gorge Harbour. Upon arriving at Gorge Harbour we were surprised to see only a few boaters on the dock for being the last long weekend of the summer. This marina has always been quite full in past years. We later learned it had been a good summer for marinas it just died earlier than normal.
We woke early the next morning to take advantage of a low tide. Manson’s Landing would again bestow us with an abundance of oysters and clams. We then headed straight to Campbell River to hit the currents at the right time. Bob and Larry were waiting for us with bags filled with spirits. Yep wine, rum etc. At the south end of Discovery passage we spent hours fishing for salmon. Bob would catch dinner.
We headed out on a bright sunny morning in totaly calm seas. It would be a well deserved holiday after a very full and somewhat stressful summer.
Campbell River would be our destination to pick up our first crew, Dr. Bob and his brother-in law Larry. We spent 14 hrs getting to Gorge Harbour. Upon arriving at Gorge Harbour we were surprised to see only a few boaters on the dock for being the last long weekend of the summer. This marina has always been quite full in past years. We later learned it had been a good summer for marinas it just died earlier than normal.
We woke early the next morning to take advantage of a low tide. Manson’s Landing would again bestow us with an abundance of oysters and clams. We then headed straight to Campbell River to hit the currents at the right time. Bob and Larry were waiting for us with bags filled with spirits. Yep wine, rum etc. At the south end of Discovery passage we spent hours fishing for salmon. Bob would catch dinner.
We rounded the corner of Cape Mudge and to our complete surprise Bob pulled out his guitar and began singing for his supper. Not only is he a great doctor but he’s a great singer. It was about at this time that Ken realized that the transmission was getting a little hot. We decided to head to Heriot Bay for the evening.
Heriot Bay is the picturesque hub on the east side of Quadra Island, facing dramatic views of the mainland coast. It is the port of departure for the regular ferry service to Cortes Island. We dropped our prawn traps and crab traps before heading into a brand new marina.
The next morning we picked up the crab traps and were rewarded with two keepers. The prawn trap rewarded us with 40 prawns. The heads were immediately taken off and they were fried in garlic butter , tasty as usual.
On one engine we fished and headed to Campbell River to have a technician look at the transmission. It was the long weekend and it would not be able to be looked at until the Tuesday. Stranded we were in Campbell River at the Port Authority Dock (formally the government doc) . Surrounded by the fishing fleet.
Now there are two things you could do, pout about the vacation that is not going to go as planned or make the best out of the situation. We chose to make the best out of the situation. Bob, Ken and Larry fished out of the dinghy using the boat as a floating hotel room.
The Government dock is situated in down town Campbell River and everything needed was within walking distance. We headed up town as the Show and Shine was scheduled for this weekend. A local radio station was on location as well as a concession stand serving hotdogs, pop, and other treats for participants and spectators enjoying the fine weather and the gathering of chrome and steel. Armour-All and windex could be scented when one got a closer look at the vehicles that invoked memories of days gone by for the older crowd and the future of street customizing for the younger ones. There had to be at least 1000 entries from model T’s to new customized models. Ken searched hard to find the Chev he sold many years ago to a firefighter living on the island. It was not to be found.
The farmers market was also operating. The Pier Street Farmers Market operates as an open-air market, offering a wide selection of farm products, processed foods, an array of crafts and arts, fun and entertainment—always fresh. Customers can spend their Sunday morning on the market, enjoying a walk and ice cream on the unique Discovery Pier or stroll the adjacent harbour where they can buy some fresh seafood. While we were there a record 45 lb salmon was caught off the pier.
Monday morning Bob and Harry had to leave, even though we had spent 2 days in the harbour they still had a great time. That evening as Ken and I were spending the night on the back deck, a fisherman’s wife came by. Her husband was on his way in due to mechanical problems. We offered to help carry some of the things up the ramp as we had extreme tides due to the full moon. This small gesture on our behalf would prove to be the difference between being stuck in Campbell River and being privilege to having the fortune to stop by Campbell River!
We met a gentleman by the name of Doug Flynn. This turned out to be a blessing.
Janet and Bill phoned from Ont.,and decided they would still fly out even if we couldn’t go out on the boat. Spending the week on the boat, even at the dock in Campbell River would be better than a week in Toronto !
Doug Flynn is a man with a big heart. He wanted our friends from Ontario to have a wonderful time and experience the Western hospitality. He arranged to have a friend and himself to take us out fishing for a day. We learnt a lot that day. Doug sings like a canary and reminded me very much of my Grandfather Bennett. It turns out that he had a song/poem that his father had passed on to him. As fate would have it the lyrics were about the family of Flynn's from Reid's Bay on Wolfe Island. I had tears in my eyes as it named people I grew up with and knew. What a small, small world we truley live in. Doug knew no one or even where Wolfe Island was but here he was with a piece of history that tied us together.
Campbell River is located in a region rich in natural resources. The towering West Coast forests have fostered a growing forestry industry, from logging companies to pulp mills and sawmill operations. Mining is another active industry in Campbell River, with a diverse range of products including zinc, copper, lead, gold, silver and coal.
The origin of the name Campbell River lacks absolute proof, but it is probable that the river now designated a BC Heritage River, and subsequently the town near its mouth, were named after Dr. Samuel Campbell, assistant surgeon on the HMS Plumper, a British survey ship that surveyed Johnstone Strait and this part of the B.C. coastline in the 1850s and 1860s
Campbell River bills itself as the Salmon Capital of the World. One of the four main fishing centres on Vancouver Island, the city is internationally famous for both its ocean and freshwater fishing. The twice-yearly steelhead runs on the Quinsam and Campbell Rivers are as well known as that on the Cowichan River, while the year-round salmon fishing in Discovery Passage is unmatched.
The native people came to this area, year in and year out, to add to their food supplies. It was said you could walk from present day Campbell River to Quadra Island on the backs of the salmon.
In 1792 , in the ships Discovery and Chatham, Captain Vancouver came from Desolation Sound, on the mainland and anchored a half mile from Cape Mudge. Upon going ashore and climbing the cliff Captain Vancouver and his botanist, Menzies, discovered a village of about 350 people. These people resided in 12 wooden quadrangular houses, with several families in each house. They were identified as members of the Salish speaking tribes.
In the mid 19th century before Europeans had settled the area the Salish lost their land to the Lekwiltok branch of the Kwakiutl. The Lekwiltok came south from Johnstone Strait with guns obtained from Europeans and travelling in large war canoes. Around this time logging communities were beginning to be established in the area.
On a chart, the Broughtons resemble a complex jigsaw puzzle with the joints between pieces being the navigational waters. This scenic area provides the boater with a breathtaking backdrop of high snowcapped mountains, fiords and inlets with abundance of seafood.. In the past we have boated some of the area but with no transmission we opted for a different mode of transportation. Float plane. The Mail Run for the adventurous soul allows one to see the real coast of British Columbia. This 2 1/2 hour flight flies into remote Native Villages, Logging Camps, Fish Farms and remote Marinas delivering people and supplies. This tour is available year-round and allows you to experience life in coastal B.C. from a unique perspective. One word "Wow"
The pilot passed over many of the places we have anchored in the past like Octopus Island, Pierre’s Marina just to name a couple. On this trip we were to drop off a young native man to his reserve at Kingcome Inlet. Tsawatainuek First Nation (Kingcome)
The Tsawataineuk First Nation live in the small community of Gwayee located 2 miles up river from the mouth of Kingcome Inlet. Gwayee is one of the most isolated of BC’s First Nations. Kingcome Inlet is found roughly 290km northwest of Vancouver on the mainland coast of British Columbia. The community is accessible only by float plane from Campbell River and Port McNeill to the river mouth and small boat to the community, or by water taxi from Port McNeill on Vancouver Island, about a 2 hour trip one way. There are approximately 489 band members, some of whom live off reserve.
This coastline features magnificent fjord-like inlets hosting several remote fishing lodges set in spectacular surroundings. The area is a true west coast adventure, teeming with
wildlife, cascading waterfalls and waterslides, and steep mountain cliffs rising straight out of the sea. The thing that hit me as we approached the area were the cedar trees. Spanish moss hanging off them
Heriot Bay is the picturesque hub on the east side of Quadra Island, facing dramatic views of the mainland coast. It is the port of departure for the regular ferry service to Cortes Island. We dropped our prawn traps and crab traps before heading into a brand new marina.
The next morning we picked up the crab traps and were rewarded with two keepers. The prawn trap rewarded us with 40 prawns. The heads were immediately taken off and they were fried in garlic butter , tasty as usual.
On one engine we fished and headed to Campbell River to have a technician look at the transmission. It was the long weekend and it would not be able to be looked at until the Tuesday. Stranded we were in Campbell River at the Port Authority Dock (formally the government doc) . Surrounded by the fishing fleet.
Now there are two things you could do, pout about the vacation that is not going to go as planned or make the best out of the situation. We chose to make the best out of the situation. Bob, Ken and Larry fished out of the dinghy using the boat as a floating hotel room.
The Government dock is situated in down town Campbell River and everything needed was within walking distance. We headed up town as the Show and Shine was scheduled for this weekend. A local radio station was on location as well as a concession stand serving hotdogs, pop, and other treats for participants and spectators enjoying the fine weather and the gathering of chrome and steel. Armour-All and windex could be scented when one got a closer look at the vehicles that invoked memories of days gone by for the older crowd and the future of street customizing for the younger ones. There had to be at least 1000 entries from model T’s to new customized models. Ken searched hard to find the Chev he sold many years ago to a firefighter living on the island. It was not to be found.
The farmers market was also operating. The Pier Street Farmers Market operates as an open-air market, offering a wide selection of farm products, processed foods, an array of crafts and arts, fun and entertainment—always fresh. Customers can spend their Sunday morning on the market, enjoying a walk and ice cream on the unique Discovery Pier or stroll the adjacent harbour where they can buy some fresh seafood. While we were there a record 45 lb salmon was caught off the pier.
Monday morning Bob and Harry had to leave, even though we had spent 2 days in the harbour they still had a great time. That evening as Ken and I were spending the night on the back deck, a fisherman’s wife came by. Her husband was on his way in due to mechanical problems. We offered to help carry some of the things up the ramp as we had extreme tides due to the full moon. This small gesture on our behalf would prove to be the difference between being stuck in Campbell River and being privilege to having the fortune to stop by Campbell River!
We met a gentleman by the name of Doug Flynn. This turned out to be a blessing.
Janet and Bill phoned from Ont.,and decided they would still fly out even if we couldn’t go out on the boat. Spending the week on the boat, even at the dock in Campbell River would be better than a week in Toronto !
Doug Flynn is a man with a big heart. He wanted our friends from Ontario to have a wonderful time and experience the Western hospitality. He arranged to have a friend and himself to take us out fishing for a day. We learnt a lot that day. Doug sings like a canary and reminded me very much of my Grandfather Bennett. It turns out that he had a song/poem that his father had passed on to him. As fate would have it the lyrics were about the family of Flynn's from Reid's Bay on Wolfe Island. I had tears in my eyes as it named people I grew up with and knew. What a small, small world we truley live in. Doug knew no one or even where Wolfe Island was but here he was with a piece of history that tied us together.
Campbell River is located in a region rich in natural resources. The towering West Coast forests have fostered a growing forestry industry, from logging companies to pulp mills and sawmill operations. Mining is another active industry in Campbell River, with a diverse range of products including zinc, copper, lead, gold, silver and coal.
The origin of the name Campbell River lacks absolute proof, but it is probable that the river now designated a BC Heritage River, and subsequently the town near its mouth, were named after Dr. Samuel Campbell, assistant surgeon on the HMS Plumper, a British survey ship that surveyed Johnstone Strait and this part of the B.C. coastline in the 1850s and 1860s
Campbell River bills itself as the Salmon Capital of the World. One of the four main fishing centres on Vancouver Island, the city is internationally famous for both its ocean and freshwater fishing. The twice-yearly steelhead runs on the Quinsam and Campbell Rivers are as well known as that on the Cowichan River, while the year-round salmon fishing in Discovery Passage is unmatched.
The native people came to this area, year in and year out, to add to their food supplies. It was said you could walk from present day Campbell River to Quadra Island on the backs of the salmon.
In 1792 , in the ships Discovery and Chatham, Captain Vancouver came from Desolation Sound, on the mainland and anchored a half mile from Cape Mudge. Upon going ashore and climbing the cliff Captain Vancouver and his botanist, Menzies, discovered a village of about 350 people. These people resided in 12 wooden quadrangular houses, with several families in each house. They were identified as members of the Salish speaking tribes.
In the mid 19th century before Europeans had settled the area the Salish lost their land to the Lekwiltok branch of the Kwakiutl. The Lekwiltok came south from Johnstone Strait with guns obtained from Europeans and travelling in large war canoes. Around this time logging communities were beginning to be established in the area.
On a chart, the Broughtons resemble a complex jigsaw puzzle with the joints between pieces being the navigational waters. This scenic area provides the boater with a breathtaking backdrop of high snowcapped mountains, fiords and inlets with abundance of seafood.. In the past we have boated some of the area but with no transmission we opted for a different mode of transportation. Float plane. The Mail Run for the adventurous soul allows one to see the real coast of British Columbia. This 2 1/2 hour flight flies into remote Native Villages, Logging Camps, Fish Farms and remote Marinas delivering people and supplies. This tour is available year-round and allows you to experience life in coastal B.C. from a unique perspective. One word "Wow"
The pilot passed over many of the places we have anchored in the past like Octopus Island, Pierre’s Marina just to name a couple. On this trip we were to drop off a young native man to his reserve at Kingcome Inlet. Tsawatainuek First Nation (Kingcome)
The Tsawataineuk First Nation live in the small community of Gwayee located 2 miles up river from the mouth of Kingcome Inlet. Gwayee is one of the most isolated of BC’s First Nations. Kingcome Inlet is found roughly 290km northwest of Vancouver on the mainland coast of British Columbia. The community is accessible only by float plane from Campbell River and Port McNeill to the river mouth and small boat to the community, or by water taxi from Port McNeill on Vancouver Island, about a 2 hour trip one way. There are approximately 489 band members, some of whom live off reserve.
This coastline features magnificent fjord-like inlets hosting several remote fishing lodges set in spectacular surroundings. The area is a true west coast adventure, teeming with
wildlife, cascading waterfalls and waterslides, and steep mountain cliffs rising straight out of the sea. The thing that hit me as we approached the area were the cedar trees. Spanish moss hanging off them
CHECK OUT THE PICTURES IN THE PHOTO ALBUM ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE PANEL
Later in the week we worked our way by car to Nanaimo to catch the ferry to Vancouver. I flew home and Ken went to Kelowna to work on the house.
Two weeks later Ken and I would return to Campbell River to pick up our fixed boat. Mark Schoner would join us for the 4 days. The weather was wonderful. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather for October. We caught plenty of prawns but got skunked with the crabs. What we did catch was to small to keep. First night stayed at Von Donlop, second night at Pender Harbour. We anchored then were heading up to the pub when we noticed Wendy and Wayne's boat anchored behind us. They also had guests, we all made our way to the pub for dinner. The third night we stayed at Plumpers Cove. It had been a wonderful evening with stars in the sky. At three in the morning the boat started rocking side to side enough to almost knock us all out of bed. I got up and started to put all the things we had left on deck away. We couldn't see what was causing the motion. Could it have been the tidal change . There was very little wind.
Early the next morning we headed towards Vancouver. As we entered the Strait of Georgia we realized what had caused the rock and roll. Mark brought up the crab traps. It resembled the documentery of the Most Dangerrous Catch. I was almost ready to leave the traps. The thought of having to make a man overboard rescue in these waves didn't thrill me. But all went ok. Mark got wet and he stayed in the boat!
The waves started at about 3 feet but at times reached 10 feet. Luckily not for too long. Things did go flying all over the boat. We arrived back at the Delta then headed home.
The boat is now getting all fixed up from the charter mishap and Ken will go out in November to get it ready for the winter rains. I am not sure when will be going out but until then it will be internet boating.
More pictures willbe coming from the people that came along for the rides. Stay tune.
posted by genesisincalmh2o @ 6:06 PM
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