Discover Sooke

What an eventful day! Today was the Annual Sooke Spirit Festival and the weather couldn’t have been more ideal: sunny clear skies and a crisp chill to the air that says Christmas is coming!

The excitement began with a well-timed rescue of a terrified tan Chihuahua in a red velvet and tulle tutu just outside Eagle Eye Outfitters on Church Rd on my way to the Santa Clause Parade. Apparently the four-legged parade-goer got spookedWhat an eventful day! Today was the Annual Sooke Spirit Festival and the weather couldn’t have been more ideal: sunny clear skies and a crisp chill to the air that says Christmas is coming!

In addition to an appearance by Old Saint Nick himself, the parade included a stilt-walker, a walking nativity scene, enough candy canes for the whole crowd, and tons of decked out cars, boats, bikes and dogs…to name a few! Along with the Santa Clause Parade, there was great music, crafters, parade-side concessions, and great local shopping—a full day festival. The residents of Sooke made a wonderful showing; the streets were bustling with friendly faces. Though filled with holiday spirit, I needed a little something extra to warm me up after the parade, so I headed for the Reading Room Café for an herbal tea. Mmmm.

The festivities continued into the early evening with the second annual inner harbour Sail Past – a floating procession of vessels lighting up the night sky. More than 14 boats took part, festive and bright, took part, and each elaborately decorated with strings of lights, illuminated figurines, bows and glowing stars. The boats could be seen from many viewpoints along the shoreline, with optimal viewing from the Rotary Pier and Whiffen Spit.

Huge thanks to the Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Sooke Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit #37 and the District of Sooke, for making the Annual Sooke Spirit Festival a wonderful success and tons of fun!

Filed under: Latest News on December 7th, 2009 | No Comments »

December 5th marks the first annual Spirit Festival, The Sooke Chamber of Commerce have combined forces with the District of Sooke and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in Sooke, Unit #37, to enhance our Santa parade.  We have designated warming areas for young families to escape the elements if necessary. The Sea Park Youth staff will help entertain the young children in the center, please watch for signage.

Schedule of Events

2:00pm Festival tents downtown Sooke
2:30pm Parade from Church Rd. to the Post Office
3:30pm – 4:30pm Entertainment at festival tent area
4:30pm Carolling lead by the Sooke Community Choir to the boardwalk (remember your flashlights)
5:00pm Sailpast viewing from the boardwalk

Take the time to enjoy some tasty treats at our festival tent; the proceeds go to help support local charities.  Tickets will be for sale for $1.00 each to purchase food, watch for a ticket sales booth at the tented area.

Please use the inside of this cover to participate in the Support Local contest.

When you do your Sooke Shopping get a stamp from the participating business, at the end of December enter your name in a draw for a basket of Sooke prizes.

We appreciate your patronage, Thank You.

www.sookespiritfest.com

Filed under: Upcoming Events on December 3rd, 2009 | No Comments »

Fishing for winter run Salmon in Sooke is VERY GOOD, the sizes appear to have gone down slightly but the consistency of action is great. The Harbour entrance and South tip of Secretary Island have been good places to start looking over the last few days. There have been alot of small Herring (2 to 3″) in the stomachs of the Salmon, and we have spotted some large schools of bait on the sounder in these areas.

Trying to troll our gear under these large schools of bait is where we have had the most action on these Spring Salmon. A number of trolled lures will work for these fish including; hootchies, small spoons, anchovey and herring. Most popular seems to be the anchovey in a glow bait head, or Glow below and Irish Mist hootchies. The best depths for us have been trolling the gear between 120 and 135ft on the downrigger, in 120 to 200ft of water. The early morning , mid day and evening have been the best for strikes, but if the action slows down we just put more time in, and the fish do show up.

The weather has been changing rapidly, with plenty of wind and rain, but there have been some nice flat days for trolling as well. Halibut fishermen are reporting that Sooke hotspots are producing Halibut in GOOD numbers, yesterday reports came in from two local boats fishing Halibut that had 4 and 5 Halibut on board.

Nov.1st Fishing with Mathew from Ontario, aboard 2Reel for Winter feeder Springs, trolling from the Harbour entrance West to the trailer Park. We trolled Betsy Gold Glow on one side and Betsy Silver flashers on the other, infront of the Glow Below and Glow with Green stripe hootchies. Depths have been varied from 140ft of water to 260ft, with the gear at 125 and 135ft. Trolling the gear in flat calm water and sunny weather we landed our limit (4) Spring Salmon, wearing our T shirts most of the trip.

Nov.3rd Fished with Nick from EAGLE-EYE OUTFITTERS in Sooke for Winter Springs, infront of the Harbour entrance. Nick trolled a Glow Below hootchy behind a Green Haze flasher and landed two nice winter fish 9 and 10lbs at 110ft on the downrigger. I brought a smaller 4 or 5lb Salmon to the boat but released it. Morning was slow, action was at tide change around noon. Wind was out of the North East as predicted,about 15km, some sun and clouds, no rain.

Nov.12th Fished with father and son team, Jim and Cory from Alberta. Trolled Glow Below and Irish Mist hootchies at 120 to 140ft on the downrigger, in 120 to 300ft of water off the harbour mouth. The boys landed three good Springs ; 10,10 and 5lbs. Water was slightly choppy most of the day with some very calm periods, no rain and a light breeze.

Nov.21st Fished with Neal and Kyle for winter run Spring Salmon outside the Sooke harbour entrance. The windy rainy weather had calmed down for the day, so there were 4 or 5 sport fishing boats in the area. The 120 to 180ft drop off seemed to produce the most action right around noon time, the early morning was a little slow. We trolled Glow Below and Irish Mist hootchies at 120 and 130ft on the downriggers, behind Silver Betsy and Green Magna Glow flashers. Ended our half day trip with 4 Springs; 5,5, 7 and 8lbs.

Nov.23rd Drift fished for Halibut with Nick form EAGLE-EYE OUTFITTERS and Bob from 2REEL2. Landed one small Halibut 15lbs, had another good strike that didn’t stay, and 3 or 4 dog fish or small sharks. Current was really slow so our drift was good, gear stayed on the bottom the whole time.

Nov.29th Trolled for winter run Salmon with Mike and his neice Charlene from Sooke. Weather was good, flat water, low winds, and some sunny breaks chased off the winter blues. Mike and Charlene played at least a dozen Spring Salmon, releasing many small ones, we landed and kept thier limit between 5 and 7lbs, the sizes were a bit smaller but that was made up for in numbers. We trolled anchovey in a glow bait head behind a Big Shooter Magna Glow green flasher, and a Glow Below Hootchy behind a Silver Betsy flasher. Most of the fish hit near Secretary Is. at 125 and 135ft on the downriggers.

We spotted a group of Harbour Porpoises and 4 Orca whales in the morning off the Harbour entrance.

Good Fishing, Ron

This report courtesy of 2 Reel Fishing Adventures.

For more information on the Sooke Region, please visit the official Discover Sooke website.

Filed under: Fishing on December 3rd, 2009 | No Comments »

A Christmas release of Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery’s Vintage Sac fortified mead is just perfect for our cold weather season. “This is a well balanced sweet mead that is perfect for sipping by the fire”, says Dana LeComte who owns Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery with husband Robert Liptrot, 40 year beekeeping veteran with 25 years of mead making experience. An Anlgo Saxon term, Sac Mead literally translates to a sweet mead and was well known amongst kings and peasants in the middle ages. This is the first traditional fortified Sac Mead produced in Western Canada. Distillation for this mead was done on Vancouver Island in collaboration with a local Distillery. Sweet floral honey notes lead into a long finish that is well appreciated alone or with your favourite desserts. A local artisan meadery, Tugwell Creek uses ingredients that are either produced on the farm or are sourced from other Southern Vancouver Island producers.

“This mead is closer in style to the traditional meads that some people have experienced in Europe. It is an exciting new alternative to dessert wines and should be something to talk about at the holiday dinner table this season.” quotes Dana LeComte. Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery was licensed as British Columbia’s first Meadery in 2003. “Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery has consistently produced meads with very strong organoleptic values that are very well received by our clientele. This is the best hand crafted, small batch beverage from our region. At Sooke Harbour House, we are proud to recommend these unique, delicious natural honey wines to our clientele.”, says Sinclair Philip of Sooke Harbour House. Served at Sooke Harbour House, The Mark at Hotel Grand Pacific, and other top island restaurants,

Tugwell’s Meads are also sold from their tasting room (Saturday -Sunday 12 – 5 pm) and through select wine stores and restaurants on Vancouver Island and in Vancouver.

A complete listing is available on their website www.tugwellcreekfarm.com. phone 250-642-1956

For more information on the Sooke Region, please visit the official Discover Sooke website.

Filed under: Latest News on November 23rd, 2009 | No Comments »

Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. We honour those who fought for Canada in the First World War (1914-1918), the Second World War (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as those who have served since then. More than 1,500,000 Canadians have served our country in this way, and more than 100,000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that we may live in peace.

On this day in Sooke, please take a moment and come down to the Sooke Legion and take a moment to reflect those who have served our country.

For more information, please visit the Sooke Legion website.

For more information on the Sooke Region, please visit the official Discover Sooke website.

Filed under: Upcoming Events on November 6th, 2009 | No Comments »

It’s November 1, 2009 and that means it’s time to announce the winners of the Discover Sooke / Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina grand prize giveaways. Drum roll please!

The winner of the random draw is Sally Titchkosky. Congratulations!

The winner with the most referrals is Caryn Drabitt. Great work!
Each of our winners receives a 2-night stay at the Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina in Sooke, BC. And, for a little adventure during their stay on Vancouver Island, they can choose between a complimentary pedal kayak rental or bike rental, courtesy of West Coast Outdoor Adventure Rentals. Be sure to check out the Recreation section of the Discover Sooke website for more great activities to do and sights to see during your visit.

Even if you didn’t win, there are tons of great vacation package options at the Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina. Check out the “invitational Specials” page on their website for details.

For more information on the Sooke Region, please visit the official Discover Sooke website.

Filed under: Latest News on November 2nd, 2009 | No Comments »

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay began yesterday in Victoria, British Columbia, and this morning the celebrations continued in the community of Sooke, BC. Hundreds of people gathered at the Sooke municipal hall, in the dark and pouring rain, to welcome the flame.

The Sooke Highlanders, with their pipes and drums, kicked off the ceremony just after 7am. Meanwhile, RBC reps handed out tambourines and the Coca-Cola party-mobile helped to pump up the crowd. Finally, the flame made its first appearance. Next came the singing of the national anthem, and with glowing hearts the crowd of hundreds joined in to sing O’ Canada. Before the official transferring of the flame from the miner’s lamp to the first torch of the day, Janet Evans, Mayor of Sooke, engaged the crowd in a heartfelt address.

The first runner, Sooke’s Tanya Logan, carried the flame, glowing brightly against the pre-dawn sky, towards Otter Point Road for the beginning of this leg of the journey. The cavalcade continued towards Sooke Rd., en route the T’Sou-ke First Nations Reserve where it was involved in a short ceremony before being recaptured in the miner’s lamp for transfer to Metchosin.

Taking part in the flame’s journey across Canada is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Sooke, BC was one of more than 1000 communities chosen to host the Olympic Flame on its cross-country journey to the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Games. And, this will be the longest domestic Torch Relay in Olympic history, stretching over 45,000 kilometres throughout Canada. A truly historic event to take part in! Watch the Discover Sooke video that captures some of the excitement of this rare experience.

For more information about the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and the map of the flame’s journey, please visit the official Vancouver 2010 Olympic website.

Don’t forget to check out the official Discover Sooke Online website to learn more about Sooke businesses and our community.

Filed under: Latest News on October 31st, 2009 | No Comments »

I’ve had the pleasure of going to this new business for a fabulous lunch twice now over the past week. This time I brought local Realtor and Blogger, Tim Ayres from 642blog.ca

We both ordered something different from the menu to try. Tim had the Pear and Squash soup, I do believe that was what it was, as well as the pulled pork Panini, both which were fabulous.

I tried the grilled veggie Panini with the vegetable pasta salad, which was amazing. You can taste the fresh ingredients in all of these dishes and the addition of real goat’s milk feta was a nice touch.

When we walked in the door this afternoon we were greeted by owner Kate Naugler and she has a wonderful way of making you feel like she’s known you for years. The vibe in this place is contagious.

Kate gave us both a complimentary shot of Hemp Milk, which was something I’ve never tried before. It was quite good, MUCH better than I expected. And on our way out she made sure we were handed some fresh, brownies which were stellar to say the least.

With this addition to our already great dining places in Sooke, the Farmer’s Daughter will stand amongst the best of them as they offer different fare and options. The food is great, the staff is wonderful and the local produce, smoothies, coffee and edible flowers, just to name a few of the things you can purchase here are what makes this place special.

I look forward to my next sit down at the Farmer’s Daughter Food Market in Sooke. This time I might just bring Mrs. DiscoverSooke with me.

Give them a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Filed under: Discover Sooke Raves on October 29th, 2009 | No Comments »

I hope everyone sets their alarm clocks early as the Olympic Torch will head on through Sooke at 7am, Saturday 31st, 2009.

Mayor Janet Evans will deliver a small speech at the Municipal Hall and then the Torch will head down the road, across the Sooke River Bridge and end up at Derbend Road, heading into the T’Sou-ke Nation for another celebration.

We’ll be there and we’ll be sure to shoot some video as well.

I hope to see you out there. We’re looking forward to this event.

Filed under: Upcoming Events on October 29th, 2009 | No Comments »

Fishing for Winter Chinook Salmon in Sooke waters has been GOOD. There has been some good weather with low winds and flat water, with not too much rain. The Winter Springs have been feeding off the Harbour mouth and the Bluffs, some days in close, but most days out in 200 to 400ft of water with the gear from 115 to 160ft. We have been trolling Magna Glow green/glow flashers infront of; plain glow,green glow,purple haze, and 57 chevy hootchies. Any glow hootchy with a bit of colour on it appears to be working good. Went out on Oct.25th on a friends’ boat for Halibut and landed one 50lb’er, saw a few come in on that weekend, not as good as last year at this time are the reports I’m hearing from the Halibut fishers. We were using the spreader bar system at anchor with a green and white spoon with a cut plug herring and some octipus on it, in 160ft of water.
Oct.14th Fished with John and Bill from Calgary, the water conditions looked early morning but turned out to be very fishable once we got out into the straight. Landed a small Spring early in the trip that we released and had a few more good strikes, trolling at 95 to 115ft on the downrigger. Bill got into a nice 11lb Spring at 115ft on a black and glow hootchy behind a red flasher, in about 200ft of water. The water calmed right down, so we trolled out to the middle of the straight, but didn’t find any Coho. Great day fishing, a little slow.

Oct.18th Fished with Darrilynn, Miles, and Cary from Peace River Alberta. Started around 1 pm, water was flat, no wind, cloud cover, warm. Miles landed a 9lb Chum Salmon out off Secretary Is. in about 500ft of water with the gear at 115ft. Darrilynn played at least three small Spring Salmon that we released, but Cary brought two Springs in that looked good, 5 to 7lbs. The crew were surprized at seeing a pod of Orca Whales this late in the season, out in the middle of the straight. Lots of action off Secretary Is. and off the Bluffs. Saw small feeder Springs at the cleaning station when we left and when we came back to the dock.

Oct.21st Fishing with Mike and Mike from Sooke and Victoria, we started early trolling for Winter Spring Salmon near the Harbour mouth. Had a couple of strikes off the Bluffs and the boys landed one small Spring on a red flasher with a Glow Below Hootchy. Keeping the gear between 115 and 125ft we landed three more Springs, another small one and two more 7.5 and 9lbs. We had switched up to the Coyote Special flasher, which is glow green on one side and mirror on the other. Action was better in the afternoon for us.

Oct.23rd Fished with Ross and Dorothy from California this morning for Winter Springs off the Harbour mouth aboard 2Reel2. Released two or three smaller Spring Salmon. Limited out by the time our half day of fishing was up, with Springs between 5 and 7lbs. It was raining hard at times, water conditions were flat. We were trolling Glow Below hootchies with Magna Glow dark and light green flashers at 140 and 150ft on the downrigger in 200 to 400ft of water. Ross and Dorothy chose to vacuum pack thier fish and freeze them before packing them home on the plane.

Good Fishing, Ron

Fishing report courtesy of Ron from 2 Reel Fishing Adventures
For more information on the Sooke Region, please visit the official Discover Sooke website.

Filed under: Fishing on October 28th, 2009 | No Comments »