The structure, still known to many elders as the “old Hudson’s Bay store,” was first built on the Stikine River flats before being moved to its present location during the Yukon Gold Rush. For decades it was used by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a store and outfitting post. Later, it was converted into lodging and eventually into the café and guesthouse now operated by the Tahltan Band.

“In the last six years that I’ve been manager here, we’ve had so many people come through and literally open their mouth—wow! The building still has its authentic appeal,” said manager Corrina Reimert.

The building has had only four owners in its history. Today, the main floor serves as a restaurant and gift shop, while the upstairs provides five guest rooms with a communal kitchen and bathroom. A separate property known as the Townhouse offers four more units, often used during fishing season.

Visitors to Telegraph Creek include paddlers on the Stikine River, hikers heading into Mount Edziza Wilderness Park, and those exploring the Glenora ghost town. Others stop at Sawmill Lake or travel during fall to fish. For many, River Song provides a practical base — a meal, a room, or a connection point in a remote part of Tahltan territory.

“It still carries that 1900s feel,” Reimert said.

For Reimert, the anniversary is also personal. Raised in Dease Lake, she spent summers in Telegraph Creek, where her mother’s family is from. “I do have a passion for this place. My great great grandfather was a Hudson’s Bay manager as well. We have a lot of family roots in the place,” she said.

The anniversary brought one more link to the past into the café. Just ahead of the celebrations, the building’s previous owner discovered an original Hudson’s Bay Company sign rolled up in a blanket in her basement. Once displayed on the exterior wall, it now hangs inside.

“It’s in immaculate condition, but I have a picture of it on the outside of the building from the Victoria archives,” said Reimert.

The River Song Café & Lodge continues to operate in a building that has shifted purpose over time but never lost its place at the centre of Telegraph Creek. Marking 125 years, it stands as both a reminder of its Hudson’s Bay roots and a working part of the community, connecting history with the present day.

With that in mind, Canada Day was the perfect opportunity to launch Black Press Media's brand new Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You contest, featuring more than $17,000 in prizes to be won.

From Vancouver Island getaways to northern lights viewing in the Yukon, to an early bird BC Lions package – we want to celebrate Canada with you.

Here's a look at what you could win:

1. Adventure of a Lifetime: Valued at $1,452, this grizzly getaway package from Telegraph Cove Resort and Tide Rip Grizzly Adventures invites you to discover the raw beauty of Northern Vancouver Island. Enjoy a thrilling Grizzly Bear Tour for two and a one-night Stay at Telegraph Cove Resort, one of B.C.’s most iconic coastal villages. Perfect for nature lovers and thrill seekers, this experience is your ticket to the untamed magic of the West Coast.

2. Experience Victoria: Experience Victoria in style with a Coastal getaway! Brought to you by Magnolia Hotel & Spa and Orca Spirit Adventures, this package is valued at $2,264. Enjoy a two-night stay in a Diamond City Room at the award-winning downtown Victoria hotel, a $200 dining credit at the hotel’s critically acclaimed restaurant, The Courtney Room, and an unforgettable Whale Watching Tour for four with Orca Spirit Adventures. This is your chance to witness the magic of the Salish Sea and indulge in the beauty of a renowned downtown destination!

3. Taste of the Okanagan: Sip, stay and savour in Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country! This ultimate wine lover’s escape, valued at $2,000, features a two-night stay in a two-bed suite at Spirit Ridge Resort and daily breakfast at The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry. You'll also enjoy: The Grandmaster’s Table at CheckMate Artisanal Winery, with a tour and tasting of exclusive library chardonnays and merlots, paired with small-bite delights; a Garden View Tasting at River Stone Estate Winery, with five expertly guided sips; and a boutique wine experience at Castoro de Oro Estate Winery, including a private tasting with the winemaker and 15 per cent off your wine haul!

4. Enjoy a West Coast Getaway: Valued at $2,815, this is the ultimate coastal escape to Campbell River, brought to you by Naturally Pacific Resort & Campbell River Whale Watching &Adventure Tours. Explore the wild side of Vancouver Island and relax in total luxury! This dream getaway for two includes: a two-night stay in a king room at the Naturally Pacific Resort; a $150 dining credit for Carve Kitchen & Meatery; a one-hour mineral pool experience at Immersion Spa & Wellness; a two-hour bay rental for two at Velocity Lounge & Driving Range; an amazing spring bear watching tour; and a four-hour Zodiac whale watching tour for four.

5. Celebrate You: Win the Ultimate Self-Care Getaway! Sponsored by Prestige Hotels & Resorts & Lontreau and valued at $1,950, this is your chance to treat yourself to a rejuvenating escape where relaxation, beauty and a touch of luxury come together. Included are: three nights for two in a standard room at your choice of either Prestige Vernon Lodge OR Prestige Vernon Hotel; $500 in premium skincare products from Canadian beauty brand Lontreau; and a $250 gas voucher to fuel your adventures.

6. Explore the True North: The adventure of a lifetime awaits with our ultimate Yukon escape, valued at $5,300! This three-night northern getaway, sponsored by Air North – Yukon's Airline and Inn on the Lake, includes three-nights accommodation, two return flight tickets; all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner); snowmobiling and ice fishing; snowshoes, kicksleds and fat bikes; winter clothing rental; return shuttle; and a Whitehorse city tour.

EARLY BIRD BONUS!
Enter by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4 for your chance to win an exclusive BC Lions Fan Experience, featuring two season tickets for the rest of the 2025 season, two official BC Lions jerseys and a $100 food and beverage voucher.

For full details, contest rules and to enter today, visit the contest page at your local Black Press Media news site or at WestCoastTraveller.com/contests!

This is Day 2 at Indigenous-owned Liberty Wilderness Lodge, and we (my new-ish boyfriend and I) are out on a kayak adventure, but nature has its own agenda. A previous version of myself may have thought, “oh, darn, rain, let’s turn back.” But after a couple days at Liberty, the new me surrenders to the rhythm of nature and enjoys the sensation of floating and getting completely soaked.

Then, I’m struck by an idea.

“Base camp, it’s Lia, over,” I say into my walkie-talkie.

I hear Trevin Muscat’s friendly voice: “This is base camp, what can I do for you?”

“Can you please fire up the sauna?”

“Roger that!”

Then I accept the rain with full surrender, arms out, face up, and allow this experience to let all my edges blur until I became part human, part sky and part lake.

The notion of surrender – a theme of this trip – was first introduced on our drive from Smithers, B.C. to the boat dock at Babine Lake. During the drive, we got to know Teara Fraser and Trevin, the husband-and-wife team who owns and runs Liberty Wilderness Lodge and our hosts for the next three days.

In addition to serving up gourmet food, relaxation and outdoor activities, the lodge offers the option of participating in a “warriorship” workshop that’s steeped in Indigenous teachings.

I like learning and growing and embarking on journeys that nourish the mind, body and soul. So, when the opportunity to visit Liberty Wilderness Lodge with a guest and participate in the warriorship work arose, I jumped on it. Also, being in a somewhat new relationship, I thought that being dropped off together in a remote, off-grid wilderness would be a fast-track to… getting to know each other.

READ MORE: Savour a culinary retreat in B.C.’s Nimmo Bay

Surrender

“Nature offers us an invitation to surrender,” says Teara, who, in addition to co-owning the lodge, is the founder and CEO of Iskwew Air, the first 100 per cent Indigenous woman-owned airline in Canada. She explains that we will arrive at the dock for the 45-minute boat ride to Liberty if nature cooperates and the winds aren’t up. If nature doesn’t cooperate, we will surrender and wait.

“There’s something really precious about surrender, to let go of control of things,” she adds.

Luckily, the winds are on our side and we’re soon motoring along, watching all signs of civilization fade away to nothing but aspen and cottonwood trees, leafy above the lodgepole pines and firs, until eventually the red roof of Liberty, nestled high up the hillside and deep in the wilderness, comes into view.

Originally a log homestead built in the 1970s, it was renovated into a guest lodge before Teara and Trevin purchased it.

“Who is your target demographic?” I ask Teara, as our boat nears the little bay below the lodge.

“Liberty is for anyone who longs for adventure and a connection with simplicity.”

The lodge sits on the hillside, overlooking the lake, and it has a collection of lovely guest rooms, a cosy reading area and a large great room with high ceilings and a huge fireplace. On the property is a fully stocked boathouse and a wood-fired sauna and hot tub with stunning views. We opt to stay in the Trappers Cabin, a tiny, picture-perfect log house separate from the main lodge. It overlooks its own little bay, and we are immediately welcomed by a beaver that looks up at us and then disappears into the water with a saucy slap of its tail.

Touring this magical place, we learn that the lodge is powered by solar panels, has its own water system and high-speed internet (thanks to Starlink), and uses composting toilets.

Shift

The first morning we arrive at breakfast and after devouring fluffy pancakes and bacon with hot cups of coffee, I notice cards sitting face down beside everyone’s place setting. Teara invites us to flip over our cards, and mine reveals a drawing of a wolf in front of a full moon. The cards are from The Sacred Medicine Oracle by Indigenous medicine woman Asha Frost, and as we go around the table, Teara reads the cards, and we discuss what the teachings reveal. Each card offers wisdom for deeper reflection, a new perspective and even healing.

Back in our cabin, the conversation between my boyfriend and I takes on a new level of depth and intimacy following the openness at the breakfast card-reading, and then the four of us head out for a hike up Juniper Trail to Kinnikinnick Lookout.

Here, we savour a wide view in all directions – a view that, aside from us, contains no signs of humans at all, just wilderness.

Asked what he hopes people will take away from an experience here, Trevin says, “A sense of peace, a deep sense of connection to yourself and to what’s important to your life. There’s always a shift in priorities when you come here; things that seemed important are re-evaluated and sometimes shift entirely.”

Teara adds, “I want people to be able to take a breath, a full breath and remember what that feels like.”

Warriorship

Day two starts with another incredible breakfast, and after a soul-expanding kayak adventure, sauna and a gourmet picnic lunch, we are set to embark on the warriorship workshop with Teara.

She begins by introducing the nugget of the teaching – “to stand fiercely with love for what matters.” It’s about finding that sword inside yourself and learning to use it. We listen, we journal, we reflect and then we go out onto the land to meditate. I sit on the hillside with some tobacco in a shell that Teara has given me to make an offering to the land. As I meditate, I can smell the earth and feel the sun on my face.

Teara’s words come to my mind: “Our world desperately needs people to step into their warriorship, to stand fiercely for what matters. Our future generations need us to be fierce about the systems that are not serving us. We have to start paying attention and hold those things that matter with fierceness and deep love and be willing to show up – for racial justice, social justice and ecological justice. My hope is that people will connect with their own warriorship, witness it and inspire it in others.”

She says we need to “re-member” those parts of us, and so I meditate on pulling the pieces inside myself together to form a warrior who will be there when I need her.

READ MORE: West Coast getaway weekend: Pinot, Portland and Pickathon

Connection

After a time, my boyfriend comes and sits beside me, and we look out at the view in peaceful silence. Everything looks different. The trees seem a little greener, the air a little sweeter. I realize that we have gotten to know each other better – not in a typical dating way, where you ask about preferences and look for red flags – but I’ve gotten to know him as a fellow human being, and our connection has deepened.

On the boat ride back, we explore the Indigenous world view of “all my relations,” wherein we are all interconnected and need to think of the impact we have on each other, not just for this lifetime, but for seven generations beyond us.

This world view wasn’t described during our time at Liberty, but I realize that from the moment we arrived, we were witnessing it. We were steeped in that way of being. The generosity of our hosts, the love put into every meal, the stewardship of the land, the slow pace and invitation to deeper connectedness to each other and the land has not only given me some desperately needed restoration, but it has left me empowered to stand fiercely with love for what matters.

This feature appeared in the October issue if Boulevard Victoria.

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Road Safety at Work and the B.C. Government remind drivers to be mindful of animals on the highway, whether driving for work or pleasure.

According to RSW, approximately 9,900 wildlife/vehicle collisions occur each year in British Columbia – likely a low estimation due to under-reporting.

And it’s not only wildlife that is at risk.

A male elk can weigh more than 300 kilograms (700 lbs) and a male moose can weigh up to 700 kg (1,500 lbs). The force of a collision with such a large animal can cause serious injuries when drivers lose control of their vehicle and veer off the road or hit another vehicle.

Other animals, like deer, may panic when they see your headlights and freeze in the road, the Province notes. If you see an animal, slow down until you are well past them.

The risk also increases at this time of year due to seasonal habits based on feeding and reproductive cycles, and while you can’t control what an animal may do, there are things you, as a driver, can do to prevent collision.

• Remain alert during peak wildlife hours – collisions are most common in the hours around dusk and dawn when wildlife is more active and light conditions are lower.
• Watch for animal crossing signs
• Slow down when you see an animal on the side of the road. Others may be nearby, including young creatures joining their parents to find new habitat.
• Pay attention to other drivers. Someone flashing their headlights may be signaling that they’ve seen an animal.
• Some animals, like moose, often attempt to escape from a car by continuing to run along the road. This may pose a hazard to other drivers, so if it’s safe to do so, pull over or slow to a very low speed until the animal leaves the road.
• Plan routes to avoid key wildlife areas during high-risk times or choose safer travel times.

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

This is the first summer the museum has opened without the museum society’s past-president, Doug Boersema, who died in December after battling cancer.

The former 1920s school house, which was converted into a museum in the 1980s, has familiar favourites, as well as some new displays.

Alex Chaplin, a second-year university student, who works at the museum every summer, has helped create a new military display.

The display case has artifacts from the Boer War, as well as a scroll that lists all the veterans from Telkwa who fought in the First and Second World Wars.

“We put, ‘curated by Alex Chaplin’ in the case and he is so proud,” says Linda Hanson, museum manager and treasurer. “Juno Beach has just celebrated their (80th anniversary) and we managed to incorporate maps of the beaches over there into our military display.”

READ MORE: B.C. sisters explore province’s haunted history

The museum also offers interactive activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

“We often find kids will drag their parents in to do tours through the museum and have a great time,” Hanson says.

Visitors can also touch and handle most of the artifacts, which helps kids step back in time.

“There are lots of artifacts (kids) can touch and see, like rotary phones, typewriters (and objects) they would never have experienced,” Chaplin says.

Hanson noted the importance of the past.

“It is important to learn about our history and realize how we got to where we are today. It was on the backs of people who did a lot of hard work,” she says.

Although many locals and tourists visit the museum, finding volunteers to run it can be a challenge.

“We not only have the museum, but we also look after St. Stephen’s historical church across the highway and we are carrying on the history of our area,” she says.

“We need to know our past before we can know where we are going in the future,” she said.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday with free entry for all ages. Learn more at telkwa.ca/museum-and-library

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

The West Coast Traveller’s biggest annual contest is back! The Amateur Photographer of the Year contest, powered by the West Coast Traveller and Black Press Media, returns for its sixth year, with a travel trunk’s worth of prizes to be won.

From mountain peaks to vibrant cities, your own backyard to the vacation of a lifetime, we can’t wait to see where your travels have taken you!

In addition to bragging rights as the Amateur Photographer of the Year, the grand prize features round-trip airfare for two to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Edmonton or Calgary, courtesy of Air North, Yukon’s Airline. The package, valued at $2,686, also includes a two-night stay for two in a deluxe room at any Yukon Northern Vision Hotel and two nights of Aurora viewing for two people from Northern Tales.

The first-place prize from Pursuit, valued at $1,300, includes a Pursuit Pass for two, featuring admission to: the Banff Gondola, Golden Skybridge, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Maligne Lake Cruise, Lake Minnewanka Cruise and Open Top Touring! You’ll also enjoy $600 toward a stay in a two-bed cabin at Baker Creek By Basecamp, in Lake Louise, Alta.

Second place, valued at $1,000, will take you to Kumsheen Rafting Resort for a legendary B.C. river rafting adventure! Enjoy two nights in a cabin at Kumsheen Resort paired with a full-day Thompson River paddle or power rafting trip, and three meals for two adults.

Third place is $1,000 towards a luxury yacht rental from All of Me Yacht Charters.

Also up for grabs are a $200 grocery gift card for the People’s Choice Award winner and a $100 grocery gift card for one lucky voter in the People’s Choice Award category.

So, with so many prizes to be won, how do you enter?

First, browse the categories in this year’s contest:

• Scenic Canada – Scenic or landscape photography captured anywhere in Canada
• People & Portraits – Portrait-style photography of a person or group of people (must have permissions of those in the photo)
• West Coast Travel – Photos taken along the West Coast of North America – BC, Alberta, Yukon, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California.
• Wildlife & Nature – Photos captured of animals, wildlife, plants etc.
• Local Gems – Images taken of local spots, hidden gems or anything that symbolizes where you live in BC, Alberta or Yukon
• #InstaFavs – Instagram favourites (including mobile phone photography)

Second, select your best photos and enter today – here’s how it works:

Simply visit westcoasttraveller.com/amateur-photographer-of-the-year-2024/, where you can choose the appropriate category(ies) and upload your photo, being sure to include where the photo was taken and your name.

Upload a minimum of five photos to one or more categories to qualify for prizing, ensuring you select the appropriate category for your entry (note that duplicate entries and entries submitted in the wrong category will be rejected).

Be sure to read the official rules for full details.

Learn more at WestCoastTraveller.com

Through guided tours, cultural workshops, and interactive experiences, visitors gain insights into the profound connection between the land and the Indigenous communities which have inhabited it for generations. This engagement fosters a deeper understanding of the importance of cultural preservation and instils a sense of respect for the traditions that shape the identity of Vancouver Island. It also contributes to the ongoing process of reconciliation with the three tribal regions.

Whether an Island visitor or a local, here are some noteworthy highlights of Indigenous tourism for you to explore on Vancouver Island, including in adventure tourism, accommodations and the arts. For even more ideas, please visit indigenousbc.com.

This article is from Black Press’ travel magazine Island Visitor.

Land-Based and Adventure Tourism:

Aboriginal Journeys (Campbell River) offers awe-inspiring Whale Watching, Marine Wildlife Viewing and Adventure Tours, running April 1 to Oct. 30. Every day aboard their 27-foot covered high-speed tour boat (with open viewing deck and onboard washroom) is a new adventure with the potential to see orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, black bears, seals and more.

Also in Campbell River, Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours take guests through the Salish Sea to Bute Inlet and along the Orford River – where grizzly bear populations thrive during the salmon run – all while interweaving knowledge from the traditional way of life. Tours led by Indigenous guides highlight the ecological significance of the region while emphasizing the Indigenous perspective on sustainable resource management and conservation.

Accommodations:

Indigenous lodges on Vancouver Island are designed to reflect the traditions and values of the local Indigenous communities while offering visitors a home base from which they can explore the Island in a whole new way. Here are some standouts.

Knight Inlet Lodge (Mid Island, Black Creek): This Indigenous-owned fly-in floating lodge offers an immersive wildlife experience that’s hard to beat. In the heart of pristine nature, visitors can spend the day viewing grizzly bears and other wildlife through the lodge’s tour packages. By night, they can rest easy in the lodge’s accommodations and enjoy on-site dining specializing in fresh seafood.

Kwa’lilas Hotel (N. Island, Port Hardy): A shining example of a four-star modern hotel that embraces Indigenous culture through Indigenous artwork, wildlife tours and Indigenous-inspired cuisine. Its name comes from the Kwakwala word meaning a place to sleep, chosen by Elders in hopes that travellers would find a peaceful rest after exploring all that Northern Vancouver Island has to offer. The hotel was built by its very own k’awat’si Construction company and makes extensive use of local cedar, resembling the traditional big house style with a smoke hole at the top of the building.

Himwitsa Lodge (W. Island, Tofino): Primely located in B.C.’s surfing town, this lodge is just steps away from awe-inspiring wildlife, with surfing, scenic hikes and ocean adventures close at hand. What also sets it apart is the Indigenous art gallery that celebrates the work of esteemed local artists, plus a fish store where visitors can get the freshest catches. Since 1991, it’s been a destination from which to celebrate the beauty of the natural world and local Indigenous culture.

For those seeking a more rustic experience, Vancouver Island also offers many Indigenous-owned and operated camping sites, allowing visitors to connect with nature while learning more from the area’s Indigenous stewards.

Pachena Bay Campground (S. Island, Bamfield): Operated by the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, this highly-rated site provides a camping experience along a magnificent, 1200-meter-long stretch of natural sand beach. It’s close to the West Coast Trail with opportunities for hiking, whale watching, paddling and diving.

Saysutshun, Newcastle Island (E. Island, Nanaimo): Only accessible by a walk-on ferry, this pristine family-friendly park offers a unique oceanside camping experience with full amenities available, including a concession stand. Enjoy nature with kayak rentals, hiking trails and tidal pools with views of the Coastal Mountains. The Saysutshun Interpretive Walking Tour begins at the Totem Pole near the ferry dock and goes to sacred village sites.

Cultural Experiences:

Artisan markets and galleries showcase Indigenous artworks, such as intricate carvings, paintings, and jewellery, providing an avenue for economic empowerment within communities.

In Victoria, there are several galleries downtown, such as the Eagle Feather Gallery and the Mark Loria Gallery, that feature and celebrate rotating exhibits of Indigenous art.

Mid-Island, the Ahtsik Native Art Gallery (Port Alberni) is an artist-owned fine art gallery specializing in traditional West Coast-style art of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 2008 by master carver Gordon Dick, the gallery was designed to feature the richness and diversity of culture among Vancouver Island’s Indigenous populations. Ahtsik is a Nuu-chah-nulth word meaning creating to the best of your abilities.

Up north, Culture Shock Interactive Gallery (Alert Bay) offers interactive First Nations cultural experiences, including cedar weaving, traditional salmon barbeque, storytelling and traditional ocean-going canoe tours, plus a retail shop.

There you have it. Of course, these are just a few examples and there is so much more to explore. For more information and ideas, go to indigenousbc.com. What are some of your favourite Indigenous tourism experiences on Vancouver Island? Write to us at sam.duerksen@blackpress.ca.

“The aurora is one of timeliness and brightness,” explains Gladys Atrill, executive director of Tourism Smithers. “There is something compelling about northern lights. This activity in the sky that’s absolutely stunning, and most of us don’t really understand how it comes to be.”

The northern lights are influenced by solar wind, a flow of charged particles (protons and electrons) from the sun. When the wind approaches Earth, it interacts with the magnetosphere (a kind of bubble around the planet created by the magnetic field). Ions in the wind flow along the lines of the magnetic field colliding with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in Earth’s upper atmosphere and producing a spectacular display of light.

READ MORE: VIDEO: Vancouver Island studio captures stunning time-lapse of Northern Lights

“It’s one more reason to get outside,” Atrill says. While driving home from work, Atrill has on occasion pulled over just to get out to see the “magical performance.”

The northern lights are most visible when solar winds are at their strongest. According to scientists at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), solar activity will likely increase throughout 2024.

One of the biggest astronomical predictors of northern lights visibility is sunspot activity. Sunspot activity follows a roughly 11-year cycle, which ranges from a period of minimal activity to a level of maximum activity back to minimal activity. The current cycle began in 2019 and sunspot activity is currently approximately double what scientists predicted it would be at this point in the cycle.

READ MORE: Alberta’s Dark Sky Preserves yield some spectacular views

This means it should be a very good aurora-viewing year in northwest B.C.

“Every time there is a really great northern light showing, one thing I have noticed is locals help locals, who help visitors, by posting photos and saying things online like ‘Last night at 11 o’clock, or yesterday at one in the morning, here’s what I saw,’” Atrill says.

Capturing the spectacle on camera

Posting images online can be a great way for aurora enthusiasts to connect, but capturing a crisp photo can be quite tricky.

“The first time you try to do it, it’s not going to be very good,” says Thomas Camus, owner of Camus Photography.

“We are living in a society where you want to do everything and you have the technology which is awesome, but you still have to do a bit of work to get to get a nice photo,” Camus says.

With practice and patience, you can eventually learn how to capture the aurora. Slowing your camera’s shutter speed and using a tripod is the best way to go.

“You can have some pretty cool effects just with your shutter,” Camus says.

One of the most challenging aspects of photographing the northern lights is capturing its dancing, wavelike effect.

“Put your focus on manual search on your lens, because you need to have a good big aperture that you want to be focused on the sky.”

Aurora viewing conditions are most favourable when there is low cloud coverage, which tends to occur when the sky is darker and the weather is colder.

In addition to sharing photos, there are many online resources available to stay informed of visibility conditions, including aurora trackers and aurora enthusiast Facebook groups.

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Hosted by West Coast Traveller and Black Press Media, Amateur Photographer of the Year features six categories, ranging from scenic landscapes to #InstaFavs, so no matter what captures your eye, there’s likely a category to enter!

Of course, what’s a photo contest without some amazing prizes? Thanks to sponsors AirNorth, Pacific Coastal Airlines, NVD, Northern Tales, Pan Pacific Whistler, The Burrard Hotel and Cheers Okanagan Tours, shutterbugs have good reason to snap away this summer (or pore over previous photos).

Beyond bragging rights of being named “Amateur Photographer of the Year,” the grand prize winner will receive round-trip flights for two from Vancouver, Victoria of Kelowna, courtesy of Air North, to take in the Northern Lights with Northern Tales, and two nights’ accommodation with NVD.

First prize features round-trip tickets for two to anywhere Pacific Coastal Airlines flies, and second prize features three nights at Vancouver’s Burrard Hotel for up to four people, including parking and a $150 gift card for Elysian coffee. Third place features two nights at the Pan Pacific in Whistler.

The deadline to enter is Oct. 10, 2023. Once the winners have been selected, the top 100 photos will be posted for public voting from Nov. 10 to Dec. 10 for the People’s Choice Award. The winning photographer will receive a tour package for four people with Cheers Okanagan Tours that includes the winner’s choice of four wineries and picnic lunch. One lucky voter will also receive a $100 gift card.

READ MORE: And the winner is: Emerald Lake photo brings Amateur Photographer of the Year award

Get your camera ready!

To enter, simply upload a minimum of five photo submissions to one or more categories. That could be five West Coast Travel or #InstaFav photos, or one photo in five separate categories – your choice! And don’t worry, if you have more than five amazing shots, you can enter them all, just be sure to select appropriate category for your entry. (Those submitted in the wrong category will be rejected, as will duplicate entries)

Be sure to read the official rules for the full details – find the link here.

2023 categories include:

• Scenic Canada – Scenic or landscape photography captured anywhere in Canada
• People & Portraits – Portrait photography of a person or group of people (must have permissions of person/people)
• West Coast Travel – Photos taken along the West Coast of North America: B.C., Alberta, Yukon, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California.
• Wildlife & Nature – Photos captured of animals, wildlife, plants, etc.
• Local Gems – Images taken of local spots, hidden gems or anything that symbolizes where you live in B.C., Alberta or Yukon
• #InstaFavs – Instagram-worthy favourites from mobile phone photography

Learn more and enter today here!

READ MORE: The winners of the Amateur Photographer of the Year contest are…

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

The provincial government announced that angling fees were going up for the first time since 2003. Anglers will see an increase of 9.9 per cent in the 2023/24 season with an additional four per cent in 2024/25. This means a basic adult anglers license will increase to $39.56 per year in 2023, then go up to $41.15 in 2024.

All revenue collected for freshwater angling fees goes to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation to help support the management of fisheries, habitats and angler opportunities in B.C.

The increase in fees is expected to provide additional funding to the two organizations in their efforts to deliver conservation services to residents of the province. The Provincial Angling Advisory team approved the increase.

READ MORE: Calgary, Sooke + Haida Gwaii named 3 of the best fishing destinations in Canada

The proposed increases are expected to help the two organizations continue providing conservation services to the residents of B.C.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. delivers the provincial stocking program and stocks more than 5.4 million fish into 641 lakes annually. The non-profit organization works in partnership with government, industry and anglers to improve fishing in the province through the enhancement and conservation of B.C.’s freshwater fish resources.

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is a non-profit charity that invests in B.C.’s fish and wildlife and the habitats in which they live. A large network of recipients benefit from their funding to undertake conservation projects and plus an education program designed to inspire learning and connecting with B.C.’s biodiversity.

READ MORE: Rod Loan program makes it easy to try freshwater fishing

How do I get my B.C. Freshwater Fishing License?

Licences can be purchased either online from Freshwater Fishing E-Licensing or in person from Licence Vendors.

Freshwater fishing licences range from single-day options to annual licences that valid from April 1 through March 31.

To learn more about freshwater fishing licenses and requirements in British Columbia, click here.

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