While based out of Seattle, the 20 members of the United States Coast Guard Dive Team came from all over the U.S. to train under the ice at Lac des Roches. Evidently, some newer members from the southern states had never seen snow before. In the past, the team trained in Alaska, but since that option has become uneconomical, they have found Lac des Roches a suitable alternative. The Canadian Navy Dive team has used Lac des Roches for similar training for several years in the past although the Vancouver Olympics interrupted their schedule for the last three years. Both teams plan to return to the lake in the future.
Messy fishers
There has been some ice fishing activity on Lac des Roches. It was disappointing for one resident to discover the significant "footprint" left by a small fishing party using the lake on the night of Feb. 4. While the garbage left behind was easily removed for proper disposal, the cut trees and charred logs will be a loss and an eyesore for years to come. Fishers should pack out what they bring in and pack in suitable heat source material rather than destroy pristine public land.
Highway unites businesses
Luca Lanzoni of Lac des Roches Resort, one of the seven directors of the Fishing Highway Tourist Association spoke to members about several topics at the annual general meeting on Jan. 26. Luca leads the group’s initiative on possible fish stocking inequities in South Cariboo lakes. In addition to its popular website and upcoming Facebook page, the group is actively pursuing designating Highway 24 as "The Fishing Highway" and improving business marketing through additional tourist signage at strategic locations along the highway.
Budding bushes
Picking pussy willows on Jan. 31 any year is a rare occurrence at Lac des Roches. The warm weather following last month’s nasty cold snap seems to have fooled some trees to exhibit spring sprouting behaviour. The calendar indicated 85 per cent of our "winter" was still to come, regardless of spring-like weather conditions. Hopefully, the willow trees exhibiting these premature pussy willows will survive any resurgence of winter weather in February and March.
Skaters excel
Congratulations to Giorgia and Alice Lanzoni of Lac des Roches and their good friend Brittany Boyd for skating so well in the Williams Lake competition Feb. 4-5. Their dedication to the sport and rigorous practice schedules were evident by the impressive marks given by the judges for their individual and team performances.
Active logging
Pine beetle salvage logging between Birch Lake and Lac des Roches is underway. Slash burning in the same area is the source of plumes of blue smoke and the layers of smoke hanging over the lake on the recent cold, calm mornings.
Friends involved
In response to the Cariboo Regional District’s appeal to community members to participate in the Emergency Planning exercise and the meeting Feb. 11, executive members of Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake are committed to this initiative. Information on the plan and how it involves our community will be posted on the society’s website.
Wandering wildlife
Several moose have been spotted on the road and in the woods near the east end of Boultbee Road and one was observed crossing the frozen lake. Badgers have been busy digging huge holes in the south-facing slopes at the west end of Boultbee Road. Deer, absent for the past month are now leaving fresh tracks all over the neighbourhood, although no sightings have been mentioned.