Tag Archives: Trapper Rick’s

Wildlife at Trapper’s 3 of 3

pine marten

While eating lunch on the deck of Trapper’s cabin we had a visitor.  The pine marten (marten Martes americana), a small predator, is a member of the weasel family, Mustelidae. It is similar in size to a small cat but has shorter legs, a more slender body, a bushy tail, and a pointed face. The fur varies from pale yellowish buff to dark blackish brown. During winter, the marten has a beautiful dark brown fur coat and a bright orange throat patch. The summer coat is lighter in colour and not nearly as thick. Males are the larger sex and weigh about 1 000 g, whereas females weigh about 650 g. The Mustelidae family also includes several other more familiar animals such as the ermine, skunk, and mink.

 

 

 

Wildlife at Trapper’s 2 of 3

Boat crossing

As this photo shows the rope is part of a pulley system used to cross the river to get to Trapper’s cabin. It is not a good idea to cross a river to confront a grizzly so we waited for about fifteen minutes while the bear worked its way along the shore. About 60 meters (200 feet) past the rope it swam across the river to our side so we got in the boat and crossed the river and took the fifteen minute walk to the cabin.

Extra Day at Grizzly Bear Lodge 1 of 2

guests grizzly watchingOn the extra day in camp we spend the day on a river located on the BC mainland.After crossing Knight Inlet we travel through Thompson Sound to the Kakweikan River and spend the day with Trapper Rick. We travel via old overgrown logging roads to Rick’s cabin which is about two kilometres (miles) from the mouth of the river. In this photo Rick and four guests are sitting near the falls which is a natural fishing area for grizzlies. Not hard to find Rick in this photo and tomorrow’s post will show what has their interest….

Always time to enjoy the scenery 12 of 20

RIVER PHOTOGRAPHY time lapse photographySpecial effects make photography interesting. And it nice to be on a trip that allows the interest to be fulfilled. The schedules trips from Grizzly Bear Lodge are flexible. We like to be away from the lodge by 8:00 and back in time for rest before dinner. What happens in between those two times depends on the wildlife we find and the interest of the guests. Our boats a limited to four guests so it is not hard to achieve agreement to modify the days activities.

Visiting Trapper Rick’s 5 of 5

river fishing

Once the grizzly bear watching is complete and picnic lunch has been eaten most guests cannot resist fishing. Even guests that have no interest in fishing cannot resist a few casts with a spinning rod when they see all the salmon in the water. Some days it is like the “fish pond” at school fairs, if you can get your line in the water you will catch something.

 

 

 

Visiting Trapper Rick’s 3 of 5

Trapper's grizzly

With the small camera I use (Pentax Optio Wpi 6MP and 3X Optical Zoom) it is possible to get photos of grizzlies eating salmon across the river. It is an interesting sensation watching a grizzly when the river is not that deep and the bear could cross without much effort. And even though Rick known the grizzlies and has spent twenty years on the river he is still armed and prepared.

Visiting Trapper Rick’s 2 of 5

salmon jumping falls

… salmon jumping the falls. Moving out of the shade, if there are no grizzly bears fishing in the river, one can go to the water edge and with patience get a photo of salmon jumping the falls. There is a fish ladder, which bypasses the falls, but many salmon prefer the traditional route.

 

 

 

Visiting Trapper Rick’s 1 of 5

Trapper Rick's watching grizzly bears

A day tour to Trapper Rick’s occurs when you book the extra day at the lodge. We cross Knight Inlet pass through Thompson Sound to the Kakweikan River and Trapper Rick’s cabin. The river is located on the BC mainland and we travel by road, cross a river by boat and a short level hike to Rick’s cabin. Once at the cabin we walk 200 meters (yards) down river to sit and observe….

Trapper Rick’s Remains

Trapper's scenery

Actually the remains of a black bear killed by a grizzly bear near Trapper Rick’s. The extra day booked at the lodge involves a trip to Rick’s and a day on the river looking for grizzlies, possibly river fishing and many stories from Rick including how he came by this black bear skeleton.