Ralph Shaw

Pink salmon have arrived in local waters.

Pink salmon have arrived in local waters

Pink salmon are the smallest of our five species of Pacific Salmon…

Pink salmon have arrived in local waters.
Miles Kilback of Salmon Arm, assisted by his brother Brent, caught this 56-pound halibut in front of Bates Beach.

Enjoy fishing in our home waters

We are experiencing a summer of extreme dry weather with very warm…

Miles Kilback of Salmon Arm, assisted by his brother Brent, caught this 56-pound halibut in front of Bates Beach.
The Salmon River.

Ecological quilting and the Nature Trust of BC

The headline may seem a little confusing; but let me explain.For many…

The Salmon River.
The Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association grounds were a busy place on the weekend.

Dedicated volunteers make special events at CDFGPA a success

 This column will cover events of the past two weeks plus this…

The Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association grounds were a busy place on the weekend.
MLA Don McRae addresses the gathering at the CDFGPA clubhouse.

Prestigious award for Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association

   On Friday, June 12 I was invited, along with other members…

MLA Don McRae addresses the gathering at the CDFGPA clubhouse.
Chinook salmon and lingcod are prime targets of local anglers.

Lingcod and chinook in local marine waters

As we enter June, the month of big tides and currents, we…

Chinook salmon and lingcod are prime targets of local anglers.
Three prime trout taken from a local lake.

39 inches of trout – and counting

I was casually looking at the solunar tables when I noted that…

Three prime trout taken from a local lake.
Be sure to visit the CDFGPA Club Tent at the June 6-7 Outdoor Recreation Show.

June a busy month at fish and game club

 June is traditionally a good month to be on the water in…

Be sure to visit the CDFGPA Club Tent at the June 6-7 Outdoor Recreation Show.
A pair of seccnd-year trout.

A great long weekend on the water

I don't know about you but I had trouble getting my head…

A pair of seccnd-year trout.
Chuck Ashcroft with the first 20-pounder of the day.

Great fishing off Kitty Coleman hump

   For the last couple of weeks I have heard fishing tales about…

Chuck Ashcroft with the first 20-pounder of the day.
Charley Vaughan casting casting along the far side of the lake.

Fly fishing on small lakes is fun

The forests north of Campbell River are home to hundreds of small…

Charley Vaughan casting casting along the far side of the lake.
The ice can be seen starting to form on the shoreline of Spider Lake.

Time to take notice of tipping points

The concept of “tipping points” when looking at climate change seems too…

The ice can be seen starting to form on the shoreline of Spider Lake.
Jack Shaw used solunar tables to land many a fish.

Solunar tables will help you catch fish

 I have in my library a bundle of solunar tables covering the…

Jack Shaw used solunar tables to land many a fish.
Cody Steeves with a trout he caught at Spider Lake.

Teaching children to fish is a joy

Teaching children to fish is one of the joys of being an…

Cody Steeves with a trout he caught at Spider Lake.
Don't go fishing without first reading these important documents.

Rules and regulations are important to know

Last weekend I renewed my annual freshwater and saltwater fishing licences. Not…

Don't go fishing without first reading these important documents.
A #12 Black and Gold chironomid fly with starling feathers on the thorax.

Give dry line chironomid fly fishing a try

Historically, as I recall, dry line chironomid fishing in British Columbia started…

A #12 Black and Gold chironomid fly with starling feathers on the thorax.
The DFO office was crowded at the last meeting of the Area 14 SFAC.

Area 14 SFAC meeting addressed many important issues

The Area 14 Sport Fishing Advisory Committee (SFAC) holds its daytime meetings…

The DFO office was crowded at the last meeting of the Area 14 SFAC.
A 17-pound rainbow trout caught by our intrepid outdoors columnist on Spider Lake.

A day fishing on Spider Lake

I am not convinced that Spider Lake is much different than Maple…

A 17-pound rainbow trout caught by our intrepid outdoors columnist on Spider Lake.
A fly and two sedge pupae.

How-to tip: match the hatch

Jargon is one of the worst barriers to communication, as seen in…

A fly and two sedge pupae.
One of Bert's favourite chairs now sits empty.

Nature lost a true friend with the passing of Bert Everston

This column is about Bert Everston and his down-to-earth approach to nature…

One of Bert's favourite chairs now sits empty.