Issuu

PEOPLE | COMMUNITY | CULTURE

JULY 2016

FREE

TO DO

THIS SUMMER

• WHALE WATCHING • FLIGHTSEEING • GRIZZLY TOURS • FISHING • GEOCACHING • AND MORE!

Publisher Editor Editorial Team

Advertising Team

1/2 PG

CORILAIR

Graphic Design Team

Dave Hamilton Alistair Taylor Kristen Douglas Mike Davies Jocelyn Doll Dean Taylor Debbie Baker Maria Kirley Jacquie Duns Darcey Wood Michelle Hueller Rachael Beckley Kristi Pellegrin Marnie Neaves Tammy Robinson

Wave is Campbell River’s leading lifestyle magazine. To advertise or learn more about advertising opportunities please send us an email at publisher@campbellrivermirror.com

Dave Hamilton

Alistair Taylor

Kristen Douglas

Mike Davies

 Editor

 Publisher

 Writer

Jocelyn Doll

Michelle Hueller

 Writer

 Graphic Designer

PEOPLE | COMMUNIT

Y | CULTU RE

On the Cover:

JULY 2016

Humpback whale populations are on the rebound – an encouraging sign that nature can heal, if given space and time.

Photo courtesy Campbell River Whale Watching

FREE

TO DO

THIS SUMMER

• WHALE WAT CHING • FLIGH TSEEING • GRIZ • FISHING • GEOC ZLY TOURS ACHING • AND MORE!

Wave is produced by: Wave magazine is published quarterly by Black Press. The points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher of Wave. The contents of Wave magazine are protected by copyright, including the designed advertising. Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher.

[2] WAVE MAGAZINE | JULY 2016

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contents

Whale Watching: An ocean safari

Haig Brown House: History on the river

10 Flightseeing: Hitching a ride on the historic mail run 14 Geocaching: What will you find?

MICHELLE HUELLER

JULY 2016 | ISSUE #13

15 Ripple Rock Trail: The perfect trail awaits 17 Grizzly tours: Stepping into another world 20 Riding Superb Terrain 21 Fishing the salmon capital 22 Rotary-built favourites 23 Local favourites

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[4] WAVE MAGAZINE | JULY 2016

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ﬁshing from the pier The Discovery Pier extends 150 feet from the shore, is 600 feet long and provides access to high quality recreational fishing for the whole family and is wheelchair accessible. It has built-in rod holders, bait stands, nets, fish cleaning tables, covered areas, picnic tables and benches.

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Cooper’s Hawk Disc Golf Course Is located in the forested area of the Willow Point Sportsplex. An 18 hole golf course consisting of medium length open holes and shorter technical holes. Everyone is welcome to play on this free course. Suitable for all ages.

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JULY 2016 | WAVE MAGAZINE [5]

JOCELYN DOLL

Story by Jocelyn Doll

JOCELYN DOLL

whale watching – AN OCEAN SAFARI

The chilly wind, the numb hands, the headache from the bumpy ride, it was all worth it when a dolphin surfaced right beside the boat to take a breath. I could have touched its dorsal fin. I didn’t of course. The number one rule is that boats are supposed to stay 100 metres away from any marine wildlife (aka: no touching!), but we were just floating along, the dolphins decided to come right up to us.

To be clear, motoring over 110 miles per hour in a Zodiac was lots of fun and all of the unpleasantness could have been avoided. Jack Springer, our guide from Campbell River Whale watching, had gloves and toques that I declined as well as empty spots further to the back of the boat that were much less bumpy, but I wanted to sit in the front to see better. A little bit of discomfort makes me more adventurous right?

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breathe. The keen eyes of one of my fellow whale watchers spotted it and we made our way over.

Our historical, geographical, marine wildlife safari started out with a visit to George and Georgina, the bald eagles living on a little island just off of Quadra Island. Springer had a herring for each of them, whistling before tossing it into the ocean just to the side of the boat so that everyone on board could get a spectacular photo of them swooping to grab their treat. Springer said they think that it is the same couple that come back to that island every year, but they aren’t 100 per cent sure.

Springer said they jokingly equate watching humpback whales to watching paint dry.

The first hint of something a little more exciting was the spray of a humpback whale coming up to

Once spotted, Springer texted the other local whale watching companies to let them know where the humpback was. Most of the larger whale watching companies belong to the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association (NIMMSA) which requires them to follow a code of conduct while engaged in marine operations. Springer said that if whale watching companies aren’t members it is probably because they don’t always follow the code of conduct. As we continued along, it was difficult to focus on looking for wildlife because the views were so spectacular. Springer took us along the Island coast in search of bears before pulling over and helping us off to have lunch at Cordero Lodge.

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JOCELYN DOLL

We soon came upon some guillemot diving into the ocean and flying up to their nests on the face of a cliff. It’s hard to believe but Springer said they can dive down 200 feet. Their eggs are also bottom heavy so they don’t roll off the cliff.

Humpbacks will surface and take three or four breaths before diving again. A tail flip means a deep dive and the 40 foot long animal might be under the surface for as long as eight minutes.

JOCELYN DOLL

Early the previous evening, orcas had been spotted south of Cortes Island so we headed north up Discovery Passage, thinking that’s the direction they might have been headed. We saw a seal before we even left the marina. Springer said they often swim in to look for salmon.

Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre 1444 Island Highway Campbell River

JULY 2016 | WAVE MAGAZINE [7]

CAMPBELL RIVER WHALE WATCHING

We hopped back in the boat to continue our safari and quickly found some dolphins.

As we headed back to Campbell River, we stopped only once to see some smelly sea lions, on that day, the orcas were nowhere to be found, by any of the tour boats that had headed in all different directions. For a slow day on the ocean, there sure was a lot of activity.

CAMPBELL RIVER WHALE WATCHING

There was some charming wildlife to be seen while we were off boat. Cordero is populated with hundreds of humming birds whirring about. The shallows also offer an opportunity to check out sea anemone, starfish and sea urchin. Springer doesn’t always bring his tours to Cordero, but it was raining at one of his other main stops.

Usually mischievous and playful, Springer figures the dolphins were sleeping. But for us newbies who hadn’t seen a dolphin in the wild, it was magical all the same. Just as we pulled away, another tour boat joined us, responding to Springer’s alert via text.

CAMPBELL RIVER WHALE WATCHING

The boat-in lodge was a chance to warm up and visit with fellow whale watchers.

[8] WAVE MAGAZINE | JULY 2016

history HAIG-BROWN HERITAGE HOUSE CELEBRATES HISTORY ON THE RIVERBANK Haig-Brown Heritage House was built in 1923 and was the home of Roderick Haig-Brown, an avid fly-fisher, pioneering conservationist, acclaimed author and magistrate. Today, on the banks of the Campbell River, it is a shrine for fly fishers and a tranquil trip down memory lane for the rest of us. This historic family home was where Haig-Brown put pen to paper and influenced fisheries biologists, ecologists and countless others interested in the evolving relationship between people and nature. In winter, the House provides temporary

accommodation for a Writer In Residence, through a program operated by the Campbell River Museum. During the summer months, the Haig-Brown House offers unique bed and breakfast accommodation featuring three bedrooms for up to seven guests. The murmur of the river can be heard from the rooms overlooking the peaceful grounds. Inside the former family home, thousands of books line the walls of the study in which many of the writer’s famous works were penned. The beautiful gardens and grounds are available on a rental basis.

Roderick Haig-Brown

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ﬂightseeing

HITCHING A RIDE ON THE HISTORIC MAIL RUN Story and photos by Alistair Taylor

One of the most beautiful vistas you can view on this – or any other coast – is the sea to mountain to sky scenery of the Discovery Islands located between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland. It’s a maze of channels, narrows and passes between rugged islands that reach from sea level to snowline. On a sunny day it’s a world of azure sky, deep blue ocean and green forested mountainsides and the usual way to access it is by boat. But it’s not the only way. Pilot and Corilair co-owner Mike Farrell

Campbell River-based floatplane operator Corilair offers “flightseeing” tours

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[10] WAVE MAGAZINE | JULY 2016

to this scenic wonderland that enable visitors to hop from Campbell River to resorts, coves and historic settlements dotted along the shores of the Discovery Islands and up mainland inlets. Corilair began flying the friendly skies in 1989 from its home base on Cortes Island. Then in 2000, it was purchased and moved to Campbell River. Although the tourist services it provides are probably how it’s more romantically viewed, the bulk of the company’s business is still as a workhorse delivering people and freight to remote locations at the northern end of Georgia Strait. The

TAGon itsALONG ﬂights to

Discovery Islands are dotted with settlements, camps and lodges and they need air service to bring people and freight in and out on scheduled and chartered flights. But it’s the air of adventure that attracts tourists and Campbell River has a big advantage in being a jumping off point for a big, bold and beautiful land. One of the quickest and most popular ways to visit this beautiful sea and landscape is through Corilair’s Historic Mail Tours. This involves hopping on board one of Corilair’s De Havilland Beavers or Cessna float planes as it literally delivers the mail – and other goods, services and people – to the myriad stops accessible by air. Visitors can tag along on these varying itineraries as the pilots make service calls to working locations in this region. “We have people come from all over the world to fly about with us,” says pilot Mike Farrell, one of Corilair’s owners. “It’s rather unique…You go out and you make multiple stops and you get to get out and mingle in each of the stops. Pretty much everywhere we go is off the grid.”

Read Island Post Master Donna Keeling

There’s no public transportation or power or any services or roads to them so the only way you can get there is by floatplane or boat. And while a mail run – both metaphorically and literally – is a working holiday, for the plane any-

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way, it appeals to tourists because of a combination of factors, Farrell says.

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“One, it’s off the grid,” he says. “Two, off the grid is really, really close to us, so we only have to actually fly for 10 minutes and we’re off the grid from here. It’s not like we have to go this horrendous amount of distance to go do that. Three – at the stops we go to, most of it you’re seeing the real thing. It’s not a tourist trap or it’s not staged. This is how these people live year-round.” On one mail run flight tour, this writer took off from Corilair’s home base on the Tyee Spit. Lifting off from Discovery Passage we fly north over Quadra Island, the luxurious April Point Lodge drops below us as we gain altitude. We fly to the east side of Quadra Island and then head up Hoskyn Channel along the west coast of Read Island to our first stop at Surge Narrows. Putting down at the Narrows, we land on the water – always an exciting experience – and motor into the government wharf where the Canada Post outlet is housed. Farrell approaches the wharf at an angle and then cuts the engine to drift ex-

pertly to rest at the dock. He hops out and ties the plane up and everybody disembarks for a 10-15 minute stretch of the legs while Farrell seeks out the Surge Narrows post master. Walking up from the wharf along a gravel road, you immediately notice the silence. No background traffic, building hum or any other human sound intrudes on your ear. It’s just the breeze and the birds as you walk along a country lane to “downtown Surge Narrows” where the community centre and Surge Narrows school are located. A sunny school field is edged by vibrant foxgloves and green, green grass. This is your first taste of island life and its well-deserved reputation for tranquility. Back at the wharf, the post master has been found and the mail is offloaded. Post Master Donna Keeling offers visitors an opportunity to mail a post card home sporting the unique Surge Narrows post stamp. Back on the plane, we take off from the wharf, the Beaver engine roaring as we gain enough speed to achieve liftoff. Farrell doesn’t take ‘er straight up though. Instead, just a few feet off the water we fly low

up Whiterock Passage, a narrow cleft between steep-sided Read and Maurelle islands. Then we head northeast towards our next stop, Toba Wilderness Resort at the mouth of Toba Inlet. This spectacularly-located lodge is preparing for the new season when we arrive but we get a short tour from owners Kyle and Andrea Hunter. This lodge is a collection of cabins on a shelf of shore at the foot of a steep mountainside that is highlighted by a high waterfall. The waterfall is important to the lodge not only for the beautiful clear creek that spills out from the bottom of it and tumbles over rocks and boulders into the waters of Pryce Channel, but also because it provides the lodge with its own hydroelectric power. A small power house is home to the hydro facility which generates electricity from the water drawn off the waterfall that drops down a pipe, building up speed and energy that spins a turbine and creates electricity for this picturesque resort. It’s this kind of real life ingenuity and resourcefulness that characterizes the many lodges and communities dotting this region. After picking up a passenger, we’re off to our next destination, Refuge Cove, located southeast of Toba Wildernest on West Redonda Island. Refuge Cove is an old settlement that provides groceries and gas to boaters. It’s less busy now than in its heyday when it was a busy stop for northbound marine traffic prior to the removal of the Ripple Rock navigation hazard in 1958. That dangerous obstacle to large vessels was blown up in the largest non-nuclear explosion and allowed large vessels to negotiate the more direct route to the Inside Passage through Discovery Passage and the constriction of Seymour Narrows. For more on this, see the story on the Ripple Rock Trail on page 15 of this edition of Wave. The removal of Ripple Rock meant that northbound traffic no longer needed to stop into Refuge Cove and the number of vessels stopping in declined. However, it’s no ghost town as it now mainly serves boating and sailing traffic, many of whom visit nearby Desolation Sound Marine Park. Like most ser-

vice ports in this island region, many of the buildings stand on pylons with boardwalks partially over the water and tidal rocks. Picturesque is the word that comes to mind as this interface between sea, rock and island compels you to stay and linger a while. But, this is a mail run, so it’s time to gather up the mail, board the De Havilland and take off for home. Now we run mostly west as we cross Cortes Island, Sutil Channel, the south end of Quadra Island again and then land outside Tyee Spit and motor into home port at Corilair’s seaplane terminal. That’s another mail run completed in approximately two hours of travelling time, short but the amount of ground (and sea) covered is amazing and the scenery experienced is spectacular. Few mail runs are exactly the same as the itinerary is determined by the deliveries and pick ups that are needed. But it’s a fun and easy way to see this spectacular island wilderness. However, it’s not the only way Corilair’s floatplanes enable you to see it. Another half-day trip involves a partnership with Eagle Eye Adventures where one half of the travelling party flies to destinations while the other half explores the region on the water with Eagle Eye’s large powered Zodiacs looking for whales and other wildlife. The two meet half way and exchange passengers allowing each group to continue their tour on the other mode of transportation. The Eagle Eye Zodiac travels through Discovery Passage, viewing the inspiring scenery of Copper Bluffs and taking in the thrill of Seymour Narrows on their way to the Stuart Island area via the aptly named passage known as Hole In The Wall. The water travel segment of the outing culminates with light refreshments and a pause at Big Bay (Stuart Island), where they meet the Corilair floatplane to exchange passengers. The Corilair sky portion of the tour continues from where the Eagle Eye Zodiac left off departing for two more “off the grid” settlements, each with its own unique lifestyle and history. Opportunity for a short exploration and interaction with the locals is presented with each stop.

You can also experience the excitement of this coast through Corilair’s partnership with Destiny River Adventures which they’ve named the “F-ing Adventure.” The Fs stand for: Float – Fly – Food – Fun – Falls – Fabulous – Fanciful – Fantastic – Fascinating – Flavourful. It involves a professionally guided river rafting tour with Destiny River Adventures and a scenic flight with a stop for lunch with Corilair. And if that’s not enough for you, you can choose the the Feast Flight

which is a day trip consisting of an aerial tour of the local area, with a stop in at a featured location for lunch or dinner at: Blind Channel Resort - Located On West Thurlow Island; Dent Island Lodge - Located On Dent Island; Rendezvous Lodge - Located On North Rendezvous Island; or Upcoast Summers Located In Refuge Cove. Corilair also offers a number of other tour options. They all add up to the fact that seeing this beautiful scenery by air is definitely one of the best ways to go.

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Geocaching enthusiasts from around the globe are fully charged about the treasure hunting potential of the mid-Island region. Within a 10 km radius of Campbell River there are more than 300 caches. Wander outside the city limits and the cache count jumps quickly into the thousands. More than four million adventure loving social networkers worldwide – armed with a GPS or GPS-enabled mobile device – have joined the world’s fastest growing outdoor, recreational craze. The word geocaching refers to “geo” for geography and to “caching” for the process of hiding a cache. The word cache also applies in hiking/camping circles as a hiding place for concealing and preserving provisions.

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[14] WAVE MAGAZINE | JULY 2016

You can go online and register to be a geocacher for free. The protocols are simple: If you take something from a cache you discover, leave something of equal or greater value in its place; write about your find in the cache logbook and log your experience at www.geocaching.com. There is hardly a trail or park in the Campbell River region that does not have several caches waiting to be discovered.

ripple rock trail Story by Alistair Taylor If you’ve walked Campbell River’s beautiful Seawalk enough times and have meandered through the gorgeous woods along the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands trails, you might be thinking it’s time to take things up a notch. Just north of town the perfect trail awaits you. The Ripple Rock Trail may just be the perfect trail. It’s got an easy beginning that provides you access to a beautiful bay and creek crossing all reached via a groomed gravel trail. The idyllic bridge crossing takes you to a lowland wood and comes out on the beach at the end of Menzies Bay. If you’re a less mobile walker, then this is a satisfying moment, just be ready for the steep walk back up the hill to the highway. But if you’re able to tackle an intermediate level hike then carry on, because you will be rewarded for your efforts at the apex point of the trail. The Ripple Rock Trail

provides access to high rocky bluffs that overlook the site of the former terror of the local seas, Ripple Rock. This once-dangerous seamount lurked just beneath the low tide level in the less than a kilometre-wide Seymour Narrows. It was actually two pinnacles, one nine feet below the surface and a second one, 21 feet below the surface at low tide. On those low tides, unsuspecting mariners would be greeted by that sickening crunch that indicates... you’ve run aground. Ever since Europeans discovered these waterways and right up until the 1950s, Ripple Rock claimed many a seagoing victim, those who did not wait until the tide was right to navigate the passage between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island. The tip of the seamount never broke the surface but was high enough on low tides to tear open

1/2 PG

cr whale watching

JULY 2016 | WAVE MAGAZINE [15]

MUSEUM AT CAMPBELL RIVER

the underneath of ships. But the rocks themselves were not the only hazard, the powerful tides squeezing between the islands also created monstrous eddies and tidal currents. It was best to negotiate the narrows at slack tide. The name Ripple Rock came from the prominent standing wave that occurred during ebb and flood tides.

Prepare to

indulge...

It was proposed a number of times over the years to remove Ripple Rock but it wasn’t until 1955 when crews began drilling a vertical shaft down adjacent Maude Island and then tunnelled under Ripple Rock before boring upwards into the peak of the rocks. Then on April 5, 1958, in what is billed as one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever, the top of Ripple Rock was blown to smithereens – while all of Canada watched on the CBC. After all the debris settled and the feared tidal wave failed to show, the highest point of Ripple Rock was now 14 metres (45 feet) below the low tide level. The second peak was now 13.7 metres (50 feet) below low tide. The blast cleared the way for all vessels to safely make their way up and down the narrows on their way to the Inside Passage and the North Coast of B.C. and Alaska. Looking down on the narrows from the end (actually the halfway point) of your Ripple Rock Trail hike, you can still imagine the submarine peaks lurking menacingly below the surface. The narrows are still turbulent and whirlpools and eddies churn the waters below you but those are from the tides that flow in and out of the narrows twice each day. Your view of the narrows is the reward for your four-kilometre hike which should take you an hour, to an hour-and-a-half. The trailhead is 19 kilometres north of Campbell River on the Island Highway on the right hand side of the road. There is a parking lot accessed off the highway and an information board.

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The trail immediately begins to head downhill to sea level on a wide, groomed trail. When you get to the bottom you cross Menzies Creek and here the groomed trail ends, replaced by a natural surface trail across bottomland complete with trees, wildflowers and skunk cabbage. After taking a short trail spur to have a peek at Menzies Bay, you head back onto the trail and make your way to the far side and begin your climb up the bluffs. A first viewpoint allows you to survey Menzies

Bay and some of the logging industry activity of this working body of water and it’s western shore. After a couple of kilometres it’s mostly uphill before getting to a lovely viewpoint that allows you, on clear days, to see all the way to the mountains that make up the central spine of Vancouver Island. The trail continues through the woods and cuts off Stephenson Point and descends to the shores of Nymphe Cove before, once again, climbing up the last bluffs before the trailhead. The climb up the rocks is made easier now by a metal staircase. Oldtime residents may lament the artificial route up the hardest climb but it does prevent erosion and habitat destruction. It certainly doesn’t make it any easier. It’s still a steep slog up the stairs to the bluff. But once you get to the top, you’re almost there. The woods open up and you traverse more bare rock as you go up over the height of Wilfred Point to the final viewpoint. You meet up with steel towers that suspend power lines across Seymour Narrows. These towers were installed in 1995 to replace old wooden towers and to raise the power lines so that the new line of mega cruise ships that would be negotiating the narrows could clear them. But the power lines are barely even noticed, really, because by now you are captivated by the incredible view before you. Many hikers see whales, sea lions, dolphins and other wildlife in the waters below. Human activity is prevalent too as ships and boats of all makes and sizes – including cruise ships, if you time your hike right – pass by. Looking far to the east on a clear day, you’ll see the white-capped mountains of mainland British Columbia. To the south you’ll see Georgia Strait open up to the inland sea that it really is and to the north, Johnstone Strait separates Vancouver Island from a myriad islands and inlets along the south coast of B.C. For a moderate trail, Ripple Rock offers you a smorgasboard of experiences: history, nature and judging by the sweat you’ve been generating, great exercise. Have a drink, eat your lunch, enjoy the view. Now pack up your backpack, it’s time to head back. All in all, Ripple Rock Trail is eight kilometres and is usually done in about three hours. Beware of slippery rocks in wet conditions.

STEPPING INTO ANOTHER WORLD

grizzly tours

DISCOVERY MARINE SAFARIS

Story by Kristen Douglas

The grizzly bear is said to be a symbol of the Canadian wilderness. The massive bears can run up to 45 kilometres an hour, weigh up to 800 pounds and stand as tall as eight feet. Grizzlies are typically found in the forests of British Columbia and Alberta, but they are at risk and people come to B.C. from around the world to catch a glimpse of these imposing creatures. Fortunately, the North Island is an access point to stepping inside the world of the grizzly bear and observing these majestic beings in their natural habitat. Campbell River is home to a handful of tour operators who offer day trips to one of the most accessible bear-viewing sites in the world – the Orford Valley at Bute Inlet. Geord Dunstan, captain and owner of Discovery Marine Safaris Ltd. which offers single day, eight-hour grizzly tours to the Orford Valley every day through September ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY & HOUSEBOUND • Personal Care - Bathing, Dressing, Shaving • Housekeeping/Meal Preparation • Driving to Hospital or GP Appointments • Shopping & Visits

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DISCOVERY MARINE SAFARIS

Le plaisir d ' y vivre �on français

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RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Visit BerwickCLIENT: forBERWICK more information or PUBLICATION: TBD INSERTION DATE: TBD for a free tour. See how we can help you TRIM: 5" X 6.5" PREPARED BY: ECLIPSE CREATIVE INC. @ 250-382-1103 create a ‘home’ right here with us. A place where you can experience being part of a community again. We build beautiful buildings but it’s people, just like you, who make it a place to call ‘home’.

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and October, said those looking to see a grizzly up close and personal won’t be disappointed. “We’ve been three years now where we’ve seen bears on every single trip,” Dunstan says. “We’ve seen two or three, and other times we’ve seen 20 individuals. Every day is different.” The grizzlies come to the Orford Valley for the salmon, which return to the Orford River to spawn and attract the grizzlies. On a good day, more than 20 grizzlies can be spotted, hungrily looking for fish and scouting out the best fishing spots. “You’ve got the salmon and the bears, two very iconic symbols of Canada,” Dunstan says.

out more aboutiusdani scipsuntione alis sus The Orford Valley is a great spot for grizzly bear watching AgnatFind et volorias sitis volut the salmon spawning grounds there are quite accullest, et volupid The tem Berwick Way™quidunt restia illent ma doluptatur? because condensed, which makes for a lot of salmon in a really small Vidiam reratia is commo quamusae pori voluptas secus et area where large concentrations of grizzlies are gathering. Ask one of our Find Senior out more about The Berwick Way™ – Living Ask one of ourToday! Senior Living Experts Today! Experts Visit BerwickRetirement.com Visit BerwickRetirement.com 1 3 5 3 1 6 T H AV E N U E , C A M P B E L L R I V E R 250.850.1353 [18] WAVE MAGAZINEJOB | JULY 2016 BRC-17331

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“It is definitely one of the top spots,” Dunstan says. And part of its charm is the trip in. From Campbell River, visitors journey through the Discovery Islands en route to Bute Inlet. “The scenery you get to witness is pretty magnificent,” Dunstan says. “We’ve had comments that the trip up was worth it in and of itself.” As you move into Bute Inlet, snow-capped mountain peaks stick straight up out of the ocean and glaciers towering 2,000 metres above the ocean can be seen in the distance. If you’re lucky, you just might spot a humpback, orca or a

DISCOVERY MARINE SAFARIS

dolphin swimming by your boat. “You’re really stepping into another world,” Dunstan says. “You’re taking people and reconnecting them with the natural world. People often remark how special that is.” It’s an experience that’s catching the attention of people from around the world, with the Orford Valley in particular making a name for itself. “On an international scale, this area has really blown up in the last few years.” In addition to Discovery Marine Safaris, Adventure Quest Tours, Eagle Eye Adventures, and Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours all offer grizzly tours out of Campbell River to the Homalco’s Bears of Bute in the Orford Valley. In partnership with the Homalco First Nation, these tour companies will take you via charter boat to the Homalco’s Bears of Bute orientation centre where visitors are introduced to the Homalco’s story from the pre-colonial period to the present. Along with the orientation centre, a team of guides takes visitors to the best bear watching sites, all within four kilometres of the ocean. The grizzlies, in all their glory and majesty, can be found where the Orford and the Elgard rivers meet, foraging for salmon. Yet another option for grizzly bear watchers is Aboriginal Journeys, a tour company that takes visitors to Toba Inlet to view grizzlies from specially designed bear viewing platforms with the Klahoose First Nation acting as tour guide. So as the summer is winding down this season, and you’re looking for something to do on those crisp fall days, consider a grizzly bear tour. “There’s something really neat about being on the water on those grey autumn days,” Dunstan says. Mark your calendar.

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JULY 2016 | WAVE MAGAZINE [19]

riding The Campbell River region with its superb terrain is blessed with numerous mountain biking trails that range from easy family tracks to difficult back country trails that will challenge the toughest rider. Close to the city, the Pump House Trail features easily accessible, well-marked single-track trails. Get onto Highway 28 and turn onto the Duncan Bay Main and cross the Campbell River. Youâ€™ll find one trailhead just south of the intersection of Duncan Bay and Iron River Road and another located west of Duncan Bay Road on Iron Bay Road. The Snowden Demonstration

River City Arts Festival

Illustration by Pete Davies

LESSONS, SUMMER CAMPS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, THERAPEUTIC RIDING

2105 Shetland Rd.

(just off Peterson/Willis)

Forest west of Campbell River and north of Highway 28 near Loveland Bay Provincial Park offers more than 30kms of trails suited to all levels of expertise and includes the Frog Lake and Lost Lake trail systems. Trails are usually two to eight kms and frequently intertwine. Some of the easier routes follow old rail beds that have been rehabilitated as recreational trails. Beginners should check out the Beaver Lodge Lands near the North Island College campus. Old rail grades, logging roads and hiking tracks make for an enjoyable tour through tall trees.

Name the Fairy!

Attention Artisans - To reserve YOUR spot downtown, go to www.rivercityartsfest.com Campbell River â€˘ 250-203-6042

Introducing the Campbell River Arts Fest

Fairy

It will be an integral part of our festivities... Find the fairy - colouring contest and more. Watch for our contests as we get closer to the date.

www.BalanceEquestrian.ca BalanceEquestrian@outlook.com

[20] WAVE MAGAZINE | JULY 2016

River City Arts Festival Downtown Campbell River July 22 - 24 This is the North Island's Largest outdoor artistic venue!

www.rivercityartsfest.com

DON DANIELS

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All roads lead to the fishing capital Campbell River, “the Salmon Capital of the World”, has earned its place at the top of the list of salmon fishing destinations. All five species of Pacific Salmon pass through the waters between Campbell River and the Mainland as they return to spawn in their native rivers. Campbell River is also the jumping off point for great West Coast open ocean fishing with Nootka Sound northwest of Gold River providing some of the best Chinook and Coho fishing on the entire coast of British Columbia. Campbell River is also proud to be the base of operations for many of the finest fishing guides in BC. For a full list of fishing guides drop into the Visitor Centre across from Shoppers Row and pick up a guide booklet. Traditionalists will want to check out the Tyee Club of BC located on Spit Road. It began in 1924 with a group of anglers who returned to Campbell River each year in pursuit of the elusive Tyee, a Chinook salmon, 30 pounds or larger. Tyee fishing is done quietly in a small, classic row boat. No motors are allowed in the Tyee pool. The rower will slip the boat into the currents and eddies while keeping a basic plug or spoon beating in the current. If a fish is boated and weighs 30 pounds or more, the catch is recorded and the angler becomes a member of the Tyee Club.

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DIVING

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rotary-built favourites

❚ Elk Falls Suspension Bridge

❚ Seawalk

❚ Discovery Fishing Pier

❚ Splash Park

❚ Maritime Heritage Centre

❚ Paradise Meadows Interpretative Centre

❚ Centennial Outdoor Pool

❚ Rotary Beach Park

❚ Willow Point Interpretative Centre

Association Francophone de Campbell River

Balance Equestrian

BC Bud Rub

Berwick by the Sea

Big Rock Liquor Store

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Charcare

Corilair

CR Arts Fest

Fountain Tire

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Island Fever Travel

Quadra Island Golf

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Rocky Mountain Chocolates

[22] WAVE MAGAZINE | JULY 2016

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Campbell River Mirror

Campbell River Whale Watching

Canadian Tire

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Harbour Grill

Healthyway Vitamins

See our ad on page 11

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Hermosa Lingerie Boutique

Home Brew Factory & Wine Boutique

Serendipity in the Garden

Seymour Services

Thunderbird RV Park & Resort

Windsor Plywood

Womyn’s Path of Healing

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local favourites ❚ Pier Street Farmers Market

Every Sunday until Sept. 25. 10am-2:30pm. In front of the Maritime Heritage Centre

❚ North Island Cruisers Show ‘n’ Shine

The 24th Annual will be held Sunday, September 4 Downtown Campbell River 8am to 2pm www.nicruisers.ca

❚ CR Art Gallery

Gallery hours: Mon. to Sat. 10 – 5 & Sun, 12 – 5 1235 Shoppers Row » crartgallery.ca

❚ Campbell River Salmon Festival August 5 -7, Nunn’s Creek Park www.crsalmonfestival.com

❚ Quadra Island Farmers Market

Offering fresh produce, fruit and more. Saturdays until September. 10am-2pm.

❚ Campbell River Mirror Charity Jazz & Blues Weekend ❚ Discovery Passage Aquarium

Fun and unique hands-on educational experiences for people of all ages www.discoverypassageaquarium.ca

July 15 – 17 @ Spirit Square www.spiritsquare.ca

❚ Lunch in the Square Concerts Tuesdays 11:30-1:15 For events, visit www.spiritsquare.ca

JULY 2016 | WAVE MAGAZINE [23]

Experience

HEALTHY EATING at our new

Healthy take-out breakfast and lunch options. Strongly organic & locally inspired!

NEW LOCATION - 1121 Cedar Street, Campbell River 250-286-6011 Â» healthywaynaturalfoods.com

Store Hours Monday to Friday 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-6pm Sunday 10am-5pm