We have found some fantastic camping sites – along rivers, lakes and mountains. Our site along Dragon lake in Quesnel was no different – except that it seemed everyone in the park was either fishing, getting ready to fish or talking about how little fish they caught.

Dave even met a guy in the restroom at 6:30am who shared his sadness over the lack of fish he had caught that weekend but he hoped for more success that morning. As I was painting along the shore, amidst the fishing boats, I learned alot about fishing- well – really mostly about people who love to fish. Both men and women would hop in their boats and quickly take off for their special fishing spot. Many would return for that special fishing gear they had left behind. Then, they would take off again, and soon return, because they needed more clothes since it was pretty darn cold. One guy forgot his coffee, another his watch…

What they had in common is the answer to my question, “Have you caught anything, yet?”  ” Nope – but we’re hoping to today.” One gal explained to me that fishing at Dragon Lake was a REALLY BIG DEAL – it was the fly fishing capital of the world. People come from from all over just to fish there. I met a group of 16 who come for 3 weeks twice a year from the USA. I now know that the fish are so big because they feed on fresh water shrimp – I even learned how to tell the difference from a male and female shrimp!

A fisherman stood behind me watching me paint while he waited for his friend to go get the stuff he forgot.  “Aren’t you really cold, standing there?” he asked. “I bet you’ve had to practice a lot,” he mused. “I can see that your painting is the same as my fishing – we’re both willing to be cold and wet for something we’re passionate about!” How true…