The Biggest Fish I Never Caught

We were all up early and ready to go.  We were trying to beat low tide. It’s a little trickier dealing with tide schedules and different wind patterns.  There was water at the dock so we were able to launch the boat.  

The predicted winds looked good.  The temperature was really nice and so, we were off.  Stephen had promised that this tour would include 6 things:

1. A waterfall
   
2. An eagle (no picture available)
3. A ranger
   
4. A seal
   
5. A hot spring 
   
6. A salmon
   

We were able to cross everything off the list.

We stopped first at a fishing place where they had some previous success.  The wind started to come up a bit so it was decided that we would go to the hot springs.  They had never seen the tide so low.  Natural hot springs are so interesting.  There was a plug in the one end to stop the hot water and when Ron removed it the water warmed up a lot.  It was a very relaxing time.  By the time we were ready to leave the tide had come up a bit and we didn’t have to walk as far in the mud.

The winds had definitely picked up even in this sheltered area.  Stephen told us that we should put our life jackets on before we rounded the corner.  The waves rocked us around in a painful way.  I moved to a cushioned area and was able to handle the ups and downs of the boat.  Somehow, the wind prediction was a little off.  Stephen directed the boat back towards the way we had come.  

We found a calmer spot on the ocean and Stephen and Kylie fished.  

Stephen got a tug on his pole and started to pull in a fish.  He said that it was giving him more of a fight than usual.  He was thinking it must be a Halibut.  Just before he got it to the boat, the fish got off.  There was a little disappointment expressed.

Along the way, Kylie got a Little Rock fish.  It was pretty small and was returned to its home below the sea.  

Stephen got another bite.  He reeled it towards the boat.  Ron had the net.  This fish was not wanting to be caught.  It faught going in the net and finally the line broke.  Another fish gone.

After quite awhile in this area with no luck, we moved to an area called Flag Pole.

They dropped their lines and we moved slowly across the bay, the salmon were playing hard to get.  After a warm afternoon and no more fish, the lines were reeled in and we headed towards the dock.  It was a bit of a disappointment due to no fish but it was a good day, even with a bumpy ride at one point.  How can you not enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Stephen came up with the title for this blog…two big fish on the line, fighting and both not brought into the boat.  They were the two biggest fish that he never caught.

63!

It was a lazy cat kind of a day.  

We were supposed to be camping but since that hadn’t worked out, there was a truck and a boat to pick up.  Thankfully, the truck was a quick and easy fix.  The turbo clamp had broke…or something like that??   The weather had warmed up and we enjoyed a lot of deck time.

Kylie made Ron a birthday cake.  This girl knows how to cook and bake.  Stephen pitched in and iced the cake.  

It was delicious!  We all enjoyed a piece for an afternoon treat.  Can you imagine 63 years old…born in 1963, turning 63!  That sounds like a special birthday.

The Sjoelen board came out in the evening and Stephen won.  Tomorrow is supposed to be a fishing day.  We have been given our orders…leaving at six, don’t forget the food and make sure the coffee is ready.  That last one was my order!

Camping or Maybe Not

This morning Ron biked to the pool and went for a swim.  Kylie had a virtual meeting for work.  Stephen and I dropped the boat off to be looked at and picked up some groceries.  

We then all worked to pack for a few days of camping.  We had two trucks loaded.

Stephen drove the truck with the camper.  Kylie and the dogs rode with him.  Ron and I followed with the other truck with paddle boards, an inflatable kayak and sails and wings.

If you have followed my blog before, you will remember that to leave Bella Coola there are three ways…fly, ferry or “the hill.”

“   The actual hill drops 4,020 feet in 19.4 km, on grades of up to 15% according to the information sign at the truckers' brake check area at the top of the hill, but driving both uphill and downhill, there are sections of descent and ascent respectively. There are some short one-lane sections, and there are many pull-offs. There are some huge unprotected drops off the side of the roads (that is, there are no guardrails).”  From: ExploreNorth

As we headed up the hill, we remembered how beautiful it was. I tried not to think what would happen if that tire got too close to the side of the road.  

As the elevation increased, there was a big puff of dark smoke from the truck that Stephen was driving.  He radioed to us and said “I think that might be the end of our camping trip.”  He drove slowly to the next pullout.  

We were thankful for phones that connect to the satellite.  A tow truck was called.  Next problem…they will only take the truck and not the camper.  Ron and I loaded the working truck with as much as we could and drove slowly down the hill and back to the house.  After we unloaded everything, Ron went back up the hill.  By this time the tow truck was there and another guy with a truck.  

Kylie had sent a message to some of her friend’s about the camper and one of the husbands accepted the challenge.  That was incredibly nice of him.

Four hours from the black puff of smoke, we were all home, enjoying leftovers. The Sjoelen board came out for our evening entertainment.  Stephen won.  

The camping trip was not to be but we did sit out in the backyard to watch the night skies.

Perseids peak this week

The peak is predicted** for 14:53 UTC on August 13, 2026. So the mornings of August 12 and 13 are probably your best bets. But August 11 and August 14 might be good as well. From earthsky

We saw a few shooting stars and lots of satellites.  We may try it again tonight if the sky is clear and we can stay up that late.  We have a guy turning 63 today!

Happy birthday Ron!  Your watch thinks you are still in your 40’s so keep fooling it! 

Hike and Pizza

Our plans changed this morning.  We were going to go out on the boat and fish and go to the hot springs but a wise lady (Kylie) decided that the winds were a little too strong.  I’m thankful for cautious people.

So what now?  It became a hike day.  We set off to do the School House Trail.  

We haven’t hiked in the mountains in a few years.  We got to the trail head and I thought this shouldn’t be too bad.  The path led us around the school…I’m guessing that's how the trail got its name!  The first part was pretty level and the trail was surrounded by wild ferns.  

As we turned into a deeper forest, the elevation caused me to go slower.  Each time we turned I looked up to see the path lead us to steeper slope. My pace slowed to a crawl.  I stopped a number of times and wondered if I could do this.  I felt very frustrated with my breathing.  I was encouraged to just go slower and that is certainly what I did…real slow!  

Finally, we made it!  It was beautiful!  

As I recovered at the top of the trail, my mind was already anticipating the way down.  Going up is a cardiovascular work out but descending puts pressure on the knees and a concentration on not slipping.  Thankfully I made it up and down without giving up, falling or yelling.  It was a humbling experience.

When we got home the animals seemed concerned that I wouldn’t be able to make it up the stairs.

It was good to sit down and put my feet up.   Kylie and Stephen began working on pizza for supper.  Homemade dough and sauce, lots of choice of toppings and cooked on a Kamado.  

They were really good.  One of Stephen’s partners came over to enjoy the pizza creations.

Another day, another adventure…