Two Lac des Roches residents had a greater adventure than originally planned for their coho salmon fishing trip when heavy rainfall swelled the Bella Coola River, washed out portions of Highway 20 and isolated them in Hagensborg. John Clarkson and Marlen Laine of Boultbee Road shortened their trip to only four hours of fishing before they found the river was too muddy and swollen to continue. They decided to go home early only to be turned back when the water on the highway was as high as the truck’s bumper. Highway 20 was their only route to drive home. They joined many visiting fishers in an attempt to stay occupied for an extra week, playing cards and helping local residents struggling with the rising water. Although power and phone lines were maintained during the worst of the storm, the drinking water supply was shut down for four days due to impurities. John said collecting rain water from gutters for domestic purposes was not a problem during the heavy rainfall. He has family in Hagensborg, so once the airport was reopened in Bella Coola and a flight could be arranged, the pair secured their vehicle and made their way back home. John said he hopes to retrieve his truck once the highway is restored in six to eight weeks and will wait until the spring to retrieve his travel trailer. John and Marlen commented on the wonderful spirit shown by the residents of these isolated communities and how they have learned over the years to help each other cope with periodic flooding.
Farewell party
Lac des Roches residents are invited to join the farewell party scheduled for nearby residents Gerardine and Borre van Doorninck of the Crooked Lake Ranch. The popular couple will be permanently relocating back to their North Vancouver residence in October. A potluck dinner is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at Bridge Lake Elementary School, and all those planning to attend are asked to call Chris Lance at 250-593-0042 for an estimated head count for organization and setup. Guests will be encouraged to add their well-wishes to a memory book being created as a parting gift.
Hidden treasures
The cool damp weather is allowing the forest and fields to reveal yet another surprise before the onset of winter – a wonderful crop of mushrooms. Several residents enjoy hunting for fungi, and with the use of dozens of reference books and comparison of knowledge among themselves, they attempt to identify and name the hundreds of different specimens, usually with the hope of finding those which are both safe and tasty to eat. Wendy Dubbin of the Bridge Lake Community School Society would like to host a course for interested residents on field mushroom identification, but has yet to find a local person with sufficient knowledge to do so. If someone is out there and willing to share their expertise, Wendy would like to hear from them at 250-593-4538.