|
In a reflective mood the other day, I wondered what had brought
some of my fishing friends to live in the Bulkley Valley. So, I
posed the question to them. It was interesting to hear their stories.
Why the Bulkley Valley?
Gene was flying a plane from his home in Northern California on
a sightseeing holiday. Flying over the valley he was struck by the
beauty, landed and inquired as to real estate available, bought
some land, built a log house and has been here for the last twenty
years. Serge was fly fishing for steelhead, drifting down the Bulkley,
when he saw a house on the riverbank, thought the place would look
much better with a jet boat tied up on the shore and made the owner
an offer. Gary had sold a company and the new owners gave him a
choice of running a company for them in Jackson Hole, Wyoming or
Smithers. He chose this area. Monty had retired and took a Harley
bike trip from his home in Ontario. Traveling along the Northern
Trans Canada he arrived at Houston and started really noticing the
country, when he reached Smithers, he said "wow" and headed
for a real estate office.
Tourists are the same
I am sure the story can be repeated in endless variations by most
of the areas recent residents. Talking to tourists everyday, from
all over the world, the story is the same. They love the scenery,
they like the fishing or hunting, they like Main street layout,
the casual atmosphere, and especially the friendly, helpful people.
In the summer and fall, many of the world anglers and hunters patronize
the motels, bed and breakfast, and guided operations in the area.
Go to the airport, on just about any flight from June through October,
and rod or rifle cases are as common as suitcases.
The appeal?
What draws people to this area? Well, it is all of the above and
more. There is a peacefulness and contentment here. For outdoor
people we have it all. Great hiking trails, superb mountain biking,
whitewater rafting, kayaking, proximity to some of the world's best
steelheading, gateway to North America's best mountain hunting,
some world-class skiing, which may get even better if the new ski
development goes through, ice fishing, snowshoeing, high country
snowmobiling, and that is just scratching the surface. What more
could you ask for?
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE
for your convenience)
|
What to do?
The other day as the clock radio woke me, and I rubbed the sleep
from my eyes, and with no plan for the day, I examined my possibilities.
Should I head to the Kitimat and catch some hard fighting, underrated,
Chum salmon? How about to the Skeena for the superb Sockeye, maybe
some lake for rainbow or cutthroat from the pontoon boat, or take
the camera for endless photo possibilities, perhaps an easy hike
up into the alpine, which my dog, Sage, would really enjoy.
What a choice, but isn't it nice to be able to make the choice?
Think how many people from other areas would like to have that opportunity.
When visiting friends ask me how I like it in the Bulkley Valley,
I give them my stock answer "Just another lousy day in paradise."
Wass happenin?
Holiday weekend coming up and fishing is top priority for many.
Sockeye opens on the Babine on August 1, fly-fishing only, 2 per
day.
Springs are in all our rivers and the Bulkley is getting to be in
really nice shape with good catches in the last couple of days.
The Skeena has sockeye, pink, spring and steelhead. The Kitimat
is loaded with chum, pink and some early coho.
The Kispiox is open for jacks but closed for springs over 65 cm..
The saltwater angler is blessed with great Coho returns and limits
are easily available. Babine Lake has been producing Lake trout
(char) in good numbers. Whatever your choice for the weekend, have
a good, safe one.
|
.gif){kind=spacer}
