In the Birthplace of Adventure, the water remembers those who move with it. Near Castlegar, one such legend is a fishing guide, Graham Cloutier, who reads rivers like old friends, offering guided adventures shaped by patience, laughter, and long days on the drift.
While up the valley, in Nakusp, another story unfolds stroke by stroke. A local kayaker, Naomi McKay, glides across the area’s lakes, tracing shorelines where mountains meet. With paddle and presence, they listen to what the water has to say – quiet coves, shifting light, and the deep calm only lakes & rivers can offer. Different crafts, and shared currents, these are the Kootenay legends – where water holds the story.
GRAHAM CLOUTIER
Graham is one of Castlegar’s most unforgettable river characters – a fishing guide and the heart behind Chillbilly Sportfishing Charters. He’s spent years reading the rhythms of the Columbia River, learning its moods, and sharing its quiet magic with those willing to slow down and listen.
And then, there’s his most unexpected partner in adventure: a Nigerian dwarf goat named Green Eggs and Ham – better known as the legendary ‘Boat Goat’. What began as a spontaneous addition to Graham’s life quickly became something much bigger. Today, Green Eggs and Ham is a Castlegar icon, charming her way into local headlines, destination stories, social feeds, and fishing media across Canada. Often dubbed the country’s only mini-goat fishing guide, her gentle presence turns every trip into a story guests carry long after they leave the river.
With Chillbilly Sportfishing Charters, fishing is about more than the catch. Specializing in relaxed, small-group fly-fishing experiences for rainbow trout, walleye, and more, these trips invite you to reconnect with the water, the landscape, and the simple joy of being fully present. It’s fishing the way it was meant to be: unhurried, immersive, and grounded in place.
“I love the Kootenays because it’s one giant playground for everyone”, shares Graham.
NAOMI MCKAY
Naomi McKay, is an accomplished kayaker from Nakusp with over 30 years of experience on the water as a kayaker and sailor. Naomi is actively involved in the paddling and outdoor community throughout the West Kootenay and West Coast regions. Known for her dedication, Naomi regularly navigates both local lakes and coastal waters. In 2022, she constructed a custom Bjorn Thomasson designed cedar-strip kayak, the ‘Nanoq’, adding to her fleet of vintage and new sea kayaks.
“I was born and raised in Nakusp such that it is in fact my hometown. I am extremely proud to be from the Kootenays. My great grandparents came to the Arrow Slocan region in 1929, and my family has been here since. My parents continue to live in Nakusp and even when I moved to the West Coast for 30+ years, I continued to come back to the Kootenays every summer to visit family and friends, and to hike and kayak and adventure in the mountains. My fondest memories are of hiking with my dad,” shares Naomi.
“Since moving back to Nakusp in 2022 I have been fortunate to paddle several times a week, in all seasons, exploring local lakes and chasing sunsets. There is seldom any wind such that I can paddle all year round, even when it is snowing and the Arrow Lakes have a bit of ice”, expresses Naomi.
Naomi actively contributes to the local paddling community through her published articles, including an opinion piece titled ‘Paddling with Naomi: Picking Where to Paddle’, which offers valuable insights on routes, timing, and tips for paddling near Nakusp. She was also featured in a 2025 interview with Modern Traveller, where she shared her extensive experience and passion for kayaking in the Arrow Slocan Valley. Naomi is also working on a book detailing paddling routes in the West Kootenays.
Through her stories, photographs, and reflections shared in regional media, Arrow Slocan Tourism and other travel blogs, Naomi inspires others to explore paddling and hiking, establishing herself as a respected advocate with her community.
Cover photo courtesy of Naomi McKay, paddling in the Slocan Valley.
