Q&A Skeena River Lodge

What are the top reasons to go?

• A nearly year-round lodge where swung anglers can target large sea-bright fish.
• Excellent guides and boats.
• Access to the Skeena, Kalum, Copper and Kitimat.
• Experience a new luxurious facility with single accommodations and exceptional meals.
• Fish for spring steelhead, summer kings and fall steelhead.

Who is best suited to this destination?

This trip is best suited to anglers that like to fish for fresh anadromous fish and enjoy a high level of service and comfort at day’s end. Guests will be swinging flies, most often with Spey rods, while wading. The spring season requires being able to fish through varying degrees of wet and/or cold weather. Chinook anglers should be prepared to throw long, heavy sink tips and heavy flies.

Where is the lodge?

The lodge is located in the Skeena River valley, approximately 16 miles upstream of Terrace, BC.

How do I get there?

To get to Skeena River Lodge guests will need to arrange flights to Terrace, BC which will require initially flying to Vancouver, BC. The lodge asks that guests book a late afternoon / evening arrival. A lodge representative will pick you up at the airport and transfer you 25 minutes to the lodge. A trip to the liquor store is offered on the way.

When should I go?

Skeena River Lodge enjoys a long season. Mid-March through the end of April is spring steelhead season. Mid-June through early August is the time to battle large chinook. By mid-August the lodge is targeting summer steelhead and that season continues until the end of October.

How will I fish?

All fishing is swinging flies while wading. Sink tips are used for most seasons and they may be very light with unweighted tube flies or quite heavy with large, heavy flies. Guests that are proficient with Spey rods will often have more success. The lodge trailers both jet boats and rafts to various put-ins.

Is there wade fishing?

All fishing is done while wading.

Where will I fish?

Depending on the time of year and conditions, guests may fish the Skeena, Kitimat, Copper or Kalum rivers in addition to a few lesser-known systems that shall remain nameless.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds?

At times guests might walk from the lodge to their boat and fish the Skeena. At other times, you will trailer boats to a wide range of rivers and or put-ins. The shortest drive is around 15 minutes and the longest will be 45 – 50 minutes. Once in the boats, you will typically be getting out to fish in very little time.

What type(s) of fish will I catch?

Spring steelhead in March and April. Summer kings mid-June to early-August. Fall steelhead mid-August through October.

How many fish will I catch?

The nature of swinging flies for any anadromous fish is that there is a lot of variation in catch rates. That said, we feel that guests should go into the trip with the expectation that hooking 1 – 1.5 fish per day is a great trip.

Will I see other anglers?

Depending on the river and the time of year, yes you will see other anglers on the water. The rivers are not busy by American standards and everyone conforms to standard downstream fishing ethics

What are the guides like?

The guides are full-time professional fish hunters. Given variations in personality, the guides all do their best to put their clients onto the best water at the best times. Jeroen has intentionally fostered a team attitude amongst his guide staff giving all guests the best chance of getting into fish.

What are the physical demands?

While not strenuous, guests need to be able to wade all day and climb safely in and out of jet boats and rafts. The rocks on the main Skeena tend to be large and somewhat awkward

Are there any special skills required?

The ability to cast a Spey rod with sink-tips is helpful. Guests are best served by a willingness to fish confidently for long periods in between fish

Does the lodge provide equipment?

The lodge has plenty of single hand rods as well as full Spey set ups for guests to use.  With that said, most guests elect to bring their own gear.

What is your favorite setup for the trip?

In the spring season we recommend 7-8 weight Spey rods in the 12.5’ to 14’ range. Summer chinook fishing is time to break out the big sticks. 9 and 10-weight Spey rods are the norm in lengths 13’ – 15’. Fall steelhead fishing is time to bring back the 7 and 8-weight rods. We recommend guests string up two rods in the fall, one with a floating line and another with a sink-tip.

What are the top flies?

Skeena River Lodge relies heavily on tube flies for most of their fishing. The size, color and weight of those tubes will vary with season and species. Pink is popular in the spring and black and blue is popular in the fall. Typically, these flies are unweighted or lightly weighted and 2-3 inches long. Size 2 barbless trailing hooks are popular for steelhead. Hobo Speys are popular as well.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging?

While the lodge has multiple systems to choose from, some of which are very stable under heavy rains, in the event of a major blow out, some guests may be able to fish some smaller lower Skeena tributaries.

What is a typical day like?

Whenever guests are feeling the need for a break and something to eat. Guests should plan on fishing all afternoon unless they have expressed a desire to get back a little earlier. Everyone is generally back to the lodge in time for cocktails and appetizers. Dinner is served around 7:00 – 7:30PM.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge?

The lodge is large, spacious, well-equipped and at the same time casual.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge?

Jeroen Wohe, the previous owner of Skeena River Lodge, and now the fishing manager, is typically on-site to welcome guests as they return from fishing. After debriefing with guests and guides, Jeroen will make a game plan for the following days’ fishing. Once guests are settled on a plan and sitting down to dinner, Jeroen will depart for the night. Brendan, another member of the guide staff will always be on-site and available as well.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like?

Guests will dine in the main lodge dining room. The lodge employees at least one internationally trained chef who will oversee the preparation of a wide range of delicious and thoughtfully prepared meals. Breakfasts will be of the highest quality and have buffet and made to order options. Lunches will be served on the water and will include sandwiches and delicious hot soups.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like?

The new Skeena River Lodge is one of the nicest facilities in the steelheading world. The main lodge overlooks a private casting pond with trout in it and is within easy walking access of the Skeena River. Guests stay in very nice single occupancy rooms and or cabins with attached baths. The lodge has a large dining room, a bar, multiple sitting areas, an outdoor hot tub, hot indoor steam bath, an indoor and an outdoor sauna, as well as exercise equipment and a game room with a pool table, ping pong, darts and foosball. Massages are available with advance notice.

Is there internet and/or cell service?

Cell service is respectable at the lodge, especially surrounding the main lodge. Wi-Fi at the lodge is provided by satellite internet and is acceptable for basic tasks.

Are there other activities?

No, this lodge is focused on fishing, but the facility is comfortable enough for a non-angling companion who is happy to enjoy the facility and surrounding area.

Are there any other expenses?

On top of the package price guests are expected to pay for alcohol, fishing licenses and gratuities

Do I need a visa?

No

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances?

Rafting, jet boating and wading all come with some risk but they are negligible. There are black bears in the area, and the very occasional grizzly but they are not a serious concern. Biting insects are rarely an issue and are primarily limited to the summer months