Elk River B.C./ Sportfishing Museum
Just returned from two weeks in Heaven!
I traveled to Vancouver, where on Granville Island there is a little jewel by the name of The Canadian Sportfishing Museum. Privately funded and run by John Keith-King. You could not find a more detailed collection of gear new and old. The largest collection of Hardy reels in the world in one display case. Rack, upon rack, of pullout mounted flies from guides, pro- tiers, and sportsmen and women, living and dead. Two walls of bamboo rods and cases from the sports beginning to present day.
John is a truly nice guy who after learning my interest in the sport, gifted me with a book written by an old friend of his and Fly fisher of some note in B.C. He also refused payment for a poster of antique reels from the collection. The building also houses the Model Train Museum and the Model Ships Museum also very impressive.
Well worth the visit and even non-fishers will enjoy.
Sportfishing Museum
The Elk River (Vancouver Island)
I read an article in The Canadian Flyfisher, about the Elk River in North Vancouver Island and decided that I would visit while out there. WOW!!!!!
The Elk is located on the way to Gold River from Campbell River (Salmon Capital of the World) halfway up the Island. In the interior near Strathcona Park, the river is accessible from the Highway and is surrounded by mountains and more mountains. A quick stop at Tyee Flyshop in Campbell River will supply you with a licence, free maps and as usual, the purchase of some flies will come with all the advice you can remember.
Gold River is a quiet, inexpensive if not a little weird place to stay (remember Twin Peaks?) and is a short drive away.
I fished for about an hour the afternoon we arrived (two fish, a cutthroat and a rainbow) and after a good dinner and a nights rest we headed back to the Elk.
It was 11:00 in the morning and as this was not the ideal time of day or year, I did not expect more than a nice day on the river.
I lost the Mosquito and Ant flies purchased at the tackle shop on the first fishes I hooked and had to go to my own flybox. and flies tied over the winter after two periods of the Leafs and too many Molson’s. The Cutts just kept on hitting, in succession, Adams, Royal Wulffs, Klinks. It seemed they would hit on one fly for a while and then lose interest and then pick another favourite keeping you guessing and trying all the options.
The overall winner seemed to be anything with a white post or parachute on top (all barbless). I had decided to go all dries, no nymphs 
, just for fun.
I don’t usually keep count, but by 3:30 that afternoon I had caught and released 17
a combination of Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout from 10 to 14" All the while, standing in a mountain clear stream with mountains on all sides and Bald Eagles soaring overhead. A local guide passed by (one of two people I saw all day) and told me 5 or 6 fish is usually a good day, so I felt truly blessed.
The only other person I saw that day was my wife who brought me a sweatshirt, a sandwich and a drink at different times so I could continue "standing there waving a stick"
The Cabelas Stowaway rod was a great buy and fit in the suitcase.
My only regret… because I was also fishing the tidewaters I brought the 8wt. Next time I will bring the 4wt as well.
If you get out that way, the salmon fishing is world class, but don’t pass up a day on the Elk or similar streams, they are west coast jewels.
Duf ><((((((()))))))`> *
