Ralph Shaw

Elaine Shaw with some of her fish-enriched strawberries.

Outdoor thoughts on Vancouver Island

When Elaine and I retired from our professional careers in Kamloops almost…

Elaine Shaw with some of her fish-enriched strawberries.
Smitty plays a fish.

New Year resolutions for 2016

For starters this column wishes you and yours a happy and prosperous…

Smitty plays a fish.
The 17' trout that grew to 17 pounds. Be careful about what fishers say about big fish.

Before stepping into the future, reflect on the past

Experienced travellers on the journey of life take time to look back…

The 17' trout that grew to 17 pounds. Be careful about what fishers say about big fish.
How long will our snowbirds continue to join us as climate changes?

Adaptation to climate change affects many life forms

Over the next few years I predict we will  hear a great…

How long will our snowbirds continue to join us as climate changes?
Maj Birch’s visions for the future were as clear as the eagles she so often helped back to health.

Maj Birch was a true champion of Comox Valley wildlife

It is with sadness and a sense of deep loss that I…

Maj Birch’s visions for the future were as clear as the eagles she so often helped back to health.
There was much to discuss at the BCWF Region 1 meeting in Parksville.

BCWF Region 1 meeting a busy affair

It was refreshing to spend a day in the company of members…

There was much to discuss at the BCWF Region 1 meeting in Parksville.
The Royston Seaside Trail is a joy to walk along.

The changing of the seasons

The changing of the seasons in the Comox Valley is not usually…

The Royston Seaside Trail is a joy to walk along.

Three-generation hunting trip was a great excursion

 Our three-generation hunting trip involved our daughter Leanne Farrell of Port Hardy…

Some tasty venison on the way to the dinner table.

Time to harvest wild B.C. meat

Hunting season officially started in August and depending on the species of…

Some tasty venison on the way to the dinner table.
The office building at the site of the former Field Sawmill operation in Courtenay.

Restoring Field Sawmill site is important

When I was at the Puntledge Hatchery Open House I picked up…

The office building at the site of the former Field Sawmill operation in Courtenay.
This 12-inch trout had two six-inch plastic lures in its stomach.

Little fish had a big appetite

And a reminder to all outdoorsmen that it is important to vote in Oct. 19 federal election

This 12-inch trout had two six-inch plastic lures in its stomach.
A prime catch taken on Spider Lake.

An early autumn day on Spider Lake

Thursday, Oct. 1 was one of those beautiful fall days we have…

A prime catch taken on Spider Lake.
This series of three photos shows a visible reduction in the ice mass of the Comox Glacier, from September 2013 (top photo) to September 2015 (bottom photo). All three photos (the centre one was taken in September 2014) were taken from the viewpoint on Dyke Road.

It’s time for climate change to become a federal election issue

Comox Glacier visible proof of the validity of the issue

This series of three photos shows a visible reduction in the ice mass of the Comox Glacier, from September 2013 (top photo) to September 2015 (bottom photo). All three photos (the centre one was taken in September 2014) were taken from the viewpoint on Dyke Road.
Charley Vaughan and Bruce Bell with a platter of chinook salmon fillets from one 14-pound feeder chinook taken by Bell earlier this season in the Strait of Georgia.

Vancouver Island the best place on the planet

It is somewhat trite to write about what I and many others…

Charley Vaughan and Bruce Bell with a platter of chinook salmon fillets from one 14-pound feeder chinook taken by Bell earlier this season in the Strait of Georgia.

Looking at the future of the Comox Valley outdoors scene

ure hold for the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association…

Pink salmon below the spillway at the Puntledge Hatchery.

Autumn is the most generous season for outdoorsmen

t natural signals of fall is the gathering of significant numbers of…

Pink salmon below the spillway at the Puntledge Hatchery.
Kenzie Brown of Edmonton and his daughter Madelynn with the lingcod they caught off Hornby Island.

Family fishing trip nets lingcod

Grandchildren enjoyed exploring local beaches and discovering nature

Kenzie Brown of Edmonton and his daughter Madelynn with the lingcod they caught off Hornby Island.
Brent Rogers from Nova Scotia landed this pink salmon during a fly fishing trip to the Comox Valley with his father.

Visitors enjoying pink salmon in Comox Valley

We sometimes take for granted the marvellous recreational fishing opportunities we have…

Brent Rogers from Nova Scotia landed this pink salmon during a fly fishing trip to the Comox Valley with his father.
These homemade coolers work well with ice packs to keep fish fresh.

Taking care of fish in hot weather

We are in the middle of summer and much of the time…

These homemade coolers work well with ice packs to keep fish fresh.
A young angler lands her fish at the 29th annual Bullhead Derby.

Good news (bullhead derby) and bad news (salmon closure)

It is no fun writing about serious fishing closures on the freshwater…

A young angler lands her fish at the 29th annual Bullhead Derby.