Today Paul will have a final try to catch the elusive steelhead. We go back to the Skeena River but this time launch further downstream towards Prince Rupert. The scenery on the drive there is pretty spectacular. We moor on a long pebbly bank, which enables me to go for a decent length walk. There is no evidence of recent bear activity, so I feel comparatively safe going off on my own.

I concentrate on photographing the natural flora that is clinging to life at the back of the beach.

I also take a walk through the forest, which is hard going with lots of dogwood blocking my path. I hear a crashing behind me and feel my heart pounding. I see a flash of black and….Phew! It’s just Tracey’s dog Jasper keeping me company.

The sun glistens on the high glaciers…

Paul spends the morning fishing this long stretch of river but is only rewarded with a few small pink salmon. Still, the surroundings are gorgeous and the weather is just perfect. A warm and sunny autumnal day.

We change location but still have no steelhead activity. They are just not co-operating.

It’s our last day with Tracey and he is determined to find Paul some steelhead. We return to our original location. It is now late afternoon and to be honest this fishing day has been rather too long for my liking. I have not seen much in the way of wildlife and just want to be back on our terrace with a cup of tea. However, my mood is lifted when I spot a golden eagle on the far shore. It is a long way off but I can see through the long lens that it is eating a fish. I attempt a few photos which, considering how far away it is, are acceptable but not going to win any prizes.

Finally we depart and take the boat out of the water.

On the way back we stop off at the brewhouse in Terrace to sample the local beer. The beer is good, but the people in the place are very loud and noisy. We do not linger long. Then it’s back home for an early supper and much needed sleep. The early morning starts do eventually take their toll.

I have decided to have a lazy day tomorrow and will just read and catch up on writing the blog. Paul goes back to the Kitimat River in a drift boat. He returns for lunch and says it was much too busy out there. We sit in the sun eating snacks and drinking rose which is very pleasant. Our intention is to have a quiet night but Tracey has other ideas. He texts saying come to his for drinks, which of course we do. It’s a fun evening and we enjoy scallops wrapped in bacon and halibut cooked on the open fire. We also sample some elk sausages which frankly were not to my taste. Quite dry and chewy so not something I would have again.

Tomorrow we commence the second part of our trip aboard the Cascadia.

Connectivity will be a problem. We shall be in remote locations with no WiFi on board, so I do not know how easy it will be to keep my posts up to date. We shall see….