Fish and folklore in Campbell River
Many are lured by the elusive tyee, but are hooked by all that there is to discover in Campbell River
Campbell River has achieved worldwide recognition as a sport fishing mecca; an abundance of salmon—not to mention oysters, crabs and other treasures from the sea—has drawn recreational anglers to the region for at least 100 years.
The Tyee Club of British Columbia began in 1924 with a group of anglers who returned to Campbell River each year in pursuit of the elusive tyee (a coastal First Nations word meaning “the chief”), a chinook salmon that weighs 30 pounds or more.
“Tyee fishing in Campbell River is different,” said Andrea Knowles, media and promotions representative for Rivercorp, the Campbell River Economic Development Corporation. “Fisher folk fish quietly in small classic rowboats; no motors are allowed in the tyee pool.”
The rower will slip the boat into the currents and eddies of the pool, keeping a basic plug or spoon beating in the current, said Knowles.
“The angler must stay focused on the action of the lure, as it is felt in the hand as much as being seen by the beating of the rod tip,” she said. “With the slightest change in the beat, the hook must be set fast and hard; (then) the battle with a Pacific chinook salmon is on—anything can happen! If the fish is boated and weighs 30 pounds or more, the catch is recorded and the angler becomes a member of the Tyee Club.”
Delve into the personality of the place
The Museum at Campbell River holds a fine collection of exhibits that represent the unique culture and history of northern Vancouver Island. The facility features theatre rooms where one can view film footage of the legendary Ripple Rock explosion that occurred in 1958. This explosion, which erupted 700,000 tons of rock and water, is the world’s largest non-atomic blast.
“There is an interactive exhibit which unfolds the First Nation culture with a mask display,” said Knowles. “It also features a logging steam donkey, logger’s cabin and replica of Willow’s Hotel.”
RVers can park at the Tyee Plaza shopping centre and head to the visitor centre, located at the mall, for details on community events, attractions and activities. Adjacent to the mall is Campbell River’s Spirit Square, the community’s public gathering place and a popular entertainment venue. Logger Mike, a statue of a logger on a tall pole, is a downtown landmark that pays tribute to the area’s industrial roots.
