Rupert Parker travels to Canada to stay at the Sonora Resort in British Columbia
There’s always something exciting about climbing aboard a seaplane, especially when you’re on the way to the back of beyond. Sonora Resort in British Columbia is located east of Vancouver Island, near the town of Campbell River, and the only way to get to it is by boat, helicopter or plane.
We fly low and visibility is excellent so I take in the view of the wilderness below, mainly forest spotted with lakes and inlets. Touchdown in the water is a soft landing and the plane drops me at the jetty where I’m welcomed by the hotel staff. A glass of wine and canapes are on offer, by a roaring log fire, as I fill out the registration form.
Rooms are spacious, equipped with the sort of luxury you would expect from a five-star Relais and Chateau resort, and the late afternoon light shimmers off the water outside. I like the slate floors in the bathrooms and the well-stocked mini bar, all part of the all-inclusive package, which also includes the meals.
Chef Terry Pichor is known for his food and I can see why when I sample his tasting menu. There’s a delicate salad of beets, the beef risotto is excellent but special praise goes for the spring salmon, cooked sous-vide and served with clams, octopus, pancetta and green peas.
It’s up early the next morning for the grizzly bear tour. A boat takes me up the Bute Inlet, past harbour seals, sea lions and porpoises, to the mouth of the Orford River. There I’m handed over to a couple of Homalco First Nation guides and transferred to bus which takes me to a viewing tower at the side of the riverbank. It’s October so the salmon are here to spawn in great numbers and they’re the big attraction for the grizzlies.
Right in front of us, a mother and two cubs are wading in the water, picking out choice specimens and chomping them down. We see other grizzlies, seemingly oblivious to our presence, all intent on gathering their breakfast. The poor salmon don’t stand a chance, although there are so many of them that it’ll take more than a few bears to dent their population. This really is the call of the wild taking place right in front of my eyes.
One of the other activities they offer at Sonora Resort is a rafting trip where you go snorkelling with salmon, but unfortunately, it’s too late in the year. Instead, I opt for fishing and am issued with a licence which allows me to catch a maximum of four fish, extremely unlikely given my previous experience.
The Chinook, or Tyee, salmon is the largest species here, weighing in at over 30 lbs, and my guide “Tyee” Mike once caught thirteen in a single season. He steers the boat to his favourite spot and drops anchor. Salted anchovies are the bait and he sets the rods on the end of the boat and drops the hooks in the water.
Now it’s just a waiting game until the lines twitch – when that happens, he tells us, we must keep reeling and not to give up, come what may. After an hour, I’m wishing I was a grizzly, then I could just grab the fish from the water, rather than play a waiting game. There are a couple of false alarms then suddenly Mike jumps into action. There’s a large salmon on the end of the line, so he starts reeling frantically, and then passes the rod to me.
I’m not fast enough on the uptake and it gets away, much to his disappointment. The second time there’s a twitch, Mike passes the rod to my companion, and she’s determined to get her man. I can only watch her work until it suddenly appears out of the water, Mike grabs it in his net and drops it in the bottom of the boat. He’d said earlier that women were the luckiest sex when it came to fishing and this time he’s right.
Slightly chilled from the morning’s activity, we tuck into a hearty lunch, which could have been very fresh salmon, but it’s already packed in ice ready to take home. The afternoon has been earmarked for relaxation, so I make my way to the spa, beside the outdoor swimming pool.
The treatments are modelled on the way ocean currents clean, renew and purify the waters surrounding the resort, hence the name Island Currents Spa. After a cleansing herbal tea I go for a relaxing massage – however, I can’t quite settle – I’m still dreaming of the one that got away.
More about Sonora Resort in British Columbia
Sonora Resort in British Columbia can arrange transfers from Vancouver or Campbell River. http://sonoraresort.com/experience
Super Natural BC has information about the province. http://www.hellobc.com/
Destination Canada has information about the country. http://uk-keepexploring.canada.travel/
