Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
July 18, 2015 and August 23, 2009

Prince George is the largest city in northern British Columbia, Canada, and is the "Northern Capital" of BC despite being located in the geographical southern half of the province at only 54 degrees latitude.

Situated at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers, and the crossroads of Highway 16 and Highway 97, the city is the service and supply hub for one of the fastest-growing regions in Canada and plays an important role in the province's economy and culture. The origins of Prince George can be traced to the North West Company fur trading post of Fort George, which was established in 1807 by Simon Fraser and named in honor of King George III. The post was centered in the centuries-old homeland of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, whose very name means "people of the confluence of the two rivers."

Welcome sign in 2015	Welcome sign in 2009

The Prince George Visitor Center lets visitors borrow rod and tackle for free.

The two RV Gypsies went to Fort George Park which had a big celebration going on. There was free hot dogs, chips and a soda for everyone (of course the line was very long). Lots of stuff for kids and adults alike.


Below: Mr. PG was first constructed in 1960 as a symbol of the importance of the forest industry to Prince George. That year he took part in the Prince George May Day parade and could speak and bow. In 1961 he was entered in the Kelowna Regatta and the Vancouver PNE Parade and also traveled to Smithers. Two years later, he entered the 1963 Grey Cup parade. Today Mr. PG stands happily at the junction of Highway 97 and Highway 16, but still welcomes all visitors to a Prince George that owes much to the forest industry. Mr. PG is 8.138 meters high, his head is 1.5 metres in diameter.

Below: Mr. PG in 2009

Below: Mr. PG in 2015

The next day when the two RV Gypsies drove by Mr. PG, they saw that he no longer had a flag in his hand, but instead he had some kind of a whiffle-ball racquet.

Leaving Prince George, the two RV Gypsies drove their RV through several towns, but were unable to stop, so Karen Duquette took a few photos through the window of the moving RV, as they made their way to Smithers.



Houston is a forestry, mining and tourism town in the Bulkley Valley of the Northern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. It is known as the "steelhead capital" and it has the world's largest fly fishing rod. (Although several other places claim the same fame). Houston's tourism industry is largely based on eco-tourism and Steelhead Park, situated along Highway 16.

The largest fly rod in the world is situated in Houston's Steelhead Park. It was the brainchild of fisherman Warner Jarvis and was installed May 5, 1990. The rod is constructed entirely of aluminum and anodized bronze to simulate graphite. It is 60 feet long and weighs about 800 pounds. The reel has a diameter of 36 inches. The fly is a fluorescent orange "Skykomish Sunrise" and is 21 inches long, tied on a bright 5/8" floating line of hollow plastic with a tapered leader (weed-eater cord and 300 test tip). A nail knot and a blood knot are used on the rod. The rod can be seen in a natural setting in the park. It is illuminated at night. Dedicated to the people of Houston, the Largest Fly Rod in the World has, over the years, been photographed by countless tourists, and continues to draw attention to one of the best fishing spots in B.C.