After the loss of nearly all of his sight seven years ago, Scott Laird found purpose and satisfaction in continuing to fish for salmon in his Tyee rowboat B次元官网网址� the same rowboat that served him for 33 years as a salmon guide and angler.
But that purpose and satisfaction was taken away from him Sunday, Aug. 7 when somebody stole it from the Campbell River fishermanB次元官网网址檚 wharf.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 devastated,B次元官网网址� Laird said. B次元官网网址淟ike, I get up in the morning at three and I think about what the implications of this are for me.B次元官网网址�
Laird was a fishing guide for 40 years in the internationally renowned waters off the Tyee Spit in Campbell River. He has owned the classic Tyee-style rowboat for 33 years. These boats were designed for fishing the Tyee Pool and are based on the classic Painter rowboats that have been associated with this traditional fishery.
B次元官网网址淏ut I have this condition that came on like that. And I lost it (vision) all in that eye and I got about 20 per cent, 25 per cent in this eye,B次元官网网址� Laird said. B次元官网网址淪o IB次元官网网址檓 able to read under certain circumstances, I can even row the boat close to shore.B次元官网网址�
Rowboat fishing for Tyee salmon is a longstanding tradition in Campbell River. Traditional tackle is used in a human-powered boat and catching a Chinook bigger than 30 pounds (a Tyee) qualifies you for membership in the Tyee Club.
LairdB次元官网网址檚 condition means he canB次元官网网址檛 fish the Tyee Pool any more because it would be too dangerous with the number of other boats. He can, however, fish close to shore near where his boat is docked.
B次元官网网址淭he government dock is where I do all my fishing. Because nobody else fishes thereB次元官网网址 can see the shore and I know enough about it. I have done it so much that I can be effective,B次元官网网址� Laird said.
B次元官网网址淚 can row that boat. I got all the tackle. And I could take you out there, youB次元官网网址檇 have a decent chance of hooking a 20-plus pound Campbell (River) Chinook, because theyB次元官网网址檙e along the whole shoreline.B次元官网网址�
But that has all come to an end with the theft of his boat.
Laird is asking everyone to help him retrieve his boat. HeB次元官网网址檚 sure it could still be somewhere in the area. They have digital surveillance images of the actual theft and hope to be able to identify the suspect. The images are in the hands of the RCMP. But in the meantime, he would like to get the boat B次元官网网址� which had hoped to leave to his grandchildren B次元官网网址� back, if possible.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a 1989, 14-foot fibreglass hull Tyee rowboat called B次元官网网址淪trikes 90B次元官网网址� made by Whitehall Boats in Victoria. It has a classic 7.5 h.p. Evinrude outboard on its transom. It retails for about new for about $20,000 plus the cost of the motor and oars.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 my fishing lifestyle now. And I donB次元官网网址檛 want to give it up. I wonB次元官网网址檛 be buying another boat, you know. IB次元官网网址檓 75, I can barely manage this one,B次元官网网址� Laird said.
If you see the boat, contact Campbell River Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). The file number is 2022-10262. Or call Laird at 250-287-3706.
