Kami the Fish

Kami the Fish, also known as Kami the Trout or Spoolmak Trout, made his debut in 1967 as a gun-toting mascot designed to attract vacationers to Kamloops BC.

History of Kami

There is a bit of a mystery behind where Kami the Fish originated.

One story credits Jessie Marie McDonnell as the creator of Kami. Her sons, Kent and Scott McDonnell, have spoken out to set the record straight and ensure she receives recognition for brining the iconic character to life.

However, the Kamloops Archives tell a different story. According to their records, Kami was designed by Frank Harris and Dietch Aronowski, and sponsored by the Kamloops Chamber. He was officially unveiled at the Kin Showcase in August of 1967.

Over the years, the lines around Kami's origin story have become blurred. But no matter where he came from, one thing remains clear— Kami continues to be a beloved icon in the community, and the Kamloops Chamber is proud to help preserve his legacy.

The Kamloops Chamber owns the rights to the Kami design and has been offering limited-edition merchandise for about a decade. You can visit our office at 615 Victoria St. to grab Kami swag or order online for pick-up at our official Kami Partner, Castanet Kamloops, located at 635 Victoria St, Unit #102.