FISHING JOURNAL Sept 1960

September 1960

Map of Southern British Columbia, Canada with Pitt River location

3.9.60

Salmon eggs or roe

Pitt River-Alvin. — Haven't managed to write anything lately - the days seem to be very long and demanding. There were a couple of days that were so windy it was impossible to launch from the shore even though we tried. — Seem to be less fish than last year. The net we have is much better for fishing than the one a year ago - a new nylon net 20 feet deep and 200 feet long. The bottom of the snare is good, but the top seems to get curled up in the waves. Our total for 9 days of fishing is 506,900 individuals. The quota was 2 million, but we may be lucky to achieve half that number. Even than seems doubtful since the fish seem to be in just one spot where there isn't really room for two pulls. The shore is a bit steeper in that area so it makes one wonder how to achieve the desired results. If no new fish arrive, this place will have been fished clean in short order. 
     Yesterday we still had about 50% "green fish" but by today only a few. The best pull today: 23 females. Total for today: 180 + 270 ounces = 450 ounces. One ounce equals 240 individual eggs. 450 x 240 = 180,000. The roe is weighed in liters which also has the measurement by ounce. You first fill the measure with 12 ounces of water and then 20 ounces of roe. Six measures for each tray - so about 30,000 eggs.

White Rock, BC

     The other day John Weir came to check things out and had with him professional fisherman, Johnny Marsh whom I met once last fall in Lillooet. On that occasion he was with Don Loyst. He was really personable - just like an old friend. They were traveling by plane - the same one one which I will fly one of these days to Adams River. Along with them they had brought some supplies and food.
    Also received a letter from Aune. And the first thing I noted was the address: 15510 Columbia Street! White Rock! They were not there yet when the letter was written, but are supposed to be moving today. She is quite worried and concerned — quite understandable since she has to undertake all this by herself. In addition she had to sign a 9-10 month lease which really frightens her. Especially since the American situation is still undecided. So - a kitchen, living room, 2 bedrooms -small ones, and two unheated sun rooms for the summer, plus a utility room: $40 a month. Oil stove and heating - about $15 a month, with the electricity. Doesn't sound too bad. Let's hope that Aune's fears are unfounded — and that we get through the winter somehow. After all, we have some savings set aside, which was not the case 2 years ago when we moved to the Hannah house. Now must write a letter to Aune, which should go out in about 4 days when John comes for a visit. Then the fishing will probably come to an end, and Gunnar and I will remain here, just the two of us. Right now he's living with Doug in the Forestry camp house, and from past experience I know it's not much fun. Our place is warm at least — fortunately.

Pitt River, BC

5.9.60 — The boys are leaving this morning: Doug, Bob, and Peter, so Gunnar and I are here by ourselves. The last three days were really beautiful and sunny, but can't even compare to today. The weather seems just like summer — calm and almost too warm at times. At least our time here is starting off with good portents. We started out at 9 a.m. to collect salmon roe, and then rearranged the tarps and the trays on the other raft. In spite of all we had to do we were finished by 11 a.m. Gunnar moved his things over here and we made a quick a lunch. In the afternoon we put the motor on the boat and started inspecting the shoreline. I counted 4+7 (M+F), but we didn't do anything about the dead ones — at least not today. And now we are enjoying the evening. Gunnar is writing out a report, and I can do as I please. At least I got the events of the last few days written down. — The fishing was pathetic the last few days. A few fresh fish now and then. The last 1 1/2 days we did a count, and the total was about 120 individuals. The run was late according to the news we received over the wireless. Hopefully we won't have to start fishing all over again. Well — our departure from here was delayed accordingly.

Translated from the original Finnish: Marja-Leena Tolvanen-Rogers

NB: This blog had been compiled from an autobiography and journal entries by Andy (Valto Antero) Tolvanen. He is renowned in fishing circles in Finland for being one of the first individuals to bring the art of fly-tying to Finland. Andy translated the instructions from English to Finnish in the early 1950s since there was no literature in Finnish on the art of fly-tying at that time. He is mentioned on several Finnish fishing club websites regarding this noteworthy fact. ~ MLTR