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I’ve had a couple of emails asking about seasickness; fortunately for me, most of the journey looks pretty calm. The only time I’ve felt a little queasy so far, I’ve been sitting at the table typing on the computer. I’m going to take that as a sign that I should be playing on the computer less and enjoying the scenery more. (With a camera at the ready, of course…)

The scenery itself is pretty incredible; we’re traveling up a fairly narrow channel between Vancouver Island and a collection of islands I’ve renamed (Canadian Geological Survey, take note!) the Downtown Vancouver Archipelego. We just passed Helmcken Island, North and South Thurlow Islands and there’s even a Robson Bight coming up. Seriously, how lazy were they… couldn’t they name them after famous people, like Lady Gaga, or something? (Kidding, kidding!)

Speaking of Robson Bight, it’s apparently home to one of the local resident orca pods and has been protected to prevent logging and other development; I’ll be sure to snap some pictures as we go past, especially if the wildlife cooperates. There’s also a research camp across the channel where university students come to monitor and research the orca’s behaviour. Apparently, it’s also very close to where Shaun and Otto caught their last fish of the 2010 fishing season.

Next up, Port Hardy for the evening… before we get there, though, we’ll also be passing the communities of Telegraph Cove, Alert Bay and may get a glimpse Broughton Archipelago (where many of the infamous fish farms are). Sadly, we won’t be going anywhere near those fish farms, so I can’t show you how much prettier it is where your fish are coming from, compared to those fish pens.

I’ll be posting again tonight, including (hopefully) some of the 300+ photos I’ve taken so far…

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During the trip, you can either check this blog for the latest entries, or you can go to this interactive map of all the blog posts related to this trip. You can also find photos from the trip on Flickr.

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Right now, we’ve just passed Powell River and Texada Island, on our way over to Campbell River, where we’ll be spending our first night and meeting up with Otto’s friend, Terry.

I’m used to the Southern Gulf Islands, where my parents list, so the water here seems eeriely devoid of boat traffic. In fact, doing a quick 360 survey of the water, I can’t see another boat in any direction… no freighters, no sailboats, no ferries, nothing. To be honest, it feels unexpectedly remote, even thought we can almost see Comox from here.

My first big surprise on Otto’s boat is that despite the fact that we might seem alone, we’re amazingly well connected here. Not only do I still have full cell and internet access, but Otto’s got three VHF radios squaking almost continuously; one is tuned to Channel 16, the international distress/information channel, one is set to a channel used by the local commercial fishing fleet, and one to a channel just used by Otto’s buddies and travel companions. Listening carefully, one can make out countless Coast Guard navigational alerts, automated forecast and current weather condition reports, the current state of fishing affairs as well as a healthy dose of gossip and idle chatter. It’s an awful lot like Twitter, without the typing.

Boris, by the way, has finally given up on the idea of dry land and is no longer whining; instead, he’s now curled up, asleep at Otto’s feet.

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During the trip, you can either check this blog for the latest entries, or you can go to this interactive map of all the blog posts related to this trip. You can also find photos from the trip on Flickr.

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Hello all!

My name is Chris and, like many of you, I’m a member of Skipper Otto’s Community Supported Fishery.

Over the next week or two, I’m going to be joining Otto on his trip up the coast to the Nass River fishing grounds near the Alaska border. Starting at the False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf tomorrow (Monday) at 8AM, we’re going to be cruising up the coast, past Campbell River and Port Hardy before taking the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. During the trip, I’m going to be posting to this blog as often as I can, giving you updates about what it’s like to actually be on Skipper Otto’s boat through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. If we get to Rupert fast enough and there’s an opening for fishing right away, I’ll also join Otto as he dips his first nets in for the 2011 season. Through all of that I’ll be taking pictures, shooting video (on my iPhone, so don’t expect great quality) and writing as much as I can about what it’s all like.

During the Send-off Party yesterday I ambushed a few of you with my iPhone to practice taking/uploading/sharing videos to this blog. Here’s one of the CSF members talking about why she joined in the first place: (sorry for the buzzing in the audio in a few places; I was touching the microphone by accident.)

One of the things I value most about belonging to a CSF is that it really has become a community; I’ve already had the chance to meet many of you at Farmer’s markets and fresh fish pick-ups at Otto’s gear locker. I really hope you’ll participate in our journey up the Coast by commenting on these blog posts and sharing the link with friends. You can start by telling me a little about what you’d like to learn more about; is there something about living on a boat you’re curious about, or our route, or about Otto’s fishing technique? Like you, I don’t know much about this stuff but look forward to learning.

Where should I start?

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During the trip, you can either check this blog for the latest entries, or you can go to this interactive map of all the blog posts related to this trip.