Haig-Brown Institute

Haig-Brown’s 100th kicks off a year of celebrations

City and province honour conservation pioneers

Campbell River Mirror
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Page 0001
By Paul Rudan

It’s not the cover of Rolling Stone, but Roderick Haig-Brown would probably be more than happy to grace the front of this year’s sport fishing regulations.

The memorable photograph of Haig-Brown standing in the Campbell River, outfitted in his fly fishing gear, was taken shortly before his death in 1976. The image is on the cover the 2008-’09 Freshwater Fisheries Regulations for B.C.

A blowup of the cover was unveiled last Thursday at the Museum at Campbell River. The lobby was packed for the opening celebrations of the 100th anniversaries of the births of Haig-Brown and his late wife Ann Elmore.

“Our parents taught us to recognize that the land and the rivers are fundamental to all of who we are,” said Mary Haig-Brown, the couple’s daughter.

She opened her speech by recognizing that everyone was standing on the traditional lands of local First Nations people. And the importance of understanding and respecting aboriginal people and their beliefs, was also something ingrained in the Haig-Brown children by their parents.

After moving from England, the Haig-Browns settled in a home located on the south bank of the Campbell River.

Roderick Haig-Brown became an active fly fisherman who traipsed along rivers throughout Vancouver Island.

He wrote 25 books on fishing and the natural surroundings, and is recognized today as a pioneering conservationist who helped shape the values for community leaders in Campbell River and abroad.

He also served as a local magistrate and, later in life, as Chancellor of the University of Victoria.

MLA Claire Trevena pointed out the Haig-Browns stood up for social issues. Ann was a teacher and librarian who also spent a great deal of her time helping other women.

The Ann Elmore Transition House continues to recognize the work and assistance she provided to women.

“They were a true renaissance couple and their history is still very much alive today,” said Ken Blackburn of the museum.

Mayor Roger McDonell proclaimed Feb. 21 as Roderick Haig-Brown Day which kicks off a year of celebrations. May 3 will be declared Ann Elmore Haig-Brown Day and will be celebrated by a gathering at the Haig-Brown house.

There’s also a play in the works along with a documentary video, a lecture series and readings will take place, and the city will host a Wild Salmon Symposium in August.

A new website has also been launched (www.haigbrowninstitute.org) and is still undergoing some “tweaking” according to Jim Van Tine, executive director of the Haig-Brown Institute and co-chair of the Haig-Brown Centennial Committee.

Van Tine was also impressed by the cover of the new fishing regulations.

Copyright 2008 campbellriver