Left to right: Neil Cameron (editor of Campbell River's Courier Islander Newspaper), house-guest Martin, Joyce (Martin's wife) , Cinda, Delbert (her husband), Van EganIt was a thrill for me to have a Globe and Mail Newspaper food and travel writer come to stay!
Cinda Chavich - newspaper columnist, food and travel writer, photographer, author of five books - and her husband Delbert - photographer and videographer - had a 1 night stay on their way to Port Hardy, where they would board a small plane for a coastal camp to watch grizzly bears.
Those two kept very busy, as they interviewed Van Egan over breakfast (and afterward for several hours) about Van's life, his books, and his longtime friendship with the Haig-Brown's. The interview was recorded by pen and paper, digital-video recorder, and photos.
I was thrilled to hear Van recall stories as he sat in Roddy's chair in the study. Even as an 80-something year old and recovered from a stroke, Van's memory is vivid and his stories clear and concise.
With grace, charm, and a modicum of impish wit, he imparted his wisdom on fishing, aquaculture, conservation, government and public stewardship, and of course, his old fishing friend, Rod Haig-Brown.
Van's eyes are bright with the enlightenment of an educated and knowledgeable man. He taught sciences in Campbell River's high school for many years, therefore working alongside Ann Haig-Brown (she was the long-time high school librarian).
If you ever have the occasion to pay Van a visit, he would probably welcome you in and, maybe over a cup of tea or a whiskey, tell you a story or three.
And he lives next door! Actually, two doors over.
Anyway, this accomplished man has penned a half dozen or so books and below are some links to his editions - and more...
Sandra
http://www.haigbrowninstitute.org/centenary/2008-articles/35-hbc100/131-van-egan-news-article-globe-and-mail-2008.html
http://www.ariverneversleeps.com/backissues/spring05/reviews.shtml
http://www.abcbookworld.com/view_author.php?id=7122
http://www.bartlebysbooks.com/shop/bartleby/33408
Egan, Van Gorman.
TYEE: THE STORY OF THE TYEE CLUB OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Ptarmigan Press, Campbell River, BC: 1988. First edition, 1/180 signed by the author. 4to. 208pp. Illustrated, plates, some in color. Imitation burgundy leather, publisher's slipcase. Fine.
- USD 400.00 > other currencies
- ordernr.: 33408
- bookseller: Bartleby's Books (USA)
Shadows of the Western Angler
by Van Gorman Egan
Memoirs on Roderick Haig-Brown commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth.
 | Hard cover, dust jacket printed and deckled on acid and chlorine Cougar Natural Opaque paper. Only 1,000 copies printed. Comes with special pull out in envelope in the inside back cover featuring the color photo of the flies mentioned in the book, two hand drawn maps by Haig-Brown of the lower Nimpkish River and a copy of the 1956 Sports Illustrated cover with Van Egan on the front catching a five pound brown trout. Comments about the book: "Shadows of the Western Angler was there when we picked up the mail. What a wonderful book. I am proud to be part of it and very pleased to have a copy." -- Valerie Haig-Brown. "Van Egan's warm, lovingly burnished memoir of a lost friend in a vanishing Eden is an important contribution to British Columbia's rich legacy of conservation literature by one of its most respected voices." -- Stephen Hume, The Vancouver Sun |
No comments:
Post a Comment