This morning was bright and sunny, with no wind. A perfect day to check out just how nice Wiffin Spit is for paddling, provided one stays out of the current until ready. I got my little inflatable ready to take on the bus, but Bernie ended up driving me there and taking a walk all along the spit from the parking lot by Sooke Harbour House to the tip where the water rushes around.
He may have seen the whole length of the spit, but I didn't. From the water, it's a bit hard to tell exactly where the narrows is. I went a bit closer to the end than the map at this link shows. I didn't want to find the current suddenly, even if it was expected to be gentle and there is no breeze against it to kick up standing waves.
I took a moment to paddle outside the spit, too, by hopping across the parking lot. A good place for paddling, especially in good weather!
Showing posts with label Sooke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sooke. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Monday, August 10, 2015
Muir Creek paddle and video
In June, I went for a marvelous paddle, though a short one in the estuary of Muir Creek.
This was a good day to pull the little inflatable kayak out of our van and set it up on the creek bank. There was very little current as the creek nears the ocean, and I drifted about happily crossing from side to side or going upstream without any effort till a few dozen yards above the bridge it was too shallow to go further. The water is low from June to September, but I hear there is much more run-off in rainy months from November to March. I drifted downstream into the brackish, swampy part of the estuary. The other half of the estuary was open to the sea. Linking the two parts was a place that at high tide would be fine for paddling, but I was there at low tide. The link was a pebbly mini-rapid too shallow for even my boat. So I contented myself with exploring this side of the estuary and watching bubbles of swamp gas rise from the muddy bottom.
I can see why artist Jeffrey J. Boron has made a painting of Muir Creek. This place is a good one for a short outing in a sheltered space! It would be even better at high tide. If you click on this link, you can see the location along the shore west of Sooke and east of Sandringham Point. Just after West Coast Road crosses Muir Creek, there's a place to pull off the road and park. Room for half a dozen cars, maybe, but no improvements like you'd expect at a park. That's because it isn't an official park; it's just been treated like one by the local residents and visitors. There's a terrific website about Muir Creek and the many good reasons to make this site a park.
While I was paddling, Bernie went the route marked on this website as he walked along the footpath to the ocean shore and then east on the cobble beach to look for fossils. He found some, of course, from the Sooke formation!
A couple of days later in June, Karl and Stephanie went to Muir Creek with their dog Isaac. Karl took this video, which he posted on YouTube as part of his series on Great BC Beaches. It looks like the tide was high during their visit.
This was a good day to pull the little inflatable kayak out of our van and set it up on the creek bank. There was very little current as the creek nears the ocean, and I drifted about happily crossing from side to side or going upstream without any effort till a few dozen yards above the bridge it was too shallow to go further. The water is low from June to September, but I hear there is much more run-off in rainy months from November to March. I drifted downstream into the brackish, swampy part of the estuary. The other half of the estuary was open to the sea. Linking the two parts was a place that at high tide would be fine for paddling, but I was there at low tide. The link was a pebbly mini-rapid too shallow for even my boat. So I contented myself with exploring this side of the estuary and watching bubbles of swamp gas rise from the muddy bottom.
I can see why artist Jeffrey J. Boron has made a painting of Muir Creek. This place is a good one for a short outing in a sheltered space! It would be even better at high tide. If you click on this link, you can see the location along the shore west of Sooke and east of Sandringham Point. Just after West Coast Road crosses Muir Creek, there's a place to pull off the road and park. Room for half a dozen cars, maybe, but no improvements like you'd expect at a park. That's because it isn't an official park; it's just been treated like one by the local residents and visitors. There's a terrific website about Muir Creek and the many good reasons to make this site a park.
While I was paddling, Bernie went the route marked on this website as he walked along the footpath to the ocean shore and then east on the cobble beach to look for fossils. He found some, of course, from the Sooke formation!
A couple of days later in June, Karl and Stephanie went to Muir Creek with their dog Isaac. Karl took this video, which he posted on YouTube as part of his series on Great BC Beaches. It looks like the tide was high during their visit.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Poirier Lake
Another good round of commando kayaking on a summer day! I'm trying to learn all the buses in and around Sooke near Victoria. This time I hopped on the #63 again with my inflatable Lagoon (a dandy little kayak), and hopped off at the sign for Poirier Lake, with two five-car parking lots right beside Otter Point Road. Poirier is a little kidney-bean shaped lake a few hundred metres across, surrounded by tall trees and a hill, with a few houses peeking out from the trees. On the map it looks like the lake drains through a creek into Young Lake nearby. Poirier is one of several small lakes in and near Victoria that are part of a management plan.
As Hook and Bullet website says,
I rolled up to the lakeshore and chatted with a pair of workers for Juan de Fuca Recreation and the Capital Regional District. I found the plans for park improvement online. There's a nice picnic shelter here above the shore, and a few picnic tables as well. The paths are crushed gravel, and there is a porta-john. Plans are in place to turn the two concrete pads into the base for good little docks for fishing, one of which will be a boat launch. No motor boats are allowed, but small rowboats, canoes, kayaks and the like are welcome. Swimming is not recommended.
The lake has a shallow muddy bottom on the north-west shore, with at least three kinds of water lilies growing. All around the lake are many sunken logs with branches sticking up near or to the surface. These would be places to look for fishes, and possibly turtles, but neither were visible today.
I turned on my SPOT beacon and sent an OK signal from the lake. Later I sent another from the bus stop a little way along the road while I was waiting for the bus. It's a nice way to let Bernie know at home that I've arrived at the lake, and then that I'm waiting at the bus stop after leaving the lake. Paddling alone is less dangerous when a person wears a PFD (always), chooses a sensible place sheltered from strong wind, and has a plan to avoid annoying problems when possible.
I can see why Poirier would be a popular lake for fishing. Not only is it right on a paved road (and a bus route!) but there are clouds of bugs fluttering over the lake so I'm sure the trout are snapping them up. While I was paddling slowly along the south-east shore near the steep hillside, the water looked deeper than where I launched. It was cool in the shade from the trees, there were dragonflies eating clouds of mosquitoes. Several big splashes told me there were big fish swimming unseen. All in all, a pleasant place to have a quiet and relaxed paddle in a small boat.
As Hook and Bullet website says,
Poirier Lake is a lake located just 2.5 miles from Sooke, in Capital Regional District, in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Whether you’re fly fishing, baitcasting or spinning your chances of getting a bite here are good. So grab your favorite fly fishing rod and reel, and head out to Poirier Lake. For Fishing License purchase, fishing rules, and fishing regulations please visit British Columbia Fish & Wildlife. Please remember to check with the local Fish and Wildlife department to ensure the stream is open to the public. Now get out there and fish!As a matter of fact, one can go fishing only in lakes or the ocean on the whole island this summer. Long before the Department of Fisheries closed all the streams and rivers due to the dry weather, all the fly-fishing clubs and First Nations had announced that no one should fish in any of the streams or rivers. The poor fish are suffering from low water conditions, with some streams drying up to leave only a few warm pools of water.
I rolled up to the lakeshore and chatted with a pair of workers for Juan de Fuca Recreation and the Capital Regional District. I found the plans for park improvement online. There's a nice picnic shelter here above the shore, and a few picnic tables as well. The paths are crushed gravel, and there is a porta-john. Plans are in place to turn the two concrete pads into the base for good little docks for fishing, one of which will be a boat launch. No motor boats are allowed, but small rowboats, canoes, kayaks and the like are welcome. Swimming is not recommended.
The lake has a shallow muddy bottom on the north-west shore, with at least three kinds of water lilies growing. All around the lake are many sunken logs with branches sticking up near or to the surface. These would be places to look for fishes, and possibly turtles, but neither were visible today.
I turned on my SPOT beacon and sent an OK signal from the lake. Later I sent another from the bus stop a little way along the road while I was waiting for the bus. It's a nice way to let Bernie know at home that I've arrived at the lake, and then that I'm waiting at the bus stop after leaving the lake. Paddling alone is less dangerous when a person wears a PFD (always), chooses a sensible place sheltered from strong wind, and has a plan to avoid annoying problems when possible.
I can see why Poirier would be a popular lake for fishing. Not only is it right on a paved road (and a bus route!) but there are clouds of bugs fluttering over the lake so I'm sure the trout are snapping them up. While I was paddling slowly along the south-east shore near the steep hillside, the water looked deeper than where I launched. It was cool in the shade from the trees, there were dragonflies eating clouds of mosquitoes. Several big splashes told me there were big fish swimming unseen. All in all, a pleasant place to have a quiet and relaxed paddle in a small boat.
Monday, July 27, 2015
With Ben in Cooper's Cove
Today there was time for a quick paddle at Cooper's Cove with Ben. He's made various appearances on the blog, often quoted in conversation or chats, sometimes photographed when kayaking with us. Today he paddled our old red Pamlico, the go-to boat for a casual recreational paddle.
Bernie is the one who has taken this boat the most places around here anyone has ever handled this model of kayak, according to Brian Henry of Ocean River, and when in practise Bernie can stand it on its side. But he's been out in it twice this summer and doesn't feel in practise. As for Ben, when he took it out the first few minutes were taken up with practise leaning around and trying various grips on the paddle befoer he settled in and felt comfortable steering and picking up speed.
Cooper's Cove is a nice place to paddle, sheltered from most of the wind. Here's a link showing my SPOT message during the outing. Ben and I looked in particular along the peninsula where one could see the earth accumulating over time and eroding at the edges. As long as that soil has been accumulating since the ice age, people have been using this little cove. A pity that the cove took such a pounding during the construction of the water main from Sooke Lake reservoir to Victoria. There are some articles about that time here and here where the flowline sounds like an interesting sight to see.
Bernie came back to pick up the happy paddlers. Then I went off to the grocery on my bike, and came back to find Ben and Bernie crowbar-ing some damaged boards off the porch deck. Ah, summer!
Bernie is the one who has taken this boat the most places around here anyone has ever handled this model of kayak, according to Brian Henry of Ocean River, and when in practise Bernie can stand it on its side. But he's been out in it twice this summer and doesn't feel in practise. As for Ben, when he took it out the first few minutes were taken up with practise leaning around and trying various grips on the paddle befoer he settled in and felt comfortable steering and picking up speed.
Cooper's Cove is a nice place to paddle, sheltered from most of the wind. Here's a link showing my SPOT message during the outing. Ben and I looked in particular along the peninsula where one could see the earth accumulating over time and eroding at the edges. As long as that soil has been accumulating since the ice age, people have been using this little cove. A pity that the cove took such a pounding during the construction of the water main from Sooke Lake reservoir to Victoria. There are some articles about that time here and here where the flowline sounds like an interesting sight to see.
Bernie came back to pick up the happy paddlers. Then I went off to the grocery on my bike, and came back to find Ben and Bernie crowbar-ing some damaged boards off the porch deck. Ah, summer!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Kemp Lake Paddling
Another great day of exploring the lakes around my new home!
For this day, I took the #63 bus in Sooke for a day of commando kayaking, with my new little inflatable Lagoon kayak on a roller. The #63 goes past two little lakes, Poirier and Kemp. Both are stocked with trout for fishing. This day was my first time to Kemp Lake. Here's a link showing Kemp Lake, made using my SPOT.
It wasn't hard at all to get there from Kemp Lake Road. The bus driver let me off at the corner of Chubb Road where I could see the boat launch at the lakeshore. I walked two long blocks on pavement, past some houses and a pretty farm. There is room at the end of the road for three or four cars to park next to a large green shed which seems to be waterworks for a drinking water facility. Kemp Lake is drinking water for many local homes, so be clean and considerate paddlers here!
The boat launch itself is well-suited to kayaks and canoes, and there is a rickety little dock suitable for launching boats or swimming. A grassy space made a convenient place to inflate my kayak. Though the tiny beach has very shallow water, it's possible to launch without getting muddy. Tiny fish darted about the rocks and mud as I launched. A few minutes later, I also saw a trout about as long as my hand. Fish!
It was a day for relaxing and dawdling, so I floated in my little kayak and drifted. Turkey vultures circled overhead, bringing to mind the line from the first season of Game of Thrones where the dancing-master asks, "What do we say to death? Not today."
For this day, I took the #63 bus in Sooke for a day of commando kayaking, with my new little inflatable Lagoon kayak on a roller. The #63 goes past two little lakes, Poirier and Kemp. Both are stocked with trout for fishing. This day was my first time to Kemp Lake. Here's a link showing Kemp Lake, made using my SPOT.
It wasn't hard at all to get there from Kemp Lake Road. The bus driver let me off at the corner of Chubb Road where I could see the boat launch at the lakeshore. I walked two long blocks on pavement, past some houses and a pretty farm. There is room at the end of the road for three or four cars to park next to a large green shed which seems to be waterworks for a drinking water facility. Kemp Lake is drinking water for many local homes, so be clean and considerate paddlers here!
The boat launch itself is well-suited to kayaks and canoes, and there is a rickety little dock suitable for launching boats or swimming. A grassy space made a convenient place to inflate my kayak. Though the tiny beach has very shallow water, it's possible to launch without getting muddy. Tiny fish darted about the rocks and mud as I launched. A few minutes later, I also saw a trout about as long as my hand. Fish!
It was a day for relaxing and dawdling, so I floated in my little kayak and drifted. Turkey vultures circled overhead, bringing to mind the line from the first season of Game of Thrones where the dancing-master asks, "What do we say to death? Not today."
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Paddling Cooper's Cove with a new paddle
Got a minute to get back to writing about that short outing in Cooper's Cove the other day, trying out my new paddle. Things have been busy around here with the move, and I was glad to take the time to go out in a boat.
Cooper's Cove is a nice sheltered place for taking a recreational kayak, and a good place for entering Sooke Basin. I like that there's room for a couple of cars to park, and a loop for turning around. The Galloping Goose bike & hike path is right here, and bus stops for the #61 bus! There's even a kayak rental place right here, and a restaurant.
I sent a SPOT OK signal while paddling here -- you can see my location at this link. Looking at the map just now, I noticed again that sometimes when I'm near a cliff the signal doesn't reach always reach a satellite right away. Half the sky is blocked by the cliff, eh? The signal got through about two minutes later, when I was a few dozen yards away from the cliff and headed towards the launch site. If I really wanted to pinpoint my location up against a cliff, I'd send the signal and stay put for a few minutes, letting the SPOT keep flashing its OK signal till a satellite comes into range.
The paddle I was using is by Advanced Elements, and it's their Ultralite Pack Paddle. At 23.6 ounces, it's certainly lighter than any other paddle I've handled, even my carbon paddle with scoop blades. It comes apart into four pieces, and has its own drawstring bag with a mesh side.
For paddlers needing a paddle to use in challenging conditions, I recommend Advanced Elements' Touring 4-part paddle with dihedral blades rather than the Ultralite. The Touring is what I used on the Red Deer River, though if I were going there again my spare paddle this time would be the Ultralite since the stretch I paddled isn't whitewater. The Touring 4-part paddle is sold through West Marine stores as well as Advanced Elements' website.
Cooper's Cove is a nice sheltered place for taking a recreational kayak, and a good place for entering Sooke Basin. I like that there's room for a couple of cars to park, and a loop for turning around. The Galloping Goose bike & hike path is right here, and bus stops for the #61 bus! There's even a kayak rental place right here, and a restaurant.
I sent a SPOT OK signal while paddling here -- you can see my location at this link. Looking at the map just now, I noticed again that sometimes when I'm near a cliff the signal doesn't reach always reach a satellite right away. Half the sky is blocked by the cliff, eh? The signal got through about two minutes later, when I was a few dozen yards away from the cliff and headed towards the launch site. If I really wanted to pinpoint my location up against a cliff, I'd send the signal and stay put for a few minutes, letting the SPOT keep flashing its OK signal till a satellite comes into range.
The paddle I was using is by Advanced Elements, and it's their Ultralite Pack Paddle. At 23.6 ounces, it's certainly lighter than any other paddle I've handled, even my carbon paddle with scoop blades. It comes apart into four pieces, and has its own drawstring bag with a mesh side.
For paddlers needing a paddle to use in challenging conditions, I recommend Advanced Elements' Touring 4-part paddle with dihedral blades rather than the Ultralite. The Touring is what I used on the Red Deer River, though if I were going there again my spare paddle this time would be the Ultralite since the stretch I paddled isn't whitewater. The Touring 4-part paddle is sold through West Marine stores as well as Advanced Elements' website.
Thursday, July 02, 2015
Cooper's Cove in a new kayak!
Today I had a chance to do two great things. One was to paddle in Cooper's Cove, which we've visited before as you can see at these posts, but I haven't been here in a boat for years. The other was to try out my new inflatable kayak!
Yes, I have a little fleet of kayak, and a number of them are inflatable. Yes, this one is a new model of one I already have. I've been using it for seven years, and oi, these puppies do get a little worn out after a while, y'know?
At any rate, I'll write a better post soon with a review comparing this model of kayak to the others I've paddled. For now, I'll say WOW, and close with a link to my SPOT message showing my location on this sunny day as the tide was coming up to full tide slack.
Yes, I have a little fleet of kayak, and a number of them are inflatable. Yes, this one is a new model of one I already have. I've been using it for seven years, and oi, these puppies do get a little worn out after a while, y'know?
At any rate, I'll write a better post soon with a review comparing this model of kayak to the others I've paddled. For now, I'll say WOW, and close with a link to my SPOT message showing my location on this sunny day as the tide was coming up to full tide slack.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Lost Kayakers
To anyone who has been hearing the local news, it's the kind of story our friends and family have been dreading. Two kayaks have been found off Sooke, near Victoria, yesterday and the day before, say the news reports. This morning, September 29, the local CBC radio station reported that two young men who were working in the area are now missing. It looks like they might have set out into less than ideal weather conditions.
No, none of us at Kayak Yak know the missing men. But that doesn't make the story any better.
When we comment here on our blog about boating safety, or getting a new PFD like John did on the weekend, or practising wet exits and re-entry, it's not just a bunch of hot air. This is the kind of stuff that can save your life -- or lose it.
Sooke basin is a terrific place to paddle. We've been there many times, mostly on calm days. Sometimes we challenged ourselves with steady wind and waves, or consistent currents. The bay seems so sheltered until the wind changes direction. Once we launch, it's easy to get away from the sound and sight of the town and of the houses scattered along some of the shore. And a couple of times, we've faced a few challenges that seemed perfectly fine ten seconds earlier. So far we've all come home, and we've even brought our boats home.
Even in familiar places, it's possible for a person in a kayak or other small boat to have unexpected problems. I hope that anyone reading our blog takes safety seriously -- personal safety and group safety! Accidents happen to everyone. Sometimes being prepared helps.
Last weekend I came to shore on Cadboro Bay's Gyro Park beach just as a young man was launching. We said hi to each other, and he glanced at my kayak's deck.
"Too much stuff," he said.
Well, I did have a spare paddle, water pump, and throw bag of rope on the front deck, and a paddle float on the back. (Mike Jackson stores all that gear inside his cockpit, because he wants a clear deck so he can roll. I can't roll.) I shrugged and said, "Safety gear."
He shook his head. "Too much."
Did I take him more seriously because he was in a well-worn kayak, a muscular First Nations man with a fishing line looped on his deck? Did I take him less seriously because he wasn't wearing a PFD or a kayak skirt?
I thought about him when hearing the news reports of the missing kayakers off Sooke. A PFD won't always save your life... it might keep one from drowning long enough to die of cold, and in these cold waters that can take about half an hour. Then it makes you easier to find.
All the safety gear we carry (and it's required by law here in Canada) is no guarantee of safety. It's just tools that might be useful. We have put them to use, too.
It's hard waiting to hear the news reports from Sooke.
Be careful out there.
No, none of us at Kayak Yak know the missing men. But that doesn't make the story any better.
When we comment here on our blog about boating safety, or getting a new PFD like John did on the weekend, or practising wet exits and re-entry, it's not just a bunch of hot air. This is the kind of stuff that can save your life -- or lose it.
Sooke basin is a terrific place to paddle. We've been there many times, mostly on calm days. Sometimes we challenged ourselves with steady wind and waves, or consistent currents. The bay seems so sheltered until the wind changes direction. Once we launch, it's easy to get away from the sound and sight of the town and of the houses scattered along some of the shore. And a couple of times, we've faced a few challenges that seemed perfectly fine ten seconds earlier. So far we've all come home, and we've even brought our boats home.
Even in familiar places, it's possible for a person in a kayak or other small boat to have unexpected problems. I hope that anyone reading our blog takes safety seriously -- personal safety and group safety! Accidents happen to everyone. Sometimes being prepared helps.
Last weekend I came to shore on Cadboro Bay's Gyro Park beach just as a young man was launching. We said hi to each other, and he glanced at my kayak's deck.
"Too much stuff," he said.
Well, I did have a spare paddle, water pump, and throw bag of rope on the front deck, and a paddle float on the back. (Mike Jackson stores all that gear inside his cockpit, because he wants a clear deck so he can roll. I can't roll.) I shrugged and said, "Safety gear."
He shook his head. "Too much."
Did I take him more seriously because he was in a well-worn kayak, a muscular First Nations man with a fishing line looped on his deck? Did I take him less seriously because he wasn't wearing a PFD or a kayak skirt?
I thought about him when hearing the news reports of the missing kayakers off Sooke. A PFD won't always save your life... it might keep one from drowning long enough to die of cold, and in these cold waters that can take about half an hour. Then it makes you easier to find.
All the safety gear we carry (and it's required by law here in Canada) is no guarantee of safety. It's just tools that might be useful. We have put them to use, too.
It's hard waiting to hear the news reports from Sooke.
Be careful out there.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Boom-boom
As we go into the Hallowe'en time and beyond, into the dark time of the year, you may notice some loud booming if you're out on the water west of Victoria. Don't panic! The Canadian military is doing some manoeuvres during the first week of November, west of Sooke near Sombrio Beach. They'll be test-firing artillery and many large weapons. So if you hear some unexplained booming when you're paddling at Albert Head or Sooke Basin, don't be alarmed.
And if the booming is more of a rumble from the south-east, it's probably the Growler taking off from the US military base on Whidbey Island, again. We've been hearing it lately around Cadboro Bay and Ten Mile Point, so they must be using the runway that points in our direction.
These noises are just another reminder that human-made noises carry much farther over water (and probably under water as well) than we expect. Certainly, I felt surrounded by a bubble of outboard motor noise when riding in a zodiac for Straitwatch, watching the whale-watching boats. But being in a kayak and hearing zodiacs go by showed me that the bubble of noise is big enough to fill not only the bowl of Cadboro Bay, but all of Oak Bay's big curve as well, echoing off the Chathams and the Chain islets. And that's with my half-deaf ears!
Let's hope that J, K and L pods of orcas are playing in the Gulf Islands instead of hanging out near Jordan River when the Canadian military is on manoeuvres this week. Boom-shaka-laka means something else these days...
And if the booming is more of a rumble from the south-east, it's probably the Growler taking off from the US military base on Whidbey Island, again. We've been hearing it lately around Cadboro Bay and Ten Mile Point, so they must be using the runway that points in our direction.
These noises are just another reminder that human-made noises carry much farther over water (and probably under water as well) than we expect. Certainly, I felt surrounded by a bubble of outboard motor noise when riding in a zodiac for Straitwatch, watching the whale-watching boats. But being in a kayak and hearing zodiacs go by showed me that the bubble of noise is big enough to fill not only the bowl of Cadboro Bay, but all of Oak Bay's big curve as well, echoing off the Chathams and the Chain islets. And that's with my half-deaf ears!
Let's hope that J, K and L pods of orcas are playing in the Gulf Islands instead of hanging out near Jordan River when the Canadian military is on manoeuvres this week. Boom-shaka-laka means something else these days...
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Ayum Creek Restoration
The Capital Regional District is busy restoring parkland again. This time it's in Ayum Creek Regional Park. That's a little park right by where we launch our kayaks into Cooper Cove and head out into Sooke Basin. The park at Ayum Creek is one of several where fish habitat is being restored. Here's the Media Release just sent out by CRD Parks:
Media Release
For Immediate Release
September 2, 2010
Fish Habitat Restoration Project at Ayum Creek Regional Park Reserve
Victoria, BC – The Capital Regional District is partnering with the South Islands Aquatic Stewardship Society (SIASS) to undertake a fish habitat restoration project at Ayum Creek Regional Park Reserve in the district of Sooke. The work is taking place the week of September 1 and will not impact park visitors.
“Ayum Creek has very high value for chum and coho spawning,” said James Hamly, project coordinator for South Islands Aquatic Stewardship Society. “There has been extensive habitat restoration over the last twelve years, however, some of the work is in need of mitigation. We will be repairing a riffle and preventing further erosion to the stream bank to improve fish habitat.”
“Regional Parks recently completed a management plan for Ayum Creek, with primary emphasis on conserving and restoring the ecosystems and biodiversity of the creek,” said Lloyd Rushton, CRD Parks and Community Services General Manager. “This small park reserve protects the stream-fed estuary of Ayum Creek, which empties into the Sooke Basin. It is one of the few remaining estuaries in the region.”
Funding for the fish restoration project is provided by the CRD Regional Parks, SIASS, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization that works in concert with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Ministry of Environment in fostering salmon recovery.
For further information, please contact:
Laurie Sthamann, Communications Coordinator
CRD Regional Parks
Tel: 250.360.3332 cell: 250.889.8030
lsthamann@crd.bc.ca
www.crd.bc.ca/parks
Media Release
For Immediate Release
September 2, 2010
Fish Habitat Restoration Project at Ayum Creek Regional Park Reserve
Victoria, BC – The Capital Regional District is partnering with the South Islands Aquatic Stewardship Society (SIASS) to undertake a fish habitat restoration project at Ayum Creek Regional Park Reserve in the district of Sooke. The work is taking place the week of September 1 and will not impact park visitors.
“Ayum Creek has very high value for chum and coho spawning,” said James Hamly, project coordinator for South Islands Aquatic Stewardship Society. “There has been extensive habitat restoration over the last twelve years, however, some of the work is in need of mitigation. We will be repairing a riffle and preventing further erosion to the stream bank to improve fish habitat.”
“Regional Parks recently completed a management plan for Ayum Creek, with primary emphasis on conserving and restoring the ecosystems and biodiversity of the creek,” said Lloyd Rushton, CRD Parks and Community Services General Manager. “This small park reserve protects the stream-fed estuary of Ayum Creek, which empties into the Sooke Basin. It is one of the few remaining estuaries in the region.”
Funding for the fish restoration project is provided by the CRD Regional Parks, SIASS, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization that works in concert with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Ministry of Environment in fostering salmon recovery.
For further information, please contact:
Laurie Sthamann, Communications Coordinator
CRD Regional Parks
Tel: 250.360.3332 cell: 250.889.8030
lsthamann@crd.bc.ca
www.crd.bc.ca/parks
Saturday, March 20, 2010
A Very Fast Morning
Paula and I were out on the Sooke River this morning, finding it very fast and very full. Water was cold, but it was a gorgeous morning. Really, all you need to know is in the video--I filmed it standing next to a dead-fall in the rapids, trying not to fall over. It may not look like it, but Paula was having a blast. We both ran this stretch using her Advanced Elements Dragonfly, and had no troubles with the water at all.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Super Sunday
It's SuperBowl Sunday, so what are a bunch of kayakers to do? That's an easy choice...who cares about the big game when we've got kayaking to do!
Today we're putting in at Cooper's Cove in Sooke. It's cool and cloudy this morning, and there's also a forecast for a bit of a breeze. We were worried it might be too rough to go out of the cove into the Sooke Basin proper because of the breeze, but the winds simply never materialized. The water was flat and inviting, and we took up its offer.
The tide was right in, as we were launching at high tide. We didn't realize that we have so little beach to launch from. So we took it in turns to launch and headed out one at a time. Today we had Jason, Richard, Paula, Bernie, and Louise paddling.
And yours truly, of course.
So our little fleet headed out into the cool but otherwise perfect paddling conditions.
Bernie, Louise and Paula set the early pace.
Richard loves his new kayak.
We left the Cove and entered the Sooke Basin. We decided to head west towards where Sooke River enters the basin. None of us had gone this way before, so it would be a new experience. With the tide changing just as we were launching, we would be paddling into the out-going current on our return, but it shouldn't be too bad.
Always remember kids -- practice safe boating.
Many people have accused Bernie of losing his marbles. Well, give him some credit -- here he is looking for them.
Here's a fishing boat tied up for the winter. You can see just how glassy smooth the water was. It was just about perfect for paddling.
We made it around the point and into the mouth of the Sooke River. There's a highway bridge that you cross over just as you enter the town. While the rest of the gang went to the bridge, I went to check out something that caught my eye.
This seagull had found a gnarled tree branch to perch on. And even though I was a fair bit offshore, it was pretty shallow here which surprised me.
The other seagulls were giving me The Evil Eye. Since I was vastly outnumbered, I thought it best that I retreat. I was barely gliding over the bottom, and this was at high tide.
This stump begged me to take its picture. So I did.
As we turned to head back, we could see all the chimney smoke trapped by thermoclines. There wasn't a hint of breeze today, which is unusual for these parts, so for the moment the smoke wasn't going anywhere.
It was a super paddle on a super Sunday.
John's pictures are here.
Today we're putting in at Cooper's Cove in Sooke. It's cool and cloudy this morning, and there's also a forecast for a bit of a breeze. We were worried it might be too rough to go out of the cove into the Sooke Basin proper because of the breeze, but the winds simply never materialized. The water was flat and inviting, and we took up its offer.
The tide was right in, as we were launching at high tide. We didn't realize that we have so little beach to launch from. So we took it in turns to launch and headed out one at a time. Today we had Jason, Richard, Paula, Bernie, and Louise paddling.
And yours truly, of course.
So our little fleet headed out into the cool but otherwise perfect paddling conditions.
Bernie, Louise and Paula set the early pace.
Richard loves his new kayak.
We left the Cove and entered the Sooke Basin. We decided to head west towards where Sooke River enters the basin. None of us had gone this way before, so it would be a new experience. With the tide changing just as we were launching, we would be paddling into the out-going current on our return, but it shouldn't be too bad.
Always remember kids -- practice safe boating.
Many people have accused Bernie of losing his marbles. Well, give him some credit -- here he is looking for them.
Here's a fishing boat tied up for the winter. You can see just how glassy smooth the water was. It was just about perfect for paddling.
We made it around the point and into the mouth of the Sooke River. There's a highway bridge that you cross over just as you enter the town. While the rest of the gang went to the bridge, I went to check out something that caught my eye.
This seagull had found a gnarled tree branch to perch on. And even though I was a fair bit offshore, it was pretty shallow here which surprised me.
The other seagulls were giving me The Evil Eye. Since I was vastly outnumbered, I thought it best that I retreat. I was barely gliding over the bottom, and this was at high tide.
This stump begged me to take its picture. So I did.
As we turned to head back, we could see all the chimney smoke trapped by thermoclines. There wasn't a hint of breeze today, which is unusual for these parts, so for the moment the smoke wasn't going anywhere.
It was a super paddle on a super Sunday.
John's pictures are here.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Belated posting and pics
Just a couple of pictures from earlier this year when Paula and I went down the Sooke River--while there was still water in it.
Sooke River is very clear and pretty cold in the spring. And there are some very nasty bits on it. But this isn't one of those places. Paula took her Dragonfly while I paddled the Pamlico 100, figuring to use boats that were more or less expendable--or repairable.
We hadn't done any river kayaking before, so thought it a good idea to take it easy. We didn't run the length of the river, just a short section. And that we ran several times.
I think you can see why--man, this is fun! And yes, even Paula thought it was fun, not just me.
Definitely inside our comfort zone. This was high-speed rush fun, and definitely on our list of things to do again.
Sooke River is very clear and pretty cold in the spring. And there are some very nasty bits on it. But this isn't one of those places. Paula took her Dragonfly while I paddled the Pamlico 100, figuring to use boats that were more or less expendable--or repairable.
We hadn't done any river kayaking before, so thought it a good idea to take it easy. We didn't run the length of the river, just a short section. And that we ran several times.
I think you can see why--man, this is fun! And yes, even Paula thought it was fun, not just me.
Definitely inside our comfort zone. This was high-speed rush fun, and definitely on our list of things to do again.
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Thursday, August 30, 2007
Moonlight paddle on Sooke Basin
Note to self: the time to work out the night settings on one's camera is before one is in the middle of the water, trying to take a photograph of kayaks in the moonlight. Which on a night like Tuesday night, was something to see, if not photograph.Courtesy of Saanich Recreation and Rush Adventures, I achieved another ambition: paddling by the moonlight. I signed up for a 3 hour moonlight paddle out of Cooper's Cove on Sooke Basin, on a night that couldn't have been more perfect. There were 8 kayaks in total, seven doubles and one single; three guides and 12 guests. We assembled, gradually, for around about 8:30 pm, several of our number having first eaten lunch at the adjacent restaurant and emerged hilarious. By the last light of the sun and by the light of our guides' headlights, we kitted up, were assigned our boats, first by colour and then by number, trooped down to the dock, and one by one, launched. The night was dark and glassy-still, and as we paddled slowly out of Cooper's Cove we could dip fingers and paddles into the water and see a wake of ghostly bioluminescence caused by dinoflagellates in the water. A hand trailed in the water would brush the bodies and tendrils of multiple unseen moon jellyfish (non-stinging); a torch shone in the water showed their dim clustered bodies. When we paddled clear of Cooper's Cove it was into moonlight that was like a headlight, almost painful to look at with dark-adapted eyes, and bright enough for me to make out the other seven boats without effort. To the left were the lights of East Sooke, and all around the edge of the darkned cove, scattered lights. We paddled across the basin to the Goodrich Islands, a former Native Canadian burial ground. The entire vista was shades of black with a patina of silver on damp and pale surfaces, and the occasional sharp reflection of moonlight from a wet, turning paddle. Kayaks to the moonward side were dark shadows against moonlit water, and kayaks to the other side were picked out in light grey against the darker water, and fading to a mere suggestion in the distance. We then paddled towards Roche cove, more or less, looking for dark water and more bioluminescence, but the moon was well up, although a thin layer of cirrus cloud had come up over it, giving it a halo; our guide predicted a change in weather, both from that, and the distinct and persistent contrails still visible in the moonlight. We started some ducks or geese from night's peace, an indistinct, pale fluttering. And then back around the shore, into Cooper's cove, gliding past the moored yachts, come in one by one and climb out of the kayaks onto to the dock, return gear, gather up stuff, say thank you to Steve, Glen and Galia [sic], and climb in the car to drive back the winding Sooke road in the pale moonlight.
Before we started and before the light went, I had a crack at a pan shot around the basin. Fixing exposure so it doesn't change from frame to frame is something else I need to learn how to do, but here it is -
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Cooper's Cove
Totally flat water faced us as we prepared to face Cooper's Cove just east of Sooke, in the Sooke Basin. Unlike the last time we were here when we dealt with wind and waves, there was little wind and no wave action at all. We were advised by someone from the nearby kayak rental place that gale force winds were due in the afternoon, but the morning should be fine.
And it was. A large group headed out from the kayak place, and we met a couple from Sooke who were avid kayakers. They were heading out in a pair of 14' Neckys that Bernie would have died for. :)
First, we went past this wreck on the beach.
Clearly, its cargo of concrete blocks was too much for it.
There's also a nearby abandoned ship that looks to be an old Canadian naval vessel.
Be careful if you venture out to visit this vessel -- there's all sorts of metal and other stuff in the water here.
It was just the three of us today - Louise, Paula and myself.
We went east along the coast towards Roche Cove. We launched just at low tide, so there were lots of starfish on the rocks.
Another boat in trouble!
Louise dreams about winning the lottery.
Lots of green stuff on the rocks.
What a beautiful day. Flat water, sunny but not blazing, a little cloud, just perfect.
We rounded the point and headed to Roche Cove. That's when the fun began.
We headed for the bridge. There can be quite a current under the bridge and in not our brightest idea of the day, we decided to go under.
Paula got through okay, but Louise ran into trouble and got herself pinned by the current against the bridge. It was hair-raising for a moment, but Louise got herself out and through without going over. It was also a tough battle to get back out of the cove. So here's a warning: proceed into Roche Cove with caution!
After coming out of the cove, the wind had come up and the chop with it.
Here's a lesson: our little adventure in Roche Cove took only ten minutes, yet the weather conditions back in the basin were quite different when we returned.
Finally, a ship that's not abandoned!
We crossed to this small island.
Time to head back. We crossed the Sooke Basin. It got choppier and the wind was blowing against us.
We were eventually able to get our backs to the wind, and that made the last part of the crossing easier. Also, it seemed that the wind died off just as we finished. Figures.
And yes, there were geese.
No eagles in trees today, just a seagull on a post to end our trip.
My pictures are here.
And it was. A large group headed out from the kayak place, and we met a couple from Sooke who were avid kayakers. They were heading out in a pair of 14' Neckys that Bernie would have died for. :)
First, we went past this wreck on the beach.
Clearly, its cargo of concrete blocks was too much for it.
There's also a nearby abandoned ship that looks to be an old Canadian naval vessel.
Be careful if you venture out to visit this vessel -- there's all sorts of metal and other stuff in the water here.
It was just the three of us today - Louise, Paula and myself.
We went east along the coast towards Roche Cove. We launched just at low tide, so there were lots of starfish on the rocks.
Another boat in trouble!
Louise dreams about winning the lottery.
Lots of green stuff on the rocks.
What a beautiful day. Flat water, sunny but not blazing, a little cloud, just perfect.
We rounded the point and headed to Roche Cove. That's when the fun began.
We headed for the bridge. There can be quite a current under the bridge and in not our brightest idea of the day, we decided to go under.
Paula got through okay, but Louise ran into trouble and got herself pinned by the current against the bridge. It was hair-raising for a moment, but Louise got herself out and through without going over. It was also a tough battle to get back out of the cove. So here's a warning: proceed into Roche Cove with caution!
After coming out of the cove, the wind had come up and the chop with it.
Here's a lesson: our little adventure in Roche Cove took only ten minutes, yet the weather conditions back in the basin were quite different when we returned.
Finally, a ship that's not abandoned!
We crossed to this small island.
Time to head back. We crossed the Sooke Basin. It got choppier and the wind was blowing against us.
We were eventually able to get our backs to the wind, and that made the last part of the crossing easier. Also, it seemed that the wind died off just as we finished. Figures.
And yes, there were geese.
No eagles in trees today, just a seagull on a post to end our trip.
My pictures are here.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Suddenly, Sooke Basin
So Saturday finally saw an attempt to paddle Sooke Basin . We launched in Cooper's Cove about 3:00pm--a lot later than our usual 9:00am. The weather was nice, but with a steady onshore wind. As the tide was on the way out, this was going to lead to choppy waters--I could see whitecaps off in the Basin proper, once you exited the cove.
Looking back at the beach we just launched from. To the left of the restaurant is a kayak rental outfit.
On the east side of the cove is a wrecked fishing boat that is fully exposed at low tide.
This shows the exit from Cooper's Cove into Sooke basin proper. The Basin isn't as wide as the maps lead me to believe, but it is plenty long.... about 2 km across but 4 km long--and then you are in Sooke Harbour.
With the wind, a long excursion seemed to be out of the question. With a strong onshore wind, paddling was difficult--about 60% of your energy was dedicated to maintaining your position against it. John and Louise in particular wanted to simply get used to using thier new boats in choppy conditions.
The learning curve isn't as steep with a new boat as it was with a first boat, but there is still a curve. The Delta's handle the waves much better than the Dagger Bayou's did, but learning how they handle the waves takes practice and time.
It might be a little hard to tell, but John is riding much better in the Delta. I mean, he has actual freeboard, something the Bayou didn't have.
Paddle excursions seem to have themes these days. Todd Inlet had the oyster day, the starfish day, and the crab day, for example. Each day seems to be different. Today, for example, was jellyfish day. You would catch sight of the occasional one in the top 450mm of water, but when you stopped to look, you realized that there were thousands of jellyfish in the waters of Cooper's Cove.
I spent a lot of time trying to photograph these creatures--not an easy thing. I would dunk my camera 300mm or so under water and point in a general direction, hoping that my motion and the motion of the jellyfish coincided. It did--twice. Once this side shot, and once from very close up.
No, not jellyfish porn, just an accidental shot of the bottom/backside of a jellyfish. Sure, it's difficult to make out, but after all that effort, I'm not wasting one of the two half-decent shots i got!
Looking back at the beach we just launched from. To the left of the restaurant is a kayak rental outfit.
On the east side of the cove is a wrecked fishing boat that is fully exposed at low tide.
This shows the exit from Cooper's Cove into Sooke basin proper. The Basin isn't as wide as the maps lead me to believe, but it is plenty long.... about 2 km across but 4 km long--and then you are in Sooke Harbour.
With the wind, a long excursion seemed to be out of the question. With a strong onshore wind, paddling was difficult--about 60% of your energy was dedicated to maintaining your position against it. John and Louise in particular wanted to simply get used to using thier new boats in choppy conditions.
The learning curve isn't as steep with a new boat as it was with a first boat, but there is still a curve. The Delta's handle the waves much better than the Dagger Bayou's did, but learning how they handle the waves takes practice and time.
It might be a little hard to tell, but John is riding much better in the Delta. I mean, he has actual freeboard, something the Bayou didn't have.
Paddle excursions seem to have themes these days. Todd Inlet had the oyster day, the starfish day, and the crab day, for example. Each day seems to be different. Today, for example, was jellyfish day. You would catch sight of the occasional one in the top 450mm of water, but when you stopped to look, you realized that there were thousands of jellyfish in the waters of Cooper's Cove.
I spent a lot of time trying to photograph these creatures--not an easy thing. I would dunk my camera 300mm or so under water and point in a general direction, hoping that my motion and the motion of the jellyfish coincided. It did--twice. Once this side shot, and once from very close up.
No, not jellyfish porn, just an accidental shot of the bottom/backside of a jellyfish. Sure, it's difficult to make out, but after all that effort, I'm not wasting one of the two half-decent shots i got!
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Sooke Basin
Sunday dawned windy and rainy. And worse, one by one, all the regular paddlers dropped out. Oh, they claimed to have valid excuses -- Dennis is out of the country, and Bernie is dead. Or sick. I dunno, I forget.
But Louise and I were undaunted. Most would cancel their paddle plans and go shopping at this point. Not us! Bad weather and wimpy paddle buddies weren't going to stop us! Sooke Basin, here we come!
A 45 minute drive took us to Sooke, a small village on the West Coast. I used to live in Sooke, but this was before I was a paddler. The basin seems smaller than I remember it. Or maybe the tide is out.
The scenery is wonderful, and the view out of my kayak just can't be beat!
There wasn't much wildlife, except for a lone seal that came up beside my kayak.
He hung around for a while...
...and he was very friendly!
The mountains across the strait were high-peaked and snowcapped.
It was a long, long paddle. But we had thought ahead and stopped for a little picnic on a beach before heading home.
But Louise and I were undaunted. Most would cancel their paddle plans and go shopping at this point. Not us! Bad weather and wimpy paddle buddies weren't going to stop us! Sooke Basin, here we come!
A 45 minute drive took us to Sooke, a small village on the West Coast. I used to live in Sooke, but this was before I was a paddler. The basin seems smaller than I remember it. Or maybe the tide is out.
The scenery is wonderful, and the view out of my kayak just can't be beat!
There wasn't much wildlife, except for a lone seal that came up beside my kayak.
He hung around for a while...
...and he was very friendly!
The mountains across the strait were high-peaked and snowcapped.
It was a long, long paddle. But we had thought ahead and stopped for a little picnic on a beach before heading home.
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