Way back in the spring of 2006 I noticed something just south of Campbell River that made me do a double take. Here on Vancouver Island, the pressure to develop real estate is pretty intense, so intense that sometimes nature gets in the way. I’m really not sure how the developer pulled this off but check out the sign and look at the state of the stream. Does Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans actually sign off on these things?

At this point, Caddisfly Creek was basically a straight ditch but I assume that fish were actually using it otherwise why would they put up a salmon habitat sign? Doesn’t look too inviting for fish but wait …. give us a couple of years and we’ll “improve it.”

And now five years later! Compare the two images below – they’re essentially taken from the same perspective. You can see the alder standing center and off center in both images. But where’s Caddisfly Creek?!?

Caddisfly Creek has been totally rerouted and now runs along between the Jubilee Parkway and a raised berm/walking trail lined with gravel (that seemed to be washing into what remains of the this “salmon stream.”) Doesn’t that look inviting?

What does look inviting are the new homes at Parkway Estates. Check out these beauties! And yes, that is Caddisfly Creek flowing peacefully in front of the berm. So close to nature!

It’s depressing how quickly things can change in your own backyard. Pity the caddisfly, pity the salmon. I wonder if there is a Caddisfly Lane somewhere in this magnificent development? Perhaps it’s time to take down the salmon habitat sign.

Progress.