If you were to travel to the most western archipelago on the Canadian coast, you would find my description of paradise; a place where enormous mountains lined with old growth forests fall deep into pristine rivers and the Pacific Ocean, teaming with life. A place with empty peaks and the most welcoming locals around. A place where boats, floatplanes, and back roads are the main avenues of transportation. A place where the wild and unthinkable happen. This place is Haida Gwaii.
Over the past ten years, I have been very fortunate to have the opportunities to document Haida Gwaii from tip to tip, spending the majority of my summer months photographing fishing, wildlife, and aerials for various clients, while spending winter months fly fishing for steelhead and surfing its vast beaches.
The images below are a collection of moments from my time spent adventuring and soaking in as much knowledge as possible from the land and the locals of Haida Gwaii.
No better way to view the coastline than sitting shotgun of a beaver during a flight on the West side of Moresby Island.
Legends describe the Haida having close similarities to Polynesia through shapes of their canoes and tools, and as you see by massive spires and mountains, many call Haida as a temperate Tahiti.
The most extensive collection of Haida totems located at SGaang Gwaii village on the most southern island tip of the Haida Gwaii archipelago.
Although only a small percentage of old growth forest remain due to logging, after a successful protest in the mid 80’s, the BC government created the 1,495 square kilometer Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.
Coastal black bear foraging its next meal.
One of the most memorable days to date; alone, ten miles offshore, surrounded by 750 plus Pacific white-sided dolphins.
Nothing gets your heart pounding more than two active humpbacks periodically erupting out of the water off your stern and bow of your boat.
The backbone of the BC Coast. Wild Chinook salmon.
My Van, my family, and a grinding left all to our selves. Paradise.