OC Outdoors: A steelhead adventure on Vancouver Island

Associate editor Scott Gardner fishes B.C. for the first time. Here’s why he’ll be going back—soon.

Welcome to Campbell River

How do you know Campbell River, B.C. is a fishin’ town? Well, the salmon sculpture outside the airport’s arrivals gate is a hint. Earlier this year I traveled to the fabulous Lodge at Gold River, about an hour from Campbell River, for my first attempt at Vancouver Island steelheading. A longer report will appear in Outdoor Canada magazine in early 2015, but here are a few highlights of my three days at steelhead school. Spoiler alert: I kinda got schooled.