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  The Cowichan is a special river and it should be protected with special regulations. In our view it should be a catch-and-release river throughout its entire length, year round, for all but hatchery salmon. There’s no need to kill trout or steelhead in this river ever again.
The government has done a brilliant job over the past few years of protecting the land along the upper river. But there’s no reason to stop now. The Cowichan could be spectacular again, with some bold management. For starters, it should be made into a fly fishing only river, from the lake to Skutz Falls. And bait should be banned for the entire river, because bait fishing is incompatible with catch-and-release regulations. There should also be strict limits placed on guides. A small river like the Cowichan should have no more than two professional guides. One could service the fly fishing only section at the top, and the other could drift the bottom river. If these rules were adopted the Cowichan could be returned to its place as one of the world’s greatest sport fishing rivers. If that happened the economic benefits to the villages of Duncan and Lake Cowichan would be immense. It would once again become a destination river for fly fishermen from around the world. And the cries of protest from the bait fishing crowd and the commercial guides would soon be forgotten. To those fisheries bureaucrats who fear stirring up controversy we would say this - greatness is worth fighting for. And the Cowichan could be great. Let’s do it. What do you think? Visit our online discussion area and post your views. Letters can be sent via e-mail to: letters@ariverneversleeps.com
The Editor: Mark, I am a forest biologist and flyfisher working with MB now Weyerhaeuser for the last 22 years. I am also good pals with Joe Saysell and floated with him a few weeks ago and we discussed, as we have for years, the state of the Cow. Joe spoke highly of your website and your efforts to conserve the trout and steelhead fishery of the Cowichan. I wanted to thank you for that, as the river needs all the help we can give her. I think the fly only rule has been a major step forward and you and your readers were instrumental in getting that to happen. What concerns me more than anything now is the numbers of people, particularly drift fishers, that have shown up on the Cowichan in the last year or two (this year has been particularly noticeable). Now I am not a "drawbridge" kind of guy and I am more than happy to share the River with other like minded souls, but the Cowichan is not the Bow or the Madison, or Bighorn. It simply can't take a high volume of pressure, particularly from drift guiding. The other issue with drift guiding is the switch to gear after the Trestle (below the fly only section). This is leading to serious harassment of the mending steelhead that wouldn't happen if guides weren't trying hard to please clients with "a big fish" and if folks were not using gear. So I implore you to do what you can to support a “fly only” regulation for the upper Cowichan and a restriction on rods days for guiding either through a special river designation, or something specific to the Cowichan situation. If these seem nutty notions I would really like to hear what you or your readers think might work and perhaps I can direct my efforts in a more fruitful direction. The situation now is that opposition is based largely on emotion rather than fact. That opposition includes the BC Wildlife Federation and the Federation of Drift Fishers. Government friends tell me there isn't a hope in hell that the expansion will proceed without their support and we won't get it, at least not without organized and concerted effort. I really hope you can help on this and hope you're getting a chance to wet a line or two. -Best Regards A River Never Sleeps: This is the most beautiful website I have ever seen relating to fishing or the outdoors.....I have forwarded this website to members of our flyfishing club hoping some will participate in your fly tying contest. This website is something to behold....... -Sincerely A River Never Sleeps: Thank you for your e-mail of February 22nd bringing to my attention information concerning industrial stormwater discharges to the Gorge Water Way. This issue is indeed of great interest to me and my Department. Fisheries and Oceans has referred the incident to which you refer involving Budget Steel to the Pacific and Yukon Regional Office of Environment Canada. Investigations staff are in the process of reviewing the file and determining appropriate enforcement actions to be taken. Should you require further information, please contact Martin Pomeroy, Manager of the Pacific and Yukon Region's Enforcement Program, at (604)666-0002 or by e-mail to martin.pomeroy@ec.gc.ca. I appreciate your continued efforts to raise awareness about threats to our natural environment. Yours sincerely, (Editors Note: Mr. Anderson is Canada’s Environment Minister, and is the former Minister of Fisheries. He is a lifelong fly fisherman, and both in and out of politics has fought for environmental protection. His letter is in response to a note we forwarded after a reader wrote us raising concerns about alleged pollution problems in Victoria.) To ARNS.com: Another beautiful issue ... thank you for sharing this labor of love. - Cheers, To A River Never Sleeps: Re bring your own food article, in the Old Bag. However, I am very concerned reading the experience of the author. My business interests over the years have given me opportunity to travel across British Columbia, Alberta, Florida. I have encountered "undesirable" eating establishments where I have least expected it. I have also "discovered" gems that I make sure to visit regularly and tell all my colleagues about. I have made a rule when encountering "a negative salesperson" or a "negative dining experience". I give the establishment the benefit of the doubt. Everyone can have an ugly day, an ugly employee, etc. I will stop in several weeks later or in some cases several months later when I happen to be traveling through. If I encounter the same experience again I will then talk to the manager. Very rarely have I encountered a negative experience twice in a row. In most cases I have been very glad I stopped in a 2nd time as the problem had already been remedied by a customer speaking to the manager. I have primarily lived in the North Thompson/Shuswap region. However, I have done business (dined many times) in Logan Lake for over 5 years. I am glad to say I have not encountered the things encountered by the author. I am not saying they did not happen-I am saying I would like to address the situation to ensure the situation does not happen in the future. There are several restaurants in Logan Lake that have consistently surpassed by expectations with regard to service and quality of food. The Meadow Creek Restaurant offers a visually attractive, super service and high quality food repeatedly. Diane's Pantry in the lower level of the Logan Lake Mall offers fresh made "home made" soups, cakes, muffins, that melt in your mouth. I can truly not comment on the experience of the "pub" as I am terribly allergic to cigarette smoke and thus do not venture into that venue. I am greatly concerned about the impact the article would/could have on visitors choosing to by-pass on the treasures located within the town of Logan Lake and opt to travel to Kamloops due to reading the article. I am in the process of opening a "communication centre" in the lower level of the Logan Lake Mall. We are posting "exciting & fun" things for our visiting fisherpeople to consider doing when they need a day away from fishing. We are setting up a calendar of events happening throughout the entire TNRD. Each community offers unique experiences and are all within a maximum 2 hour drive from Logan Lake. We want to show our visitors a grand time, meet fabulous people, and access some of the best food in the world. I have printed the article and will be taking the same to the economic development committee, the district council and the Chamber of Commerce. I would appreciate knowing "when" the incident occurred. 1999? 2000? We would also like to have an opportunity to invite the authors back to Logan Lake at some time in the future to reassure them that the restaurant service in Logan Lake is indeed high quality. I am hoping your publication will give the people of Logan Lake the opportunity to address the situation in a positive manner. We truly want the fishing people to have a great time in all the communities throughout the TNRD. We don't want them to miss out on the wonderful, friendly people here in Logan Lake. We don't want to miss out meeting "new friends" traveling in our area either. -Sincerely Dear Editor: I recently booked a trip to the Upper Pitt River Lodge in BC. I booked based partly on your glowing recommendations. We will be up four days, the second week of October. Is there anything you could suggest in terms of flies, techniques, etc. Is this usually a good week for coho or bull trout? This info would help us tremendously. -Sincerely, Yes, there will be bull trout in the river, and rainbows and cutthroat. They move in with the salmon, looking for eggs. The rainbows will often hold separately, in the fast riffle water, which you'll recognize. At that time of year you can encounter the bull trout anywhere, but I recall often finding them at the tailouts, often holding on the edges in knee deep water. I think the big coho may just push them out to the marginal runs. At any rate, it is incredible exciting to hit a school of them in very shallow water. They are typically 4-8 lbs, and I swear they are so perfectly camouflaged that you won't see them from three feet, even in crystal clear water. Lots of patterns work for the coho....check out the web site, on the BC Page, and you'll see a good color shot of Kelsey's Hope. It's deadly for coho. Remember to take a fast sinking line with you. A rocket that really gets down. October can be wet, and if the water comes up even a little bit, you'll want the fastest sinking line your rod can handle. If you've browsed our site you'll have seen the article on how we got blown out by a rainstorm on one trip. That's a danger on all the coastal rivers at this time of year. If the worst should happen, and the river goes in flood, you can pull out early and make a trip to the Stave River, which is in the Lower Mainland area, about a 45-minute drive from where you'll meet the boat to go to Pitt Lodge. The Stave runs from a lake, and the outflow is controlled by a dam. It will be crowded with fishermen....because it has a staggering run of chinook and chum salmon. I used it as a fallback once last year, and it saved the week. The guy I was fishing with was absolutely blown away by the fishing there, and didn't mind that it was crowded. Good luck on the Pitt. I hope you arrive after a rain, and find the river dropping and slightly colored, with a fresh run of coho in. -Cheers, The Editor: Peter McMullen's piece on the Gold was great to read, and struck home on several occasions. Having both worked and played on the Gold many a day, I related well to the river's rare and wonderful qualities that Peter so thoroughly describes. The technical notes at the end of the article were inspiring to read as well, as Mr. McAneeley's techniques and preferences are very close to my own. Keep these articles coming. - James Craig To A River Never Sleeps: A great website, the best I have logged on to. I loved the Kettle River article. will be leaving the UK tomorrow (Mon June 4th) and hiring an RV in Vancouver. Should reach the Kettle by June 7th or 8th hope the river is not running to High, last year it was but still a wonderful river. I endorse all the comments re its conservation. -Mike Neal To A River Never Sleeps: I've just found your site, have read it through, and am very pleased. It's nicely presented from a web creation point of view, with loads of great content. I've found myself just leaving your home page open and listening to the sound bite just because it takes me to where I'd much rather be. Just a note to Dave at HBFFA re: Rods' book, Great work you guys! Although I can't imagine having to "convince" Loucas to do the artwork. The guy is such an incredible talent that he can do no more that add wealth to the "Master's" writings. Speaking of which, I had the extreme pleasure of wandering around Mr. Haig-Brown’s house inside & out last summer, thanks to the good graces of the new B&B proprietor. I'm sorry, I can't remember the gentleman's name but he was a pleasure to sit and talk to in the library. I had the place to myself! Take care folks and keep up the great work. The Editor: Re the article in your last issue. "Charm of the Kettle River" ? Oh dear, I think you completely missed the point - you managed to equate fish size with angling quality. Your recent article highlights a serious problem - an obsession with big fish, and a determination to "enhance" waters so that they produce fish worthy of a Kodak moment; a desire to turn every stream into "a river with a reputation that will really pull in visiting anglers." You said, "... if the Kettle regularly gave up 16-18 inch rainbows, it could become one of North America's great trout streams." Mr. Hume, the Kettle already IS one of North America's great trout streams. The true charm of the Kettle is that it hasn't been developed into a trophy destination. The very small number of outsiders who fish the river regularly (I'm one of them) do so for that very reason - it is clean, unspoiled, uncrowded and one of the finest walk-and-wade streams you'll ever see. I'm quite happy to accept what it has to offer - which is plenty of feisty fish that wouldn't make the cover of a flyfishing magazine. Those who seek bigger thrills should just carry on down the highway and try the many Kootenay streams that offer up Big Fish (don't forget to make reservations). I have no doubt that poaching is a problem on the Kettle and that kill limits need to be monitored closely and altered to suit current conditions. Fisheries management should stay on top of such issues - but not with the ultimate objective of turning the Kettle into a trophy river. Because, contrary to what some people seem to believe, a wild 12-inch rainbow in a fast current on light tackle is not a problem that needs to be corrected. -Regards, {E-mail letters may be edited for clarity, taste and brevity. It is understood they express the opinions of the writers, not the editors.} |
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