The Legend of the Blind Angler

Drive four hours northeast of Vancouver, BC, and you'll find yourself smack dab in the middle of wine country. In addition to award-winning wines, the Okanagan Valley is known for its orchards, ciders, and for being one of Canada's premier summer destinations.

The Valley is built around Okanagan Lake, which offers numerous watersports and activities. The lake itself is 135km (or 84 miles) long, and only 4-5km wide depending on where you are. Nestled along its shores, directly across from Rattlesnake Island, lies the small town of Peachland, BC.

The District of Peachland was officially incorporated on January 1st, 1909 after a mineral prospector discovered just how delicious the peaches here really are, and decided to go into the orchard business instead of mining. Today, Peachland has a population of just under 6000 people, and has managed to maintain its authentic small-town vibe, while still showing signs of progression.

Beach Avenue, (also referred to as “downtown”) is where the majority of the Peachland's businesses, shops and restaurants are located. It isn’t easy to keep profitable in a town that all but shuts down over the winter, and unfortunately restaurants frequently close, reopening the following year with yet another set of new owners. One exception to the rule is the Blind Angler, which has been owned by Phil and Nancy McDonald for 19 years and counting.

To fully explain the significance behind my favorite hometown eatery, we need to take a step back in time. Prior to being a restaurant, the Blind Angler was a fruit packing house. It was during that time, that a man named Jack Wilson settled in Peachland.

Wilson was a Peachland pioneer, coming to town in 1910. Not long after, he headed overseas with 32 other local men to fight for his country in World War One, earning a military cross for his efforts. Wilson’s role was to deliver supplies to front-line soldiers, and while doing so he was mustard gassed. Jack never fully recovered, and years later the damage required him to wear dark goggles over his eyes. All in all, only 18 of the 33 men returned from WW1, making him one of the lucky ones.

Years later—in spite of the damage to his eyesight—locals would see Jack rowing along the shores of Peachland with his big, dark, goggles on, doing his favorite thing in the world—fishing. He would document every catch he made and soon became an Okanagan legend, referred to as the “Blind Angler of Peachland”.

Along with their friend Cherie Bokis, Nancy and Phil decided to name their restaurant in honor of Jack, calling it the Blind Angler. Over the years, Peachland has felt the effects of war, droughts, and raging forest fires. Throughout it all, it has remained a tight-knit community with residents who are fiercely proud of their beautiful little town. The Legend of the Blind Angler is an important part of Peachland’s history, showcasing the determination of one of our most colorful characters.

Now that you know the history, let's talk a bit more about the joint itself. The Blind Angler sits on the Southern end of Beach Avenue, overlooking a little marina where you can see ducks, muskrats, beavers, marmots, and (of course) Canadian Geese. Okanagan Lake also has its own version of the Loch Ness monster, known fondly as the Ogopogo—Ogi for short. The Angler’s patio is the perfect place to kick back with a cold beverage and keep your eyes peeled for giant lake creatures.

When you step inside the Blind Angler, you are immediately greeted with an unparalleled view of the lake. The original patio is built off the back, overlooking the water, and recently a second patio has been created streetside to help support COVID restrictions.

The menu features a number of delicious options, illustrating that though Peachland might be small-town its dining doesn’t have to be. You can find Mussels in a Pernod Cream, a Drunken Prawn salad, and even a brie and pear chicken wrap. If you prefer a more traditional choice, the Blind Angler is famous for its Fish N’ Chips, and there is a plentiful list of burgers to choose from. This includes the Cougar burger, which I’m sure has a story behind it even if I don’t know it. Yet.

Drinks-wise, the restaurant offers up a variety of different locally-grown wines, craft beers, and ciders. Their red sangria is phenomenal, and best enjoyed on the patio while enjoying some Okanagan sunshine.

Disclaimer: I consider myself a carrot cake connoisseur and it’s hard to find a piece that meets my rigorous standards. There is nothing worse than ordering carrot cake only to have it come with buttercream frosting instead of cream cheese. Hard pass, thanks.

After years of carrot cake disappointment, I was a little bit apprehensive to order a piece, even if it was at my favorite local. Luckily for me, I sucked up my snobbery and gave it a try because this might just be the best carrot cake I’ve ever had. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, this cake also comes drizzled with the Blind Angler’s original lemon, cream cheese icing.

To. Die. For.

Over the last year, local restaurants like the Blind Angler have been some of the hardest-hit businesses in the pandemic. These are the places that need our support the most, now, more than ever. If you find yourself in the Okanagan Valley, drop into the Blind Angler for sun, fun, delicious eats, and local color—you’ll not only be helping to support a local gem, but keeping Peachland's history alive.