Holy Haliburton - it is nearly upon us all, once again...BACKPACKING SEASON! We, at the illustrious Fattest of Fat Salmons, have just ramped it up and are preparing for the onslaught of visitors, backpackers, friends, dogs, fish and fisherpeople that will start rocking through the shiny new blue gates in less than a month's time. How exciting! After a whole winter of hibernating, slogging it through the rain puddles and dreaming of the bright yellow daffodils, it is nearly upon us. Woo hoo times two! Lily is beside herself with anticipation and glee, Angus has already started practicing his fifth-gear-booting freestyle and El Gordo has been scrubbing the floors with his sanitized salmony scales. May 12 the front doors open again for the season, so come on over, call to book - 250.723.6924 - or drop us an email at: info@fatsalmonbackpackers.com to reserve your big bunk in the hippest hostel this side of the Equator. Looking so forward to seeing all the fun folks again; always a treat! - Just Keep Swimming.

Well, imagine that a whole Fat Salmon hostelling season has come and is flying out the back door now...we look back on the summer of 2007 with awe and respect at how quickly something can disappear. It was a brilliant year and we gratefully acknowledge everyone who graced our front steps with their presences and senses of humour this year. We look forward to re-opening after our hibernation period, in the spring of 2008. See you in May. For more information, please contact us at: info@fatsalmonbackpackers.com or call to chat us up: 250-723-6924.
Happy winter and see you next year!

So, let me count the ways...the Great Salmon Fest, the Alberni Valley Fall Fair and, upcoming - the Alberni Valley News is about to officially celebrate one whole year in this magnificent piece of paradise. Do you really need more reasons to get your butt into the Valley before the season is up? We have been delighted beyond reason with repeat visits from Germany, Switzerland and Australia and from as close-by as Vancouver, Fernie and Nelson this year - lucky-ducky us. The Slamon Fest ripped through the Inlet last weekend, with the BIG ONE being caught by a bloke from over the Hump. Nice one. Much salmon was caught and reeled in by all, despite the wet weather (perhaps, even, because of it, we surmise). The Fall Fair is on and in full swing, but only until Sunday, so hurry. With carnie rides aplenty, deliciously fried food and logger sports running over, it promises to hold something for every taste. Even Lily gets geared up about the Fall Fair when it comes to town. Angus told me this morning, in light of his brand-new tooth, that maybe he would like to try a candied apple. We'll see. Tuesday is promising to be a scorcher - 29 or so degrees - so book your trip down the Stamp River with the Stamp River Tubing Company for what may well be the last good tube of the year. According to Innes of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, "Tubing the Stamp is the best $20 I have yet spent in Canada." Of course, we couldn't agree more...What more can we say? Come on down - 250.723.6924. Happy Weekend.

Well, we have just been beat over the heads with the most delightful weather over the past few days and are just reeling from the sunshine. Super-real vitamin D!! Angus is in tears of joy over it. Come and get it while it's smokin' hot. We're loving it. The Stamp River Tubing Company is rocking us all out - if you haven't tubed down the Stamp River yet, then you obviously cannot die happy people. Whether it's on an air mattress, a funky floatie, a river raft or a proper teletubie, get yourself down to the river for a float. Eagles, bears and salmon (oh my) are high on the agenda once on the waves...want some of that? Then get into the Valley and dial up Denis.
Thunder in the Valley roared through Port Alberni over the weekend and was eaten up by heaps of guests, wondering why their communities don't host such crazy revelry. Join us next summer for the same.
The sunsets are coming earlier and earlier these days, so don't forget to book into the Fatty S before we all turn into fall pumpkins. 250.723.6924.

It has been an absolutely blurry past two weeks and El Gordo is left wondering what in the Holy Haliburton happened. Auntie Rochelle and Uncle Gazza stopped in last week for a few fun-filled mad days before trekking onwards, ever onwards, to other points of interest on the island we call Vancouver. It was brilliant to connect with the fandamily once again after such a prolonged hiatus away - and, OF COURSE, to introduce wee Angus. Add to that, El Gordo and La Gorda officially moving into the Valley and, well, you have a screaming good time on your fins. Stella is quite beside herself to be back in her old stomping grounds and Lily is promising to teach her all that a good black dog should know (which is proving to be labouriously extensive, Poor Stella). Capitol Theatre's rendition of "Puss N Boots" winds up tonight, so if you haven't already, get thineself down to Argyle for a boo. Rumour also has it that ocean fishing is heating happily up and much salmon and bass is being caught for fine eatin'. El Gordo would argue that this is not so much fun as it is yummy, but whatever your fancy, there it is. This weekend also sees Ukie Days returning to the West Coast of the Island, and although Ucluelet and Tofino are booked out solid for this annual weekend event, your ever-faithful and reliable friends at the Fat Salmon still have some availability. Book yourself into Port Alberni and daytrip it to the far west coast - it's that simple. If the 130 kms to Tofino is too much for the vacationning wayward traveller, then stay close by for a tube or a hike in one of our own breathtakingly beautiful sites. You won't be sorry and neither will we. If all of that isn't enough to entice you over, let it be known that Tanner has just finished renovating his boat (aptly named The Pink Taco, oh my) and will christen the beast sometime next week - TBA. Wouldn't you hate to miss out on that? Book into the Fatty now. Happy weekend to one and all.

The weather has slowed down a wee bit to settle comfortably in the high mid-twenties. Not to despair - the Stamp River ever floweth and the Stamp River Tubing man is ever busing people to and from their tubing fantasies. Why, just a few minutes ago, Mike Mike Motorbike came by the borrow one of El Gordo's own rafts for a day of leisure on the water with his pals. It is THAT time of year, you see, and if you come out to the West Coast for no other reason, you should DEFINITELY spend a day on the river, in the hole of a tube, beer in hand, oggling at the unbelievable scenery. On our last time out (two days ago), we saw two different families of wood ducks, three herons, two bald eagles, lots of jumping fish and the occasional wet dog paddling about in the current. Tubing often beats the heck out of spending nearly a hundred bucks to watch for whales who are too shy to surface when spied.
El Gordo also wishes to extend happiest of happy birthday wishes to Chad in Ottawa, as today he celebrates his mother's efforts to bring him into the world ALL those years ago. Happy birthday, Buffy - wish that we were just a bit closer so that we could give you a squeeze in person.
The second annual metal fest music concert is banging on all weekend long, out at Farmer Bill's farm. There are heaps of bands, both local and imported, to choose to listen to - all from the comfort of the beer tent, or right at I-think-I've-lost-my-hearing-again ringside. You choose, but tickets are still available at the gates and are a steal for only $20 per day or $30 for the whole kit and kaboodle. Edmonton's own "The Butcher's Hand" headlines tonight around 9 pm. Perfect time to rock out to the sight of the sinking sun over the Beauforts. The Fat Salmon readies itself for the Peterborough invasion next wekk, when Auntie Rochelle and Uncle Garry scream into town. El Gordo has already put in an order for a new, shiny red carpet for them. Hope that it gets here in time (hope hope). Have a super weekend and stay as cool as possible.

Oh my Holy Haliburton on a stick! It is SMOKIN' hot in the Valley these days - I mean, SMOKIN' FIRE hot. Today it was a blurry 37 degrees celcius and the meteorologists are calling for yet more insanity tomorrow. Imagine that - we are melting away to mere puddles - little Fat Salmony puddles (yum!). In light of that, the Edinburgh visitors and I spent the afternoon in Cathedral Grove today, taking advantage of the civilized tree canopy which made the temperature easily 7 or so degrees cooler in the forest than out. Nice one, Trees. We hugged many a tree today and, I have to say, they felt to be quite hugging us back. Bless the trees of the world and, today, super-bless the ones of MacMillian Park because they rock. It is also that time of year when the turbulent and COOL waters of the Stamp River flow high and happy, inviting all to dip their bottoms and tubes into its waters for a good float. You know, a bad float is even considered a good float on the right day. We, at the Fat Salmon, have been on the river four times this season already - already planning and scheming when No.5 might just fit in well with all agendas. Why, just yesterday, Chris, Ken, Chris 2 and I plonked out rafts into the river and tubed on down to the Paper Mill Dam. It was glorious on all counts. If you are in Port and realize that hanging out by the water is the most civilized way to sit out the heat, then call Stamp River Tubing for all of your tubing needs (250-730-0982, or email: dturgeon@shaw.ca). Stamp River Tubing provides bus transportation, tube rentals and safety instructions on making your tube the best tube possible. We sadly bid our Edinburgh kids adieu as they push off tomorrow for the interior, but now have a few free beds, so where are you?

What a chaotic last couple of weeks we have spent here, at the Fat Salmon Backpacker's Hostel in Port - if you haven't been here, just where exactly have you been, Silly Billy? Happy belated anniversary to Buffy and CC - congrats on making yet another year together. Kippie's here!!! We have been regaled with the loveliest of visits by Angus' Kiwi Nana. She has been here, at the Fattest Salmon around, since last Tuesday. We will be losing her again next week, but, until then, the gin runneth over the cuddles keep acomin'. Mike Mike Motorbike and Pete celebrated their birthdays together yesterday, at the craziest pig roast/croquet tournament so far this season. The pork, corn bread, and potato salad filled us all to the brim, while the croquet matches (two official courses were laid) kept us hopping. The rain couldn't keep these tigers down, and certainly didn't - we just strapped on the Wellies and kept the whiskey flowing. The kegs were all drunk and the gin bottles clanked noisily empty to the ground at around 1 am, near the spent bonfire pit. What a great night. Cheers, Mike, Mary, Nattie and Pete for the hospitality - we had a booming good time. For those who have not yet seen it, Port Alberni has just rebranded itself and, man, is it a beaut! "Bear Tracks and Lumberjacks" welcomes people into the area, as does the perfectly crafted First Nations' bear claw logo. You'll just have to come to the Valley to see it for yourself...book your bed at the Fat Salmon now. We are nearly full for Canada Day, already, so don't be left out in the non-fatty cold - call us to reserve your own spot now (250.723.6924). Rock.

Wheeeeeeeeee! What a brilliant weekend in Port! You kind of have to ask yourself if there is any other sort of weekend to be had in this fine town, don't you? The Fat Salmon (as seen in the Lonely Planet British Columbia, 2007 edition) regaled all with its first official BBQ of the hostel season, this past Saturday evening. What a rocking time! Amidst all of the chaos and haste of the soiree, much food was consumed, along with the ceremonial and appropriate amount of ale, vino, gin and even champagne (cheers, Laird and Brenda). Angus was delighted to experience his first party weekend here, and was joined by his compact friends, Ella and Max. A tidy time was had by all. Two journalists joined us from Holland for the evening and El Gordo impressed all with his socializing prowess. Saturday set the bar conveniently high for the rest of the season but we, at the Fat Salmon, are not anxious about this standard - rather, we embrace it and invite you to share in our revellry.
According to the Ottawa Senators official website, they are currently tied with the Ducks right this very moment, in the fourth game of the Stanley Cup finals (*biting nails down to a grusome quick*). GO SENS, GO!!! (what a time to be living in Canada - or visiting it, for that matter, really).

Book now for a visit to Vancouver Island's premier destination - Port Alberni and the Fattest Salmon around.