TROLLING FOR BONES. helping to rebuild Telegraph Cove

My name is Cam Reid, the owner of Coastal Springs Float Lodge and I am running the BMO Vancouver Marathon to raise funds for the rebuilding of Telegraph Cove and the unparalleled Whale Interpretive Centre , destroyed by a devastating fire on December 31st, 2024.

By donating, you can be entered in a draw to win a Gibbs Fishing Cooler Tackle Pack, and Islander MR3 Reel, YETI Tundra 65 Cooler, and a fly-in fishing trip for 2 to Coastal Springs Float Lodge!

Despite never formally working out of the cove, it has always been the centre of our very remote community, and during my time as both a fishing and ecotourism guide since I was 16 years old, I have likely stepped on their dock several hundred times.

The damage included much of what draws people to the cove including the Whale Interpretive Centre which was a heritage building that housed a priceless collection of marine mammal skeletons and was crucial for research and education. It was quite incredible.

This loss, plus the loss of their restaurant, pub, and all ecotourism/kayaking business’ buildings is devastating, but both Telegraph Cove’s owner, Gordy Graham (a full time fishing guide himself) and the board of the The Whale Interpretive Centre have decided to rebuild. Both were insured, but massive community support will be required to supplement the coverage enough to actually rebuild anew.

Telegraph Cove, in its life as a tourist destination, began as sport fishing community. An industry luckily spared in the disaster with a number of full time charter guides operating through the cove with their own boats, put away for the offseason at the time of the fire. These are old school guides who have seen everything and are priceless resources, but they are deeply shaken by what has happened and have concerns about what their livelihood could look like for themselves and their community.

These are members of my disparate, remote community who are aching along with the Grahams and the Borrowmans, and I have an obligation to do all I can to assist.

I will be raising funds by running the BMO Vancouver Marathon in May, collecting donations on behalf of the angling community and my guest base, as well as only others learning of the importance of this community and the disaster through us, who have not already directly donated to the official fundraisers.

I am sure you would love to see me put myself through the hell of marathon training to raise funds for Telegraph Cove so please give all you can. You will be able to follow the journey on the Coastal Springs Float Lodge Instagram and Facebook.

There are also some INCREDIBLE prizes available to those who donate $150 or more!

All donors over $150 can be entered into a draw to win one of our many prizes donated by BC companies, including a cooler tackle pack from Gibbs Fishing, an MR3 Mooching Reel from Islander Reels, a YETI Cooler from Waypoint Insurance, and a fly-in, all-inclusive fishing trip for two from Coastal Springs Float Lodge.

Combined, our prizes are worth over $15,000

TO ENTER - Make a donation of $150 or more! We will contact you via the "Thank" feature on GoFundMe which will email you directly after we draw the winners on May 4.

All proceeds will be divided 50/50 between Telegraph Cove’s and the Whale Interpretive Centre’s respective official fundraising efforts.