This is a copy of the letter. Perhaps others can send Fraser Valley Regional District a copy or make their own. How about the MLAs if this involves the Provincial government? Let's put in our effort to save future lives.
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Dear Mr. Wickham,
The recent drowning of a Abbotsford fisherman via trying to cross the inside channel of the Pegleg fishing bar in Chilliwack is a sad reminder of the potential danger of this bar to fishermen. The inside channel is getting deeper and may yet claim future lives if nothing is done to improve its safety. As a concerned outsider who lives in Vancouver, I still feel a sense of duty to inform you of the danger of this bar as of now.
Way back when sockeye was first open 10+ years ago, Pegleg was a nice place to drive to. There was hardly any tall tree, and the inside channel was shallow and easily crossable. You could practically drive up all the way to the top end of the bar with a sedan. Many campers actually stayed overnight there near the top end where fishing for springs was particularly good. Those days were gone and I had not fished Pegleg over 8 years now. Not worth it, too dangerous. There are always other alternative places to fish than risking your life for a fish.
Perhaps the top end of the inside channel had opened up much wider and deepened the channel. During the early days, the side channel dried up when the sockeyes were running thick. IS IT POSSIBLE TO BLOCK OFF THE TOP END OF THE SIDE-CHANNEL OR REDUCE ITS FLOW VOLUME (much like the rock barrier at the side channel of Jones/Laidlaw fishing bar)? This will allow much safer, easier, and particularly, earlier access to Pegleg and open up a large fishing bar early to take off the load from other congested bars. With such a large bar, DFO can actually segregate sections of it for bar-fishing, flyfishing, and bottom-bouncing fishing, so different user groups can enjoy this premium bar. Wouldn't it be nice? Also, why not turn it into a park, much like many parks along Lower Fraser, like Derby Reach Park (Langley), Gary Point Park (Richmond) etc. Families & kids can have a good time there.
It is to the interest of the local Chilliwack or Abbotsford city government that an accessable Pegleg can replace the IS22 bar which was washed away, and many visiting fishermen mean good business for local shops, restaurants & motels. Besides, don't they want a local fishing bar for its many fishing residents, now that IS22 Bar is gone? Why not do something so there will not be future loss of life for crossing this dangerous bar the way it is now. Its local location make it that much more dangerous for area residents, because many local residents may not want to drive to a more remote bar and rather they risk crossing it. As sad as this drowning tragedy. Heaven forbids, it will likely happen again if nothing is done about making this bar less dangerous. Many fishermen claim to see people losing footing via crossing it. While most got out, a few unlucky ones will lose their lives for trying to catch a fish.
If it is possible to turn this into a park, then perhaps they should provide some means for easier driving access, so that even seniors or wheel-chaired persons can enjoy the famous fishing of Chilliwack (wouldn't Rick Hansen alike and many retiring seniors of Chilliwack/Abbotsford like this?). By the way, I am able body and not a senior.
I am writing this purely as a concerned fisherman & citizen. I don't live in Chilliwack, and I don't fish Pegleg anymore. But I hope to voice my concern before Pegleg will claim more precious lives in the future.
Sincerely,
Author
Topic: Making Pegleg a safer bar to save future lives (Read 5529 times)