2010 CANADIAN NATIONAL FISH CARVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE TRIP THE FUN and THE MEMORIES.......
EAGLES, EAGLES, EAGLES
Seems like as soon as we crossed the Border into Canada, we started seeing our National Bird everywhere. Made us feel right at home!
Six NFCG members, including Ed and Dale Barrett, Scott Brown, Mike Buelna, Bryan Carpenter and Ron Edwards, left for Canada early morning on April 7th, arriving late that same afternoon in Parksville, BC. As usual, the trip seemed much shorter than the 10 hours it took. Lots of great fish carving conversation and good natured ribbing made for a quick passage of time, and we arrived at our destination in one piece and in great spirits!!
After passing through the Canadian Border, it's only another 30 minutes or so to the Tswassen Ferry Dock, where we took our place in line for boarding one of British Columbia Ferries for the trip to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Our 37 ft. long pick-up and NFCG trailer combination, look small in comparison to the large 18 wheeler sitting next to us. This was just one of more 18 wheelers you can believe which filed onto our Ferry!! As gigantic as these vessels are, one is amazed at how many vehicles they can accomodate!!
Ed and Dale Barrett look small in comparison with our 6'-10" buddy, Bryan Carpenter as we spend the next 2 hours on a trip across from the Canadian mainland to nanaimo on Vancouver Island. From Nanaimo, it's about a 30 minute trip North to our destination in Parksville.
Parksville is a picturesque little town situated along a beautiful shoreline looking East toward Vancouver, BC. While a little chilly, the sun shined 90% of our stay.
Good old VIP Motel, our home for the next 5 nights. Nnot fancy, but it's the 5th or 6th year in a row we've stayed here. The rooms are spacious, clean and economical and the managers are a delight.
Our traveling group is joined by a couple of our favorite Canadian members for a great evening meal at one of the local eateries. The fish and chips, and sweet potato fries were mouth watering. The beer and wine was pretty darn good too!
Pictured left to right; Dale Barrett, Ed Barrett, Scott Brown, Ron Edwards, Warren Young, Dan Causton and Mike Buelna (Bryan Carpenter was behind the camera lens)
As in the past, it didn't take long after arrival to assemble at the local 36-hole miniature golf course for some good natured "competition" (loser pays for root beer floats!) This is always one of the highlights of our trips to Parksville and this year was not exception!
In the photo to the immediate right, ole "sandbagger" Warren Young lines up a winner while Ed, Scott and Ron look to go to school. Do to the embarrasing nature of his loss, we won't publicly expose the purchaser of the root beer floats. He knows who he is and he has to live with it!
On Saturday, the first day of the Show, the NFCG sponsored a 3-hour free Seminar on painting a Brooktrout. Nearly 30 people attended and most stayed to the end thanks to the expert instructions presented by Dale Barrett and assisted by brother Ed. The "go-by" fish was given away after the Seminar by use of a number on each of the printed instructions given out at the start of the seminar. Thanks for your efforts Dale and Ed......Great job!
For the second year in a row, we set up the full NFCG display and drew a great deal of interest and compliments. Several new members were signed up and we had an opportunity to talk with a number of existing members, as well as many local residents. Well worth the effort!
The annual banquet and festivities held by the host Club on Saturday night is always a really fun event! Lots of activities to keep everyone interested and a great meal to top it off. The photo on the right shows Dale Barrett at his finest and all wrapped up in his raffle tickets. Gee Dale, we think it was very becoming and you were quite a hit!
For the second year in a row, Dale Barrett donated a fish to the Show for a fund raiser and this year it was his blue ribbon winning framed Rainbow Trout! The Club has been able to raise a substantial amount of money with these raffles and Dale has become somewhat of a "Celebrity" in this part of the Country, due to his generosity. Way to go Dale, you're a credit to the NFCG and we're proud of you!
Dale is shown here with the raffle winner, Harold Last of Victoria, BC
Teom Lim, a local resident, and fish carver of some renown, shows eveyone his beautiful pond at his home in Nanoose Bay, BC (not too far South of Parksville). Every year Teom is gracious enough to invite us all to his home for some very enlightening conversation and examples of this very talented fish carvers imagination. We always leave with a new outlook and an urge to get back to the bench and practice what he preached!! This year he not only provided new and exciting tips and techniques but also hosted a wonderful Buffalo Rib BBQ, with all the trimmings. Thanks for a great time Teom.........you're the best!
A fine bunch of fish carvers are shown here in front of the NFCG trailer. From left to right, back row; Ed Barrett, Mike Buelna, Cam Merkle (Pres. of Razortip Industries) and Brian Carpenter. Middle row left to right; Dan Causton, Sylvia Dean, Scott Brown, Ron Edwards, Keith Stewart, Carl Robblee and Warren Young. Front row, left to right; Dale Barrett and Teom Lim.
This is such a good looking bunch, you may want a better look! Just click on the photo for a larger image.
Thanks for letting us share our memories with you. We hope one day you'll find the time to join us for a memorable trip to the Canadian Fish Carving Championships. In 2011, the Show will be moved from Parksville to Victoria. BC. We'll really miss Parksville and all the great people and all the wonderful memories we've shared there.
