VANCOUVER ISLAND BC

from FLY FISHING THE WORLD

by asvasiljevic

THE ANNUAL

The luxury lodge, Sea View

10VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC

I booked my flights before getting confirmation from work and so I hear a few others usually do this. This is a good indication that the trip is really good right!? I get the rods and reels and lines from my dad as he's been before. A couple 13footers and a 15 footer for any big rivers. I called up the main organizer Rodger a couple days before to give him a run down on my tackle and he said they will all use 8# switch rods most of the time. Okay, down to Glasgow Angling to get a switch rod it is, 1 day before I leave. Flights from Glasgow straight to Vancouver bingo! Pick up the rental cars and get the ferry across to the island and a couple hours drive up north to what can only be described as HEAVEN. Its been known for some guys not to return home after there trip here. I cannot wait to see this place!! Arrive at the house, glass of wine then bed. First days mission to get supplies from the shop. Food, wine and plenty tea bags. Its not cheap because its an island but if your on holiday why not go the extra mile on spending! The first couple of days are getting settled in, arranging the gear, scoping out a few rivers and tackle shops for the low down. Rodger and these guys have been for 10 plus years now so they know the score. Each year is different they say so its just all about keeping your ear to the ground and going on scouting missions to get a feel for the current state of the rivers and salmon runs. Everyones so eager at the start to get out and catch but its more difficult than that...

12Top Left - Earl enjoying his usual breakfast of 'Eggs Benny'. Top Right - The team scoping out a hot run. Bottom left - Crazy stocks of everything these shops have. Bigger is better here.. Bottom Right - Athol picking up his prescription at the chemist.

View from the lodge balcony at sunset.

Top - Stevie three quaters across with his new waders which were giving him sore balls by the end of each day.

Bottom - Rodger into a Chinook up top. I tried to run up and help him but he'd done the job by the time I got there.

Scoping out the Campbell River. No fish seen in week 1.

Rodger playing the 'fish that they don't want to catch' talking away to an Englishman on the river.

Me with my biggest fish so far. 20-25lb Chinook. A bit coloured but not black by any means. Took me half hour on the 8# swtich rod to eventually get the local to net it for me.

We were very lucky to spend thanks giving with Stevies good friends and

I fell in love with the rum.