The season progresses the weather just gets more savvy, and the salmon counts grow - how super is this summer turning out to be? - Absolutely fabulous, darling. Absolutely. Thunder in the Valley fast approaches and, for those not lulled by the sights and loud sounds of the drag/stock cars, then wrap your laughing gear around this: the salmon stocks this year are thought to be over 100,000. What does that translate into for you, our lovely guest? Why, many a night of BBQed salmon done to perfection by Chris, of course. MUCHO. MANY. LOTS. HEAPS. Oh, come on, you get the gist, I imagine. OUr freezer is chock a block, the fridge is heaving with the pink flesh, and we have thrown one on the barbie every single night this week. The Fat Salmon literally has salmon coming out of the yin-yang! Come visit us soon and take some off of our hands, won't you? Tubing has reached fever pitch already, and guests are flocking in just to hop a tube on the Mighty Stamp for a spin. Got a few hours or four to tube the river? Taking in the paradise along the way: black bears fishing for salmon along the shores, eagles circling overhead, minks playing in the rocks along the river's edge, and the Pacific breeze blowing you and your tube ever downwards, toward Paper Mill Dam. A lovely way to spend a day on your vacay. It's the Vancouver Island way - if you haven't tubed, you haven't done Vancouver Island yet. Call us for a reso. We have loads of room and we are waiting to meet you. 250.723.6924.

Dudes - it has been a general speed-show for the entire month of May, so we, at The Fat, sincerely apologize for the lack of posts on our blog. We pledge to be more attentive to it for the remainder of the summer season...
So, let's see, then, what has been keeping our noses to the grindstone and our wheels in perpetual motion. Loads! The Black Powder organization of Port Alberni has been meeting with more regularity and the Fat Salmon has been peeking in on them and their curious ways. Ever wondered what those black powder groupies do for fun? Wonder no longer - we have it all wrapped up. Come on over to the hostel on a weekend when they are shootin' their guns off, and we will try our darnedest to get you to the base of Arrowsmith to witness the uniqueness of the in-period sport. Interesting, it is. Weird, too, for sure. Just ask us...we've cracked it (or ask Roo - SHE knows).
Ever been a stagecoach or a steam train when it's been robbed by a clan of desperadoes on horseback? Well, if it interests you, come on over to the Alberni Valley for June 12 weekend to take a ride back through history on the Alberni Pacific No. 7 steam engine. The Beaufort Gang promises to scare and delight, and even leave your wee ones with some chocolate toonies, if they're good. Tickets can be purchased at the old train station, just a two-minute walk from the Fat Salmon back door, or from the Alberni Heritage Network. One of the coolest things you will do all year - we promise.
If that isn't your cuppa, then plan a stay the weekend of June 19 when Relay for Life comes to town. Ever seen a town come together to combine efforts and forces as one large body - this time, in the name of fighting cancer? No? Then, you MUST not miss this weekend. Port Alberni, with a wee population of just under 24,000 peeps, raised more than any one community in BC (outside of Vancouver) last year, per capita. When it comes to being a community with heart, ours breaks records, Loves. Tell you what. Relay for Life is a 24 hour walk/jog/run/wheel-a-thon that absolutely should not be missed. Char and Angus are gearing up to rock it, hurricane-style, so why not come out and cheer them on? Donations are also being accepted through the Fat Salmon - contact us for more deats, if interested.
Apparently, too, the salmon, the hard-working spawning ones, are starting to move, so if you came to see us just for one of our brilliant Saturday night BBQs, who could blame you? Bring your own dipping sauce.
Call for your reservation today: 250-723-6924.
Just Keep Swimming.

The grey whales are still here - can you see them from the Fat Salmon back deck? You betcha. Want a better look? Then stroll five minutes to the Harbour Quay for a gander. Life in the slow lane just slowed down a bit more. Take a deep breath, let it out, try it again. Feels pretty darn good, doesn't it? The season has burst from the starting gates with guests visiting us from Switzerland, Germany, France, New Zealand, Australia, nether parts of this great land of ours...and even the States. It has been all systems GO and we are bracing for another busy year of it. The Twelfth International Congress of Ethnobiology is currently kicking off in Tofino - a stones' throw from Port Alberni. There will be 350 delegates from many countries the world over, gathering together to discuss issues and love. If that isn't enough for you to get your butt over to this part of Vancouver Island, then how's this: Jack Black and Steve Martin are in Tuff City filming their new flick together this week. Yeah, be there, or be square. See you on the beach, Peach. Call us for a reso in the grooviest and least expensive backpacker's joint on the West Coast: 250.723.6924. Rock out.

Ok - the type of things that you can expect to get for just showing up in Port Alberni: A wee pod of grey whales has been hanging out at the Harbour Quay for the past week. It is assumed that the trio are a family - a mama, a dah, and a yearling. They have been delighting locals and tourists for the past six days, and you can watch them from the Fat Salmon back deck, while sipping your pint. That's right - we have just added whale watching to activities that you can do from our back porch.
The weather has also been stellar. Gone are the gales of winter, the rain, and the fog. Here for the season is the sun, its friends Mr. & Mrs. Fluffy White Clouds, and all things green. Daffodils have given way to tulips, and people are starting to plan their vegetable gardens.
Exciting days upon us! People are vibrating with the anticipation of summer, and the promise of goodie, which we know that it will be. Hope to see you soon. Call or email us to reserve your bed for the 2010 season. 250.723.6924. Happy happy, joy joy.

Howdy-ho, the weather is getting sweet and welcoming here in the Alberni Valley. Where are you...? Easter weekend was a surprisingly busy time for us and we were delighted to host people from all over the globe as they tramped about Vancouver Island. ESL students on break, backpackers, travelers on holiday from working stays, you name it, we met them this past weekend. Rumour even has it that Jonno and Katie are en route back from Ukie and will grace El Gordo with a cuddle and a catch up later on today. We are excited. And, not to start any mad gossip sessions, buttttt, it is being whispered that Mama Gorda and Papa Lou are not only in province today, but scheduled to arrive in Port TOMORROW, the day after the big school reservation hits the front door. Angus and Beck, to say the very least, are excited. So excited, in fact, I am not entirely sure that they will be able to wait until tomorrow...how many sleeps is that? Two, counting this afternoon's nap...we'll see how the troops fare. If you are not busting from too much chocolate, and you don't yet have blisters on your heels from frantically chasing the Easter Bunny, then make your way over to the Fat Salmon in time to enjoy a pint on our ever-blossoming front deck, watching the highlights of the town float by. Looking forward to a smokin' season already - book now to avoid disappointment. 250.723.6924. Rock it, hurricane-style.

Holy Haliburton, my friends - she's a beaut, she is! Just a certifiable BEAUT! The weather might be a wee bit wet, but that just goes to show that the daffs and bluebells will be singing the song of imminent spring way over yonder in the minor key soon. We are delighted to have hosted the Osprey tree planters for the time that we did and bid them a find fare-the-well as they trek every onwards, aplanting their merry hearts out - making lovely forests for the children of Beck and Angus. Well done, you great people. Thanks. We gear up for the season, scrub-a-dub-dubbing away in the Fat Salmon - Chrissy is washing like a mad thing possessed and we thank her one hundred fold for being part of our team. Lily is over the moon to have Chrissy here full time now - readying the hostel for high season. High season of tubing, kayaking, hiking, biking, cycling, gliding, and tipping the pints of yore. See you soon - don't forget to book - believe it or not, we are filling up fast. NICE ONE! 250.723.6924. Rock it out.

Ooooooooooh, the Olympics have come and gone in a flurry of gold, silver, and bronze. Oh Canada - you rock me out for thee. Hockey? I'll leave it at that, then, eh? We are chock-a-block full at the mo', hosting a fleet of tree planters that are doing the Valley good by bringing in heaps of new trees for the futures of Beck, Angus, and even you and me. Thanks, Osprey. We appreciate the concerted efforts, and we are having a divine time hanging with the likes of you all. Looking forward to the spring and summer seasons, now that daffodils are blooming forth, bringing their love and sunshiny yellow awesomeness with them. Lily is frolicking with the shmoos in the back, to the Harbour Quay, spending more time trying to boot it into the Inlet for a wee dip. The days are getting ever-longer, the sun is spending more time out, the rain is making the grass greener. Beauty is upon us, indeed! There is a herring trip, put on by Rainbird Excursions, this Saturday morning, leaving the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce at 10 am. The expedition will take guests way over yonder in the minor key, traversing The Hump into Parksville, to adventure to herring spawning waters. For only $30, you, too can join this educational meandering. See 27,000 birds feasting on one of the largest herring spawning sites on the coast, as well as whales, otters, and sea lions. For only $10 more, you can dine on a gourmet lunch provided by Rainbird. Be there, or be square. Always something brewing in the Alberni Valley! Please call the Fat Salmon for accommodation reservations now, as we will have room available soon. Love to see your face and hear your travel yarns. Happy Wednesday to you. (250) 723.6924.

Spring has sprung early in the Valley - some and see us. Viz super-high for dry suit diving in the Pacific - come on over and hook up with Rendezvous Dive Adventures or Vancouver Island Dive School. You need it? They got it, baby. Weekends are swell in the Valley when the weather is this sunny and mild - riding a bike on the Log Train Trail, hiking the saddle of Arrowsmith, sipping a cafe au lait at the Harbour Quay, paddling out into the calm of Sproat Lake in a two-man kayak. Come on out - we've got a little bit of this and little bit of that. As if that weren't enough, Lady Rose Marine Services is also offering a two-for-one ticket special on Francis Barkley boat rides down the Inlet to the mouth of the Pacific Ocean and Bamfield. If you haven't yet seen the Marine Sciences Centre in Bamfield, then rock on over and take advantage of this special that turns into a pumpkin at the end of February. Happy Month!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Already PAST the first week of December - how did THAT happen? If you are not booked on the VSS Enterprise, and looking for something cool to do that won't cost you $200K per seat, please consider the Fat Salmon a fabulous option. Opening its doors for the very first time in five years, during these cruel winter months, we are happening, hip, and, dare we say, WARM. You read correctly, the Fat Salmon is back open for business, through the bumper seasons, hoping to help the myriad of travelers that we have turned away this off-season, thus far. The home fires are burning and the mulled wine is on - please use the doorbell on the hostel's fancy front side to get out attention if you don't see us about - we are lurking, but just maybe under the surface of El Gordo's lush facade. Our winter rates are a flat $25 per bed, per night - includes the usual - best to book, for sure, but love to see you this lovely, sunny, crispy winter period.
Looking for an excuse to come out this way...? How about storm season on the west coast of Vancouver Island quickly-approaching? Or, how about the best surf Tofino will see all year long? Better yet, winter wine season at Chase & Warren right here, in the Alberni Valley?
Sadly, you just missed the last run of the infamous Santa Train last weekend, but come on by and my eldest will tell you ALL about it - ALL night, I bet. And then some. You are just in time, though, for the brilliant Tseshaht & Friends Artists' Market that runs this whole weekend, Saturday & Sunday, out at Sproat Lake School on Tseshaht territory, boasting First Nations art like jewellery, tee shirts, hoodies, cedar bark stuff, limited edition prints, the like. It will rock. Haven't finished off your Chrissie shopping, yet (haven't started...?!) - not to dismay, see you at the Market. If that isn't enough, drop by the Farmer's Market at Harbour Quay on Saturday (every Saturday, rain or snow or shine) for your fresh veggies, ostrich eggs, and bread. Also on order will be other holiday gift ideas - sweaters, wooden boxes, stained glass, homemade soaps and massage oils, you know, the GOODS.
So, if you are in need of a wee winter sojourn away from the grind, give us a call - 250.723.6924 - and let us help you find a piece of fun, a whack of relief, and a reason to hit the road.
Happiest of hollies to one all. Just keep swimming.