Six fishermen nearly caught more than they bargained for Friday when heavy rain and the rising Capilano River threatened to put their island underwater.
The sextet were casting off a small haven in the river below the Trans-Canada Highway when water levels became a rising concern.
"The force of water is nothing to be toyed with. It's extremely dangerous," said West Vancouver assistant fire chief Martin Ernst.
Fire crews from West Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver each responded at midday, communicating by radio and overlooking the situation from either side of the river.
"It's a well-known island for those who either fish there, or rescue people who fish from there," Ernst said. "It's probably a pretty primo spot to fish."
There was no immediate danger but the fishermen would have been in jeopardy if the river kept swelling, according to Ernst.
The fishermen were sporting hip waders, which can become a hazard if the waterline notches above the waders and a torrent pours into the gear. "Then your weight can double and down you go," Ernst said.
Swift water technicians prepared inflatable rafts and safety harnesses, as well as a containment unit farther downriver in case one of the fishermen got swept away by the tide.
While the crews readied for a rescue, the West Vancouver fire department called the dam authority to see if they could do anything to drop the river level.
The fishermen didn't seem particularly fearful, according to Ernst.
"They just went back to fishing," he said. "A good salmon run. .. is a limitedtime event."
The water level eventually fell enough for the fishermen to walk off the island to shore, taking their catch with them.
The incident is a reminder to keep your cellphone handy, according to Ernst.
"We might've had victims instead of people walking out on their own," he said.
As the weather gets wetter this fall, Ernst reminds weekend adventurers to stay safe. "Don't take risks that put others at risk," he advised.
