GONE FISHING
Warren Peterson will likely be remembered best as an ardent angler and a generous host. As co-owner of April Point Lodge, the longest operating, family-owned fishing lodge on the BC coast, Warren was instrumental in its success. He guided guests from all over the world for 43 summers, starting in 1964 when he joined his parents at April Point, until the winter of 2007 when his boat was lost to a snow-loaded boathouse.
Warren served in the US Navy for 20 years, from the end of World War II through the Korean war, as a medical corpsman. Every summer, his 30 day leave was spent fishing and working at April Point. He retired from the Navy as a decorated Chief Petty Officer at the age of 35, and moved his family home to April Point in 1964.
As well as guiding every day, Warren managed the fishing end of the business. At its peak, April Point had a fleet of 55 Boston Whalers and employed as many fishing guides. It was a time to remember. Guests came from all over the world to fish, dine, relax and enjoy the hospitality offered by the Peterson family, the great guides and wonderful staff, many of whom returned as faithfully as the guests and the salmon, year after year.
Until recent years, Warren’s winter holidays always involved fishing. An avid photographer and a great sport, his wife Sherry accompanied him to Chile and Argentina, camping, fishing and adventuring their way from one river to the next. Fishing trips to New Zealand, Christmas Island and Belize in search of trout, permit and bonefish followed.
Warren was honoured to serve for many years on the Minister of Fisheries Advisory Council, the Pacific Salmon Commission and was a life member of the Campbell River Guides Association. He was also instrumental in the start-up of the Quadra Island Salmon Enhancement Society and the twinning of Campbell River with her Japanese sister city, Ishikari.
Warren passed away peacefully at 2am on Friday, July 8th in the Campbell River Hospital as the result of complications from a blood cancer that he had lived with for 9 years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sherry, daughter Karen, (Angela), daughter Heidi, (Evan, Alaina), son Carl (Tannis, Amber), and son Mark (Karly, Katelyn.)
A Celebration of Life will be held at April Point Lodge on Sunday, July 31st at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Quadra Island Salmon Enhancement Society, Vancouver General Hospital Foundation (www.worldclasshealthcare.ca) or the ALS Society. (www.als.ca)