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An opportunity to live in an Idyllic log cabin on the banks of the Cowachin River

If god rested on the 7th day, he would have been hard pressed to find a more idyllic setting than close to the shore of  the famed Cowichan river, drifting for 45 kilometers through the forests and wineries of southern Vancouver Island. The Cow is one of a number of heritage rivers in Canada, given full protection by the government. It is sheltered from pollution and runs clean and true from its source in Cowichan Lake to its emptying in Cowichan Bay, there to be caught in the tides and its remainder swept out to the Strait of Georgia.

Although this river runs through prime logging forest, it is sheathed along its banks on either side by a gauntlet of forest which cannot be logged. The Cow takes on many forms as it rolls along its course, pouring over waterfalls, shooting through rapids and more importantly, lying quietly in the shallows where salmon make their redds in the clean, pebbly bottom. There are many species of fish in the river; cutthroat, rainbow and the brown trout, introduced in the 1930s, thrive and now constitute most of the river’s population. Coho, Chinook and chum salmon, as well as steelhead, also run the Cowachin.

The fishing, most of which is limited to fly, ranks among the world’s favorites, in the past luring the likes of King Edward VIII from overseas and still a good draw for the seasoned angler today. Fishing is not strictly catch and release, but the philosophy certainly is. The river is respected by those who fish her and in return she generous. Access to the river is free of charge and fishing can be enjoyed from the shore as well as from drift boats. A license is required but this is relatively inexpensive. For further information on this heritage river, Google the Cowichan river / valley or go to:

http://www.bcadventure.com/ianforbes/cowich/cowich.phtml

We are fortunate to own a 100 year old, 4 bedroom log home sitting snugly right on the banks of the Cow. The home is an original log cabin but it has been renovated and expanded. It is set in ½ acre of land with fruit trees and gardens.

Although the setting is rural, the home is actually only a 5 minute walk from the supermarket and liquor store, two essentials for most fishermen I am sure. During the winter months, the water rises to less than 1 meter from the veranda door which overlooks the salmon pressing on with their urgency. From the kitchen window, we can actually watch the salmon leaping upstream.

I have snorkeled down this river from the house and swam among the rainbows holding behind the larger boulders and spied the large browns lurking in the shadows of the larger pools.

This home is available for rental on a full time, long term basis as its owners are currently overseas working. If you wish further information on using this either as a business opportunity or home for yourselves, please email at:

peter.rothfels@zu.ac.ae

I will be happy to answer questions and to direct you to more information if you require.