A river never sleeps

[Jennie@ifish]

I need to know more more more about all these places in this book. How many people have seen some or alot of these places? What are they like now? I am going to go!
I need to!!!!
Jen

[Jigman]

Jennie, I've been there. Used to spend alot of time in the Cambell river area in the winter in search of steelies on the Cambell and alot of the smaller rivers(the Quinsam was my fav!).

[HOGTIDE]

It is worth the drive just to see the country in that region. If you sightsee in the Cambell river area, you must take the trip across the island to the west side to Gold River. The entire watershed a region is semi-remote and beautiful.

...and take a drive north toward Telegraph Cove and Port Hardy......why do I live here? eh??

[Deleted User]

Jen, the first time I came into the town of Campbell River on Vanc. Is. I was suprised that it wasn't as I envisioned at all. I imagined a tiny outpost town in the wilds of BC. I was disappointed to see everything from McDonalds to car dealerships. Similar thing with Soldotna, AK. I found the saltwater and Campbell River fishing to be over-rated. I know it gets better than when I went, but not like other better areas of BC. I agree very much with Hog' that the west side of the Island, with great rivers like the Gold and Stamp is more what I had imaged, and probably where RHB fished. If you take the ferry up to the Island, take another all the way from Port Hardy up to Prince Rupert, BC. It is the economy way to 'cruise' the awesome 'Inside Passage'. Then you can drive back thru Skeena River country and fish the best group of salmon and steelhead rivers on the continent. - Steve

[Centerpin]

I was born and raised on Vancouver Island. The whole Island has changed quite a bit. All the rivers he writes about are closed now. The little Q, big Q, englishman, Campbell, Quinsam. There are no steelhead returning therefore they are closed. You can still fish the Nimpkish and the Stamp which he fished with General Noel Money. You have to understand that these books were written when the Island was still wild and filled with loggers and commercial fishermen. Now there are a bunch of sissys from the city and retired old folk. It is tough to find a born and raised Islander anymore. The Island is still the best place in the world to live. Just not the best place in the world to fish. If you want true adventure then the Skeena or the Central Coast is where you want to be. The central coast is only for the hardcore or the rich. The Skeena is what you make of it.

RT you are probably right about CR, but ask Billy about the other side of the straight. Him and his cousins have been known to lay a licking on the blackmouth. All top notch guides.

------------------
Support BC Steelhead Recovery... check out http://www.bcfff.bc.ca/

My Photos... http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/RallyRd/centerpin/

[This message has been edited by Centerpin (edited 01-19-2001).]

[HOGTIDE]

The Cambell River fishery in the late 1970's was as good as it gets. Fishing the rips of Quadra Island,Tyee Pool,Butler's and Francisco Points were a lifes dream come true. Water teaming with bait,Coho and Springs(Chinook),willing to take flashtails on the fast-troll was the ultimate sportfishing experience. The idea filled every waking thought. I had every intent of moving to and retiring in this region, just for the incredible combination of eagles, orca,scenery, salt and fishing.

Whatever happened, I will never know. The migrating silvers no longer migrated, the Northern Coho no longer passed through. The giant 'Cambell bound' Tyee disappeared and so did the local fish. My dream became a sad nightmare.

I still return from time to time, but only to stare at Discovery Passage and the straits. I point to my kids and say there, there is where we used to spend our summers...on the water.

Today's Cambell River has all of the conveniences, but none of the reasons to be there.

[Deleted User]

CP, I've read the articles and seen the pics of fishing out of Lund BC; in Beautiful BC Magazine. The whole 'Sunshine Coast' is a paradise. I just starred at the inlets/fiords from the BC Ferry ship, from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy last early Sept., wishing I were a billionaire. I would bring my 75 ft. yacht up thru there and explore River's Inlet, Dean Channel/Bella Coola (and rivers), and many more unnamed gorgeous inlets with no other boats there. I would have both a helicopter and a sshallow running flat 18' jet sled (like I have now) to winch overboard near the mouths of rivers, like the Kilbella and Dean, and run right up them with my bearspray and rifles, and fish in 'Heaven'. Don't wake me up! I want to dream this one all night long http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Jennie@ifish]

I think I'll just close my eyes and read the book some more. I like what he saw more than what you guys are telling me!
Sad!
Jen