I got my start at Sonora Resort in 2005, working as a seasonal dock hand between my studies at the University of British Columbia. My dad had started working there the year prior and encouraged me to apply. Originally the thought of being “stuck on a remote island” for the summer, cleaning toilets and making beds, didn’t appeal, but after a couple of visits to Sonora, I was hooked. I wanted to work outdoors, learn to drive boats, and become a fishing guide.
My dad pointed out that I didn’t grow up learning to fish like many of the salty local guides, and there were no other female fishing guides in the area at that time. Regardless, I was hired as one of the first two female dock hands at the resort and I quickly fell in love with the Sonora way of life.
Sonora Resort
Sonora Resort is located on Sonora Island, in the Discovery Islands, about a 75-minute boat ride away from the nearest town of Campbell River. With stunning scenery, an abundance of wildlife, and some of the most unique tidal rapids in the world, this area attracts guests from all over the world who come to fish, explore, and relax.
During my first season, Sonora Resort was a fishing lodge with about 34 guest rooms and a predominantly male clientele who loved to spend all day on the water fishing for salmon. For the staff, mornings on the dock started at 6:00 a.m., getting ice and bait ready, organizing boxed lunches, and tying up 20-plus boats as the guides rolled in to meet their guests. Our little dock crew hustled to get the guests out on the water for that morning bite, and then got to work keeping the resort grounds clean—pressure washing, mowing lawns, window cleaning, maintaining hot tubs—and keeping the resort operations running smoothly.
Our days were full and our shifts “in camp” were lengthy, but that didn’t stop our team of young staff from socializing and adventuring when we weren’t working. Many evenings were spent hiking to Florence Lake, learning to fly-fish at the trout ponds, and forging friendships that will last a lifetime. Several of my closest friendships today started over those first few seasons at Sonora.
Becoming a fishing guide
Still keen on becoming a fishing guide, I became friends with many of the veteran guides and spent as much time on the water as possible. I pestered my manager relentlessly to train me how to run the boats and was soon able to operate the staff work boat and get out on the water on my own.
Some of my fondest memories of my time at Sonora are of those warm summer afternoons in Denham Bay, a fishing hole just north of the resort, trolling for salmon. Our head fishing guide, Henry, took me under his wing and shared his endless knowledge about the ocean, fishing, and how to be a great host and guide for our guests.
After a couple of seasons on the dock, many hours fishing after work, and earning Henry’s stamp of approval, I became a fishing guide at Sonora and started taking guests out for salmon fishing trips, boat cruises, grizzly bear tours, and more. As the only female fishing guide in the area at that time, I was constantly striving to hone my fishing and guiding skills to counteract the unsure looks I would occasionally get from guests. I held my own as a guide and caught plenty of fish over the years.
Once I felt like I had mastered saltwater salmon fishing, I learned to fly-fish and eventually guided guests on the remote Phillips River, fishing for trout, and salmon on the fly. There’s nothing better than spending summer days in a beautiful river valley, helping guests land their first salmon on a fly rod or watching a grizzly bear cross the river downstream.
Today I think of my years at Sonora as a seasonal staff member as glory days—working in nature with some of my best friends, exploring the Discovery Islands, camping on Vancouver Island on days off, and learning from colleagues and interesting guests from all over the world. Being “stuck” on an island for those six-month seasons allows staff to save most of their earnings; I’ve been able to take off travelling for four to six months every winter. Working at Sonora has enabled me to travel extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central America, and Europe—sometimes even travelling with my Sonora friends.
The evolution of the Resort
A few years into my time at Sonora, while still guiding as much as possible, I took on the position of Marine Operations Manager. I loved keeping the teams organized, scheduling activities and guides in an ongoing game of Tetris, and building relationships with my staff.
Over the course of my career, Sonora Resort has evolved. In 2009, we proudly joined Relais & Chateaux—an association of hotels, resorts, and restaurants around the world renowned for luxurious amenities, excellent cuisine, and commitment to hospitality. At the end of 2019, after nine years in management, I stepped into the General Manager role at the resort. This proved unexpectedly challenging, to say the least, thanks to the 2020 resort closure due to the pandemic, then a soft reopening in 2021 (while I was on maternity leave), followed by a very busy 2022 season.
As the general manager at Sonora, my goal is to create a fun, supportive, and inspiring work environment for our employees. Having worked my way up through the company, I know what it’s like for new staff to come and experience the magic of Sonora. My hope is to continue offering amazing work and life experiences for my team, like those I’ve been fortunate to have during my time here.
