Haig-Brown House

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Haig-Brown House Haig-Brown Heritage House is the former home of Canadian author, conservationist and fly fisher, Roderick Haig-Brown.

Today marks 50 years since Roderick Haig-Brown’s death on October 9, 1976. We remember him with gratitude for his writin...
10/09/2026

Today marks 50 years since Roderick Haig-Brown’s death on October 9, 1976. We remember him with gratitude for his writing, his care for rivers and the natural world, and the lasting contribution he makes to this community.

In the September–October issue of Island Fisherman, Neil Cameron’s “Haig-Brown’s Living Trifecta” explores his continuing influence through the house, the Campbell River, and the Carihi Fly Fishing Program.

The article includes the story of honeymooners Jeff and Caleigh, who travelled from Michigan to stay here—a lovely example of the connection readers feel to Haig-Brown and his home.

The issue also features Bill McMillan’s “Remembering Roderick Haig-Brown,” with personal reflections and wonderful archival photographs.

Thank you to both writers and Island Fisherman for these thoughtful tributes. Here at the house, his words continue to bring people together, and his care for the river continues to inspire.

Also pictured: Neil Cameron on the river.

Glenda barely had her bags unloaded and a quick look at her room before she was down at the river, making the most of th...
10/08/2026

Glenda barely had her bags unloaded and a quick look at her room before she was down at the river, making the most of the remaining daylight to try her hand at fishing.

There she met another family staying at Haig-Brown House. With a hand from 13-year-old Jack, she landed her first salmon—a pink. Safe to say, she’s hooked.

A solo traveller and enthusiastic beginner, Glenda is keen to learn all aspects of fishing, with plenty of questions about the flies.

She has Roderick Haig-Brown’s Measure of the Year on order and, meanwhile, is enjoying Taking Measure, our companion podcast. Its 12 episodes follow the book’s 12 chapters, available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Campbell River is now one of Glenda’s happy places.

📷 mg

10/07/2026

The autumn colours seem especially beautiful this year. And you can’t beat a few quiet minutes by the river before breakfast. 🍂

10/06/2026

If you have an idea to create community and cultural connections in Campbell River, Neighbourhood Small Grants can help bring your project to life with grants from $50–$500.

10/06/2026

Love this! Come down and have a look. In the winter months, the Haig-Brown house is home to a Writer-in-Residence author.

HERITAGE MONDAY | THE BATTLE FOR BUTTLE LAKEThe latest edition of the Campbell River Mirror revisits one of the defining...
10/05/2026

HERITAGE MONDAY | THE BATTLE FOR BUTTLE LAKE

The latest edition of the Campbell River Mirror revisits one of the defining conservation battles in Roderick Haig-Brown’s life: the fight over Buttle Lake.

In 1952, a proposed dam would have raised the lake by 40 to 50 feet, threatening trout spawning areas and old-growth forest along its shores. Haig-Brown became a determined public voice in opposition.

The battle was not entirely won, but the dam was moved to Upper Campbell Lake, limiting the rise of Buttle Lake to 19 feet. Haig-Brown recognized what had been achieved:

“We have shown that the public can influence the developers.”

Here at Haig-Brown House, reminders of that history are still tucked away in the study. Books hold handwritten notes; cupboards contain photographs, slides, newspaper clippings and magazines. Among them is a small envelope marked simply “Buttle Lake,” filled with photographs of the lake and surrounding area from the 1950s.

Haig-Brown’s study of the river continued throughout his life — sometimes quite literally from inside it. A 1969 photograph shows him in snorkeling gear in the Campbell River.

Buttle Lake remains part of the landscape Haig-Brown worked so fiercely to protect.

Read “Looking Back: Battle for Buttle Lake” in the latest Campbell River Mirror.

📷 Campbell River Mirror & study photographs: mg
📷 Buttle Lake: Richard Powell / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
📷 Roderick Haig-Brown in his study, mid-1950s: Godfrey Baldwin Collection, Museum at Campbell River
📷 Roderick Haig-Brown scuba diving in the Campbell River, 1969: Courier Upper Islander Collection, Museum at Campbell River

Three peas in a pod, back for their third season at Haig-Brown House. 💛When Sabrina, Kyle and Jack first visited, Jack w...
10/04/2026

Three peas in a pod, back for their third season at Haig-Brown House. 💛

When Sabrina, Kyle and Jack first visited, Jack was just ten. Even then, he couldn’t wait to get out on the river each morning to fish with his dad. They would fish until dark, then get up the next morning eager to do it all again.

Since then, they’ve returned at different times of the fishing season, getting to know the river and its rhythms. This visit brought them here for the fall chinook, coho and pink salmon fishery, with four nights to settle in and make the most of their time together.

Just last night, two groups of guests met at the river as the day was drawing to a close and discovered they were all staying at Haig-Brown House. Thirteen-year-old Jack helped solo traveller Glenda land her first salmon—a pink—on her own rod. A thrilling moment for everyone, and a lovely connection made on the river.

Such a delightful family to have in the house. Sabrina, Kyle and Jack, we hope to see you back on the river next year!

📷 mg

Megan & Brighton 🍂Our last wedding of the season brings a childhood dream to life. Ever since she was a little girl, Meg...
10/03/2026

Megan & Brighton 🍂

Our last wedding of the season brings a childhood dream to life. Ever since she was a little girl, Megan has imagined getting married at Haig-Brown House in the fall, surrounded by autumn colours with the river in the background. Today is that day.

After around six years together, Megan and Brighton are celebrating with a ceremony that includes blending different colours of sand into one—a keepsake of the life they are building together.

Wishing you both all the very best as you begin married life, and many happy years ahead. What a lovely way to close our wedding season.

📷 mg

“A treasured find for conservationists, fisher folk and anyone interested in Canadian culture and history.”Susan returne...
10/02/2026

“A treasured find for conservationists, fisher folk and anyone interested in Canadian culture and history.”

Susan returned to Haig-Brown House for a second stay, enjoying the family’s history, conversations over breakfast, and a visit to the study. She ended her review with:

“We feel part of the family now!”

Thank you, Susan, for these kind words and for taking the time to share your experience.

Excerpts from Susan Lilholt’s TripAdvisor review.

📷 Wayne Emde Photography

Monica and Jordan came from Cumberland for a night in the master bedroom—and a chance to spend time where one of their f...
10/01/2026

Monica and Jordan came from Cumberland for a night in the master bedroom—and a chance to spend time where one of their favourite books, Roderick Haig-Brown’s Measure of the Year, was written.

Jordan is a keen reader of Haig-Brown’s work and is always on the lookout for copies of his books. He and Monica share a love of Measure of the Year and have even given it as a wedding present, with a particular fondness for October’s essay, “On Making a Library.” They were delighted to discover the accompanying podcast, Taking Measure.

During a tour of the study, we talked about how Ann transcribed Roderick’s handwritten work without editing it. Monica called it “a true act of love.” It reminded her of her father typing out her mother’s English literature thesis—a similar act of care and support.

Monica and Jordan met through a friend of a friend as undergraduates at the University of Victoria. Their life together has been a series of adventures, including two months aboard a 27-foot sailboat exploring places such as Desolation Sound. Selling the boat financed their next adventure: New Zealand.

Over breakfast, I passed along a tip from another guest: Russell’s Bookstore on Fort Street in Victoria has a dedicated shelf for Haig-Brown’s works.

Then they ambled down to Ann’s bench for a little reading by the river before heading off on a fishing trip in Browns Bay. A lovely couple, sharing a love of books, nature and adventure.

📷 mg

Address

2250 Campbell River Road
Campbell River, BC
V9W4N7

Telephone

250-286-6646

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