Osprey anchored in Horsefly Cove.

We first tried to anchor in Horsefly Cove on our way north in 2007. Despite its name, it appealed to us because of its location in beautiful Green Inlet, its status as a Provincial Park and its potential as a protected anchorage. But when we rounded the small island at its entrance we discovered it was chock full of logs. We went on to Swanson Bay.

An RCMP officer we met two days later assured us the logs were just temporary: a result of a breakdown of equipment. So when we were heading south this year and Horsefly Cove would be a convenient stop, we decided to try it. We weren't put off by the possibility of flies. They could be everywhere on this coast in the summer.

The tide was high so we motored in through a very narrow passage between a small island and a rock, then anchored in the center of the cove. I pumped up the kayak and set out to explore. A long low roundish rock at the entrance intrigued me. As I paddled towards it I was surprised to see another similar rock submerged right next to it. Paddling around the island, I found other long rocks along the shore. I paddled closer and could see the rocks were made up of sedimentary layers. The rocks were like jellyrolls on a baking sheet: round rolls of layered rocks.