passions
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST ON VANCOUVER ISL AND
ISSUE 5 | FALL 2018
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FLY FISHING ON VANCOUVER ISLAND
Secrets of the Salmon DEEP BAY RESEARCH STATION | ST. JEAN’S CANNERY | DOWNSIZING
CONTENT PHOTO March Brown Madness (Cowichan River) by Catherine Bell
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CANNERY ROOTS St. Jean’s
Cannery & Smokehouse in Nanaimo has been passionately preserving seafood for more than 50 years.
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HAPPINESS AND PASSION
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A PECULIAR PASSION River Fly Fishing and where it’s done on Vancouver Island
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TREKS & TRAILS Brickyard Bay
A picture postcard destination
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OUR FAVOURITE THINGS
A quirky collection of fishing and fish related items we love.
6 DOWNSIZE YOUR SPACE UPSIZE YOUR LIFE
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DAYTRIPS AND OVERNIGHTERS
Deep Bay Research Station and the West Coast
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THE PASSIONATE FOODIE
LOOK GRAND-PA! (detail) by Diane Michelin
COVER: Dreaming by Diane Michelin
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Chef Shawn Sennes works his magic with Sockeye salmon
25 IN AN OCTUPUS’S GARDEN
14 DIANE MICHELIN A passion for art, fly fishing and living in Fairwinds
A primer on one of the best soil amendments available… seaweed
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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Steady as we go...
EDITOR’S NOTE
PASSIONS – THEY’RE PERSONAL! Passion has been defined as ‘an intense desire or enthusiasm for someone or something’ and in the pages of this magazine we explore some of them. Many in our community are passionate about music, for some it is golf, or gardening, fishing, or food. Our passions are sometimes very specific, sometimes unexplainable, often quirky and always interesting. A friend of mine is a collector of teacups, another spends hours at the potter’s wheel. Try to get a word in edge wise when a group of fly-fishing enthusiasts are discussing their favourite spots to cast a line! As for me, working on my first official issue as editor of Passions, I would like to reveal that one of my great passions is … you may have guessed … Magazines! In a world of digital information overload, APPs for every purpose and screens, screens everywhere… I prefer my home décor, fashion trends, and recipes to come to me in old-fashioned, wonderfully curated magazines with page after page of beautiful layouts in full unabashed colour! Magazines raised me and — like the sentimentalist that I am — still play a considerable role in my media consumption, and that excitement I feel when I finally get my hands on that latest issue will never get old! In this issue we explore a common passion for all things ocean-inspired… from cooking salmon with Chef Shawn Sannes, and a collection of some of our favorite fly-fishing gear, to an interview with Fairwinds resident and artist, Diane Michelin, and travel ideas for enjoying the best of our island home. You’ll also find an update on developments in your community such as The Westerly condos, Fairwinds Landing and the Timber Ridge townhomes, as well as some tips for successful downsizing.
Rusty at Brickyard Bay. Read about this picturesque spot in the new PASSIONS feature, Treks & Trails... inspiration to explore the outdoors, in and around the Fairwinds community... page 16
So, what’s your passion? We’d love to know! We always welcome your feedback at passions@fairwinds.ca May you enjoy the best of Autumn,
Julie Jaworski, PASSIONS Editor
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Happiness! AND PASSION by Kait Burgan
Cellist, Cameron Crozman performs with the VIS on October 20, Port Theatre, Nanaimo BC
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S
hared cultural and artistic experiences have the power to connect people in ways that go beyond words. Visual arts connect through conversation, exploration and discussions around aesthetic preferences, technical merit or social commentary. Dance can renew an appreciation of the beauty contained within and then expressed through human form. Music, when experienced live in an orchestral setting, can carry us away on a collective yet still extremely personal and individual journey. Whether it be paintings, sculpture, ballet, or classical music, passion not only weaves these art forms together, but is at the core of what brings people together in community or as audience members. Fairwinds is connecting its passion for the arts with music by sponsoring the opening production in the Vancouver Island Symphony’s 2018/2019 Season, that happens to be named, Passion. Happiness, with guest artist Cameron Crozman, a young Canadian cellist, features masterworks by Brahms and Dvorak. The program also includes Weber’s Overture to “Euryanthe,” is presented by Fairwinds on October 20th at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre. “The arts resonate with the people living in Fairwinds,” says Julie Jaworski, Fairwinds Marketing & Communications Manager. “It’s important to support organizations that enhance our quality of life. What the Vancouver Island Symphony does, and the calibre at which they do it, is a great fit for Fairwinds.
“I am very fortunate. I have worked elsewhere and I can tell you, there is nothing like the work atmosphere we have here...” PIERRE SIMARD Artistic & Music Director Vancouver Island Symphony
It’s important to support organizations that enhance our quality of life. What the Vancouver Island Symphony does, and the calibre at which they do it, is a great fit for Fairwinds. JULIE JAWORSKI, PASSIONS Editor
Passion. Happiness. They are both signs of a life well-lived.” Hailed as one of Canada’s leading young cellists, Cameron Crozman says that for him, performance is not so much about interpreting the music as it is about incorporating it. “It’s about making the music a part of yourself and blending with it and then passing that onto the audience.” The most amazing moments he’s experienced as an audience member are those in which the music moves from the mind, into the body. Audiences can anticipate holding their breath during the performance. “It’s making a connection so strong that people have a physical reaction to it. They hold their breath. I always look to create those moments, the moments that if I were in the audience, I would hold my breath.” For Pierre Simard, Conductor and Artistic Director with the Vancouver Island Symphony, passion is at the core of life as a musician. “Without passion we cannot be called musicians anymore,” he says, noting that the musicians he has the pleasure of working with in Nanaimo, are exceptional. “I am very fortunate. I have worked elsewhere and I can tell you, there is nothing like the work atmosphere we have here. There is nothing but respect.” It’s easy to see that passion is indeed, a theme not only in a life well lived, but in music well played. Happiness, presented by Fairwinds, runs at the Port Theatre on Saturday, October 20th at 7:30pm. Tickets are available online at www. porttheatre.com, by phone at 250-754-8550 or in person at 125 Front Street in Nanaimo. Visit www.vancovuerislandsymphony.com for more information.
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UPSIZE YOUR LIFE
DOWNSIZE YOUR SPACE “It’ll mess you up, fooling with too much stuff.” —Too Much Stuff— by Delbert McClinton and Gary Nicholson
By Jen Groundwater Downsizing isn’t for everyone. If your passion is painting enormous murals, playing your seventeen musical instruments, or growing prize-winning pumpkins, you probably need more space than the average condo or townhouse can provide. But many people find that moving to a smaller home can set the stage for a whole new lifestyle. We’re not talking about building a tiny house in your daughter’s back yard and wearing
only one outfit for the next ten years. It’s really as simple as having less and doing more. The process involves taking stock of what you have—and ruthlessly reducing it. It may feel scary at first, but it’s incredibly liberating, ultimately giving you more freedom and time to pursue fun and adventure. These tips will help you navigate the move from mansion-dweller to minimalist.
PREPARE.
Cecelia Price, who recently moved with her husband Kenneth from a three-storey home on a one-acre lot to a much smaller townhouse, advises: “Make sure that where you relocate to is exactly what you want it to be.” What smaller-home features matter most to you? Is storage a key factor? How about a designated space for your pastimes and hobbies? A beautiful view? Great shared amenities? Knowing this will help ensure that you really dig your new digs. Try to give yourself a nice window of time. You can move in a hurry if you need to, but you’ll probably enjoy it more if you do it gradually over a few months.
PLAN.
Think about how much furniture you want to bring from your old home, especially if you’re moving to a brand-new building. Measure everything and fit it into a to-scale floor plan, or make life-size cardboard cutouts and play around with them in the new space. (If you’re tech-savvy, try a room-design app.) If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t even go onto the moving truck. Don’t forget to do this with your storage space, too.
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PASSIONS.
Don’t ditch the objects you need to pursue your passions. This could be your quilting, painting or scrapbooking supplies, your golf clubs, fishing rods, or Harley-Davidsons, or… well, you fill in the blanks. (You’ll probably need to compromise with your partner about what can’t be left behind.)
PURGE.
When stuff’s gotta go, you can’t beat a good old-fashioned garage sale. Selling online through Craiglist, Kijiji, or Facebook requires some effort, but can yield good results. If you have many valuable items, consider working with an auction house. If you can afford it, giving it all away feels great. You might get a tax receipt, and what’s even better, you know that your unwanted items are helping someone less fortunate.
PROFESSIONALS.
There are people out there who LOVE decluttering and organizing. If you’re not one of them, hire one! Call in a consultant to help you pitch possessions, design uber-efficient storage solutions, and organize your new space. These pros are worth their weight in gold.
PEACE.
Says Cecelia, “Once we’d finished our move, I felt like I could do anything.” After you’re settled into your new, smaller home, chances are you will find a new sense of peace. You don’t have to spend your free time doing yard and home maintenance. You can travel without worrying about your property in your absence. You have more time to pursue your passions … or to explore new adventures.
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A Peculiar PASSION PHOTO Catherine Bell
Three fish including this Cutthroat Trout caught within the first 30 minutes on the Englishman River by Chris Bell!
“The Qualicum and Englishman Rivers are some of the best places where a beginner can go and catch fish.” —Courtney Ogilvie, Nile Creek Fly Shop Rick Robson nabs a Pink at the mouth of Englishman River with his fly rod.
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By Jen Groundwater
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he initial idea for this story included the question: Why would a person stand waist deep in the middle of a cold river for hours to catch a fish they can simply buy at the grocery store? Clearly this was asked by a person who has never tried the noble pursuit of fly fishing. A person who doesn’t relate to the opening line from Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It: “In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing.” A person, in short, like me. I live with a passionate teenage fly fisherman, and I’ve watched A River Runs Through It (although its main impression on me was the young Brad Pitt’s irresistible grin). And I like to eat fish. But that’s about all I’ve got in terms of expertise on this subject. However, after researching and talking to people who love the sport, here’s what I’ve learned. First off, the water isn’t that cold here on Vancouver Island. And second, most fly fishers practice catch-and-release, so they actually don’t even keep the fish they catch. So our initial line of inquiry was a little flawed. But the question still stands: what is so compelling about fly fishing? Actually, what even is fly fishing? The goal of fly fishing is to attract the attention of a fish by waving a tempting fly in its general direction and hoping the fish rises to take a bite. It could be a dry fly. These are meant to mimic aquatic insects like caddis flies, mayflies and stoneflies in their various stages of development. A dry fly sits on the surface of the water, drifting downstream like a real insect would. A wet fly like a streamer or nymph is meant to look more like a minnow, leech or other prey that live closer to the bottom of the stream.
To be clear, the “fly” in fly fishing isn’t a real insect, but a handmade imitation. The fish in fly fishing, though— that’s real: salmon and trout of various kinds, ocean rock fish, tropical fish, and more. In fact, you can use a fly rod to attract almost any species of fish anywhere on the planet. Everyone knows that Vancouver Island has some of the world’s best salmon fishing. The Salish Sea is filled with salmon all summer long. Great freshwater fishing can be had very close to Fairwinds in two of the island’s favourite fishing rivers: the Englishman and the Big Qualicum. Fall is the time to head to these rivers in pursuit of salmon (coho and chum, and possibly some lingering chinook) and maybe some trout. Courtney Ogilvie, who owns the Nile Creek Fly Shop in Bowser with his wife Val Taylor, says: “The Qualicum and Englishman rivers are some of the best places where a beginner can go and catch fish.” Each offers easy access to the water from nicely maintained trails or by walking and wading. This can result in their being quite busy at times, especially in fall when sizeable numbers of coho and chum salmon make their way upriver. I believe that the basic appeal of the sport is that it offers infinite possibility to its devotees. It starts with the most fundamental: I might possibly catch a fish with this cast. But each cast is based on so many other factors: the weather, the sun, the moon, the water level and temperature, what insects are hatching, how the trout are feeding, which fly you choose to use, the angle at which you cast, and on and on. Each cast is a gamble that you’ve picked the exact right fly for this precise moment and specific fish. It’s complicated. While there are only
DRY FLIES sit on the surface of the water, drifting downstream like real insects, luring fish to the top of the water to eat the fly off from the surface.
WET FLIES like a streamer or nymph is meant to look more like a minnow, leech or other prey that live closer to the bottom of the stream.
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twelve basic fly patterns, you can create literally millions of variations using feathers, hair, fur and synthetic materials. Many fly fishermen spend the off-season tying flies, so they may have dozens or even hundreds of flies to choose from. My son Finn first started fishing at about age 6, using a Spider-Manthemed spin rod. On a fly-fishing intro course with his grandpa Ralph a few years later, he learned how to cast and tied his first fly: a woolly bugger. “That’s a universally useful fly,” he says. “There aren’t many situations where it isn’t useful. You can use it to catch trout, bass, panfish, predators like pike and walleye…And depending
“You can never have too many flies. You know you’re going to lose a lot.” – Finn
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on how you use it, it can be made to imitate a minnow, leech or other prey.” Finn loves the artistry of fly fishing. “You get a closer connection to the fish itself when you catch it without the mechanical advantage of the reel, just pulling the loose line in.” The connection is heightened by tying your own flies. He likes to experiment, taking elements of one fly to put into another one. “Anyone can buy a well-made commercial lure but it’s a fulfilling feeling to have enough skill to make something that tricks a fish,” he says. Also, “you can never have too many flies. You know you’re going to lose a lot.” Finn does plenty of catch-and-re-
lease fishing, just for the thrill of it, but his teenage enthusiasm (and appetite) inspire him to keep some of his bigger catches. He says, “Eating it just tastes better—you get a sense of victory: I caught this fish and now I get to eat it.” Courtney, on the other hand, prefers to let his catches swim away as unimpacted as possible. I ask if he feels sad after he’s let the fish go: “No,” he replies.”I’m delighted to watch it swimming.” I suspect, though, that both of them share this sentiment of Courtney’s when he says: “Every time I catch a fish, I get stars in my eyes and I say, “‘What a beautiful fish.’” And that, I suspect, is what fly fishing is really all about.
Cannery Roots
Steve Hughes PRESIDENT St. Jean’s Cannery & Smokehouse
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By Brenda Gough
f you love seafood then Vancouver Island is certainly one of the best places to indulge in catching, cooking, and eating from the bounty of the ocean. The ocean has provided sustenance for generations and preserving seafood, from salmon and trout to clams and oysters has allowed this important, and delicious food source to be enjoyed year-round. The west coast has a long tradition of smoking and canning and Vancouver Island is home to the largest commercial cannery and smokehouse in BC supplying local, wild caught salmon, tuna, sardines, clams and smoked oysters. Recently purchased by the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Cannery Corporation in 2015, St. Jean’s Cannery & Smoke-
house in Nanaimo has been passionately preserving seafood for more than 50 years. What started out as a family business is steeped in history with a fish story that dates back to pre-World War I. Its founder, Armand St. Jean, was raised in Quebec where he started out as a wrestler known as The Flash. He settled in Nanaimo in the 1950s embracing its seafaring culture and applied his smoking and preserving knowledge, learned from his family, to create St. Jean’s Smudgies Smoked Oysters which he originally sold to hungry bar patrons. The oysters didn’t keep long in the plastic bags he sold them in, so he tried using glass jars and eventually settled on using metal tins and thus the cannery was born.
Armand’s son Gerard who had worked in the family business since he was a boy continued his late father’s legacy and grew the business to what it is today. Gerard who is now semi-retired was instrumental in expanding the operations and spent a lot of time fine tuning the equipment. Current President Steve Hughes said Gerard is still hands on at the plant which employs 120 people. “Gerard as an engineer continues to tweak equipment to this day. His passion is machines. He has created all sorts of unique things that are specific to us and specific to what we do. You can always see him thinking to himself… is there a machine we can make to do that?” Hughes notes their employees, some who have been with them for 30 11 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
GERARD AS AN ENGINEER CONTINUES TO TWEAK EQUIPMENT TO THIS DAY. HIS PASSION IS MACHINES. HE HAS CREATED ALL SORTS OF UNIQUE THINGS THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO US AND SPECIFIC TO WHAT WE DO. YOU CAN ALWAYS SEE HIM THINKING TO HIMSELF… IS THERE A MACHINE WE CAN MAKE TO DO THAT?
–Steve Hughes years, won’t be replaced by machines because hand-packing and quality control is their niche. “Hand selecting the fish and being able to make sure you get the right quality piece and the right fat balance … that is really important to us. We are always looking at new technology but the secret stuff … getting the right fish in the right place, we are going to keep doing that,” he assured. “We are a high-end product,” he continued. “If you think about the ingredients and the way that we manufacture it … it is quite a bit different than the ginormous factories that jam unsustainable stuff in cans.” Recipes used at the plant today were developed by Armand, and Hughes acknowledges that their excellent reputation and sustainable practices still go into every can. Each hand packed can of St. Jean’s salmon and tuna is cooked once in its own juice creating a perfectly seasoned product. “We take the very best of BC seafood and we treat it carefully and properly.” He proudly noted that once you have a can of their product it is challenging to go back to anything else. The sport fishing sector is central to St. Jean’s success and when it is time to process their catch, sports fishermen trust the cannery with
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their haul. “Some of our best customer relationships are with people who have been bringing us their fish for two and three generations and we see some amazing fish. I have seen a 60-pound Spring.” Tourists and locals appreciate the attention to detail in tracking and processing individual orders. “We have bar codes that travel digitally beside each fish the whole way. It is the same for commercial stuff. With every can we can track back to which trucker had it; who the captain was and where they fished,” stated Hughes. So if you want to take your own recently caught fish to the next level, you just have to decide whether you want it cold or hot smoked, or turned into a candied product sweetened with fireweed honey from the Peace River. All with a distinctive smoky flavour that comes from a secret proprietary blend of BC hardwoods. The Nuu-chah-nulth nations have a long and proud history of being stewards and participants in BC’s seafood economy and under their ownership St. Jean’s moves forward with unique purpose and the ability to grow and build upon their combined legacies. It is safe to say that this company continues to have a passion for seafood and the products they bring to their customers.
SOME OF OUR BEST CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS ARE WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN BRINGING US THEIR FISH FOR TWO AND THREE GENERATIONS AND WE SEE SOME AMAZING FISH. SH
HAND SELECTING THE FISH AND BEING ABLE TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT QUALITY PIECE AND THE RIGHT FAT BALANCE … THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US. –SH
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FAI R W I N D S PR O FI L E
LOOK GRAND-PA! (detail)
BREATH (detail)
Diane
MICHELIN By Kait Burgan
I love what water does. It’s mystical. It’s magic. I love what you can achieve with water and the brush. DIANE MICHELIN Artist, Fly-fisher, Fairwinds Resident
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Living on Vancouver Island, in an area like Nanoose Bay and Fairwinds, the magical qualities of water are a constant and calming current of life. Whether through the panes of picture windows, off the rocky cliffs of Blueback Drive, through glimpses off the golf course or on the bow of a boat, the Salish Sea, its tributaries, rivers and surrounding lakes add to a quality of life that brings people here and then often becomes a reason for people to stay. For Diane Michelin, who moved to Fairwinds in 2005, water is a source of creativity expressed by combining it with pigments to create stunning paintings that are found in museums, private collections and galleries around the world. “I love what water does,” she says with a strong Quebecois accent. “It’s mystical. It’s magic. I love what you can achieve with water and the brush.” With extensive formal art training that includes studies at Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Diane is highly regarded for her expert ability to capture the essence of fly fishing. “I think it’s important when you paint not to portray just visually, but with experience,” she says. “It’s in the details, from down to how many fins a fish has and how the rod moves. If you put the wrong number of fins on a fish, someone who knows fish will instantly know that you don’t know what you’re portraying.” Diane is an avid fly fisher, something she was introduced to by her second husband, Denis. Before focussing on fly fishing, the scenery and moments surrounding and within the sport, Diane was painting everything that piqued her interest. Galleries acknowledged her talent but couldn’t represent her in the art world. There was no niche, no road that she could claim as her
THE LALA DANCER—Mark Penney Gallery, Ucluelet own. Denis also recognized her talent and encouraged her to keep painting when she was ready to give up. When he introduced her to fly fishing, and as she began to concentrate on that, her career as an artist began to take off. Denis said that no-one “was doing fly fishing.” It also has no borders. “Fly fishing has no frontier, and now my paintings are on every continent,” Diane says. In addition to encouragement to continue and sharing a lifelong passion with her, Denis pushed Diane to become the best she could be. “He told me ‘never, never have your friend say that’s it’s nice. Have someone that will say your painting is awful.’ I love that.” Diane continues to push her work and is not satisfied with any kind of comfort zone. She says that often, when a certain style begins to sell, a painter will return to what becomes a formula and while she’s done that, and finds comfort in it, she doesn’t stay in that space for very long. “In the last few years, I am working in a smaller size to produce more. I’m trying to work quicker, and that’s tough for a painter. I’ve realized that it’s not the detail as much as it is the mood. Your eyes can go inside the painting. I’m working on the mood and at the atmosphere. When you are in the creative mode, you paint, and sometimes you will achieve greatness, and you will look at the painting, if you still have it, and ask ‘How was I able to do this?’ It’s not like a recipe. You can’t repeat it.” Diane and Denis travel to Northern British Columbia to fish and paint in, near and on the sacred waters of the Kispiox, Nass and Skeena Rivers. They connect with the regions indigenous people and Diane has painted some portraits and totems from
GOING AWAY—to be featured in the Fall Show of the Federation of Canadian Artists, THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE GALLERY Oct 3 -27
their culture. They meet people from all over the world in collective efforts to catch the elusive Steelhead. Diane gives workshops in the Oceanside region, is working on a cover for a new book by Art Lingren, an angler from New Zealand, will be part of an exhibition in Peru and has two pieces featured in the upcoming Fall Juried Art Show with the Canadian Federation of Artists, October 1 - 27 at the Old School House in Qualicum Beach. For more information on Diane Michelin, visit her website at www.dianemichelin.com, on Facebook, or @dimipaints on Instagram.
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TREKS AND TRAILS
LANDING
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ATTHE LANDING
LAKES DISTRICT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
By Julie Jaworski
A hike to Brickyard Bay through the small community park of the same name offers up the quintessential Fairwinds postcard shot complete with a beautiful view across the Strait of Georgia towards the Winchelsea islands, and the snow-capped Coastal Mountains looming in the distance. And this was the first of many scenic places I have had the pleasure of exploring since coming to the area. 16 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
Pick up your free copy of the Fairwinds hiking and trail map at Fairwinds Wellness Centre.
Vancouver Island has some of the finest hiking trails anywhere in the world
35 contemporary townhomes designed to blend seamlessly into the beauty of their natural surroundings.
Future Development at The Landing
and luckily for those of us living in Fairwinds there are a number of hikes close to home. Don’t be put off by the word hike… there are trails for you to enjoy no matter your level of experience or fitness. The Nanoose area has 31 community parks covering some 29.7 hectares (73.4 acres) and the stated vision from the area’s strategic plan is to provide “a vibrant community where residents can easily access community parks and beaches through a system of inter-connected trails that provides for recreation, social interaction and nature appreciation.” From this issue’s feature—the Brickyard Community Park Trail—to the thigh-testing Notch there are many ways to get out for some exercise, a lovely view, a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and to fully appreciate life on Vancouver Island.
Lakes District Future Development Future Single Family Homesites Parkland
HOW DID BRICKYARD BAY GET ITS NAME? In the early 1900s, a brick making plant was located here, and bricks made from local clay fields where the golf course is now located were shipped from the bay to locations around the world. Today remnants of brick can still be found wrapped up within tree roots and along pathways.
This small 5-acre park was dedicated by Fairwinds developers and is maintained year-round by the Regional District of Nanaimo for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. With its waterfront access, excellent swimming opportunities, and benches from which to enjoy the panoramic views, this may very well be my new favorite place! The trailhead is accessed off Amberwood Lane. Street parking is permissible but extra parking is a short walk up Andover road, in the unpaved section of the Golf Club parking lot. I made my first visit to this site in the early morning hours. Trail access for the beach is well marked and is outfitted with a trash can for disposal of doggy bags and other refuse. A short distance up the trail, when I encountered a fork in the road, I recalled a verse from my favorite Robert Frost poem and opted to take the path less traveled, which on that day appeared to be to the left. The trail sloped gently upwards
and I strolled along enjoying the tranquil sound of birds and gentle waves coming into the pebbled shore. As I emerged from the trees I was tempted by a nearby bench which had been artfully positioned above the bay to take advantage of the spectacular view. I parked myself right there for what felt like a long moment wishing I had brought my travel mug along, with warm beverage to sip while enjoying this picturesque setting… next time for certain! Eventually the trail to the right re-entered my brain and I decided to continue my explorations. This section of trail led me to the rocky beach of Brickyard Cove. Had it been a little warmer, or if I had been a little bolder, I may have given in to the urge to kick off my shoes and dip my toes in the waves. Overall this was a pleasant and easy walk, and I encourage anyone who has not yet experienced it to take the time to enjoy this scenic part our beautiful community. 17 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
OUR FAVOURITE THINGS
GO FISH! A QUIRKY COLLECTION OF FISHING AND FISH RELATED ITEMS WE LOVE, FROM BOOKS TO BIVALVES... A River Never Sleeps by Roderick L. Haig-Brown is one of the classics of angling literature and provides a rich reading experience for all who love fishing or rivers. After spending much of his life in the Campbell River area, Roderick L. Haig-Brown knew this area intimately and writes of fishing not just as a sport, but also as an art. He understood moving water and the life within it—its subtlest mysteries and perpetual delights. He was a man who knew fish lore, and the legends and history of a great sport, as few people ever will. “It is a memoir that never ages—a paean to a life thoughtfully lives, sensibly, wisely, with an intimacy with rivers that still instructs and thrills us. A River Never Sleeps is a Miracle… and a treat not to be missed.” —Nick Lyons from the Introduction to the Skyhorse Publishing Inc edition 2010 Sea Salt is a collection of over a hundred sea-tested gourmet recipes suitable for meals aboard but equally satisfying for home. The authors Hilary Malone, Alison Malone Eathorne and Lorna Malone are themselves dedicated sailors and bring readers on a voyage around Vancouver Island aboard their classic wooden sailboat Aeriel, drawing inspiration from the area’s seafood, farmers’ markets and wineries. You’ll find recipes that feature local ingredients, a hearty dose of creativity, and clever shortcuts to make fast, fresh, delicious meals.
PEETZ Outdoors have been crafting high quality fishing reels, rods and tackle from their workshop in Victoria since 1925 when founder Boris Cecil Peetz, a master jeweller, combined his love of fishing with an ability to craft timeless, practical and beautiful works of art. Their current Artist Series showcases the talents of Kwagiulth master carver and artist, Jason Henry Hunt. Each mahogany and brass reel is hand-carved using traditional tools, numbered and signed by the artist. Each year, six additional “Artist Proof” versions of the reels are
reserved and donated by PEETZ and Jason Henry Hunt to support the fundraising efforts of partner organizations focused on salmon conservation and habitat rehabilitation. For more information, visit peetzoutdoors.com
Also from Peetz Outdoors comes this top performing tackle combo featuring four beautiful Stryke Zone flashers. These flashers look so good, you might want to just hang them on your wall between sessions on the water… or maybe on your Christmas tree! Two of our legendary Hookum solid brass spoons in our most popular colours are included in the package.
For more information—and some recipes—visit their website at seasaltfoodco.com. Christopher Smith from Glaskrafter Art Glass has been creating beautiful cast glass pieces in his Nanoose Bay studio since 1991, but he began the business in 1977 in Nanaimo and is one of the oldest established art glass studios on Vancouver Island. He is a designer and maker of quality art glass windows, lamps, skylights, doors, entry systems and all manner of kiln worked glass sculpture, and provides a full range of services, from restoration to complete design and consultation work with clients, interior designers and architects.
Mark Falvai, winner of Canada’s Handyman Challenge on HGTV a few years ago has developed the world’s first Fly Fishing Advent Calendar. It delivers a set of must-have flies every true fly fishing enthusiast wants. The fun starts on December 1st when door number one is opened to reveal a high-quality, waterproof fly box. Over the next twenty-three days, our lucky fly fisher will enjoy receiving a new, hand-tied, fresh-water fly every day until his/her fly box is full, just in time for Christmas morning, and next year’s fishing season.
glaskrafter.com | also on Facebook
ps… or perhaps his Dog Treat Advent Calendars for your fur baby!?
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To order check out Mark’s shop, Falvai Creative on Etsy
Looking for an elegant hostess gift? The gift boxes from St. Jean’s Seafood are the perfect choice. The smaller giftboxes contain smoked salmon and the larger version is packed with 19 cans of assorted gourmet seafood. They also have gift tins and baskets. stjeans.com
Ruggid Coast is a Vancouver Island manufacturing company specializing in the design and manufacture of West Coast, Home Decor, and First Nations artwork, including custom work for clients and galleries throughout North America.
Located on the harbourfront, French Creek Seafood Ltd. is a familyowned company established in 1991. Their market carries a wide variety of sustainably harvested, fresh local seafood purchased directly from local fishers, including sockeye, pink and coho salmon, pacific halibut, spot prawns, and albacore tuna. Recently awarded the MSC Marine Stewardship award for sustainable fishing practices, they also ship seafood worldwide including B.C. Spot Prawns and Ikura (salmon roe) to Japan, and Albacore tuna and Ling Cod to China. Visit the market out on the point by French Creek Marina at 1097 Lee Road in Parksville. frenchcreek.ca
More from Ruggid Coast…
nilecreekflyshop.com And if bivalves are your thing, Fanny Bay Oysters Seafood Shop located at the Buckley Bay Ferry Terminal is the place to buy their farm fresh clams, mussels, oysters, and live crab… or stop in and grab a seafood snack of candied salmon or house made sushi! And if you are on the mainland and need a shot of salty, seafresh goodness visit their newest location at 762 Cambie… Vancouver’s only tide to table oyster bar.
ruggidcoast.com (also on Facebook)
Salmon in Unity from Ruggid Coast is a collaboration with First nations artist Trevor Husband and is made of clear coat and powder coated steel. 22.5" high x 34.5" width
Looking to learn how to tie your own flies? Call Nile Creek Fly Shop for information on the sessions they offer. All materials are supplied for a small fee and you get to keep the flies you tie! Learn new patterns and spend some quality time with other avid fly fishers! The shop also offers casting clinics, a nice selection of quality rods, reels and other gear and years of experience and expertise in the local fly fishing scene.
Visit them on Facebook and online at fannybayoysters.com Coast Sportfish is a specialist fly shop in Parksville where we
spend our passion swinging flies for summer and winter steelhead, searching local beaches for sea-run cutthroat, coho, pink and chum salmon or rowing one of the many lakes in our area for rainbow, cutthroat trout and bass. Find everything you need here including the Orvis Hydros Strap Fly Vest. Lighter than a traditional vest, it has more capacity than a chest pack. There are 28 pockets with specific design functions for everything from fly boxes to thermometers and an adjustable suspension system that allows for a custom fit, and padded air mesh shoulder straps to provide the ultimate in comfort and breathability. coastsportfish.com 19 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
DAYTRIPS
&
OVERNIGHTERS
By Noah Faust-Robinson
Photos Brian Kingzett
20 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
PHOTO Ruth Hartnup
DEEP BAY RESEARCH STATION From the oyster shells that line the gravel drive, to the grey whale skeleton hanging in the lobby, to the clam-shaped LEED certified building itself, the Deep Bay Marine Field Station is a fully immersive educational experience. Run by Vancouver Island University, the station is open Monday to Friday during the fall and winter. It makes for the perfect rainy day fall activity for those interested in learning more about marine conservation, sustainability, and shellfish aquaculture, or even just soaking in the view of Baynes Sound. You can take a guided tour, observe active research, and get your hands wet in touch tanks filled with local marine specimens. To get there, take Powder Point Road from Fairwinds and turn north on Highway 19, heading north for 25 minutes. Turn right at Exit 75, and stay on Horne Lake Road. Turn left on Highway 19A North. After ten minutes, turn right on Gainsberg Road, and follow the signs to Crome Point Road, where you will find the station.
THE WEST COAST For anyone hoping to explore the best of Vancouver Island, an overnight trip to the historic west coast fishing towns of Tofino and Ucluelet is an absolute must. From Fairwinds, take Powder Point Road to Highway 19, and head north for 20 minutes. Then take exit 60, winding west for approximately two hours on Highway 4. You’ll find yourself in the rugged and windswept Clayoquot Sound, with Tofino to the north, Ucluelet to the south, and the world-famous Pacific Rim National Park in between. Be sure to beachcomb the surfing havens of Chesterman Beach and Cox Bay, book a whale watching tour, enjoy some fresh caught seasonal seafood, and hike to the lighthouse on the Wild Pacific Trail. For the best views, find an oceanfront hideaway, such as Long Beach Lodge or the breathtaking Black Rock Resort. Renting one of the many cabins scattered throughout Ucluelet offers a homey alternative, and affordable camping is available at Mackenzie Beach
TH E PASSI O N ATE FO O D I E
Secrets of the Salmon By Shawn Sannes I love fishing—it’s a great thing. When I was a kid, my dad took us on camping trips where we’d spend the days catching steelhead and rainbow trout on the Fraser River. When I got older, I went to remote mountaintop lakes in the Kootenays with my aunt and uncle, where literally every cast would yield a fish. I still love to fish when I get time, and since the largest saltwater salmon run on the planet basically goes past Nanoose Bay in the summer, it’s rarely hard to catch a fish or two.
Chef Shawn Sannes shows PASSIONS Editor-in-Chief, Julie Jaworski, how to prep a simple, elegant meal featuring Sockeye salmon and served with new potatoes, green beans, and a winter salad... in her own kitchen. 21 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
PREPPING SOCKEYE JUST PULLED FROM THE WATERS OFF NANOOSE BY A FAIRWINDS STAFFER...
22 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
So you might find it strange when I say that salmon is the bane of my existence. Don’t get me wrong. It’s definitely delicious. But from a chef’s perspective, it’s a bit like Caesar salad—there’s always something with salmon on the menu. In a sense, this is good, because it forces chefs to be creative, which is fun. My own approach is pretty practical: Start with the freshest quality ingredients, taste as you go, and keep it simple. This recipe uses sockeye just pulled from the waters off Nanoose by a Fairwinds staffer, so we’re already way ahead of the game. Once you’ve removed the bones and cut the fish into pieces, heat olive oil in an ovenproof pan for a few minutes, then add the fillets, skin side up (they should sizzle going in). Cook until there is a ring of golden brown connecting the fish with the pan, then flip it and briefly cook the skin side. It should flip easily, but you can add some butter if it’s a bit sticky (or just because it tastes awesome.) Depending on how you like your salmon—a lot of Islanders like their salmon rare, like warm sashimi—you can pop it in the oven at 400° for a few minutes to bring it to medium-rare. But overcooking is the biggest problem you’re going to run into, so don’t get distracted! This easy tomato-butter sauce is a winner. Once the fish is out of the pan, add garlic, deglaze the pan with white wine, then add cherry tomatoes and sliced shallots. Reduce it down, then toss in some more butter and cook it until thick. Add parsley, salt and pepper at the end, then pour over the fish. I like to serve it up family-style with boiled new potatoes, green beans, and a winter salad with ingredients from Nanoose Edibles. You can recreate this dish at home with any kind of salmon. Pink is your everyday kind of salmon, while brightred sockeye is the one most often seen on restaurant menus. You do have to be careful with this relatively fatty fish, as you can lose quite a bit of the oil when cooking. Coho, which is in between the other two in colour and texture, is my personal favourite. It tends to lose less of its oils in cooking,
The secret to cooking salmon is to build a good strong sear.
and comes out as a moist, tasty piece of fish. If you catch your own fish, you can save a lot of money by processing it yourself, but it can be worth the investment to have someone else can, fillet, smoke, or candy your catch. Most locals know that St. Jean’s Cannery, right in Nanaimo, does really good work. Some of the best salmon I’ve ever had has come from there. Another excellent outfit is Hardy Buoys. This Port Hardy-based company excels in smoked fish and their candied salmon is amazing. If you’d rather buy your fish, head to Superstore in Nanaimo, which has a reliably good seafood selection. Or ask your own grocer if they’re supplied by Hub City Fisheries, a renowned Nanaimo-based wholesaler. For another easy and delicious salmon meal at home, put together a sampler featuring a variety of cooking methods: tartare, poached, candied, smoked… Add some crostini, pickles, quince, and other tasty complements, and voila! I joke that salmon haunts me, but you can see from the pictures accompanying this story that this isn’t true. My belief is that food should be approachable and a happy part of our lives. And there will always be a place for salmon at my table. 23 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
REACH YOUR GOALS. Personal Trainers have created realistic and sensible programs designed for success.
“It is very inspiring working with people to help them overcome obstacles and allow them to achieve what they may never have thought possible.� - Sharon Fleming, Personal Trainer -
weight rooms, gym, tennis and a pickle ball courts.
24 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
Learn more at Fairwinds.ca/fitness
Garden
In an Octopus’s by Sandy Robson
Passionate gardeners know that beautiful, productive and healthy gardens start with good soil, and while the ocean may seem an odd place to look to for help in creating rich, nutrient and mineral packed earth, our island home provides us fairly easy access to one of the best soil amendments available… seaweed. The pre-winter storm season is upon us and it is the perfect time to gather* and add these natural soil amendments to your garden beds. Collect only the freshly washed up tufts of seaweed at the tideline, and limit what you collect in any one area. Rinse the ‑seaweed through at the beach to remove sand and dislodge any aquatic life that may be clinging to it. Don’t collect the drier seaweed close to the hightide mark; it contains more sand, seeds and bugs that you won’t want to import into your garden. If you are looking for an easier way to add the goodness of the ocean to your garden there are other options including liquid kelp and seaweed fertilizers that can be applied throughout the growing season, as well as my personal favourite… fish compost. Produced by composting a mixture of fish and wood waste—something
we have in spades here on Vancouver Island—it provides your garden with vital organic matter, minerals and beneficial microorganisms. Fish compost such as Sea SoilTM (produced by a north Island company based in Port McNeill) is widely available and sold in bags at garden centres, or you can buy larger quantities of fish compost in bulk from Earthbank and other landscape & garden material companies. You can dig the fish compost into your vegetable garden beds, use it as a top dressing on your lawn, and as a mulch amongst your trees and shrubs. *Please note that while Spring is when thoughts turn to gardening it is not a good time to gather (or apply) seaweed. During February through April herring are spawning and their eggs will be clinging to seaweed along the shore.
FROM THE MINISTRY OF FORESTS, LANDS, NATURAL RESOURCE OPERATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Individuals harvesting for their own personal use, and collecting amounts of 100 kg or less, do not require a licence; however, all aquatic plant harvest should minimize impacts to aquatic plants and to the environment. All harvesting must be done by hand (no raking) and if harvesting occurs on the foreshore, the substrate should not be disturbed or exposed. If harvesting live plants, a sharp cutting instrument should be used and the harvesting should not harm the regrowth of the plant (minimize the amount harvested from each plant and do not disturb the holdfast).
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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
steady as we go... It’s that time of year when we marvel at the changing landscape… leaves turning from green to gorgeous shades of yellow, orange and red. Autumn’s arrival has also brought some transformations of a different kind in the Fairwinds community.
LANDING
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ATTHE LANDING
LAKES DISTRICT FUTURE DEVELOPMEN T
TIMBER RIDGE A collection of 35 townhomes that will be situated on 11 plus acres just off Bonnington Drive. These homes will range in size from approximately 1,500 to 1,700 square feet and will feature open concept floor-plans, large windows, spacious patios and decks to invite the outdoors in. Stay tuned for more information, or register on-line at liveattimberridge.ca to receive updates on this exciting project!
26 PASSIONS | FALL 2018
THE WESTERLY, a 39-suite concrete condominium building at Fairwinds Landing is slated for completion in Fall, 2019. Overlooking Fairwinds Marina and the Strait of Georgia, this boutique collection of one and two-bedroom residences will be just steps from the new shops and services of Fairwinds Landing. Crews have been making steady progress as the first concrete slab was poured at the beginning of September. Now work on foundations, footings, columns walls and more, will give the curious passersby lots to see.
THE LANDING, Fairwind’s new community hub will feature a 40,000 square ft waterfront building adjacent to the 350-berth marina, and will house a restaurant/lounge, cafe, convenience shopping and a host of professional services. With the roof’s metal decking now in place, interior structural steel is being installed, and interior demolition continues at the location of the new elevators.
for your calendar... CABIN FEVER Fairwinds Community Association (FCA) Welcoming Committee and Fairwinds are happy to announce that CABIN FEVER buffet dinners have returned! These informal and friendly gatherings will be held on THURSDAY evenings. Take these opportunities to see old friends and to make new ones! Random open seating is encouraged. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! DATES: November 8, December 13, January 10, February 7 and March 14 TIME: Cocktails begin at 5pm; dinner at 6pm.
a few last words “Nothing makes a fish bigger than ALMOST getting caught.” “There will be days when the fishing is better than one’s most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home.” –Roderick Haig-Brown “There’s a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot.” –Steven Wright
PLACE: Fairwinds Bar & Grill COST: $25 for dinner Reservations required; contact Jeff at jdinn@ fairwinds.ca or 250-468-7666 ext. 224
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Personal Preparedness is Everyone’s Responsibility Preparing ourselves, our families and being ready to help our neighbours will help to reduce the potentially devastating effects of emergencies and disasters. Do you know a group of neighbours that wants to learn more about Emergency Preparedness? Please invite them! This FCA session will focus on: • individual household preparedness and, • neighbours building a local neighbourhood emergency preparedness program (NEPP) Local NEPP Leaders will share their experience in setting up a local neighbourhood program. We encourage everyone to attend this event, have a coffee with neighbours, the FCA Board and RDN representatives and learn about this important topic. SPEAKER: Sybille Sanderson, Cowichan Valley Regional District Emergency Management Coordinator.
TOP TEN FISHY EXCUSES 10
Someone took my lucky spot.
9
As a fisher, I’d make an excellent plumber.
8
I was trolling in the wrong direction.
7
I forgot my lucky hat.
6
I left my pink hoochie at home.
5
My fish bonker wouldn’t bonk.
4
The worm was too shy.
3
I decided to catch a steak for dinner instead.
2
It was too big to fit in the net... really.
1
I was fishing, not catching.
Sure...
DATE & TIME: October 27, 2pm to 4pm PLACE: Fairwinds Clubhouse
27 27 PASSIONS PASSIONS || FALL FALL 2018 2018
AN INSPIRING COLLECTION OF 35 NEW TOWNHOMES SURROUNDED BY NATURAL BEAUTY. Located just minutes from Fairwinds Golf Club, Marina, and Wellness Center, Timber Ridge townhomes have been architecturally designed for livability in an elegant and relaxed environment. Homes will feature high-quality interior 7
Learn more and register at liveattimberridge.ca
FAIRWINDS LIFESTYLE CENTRE 3455 Fairwinds Drive, Nanoose Bay 250.468.5315 realestste@fairwinds.ca This is not an offering for sale, any such offering must be made with a Disclosure Statement. E & OE