CDM 983.24.1

Love was in the air in 1949 when popular recording artist Bing Crosby released his album St. Valentine’s Day. The sentimental album cover made this item from the museum’s collection a shoe-in for the February newsletter.

Mr. Crosby was also known for his fishing expeditions along the BC coast including trips to Campbell River and Comox Bay.

In fact, the October 18, 1951 edition of the Comox District Free Press featured an article entitled: “Salmon Fishing at Comox Boosted on Crosby Show.”

The paper reported that Crosby’s radio show “extolled the fishing in Comox Bay in his light-hearted, easy-going manner with guest Bob Hope. He said this district had “only about 8 people” but chamber officials think this bit of slander pales in significance before the good things he had to tell his listeners about the fishing here. (He caught a 48-pound Tyee in the bay, it will be recalled).

Bob Hope ended the discussion with a yak when he thanked Bing for sending him the Tyee nicely wrapped up in a box. “You know,” he said to Bing, “When I opened the box I thought it was you.”