Fishing

 "There will be days when the fishing  is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home." -Roderick Haig-Brown (1908-1976)(Fisherman's Spring 1951)

 In 2016 Canadian  Roderick Haig-Brown, writer of non-fiction and fiction, with more than a great interest in nature and fishing, was named a "National Historic Person" . He devoted his life to preserving tributaries as Pacific salmon habitat, especially the spawning grounds. His entire life was spent in writing and believing  and protecting nature and the environment.

 In Strathcona Park , not far from Campbell River, a mountain was named in  honour  of writer and conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown  and his wife, Ann.

 His family home, built in 1923, is tucked away in Campbell River.A quiet B and B during the summer, and the rest of the year can be rented for special occasions.

 "I have fished through fishless days, that I happily remember without regret." (R. Haig-Brown)

 The Museum in town hosts a special "Writer in Residence" program  at Haig-Brown House. There is even an old movie reel with Haig-Brown. It can be seen any time of the year. He speaks eloquently about his love of the waters and the surrounding world.

 As a writer,  he won many awards, including the Governor General's Award for "Saltwater Summer", about salmon fishing off  northern Vancouver Island.

 "A fisherman is always hopeful....nearly always more hopeful than he has any right to be." (R. Haig-Brown)

 "I have been all my life, a conservationist. It seem clear, beyond possibility of argument that any given generation of men can have only a lease,not ownership, of the EARTH;  and one essential term of the lease  is that the earth  be handed down  to the next generation  with unimpaired potentialities. This is the conservationists' concern." (R. Haig -Brown)

 He learned about conservation , when he was very young. He was mentored by some incredible people.

 His entire life was devoted to making sure  the environment was brought to  everyone's awareness.

 I think it is incredibly fortunate that Haig-Brown House is right here...about a 12 minute drive from our house.  Just off the drive to Elk Falls. Once we went in the driveway, by accident, when the house was closed down, and had to turn around under forest canopy. I didn't know anything about the house at the time.  Everything  green. And quiet.

 And in the back yard of Haig-Brown House is the Campbell River. It rushes and ebbs. During the season you will see countless fly fishermen  decked out in wading gear. Standing against the current.

                                                    
 "A river is water in its loveliest form,rivers have life and sound and movement and infinity of variation.Rivers are veins of the earth  through which the lifeblood returns to the heart." (R. Haig -Brown)

  Haig Brown House is built on a green belt. It was sold to the B.C. govt in 1974 and has been preserved very well. It has a quiet  gentleness about it.I'm hoping to get back to it, and this time not have to turn around . Instead stay and learn more about a part of history in this area......

  "I remember all the good evenings I have fished, even the ones that realised material hopes, not by the fish that came to the fly,but by the colour and movement of the water and sky......

 .................... by the sounds and scents and gentle stirrings that were all about me." (R. Haig-Brown)