Angler says fishing hole not safe in wet weather
Rocks around North Shore’s Cable Pool on Capilano River become too slippery
The combination of sloped rocky banks and fast-moving water make the Cable Pool fishing hole on the Capilano River a potential hazard to life. And it isn’t the only one.
Dave Steele, owner of High Water Tackle in North Vancouver, counsels new anglers to treat moving water with respect. He sees a lot of fathers with kids eager to fish the river, but who lack backcountry experience.
“Do not let your kids fish Cable Pool when the weather is wet and slippery and when the river rises due to heavy rainfall,” he said.
“If you fall off those rocks around the pool, your chances of survival are minimal.”
The rocks around the pool are sloped, with crags and moss adding to the hazard.
“You can’t do anything when people decide to try to cross the river, that’s just a lack of understanding about water flow and hydrology,” he said. “It’s at the point now where the Cable Pool should just be blocked from public access when the water gets to a certain height.”
An angler was swept into the water Sunday as he and his friends tried to walk across the river. A man in his 30s died later that day in St. Paul’s Hospital. The Doctor’s Pool under Highway One is also surrounded by treacherous terrain and many people have been rescued from the island in the river when the dam releases water, raising the water level, he said.
Living on nature’s doorstep means that rivers, waterfalls and wildlife are just minutes away, but being close to civilization doesn’t make it safe. City dwellers with minimal exposure to wilderness situations would do well to find a mentor with backcountry fishing or hunting experience before heading out.
“It’s sad the number of unnecessary deaths that have occurred on the Capilano River, or in Lynn Creek for that matter,” said Steele. “People who grow up in the city might not have a grandfather or a dad who teaches those safety lessons.”
Steele has a few rules for newcomers:
■ Treat moving water with the utmost respect. If the water downstream is shallow and flat like a lake, the worst that can happen is you will get wet and probably ruin your smartphone.
When crossing a running stream
■ or side channel, look downstream for hazards. If you see rocks or a logjam, you will have little chance to protect yourself if the water takes you down.
Hip-waders and chest waders
■ can easily fill with water and pull you underwater. If you wear wading gear, do not go in past your knees. With chest waders, wear a belt at your waist at all times.
Drop into any local tackle shop
■ and ask the staff about local streams and their hazards. They have experience wading in rivers.