Haida Dog Salmon. © Bill Reid.

First Nations fishermen developed sophisticated and efficient technologies which permitted the large scale harvesting and processing of salmon. There were strict rules concerning this harvesting and processing. First Nations peoples believed that the salmon had to be treated with proper respect, or the runs, on which they depended, would not return again. The Lekwiltok peoples of Quadra and Campbell River, like other First Nations peoples of the Northwest Coast, understood the habits and life cycle of the salmon. They were skillful and ingenious fishermen who used harpoons, spears, gaffs, weirs, traps, hooks and lures, and seine and gill nets as means of catching salmon.

Commercial fishing boats docked.
© Campbell River Museum Archive Image #4212.

Early European fishermen adopted many of these same techniques, as well as bringing new technology and materials for manufacturing fishing gear to the industry. By 1864, an international market for salmon had been established in British Columbia. This spawned the beginning of a competitive commercial fishing market, which saw the spread of canneries up and down the BC coast.

Within this atmosphere, the sport fishing industry developed. Now, not only were fishermen fishing for food or their livelihood, but some were also fishing for the pure enjoyment and thrill of catching a spectacular Tyee or Chinook. Sports fishermen from Europe and England began coming to Campbell River to fish as early as the 1880's. Men such as Sir Richard Musgrave and Sir John Rogers brought stories of their fishing expeditions home with them. By passing their tales on to other fishermen, or writing about them in their local sports magazines, these men attracted other fishermen to the area. These people, and others like them, were the first pioneers of the sports fishing industry in this area. When the world renowned Campbell River Tyee Club was born in 1924, even more fishermen were attracted to Campbell River to fish. E.P. Painter, among others, helped to further propel the sports fishing industry in Campbell River, with his creation of the Tyee Boat, and his popular fishing lodge, Painter's Lodge.

A photo of early sports fishermen in the Campbell River area, taken in 1889. © Campbell River Museum Archive Image #11490.

In addition to fishing for the great Tyee, many a fishermen also sought the coho and spring salmon. Fly-fishing is an art that uses immense skill and technique to catch a coho, steelhead, or cutthroat trout. People sportfish for many reasons. The challenge and the thrill of the catch is what draws many a fisher to the sport. As one can see, the salmon is a part of a fisher's being. Salmon touches all aspects of many people's lives along the Northwest Coast.