HARBORS The Seaplane and Boating Destination Magazine is a proud sponsor of the Pacific Salmon Foundation of Canada
Girls Gone Fishing By Betsy Crowfoot
The author shows off her catch. 22
| HARBORS
www.harborsmagazine.com
Everyone is familiar with the axiom, ‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” But what happens when you teach a woman to fish ... ? Fishing is thrilling and fun in an indelible way. Most people can tell you the specifics of the first fish they caught: even if it was decades ago. But today women make up only about one-quarter of all anglers in North America. What keeps women from fishing more often? Having the right skills and equipment. Getting to the right place. The perceived ickiness of it. Our mission was to bust this myth (if you’ll pardon the pun!) so HARBORS Editor Susan Colby and I set out for the famed Campbell River, BC fishing grounds. Kenmore Air would deliver us directly from the Seattle to Steep Island Lodge, with a stop in Nanaimo to clear into Canada. The relaxed flight was an ideal transition from the bustle of the city to the wilderness. Soaring at just a few thousand feet, faces pressed to the windows, we zoned out over the
scenery and drone of the radial engine. Somewhere over the islands, my internet access fizzled. Eventually our pilot, Capt. Sam Hale, pointed out our destination: a sliver of green, rising from Discovery Passage. To the south, I was thrilled to see a small armada of fishing boats. “The fishing has been great!” Sam remarked, as he banked the de Havilland Otter on the final approach to the lodge. As we idled to the dock, two cheerful Labs rushed to meet us, trailed by Chantal Krantz, our host. We followed her up a wooden stairway and pebbled path, past the massive totem pole to our cabins – handsome and generous accommodations with king-size beds, desks, fireplaces and a wraparound deck with spectacular views, no matter which way you looked. Chantal already had lunch made: it would be one of many tasty and filling meals at the lodge. We sat outside, warmed by the sun, and enjoyed the menagerie of wildlife, including resident bald eagles Chantal called Frani and Leo, who swept down from their perch with a ‘whoosh!’ when she whis-
tled; and a harbor seal pup who curiously watched the show. To work off our final course of peach and blueberry tart, we endeavored a walk around the 20-some acre island. Splash, one of the dogs, set out on the trail and led us diligently around the isle; stopping at all the appropriate scenic overlooks and peering over her shoulder when we lagged. We had the island to ourselves during our stay, although during peak season (July and August) no doubt, all 22 beds would be full. Later we enjoyed an eco-tour with Mornay Vanzyl, who relayed the history of the area, culture, geography, and so on from the helm of a 32-foot aluminum Eaglecraft. I liked Mornay: he was informed and entertaining, laughed at our jokes, kept our wine glasses full and drove tenderly so they didn’t spill, despite small torrents and whirlpools of water that ripped past the hull. When we returned, Chantal has a surprise for us. She had happy hour set up at what she called, “my favorite spot in the world,” – a wooden deck that doubles as a helicopter landing
The Seaplane and Boating Destination Magazine
HARBORS |
23