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 害羞草研究所� 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 fisherman害羞草研究所檚 wharf.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 devastated,害羞草研究所� Laird said. 害羞草研究所淟ike, I get up in the morning at three and I think about what the implications of this are for me.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淏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,害羞草研究所� Laird said. 害羞草研究所淪o I害羞草研究所檓 able to read under certain circumstances, I can even row the boat close to shore.害羞草研究所�
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.
Laird害羞草研究所檚 condition means he can害羞草研究所檛 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.
害羞草研究所淭he government dock is where I do all my fishing. Because nobody else fishes there害羞草研究所 can see the shore and I know enough about it. I have done it so much that I can be effective,害羞草研究所� Laird said.
害羞草研究所淚 can row that boat. I got all the tackle. And I could take you out there, you害羞草研究所檇 have a decent chance of hooking a 20-plus pound Campbell (River) Chinook, because they害羞草研究所檙e along the whole shoreline.害羞草研究所�
But that has all come to an end with the theft of his boat.
Laird is asking everyone to help him retrieve his boat. He害羞草研究所檚 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 害羞草研究所� which had hoped to leave to his grandchildren 害羞草研究所� back, if possible.
It害羞草研究所檚 a 1989, 14-foot fibreglass hull Tyee rowboat called 害羞草研究所淪trikes 90害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 my fishing lifestyle now. And I don害羞草研究所檛 want to give it up. I won害羞草研究所檛 be buying another boat, you know. I害羞草研究所檓 75, I can barely manage this one,害羞草研究所� 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.
