PostHeaderIcon New to the Cariboo - Episode 2

New to the Cariboo

New to the Cariboo, a regular editorial column on the Welcome to Williams Lake news websiteMy Interview with King Salmon (not Soloman)

Sherry Foster aka 'Me': Good evening, Your Majesty

King Salmon (K.S.): Good evening Sherry Foster, former Texan who is new to the Cariboo.  What can I do for you?

Me: King Salmon, I need some information from you for a column I am writing for a news portal the Interior of British Columbia.

K.S.: Where in the interior would that be?

Me: In the vicinity of Williams Lake circa Horsefly, British Columbia

K.S.: Hmmm ... yes, I am known as the Chinook in that area.

Me: To tell the truth, Your Majesty, about all I know about fish can be summarized in two words: 'fried catfish'.  You can find that on the menus in most East Texas restaurants. It's usually followed by '$12.95 all you can eat'. So, I am really ignorant concerning anything concerning salmon.

K.S.: Well, I regret passing on this sad news, however, this year will probably be a very lean year of my underlings making the trip to the  Horsefly River spawning beds. However, not to worry--next year will make up for it!

Me: But, K.S. I was looking forward to seeing the river turn red. This is what I've always heard. I really (really) want to see the river turn red. Only a couple of weeks ago I was at Horsefly, I went down to the riverside below the bridge very near the spawning channel and I visualized coming back on the Labor Day weekend and taking photos and maybe a video of the Horsefly River turning red and sending it back to East Texas to all my peeps.  I could just imagine them saying to each other, "Oh!  Lookie there, Sherry is getting to see the return of all the salmon and the Horsefly River is turning red!" It would kind of be like seeing the Red Sea. (Sort of.)

K.S: Sherry, Sherry, Sherry. You have to be aware of the cycle of nature and the way things really are. There is an ebb and a flow to everything. Mother Nature plans it that way and this year is our 'ebb' year. Surely you can relate to that.

Me: Well, I see that a festival is in the works for this coming Labor Day weekend and I got the notion that sometime during the festival, all y'all salmons would show up, as planned.

K.S: Sherry, most of the local folks will understand and care less. It's more about our culture and the way things are than us showing up on a certain date. Canadians aren't as picky about deadlines as you yankees. It's not like we signed a contract with the municipality of Horsefly to show up at a certain time.  Surely you can understand that.

Me: I understand very little about Canada, but I certainly am trying and Your Majesty, with all due respect, I am NOT a yankee. I am a former Texan. Yankees are peeps who live above the Mason-Dixon line. Yankees do not live anywhere near the Gulf of Mexico.

K.S.: Do you think us fish know about where the Mason-Dixon line is? I don't think so. All we know is what happens in the nature of things. That's all that matters to us. The ebb and flow of the cycle of our lifestyle.

Me: Ok. I'll give you that. But will you promise me one thing, K. S.?

K.S.: What is it you would like, Grasshopper, er ah, Newcomer...er ah, recently landed Canadian?

Me: If I make the trip to Horsefly during the Labor Day Weekend, will you at least facilitate my seeing one salmon in the Horsefly River? Just one.

K.S: There's my species-the Chinook, the Coho and the Sockeye...I can't speak for all, but I can say if it is within my power, I will make it so for you, Grasshopper, if you will promise me one thing.

Me: And what do you want me to promise, Your Majesty?

K.S.: Never go Salmon fishing. Let us live out our life-cycle doing what we do best.

Me: And what is it you do best?

K.S.: It's a five-letter word you probably won't see on a wash-room wall.

Me: Which is?

K.S.: Spawn

Me: Since I've never caught a fish in my life, I think that would be a promise I can keep. Now see to it that I get to see at least ONE Salmon spawning, no....make that two. (smile.)

K.S.: You got it!

 
 
Learn more about the 'Big Bike Ride'
 
 
 
Click now for more information.  Visit the Sandpiper Fly Fishing Facebook page.
 
Click now to view the online version of The GreenGazette.
 
Click now to join the ALLWAYS Travel Ltd. Facebook page, where all the latest specials and promotions are posted.

Welcome to Williams Lake is a real time news and events website designed specifically for the Williams Lake, BC area in the Cariboo Region of British Columbia.
We provide reputable, factual, non-sensationalized daily, breaking news, community events, sports,entertainment, weather, photo galleries, business listings
and more for residents and visitors in the Williams Lake, BC area.

If you have a news tip, see news happening in the Cariboo/Chilcotin or have an local event to promote,
email us at news@welcometowilliamslake.ca or call 250-398-NEWS or text to 250-398-0508

Contact us | Submit a news tip | Letter to the Editor | Archives | Terms of use | Privacy policy | Local information | Suggestions | Employment