Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at lodge, guiding, Dean River classified waters license, pre-trip lodging and shuttle in Bella Coola, air charter to and from Bella Coola to lodge, limited beer and wine with meals at the lodge, GST (5%) and Global Rescue Emergency Rescue Services coverage during your lodge stay.
Not Included: Airfare to and from Bella Coola, meals/drinks in Bella Coola, BC basic fishing license, BC steelhead stamp, hard alcohol (BYOB), staff and guide gratuities. Note that there will be no compensation for loss of fishing time, or missed flight connections due to weather conditions or actions of third parties
Travel Logistics:
To get to BC West you need to make flight arrangements to Bella Coola, BC, via Vancouver Airport’s South Terminal. The lodge packages runs from Saturday to Saturday. See below for travel options:
Option 1 (for distant travelers):
Arrival Information: Guests need to arrive in Vancouver on Friday and overnight (hotel Included / Not
Getting to the Lodge: On Saturday morning you will take a flight from Vancouver’s South Terminal to Bella Coola (not included). From Bella Coola you will take a helicopter ride to the lodge (included).
Departure Information: On your departure day (Saturday) you will take a helicopter ride back to Bella Coola and then a flight from Bella Coola to Vancouver’s South Terminal. Please plan to overnight in Vancouver and fly home the following day (hotel not included).
Option 2 (for West Coast travelers):
Arrival Information: Guests need to arrive in Bella Coola on Friday and overnight (hotel, but not meals, included in package).
Getting to the Lodge: On Saturday you will take a helicopter ride to the lodge (included).
Departure Information: On your departure day (Saturday) you will take a helicopter ride back to Bella Coola and then a flight from Bella Coola to Vancouver’s South Terminal. Please plan to overnight in Vancouver and fly home the following day (hotel not included).
Documentation Requirements:
You need a valid passport to enter Canada and it must be valid for six months after the last day of your trip.
Baggage:
We encourage you to visit the web site of your air carrier(s) to confirm their current rules for carry-on and checked baggage. The rules and regulations are changing on a regular basis so please check these sites prior to your departure date.
Currency:
The Canadian dollar is the official currency in BC, however; US dollars are widely used and accepted.
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travel with approximately with $600-$1,000 for staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, licenses, etc.
Gratuities:
We recommend guide and staff gratuities of approximately $400-$500 per person. Tips are pooled and may be given to the Camp Manager at the end of your stay for distribution amongst the guides and lodge staff. Cash is preferred for gratuities.
Fishing Licenses:
Your Dean River Classified Waters License is included and you will be issued this license on-site. Your BC Basic License and Steelhead Stamp are not included. These are available at the camp or online at the following website: http://www.fishing.gov.bc.ca/. Anglers may prefer to purchase their licenses in advance to save time on-site. Please call Fly Water Travel if you need assistance in purchasing your license online.
Climate:
While the weather tends to be very mild, always be prepared for cold when visiting BC. Typical day temperatures range from 50-85 degrees F. More often than not you will start the days with several layers on and be down to one light layer by mid-day.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Bella Coola, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours away. The Bella Coola hospital has an emergency room and is quite capable, however, for major surgery guests would be flown to Vancouver. In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.
Power and Communications:
Cell phones do not work at the lodge. There is a satellite phone/internet system at the lodge with limited bandwidth that be used for a quick “check-in” back home on arrival, but then only for emergencies. Please expect to have only limited communication with the outside world via phone or computer.
Water:
The water at all sinks is potable and quite good.
Clothing:
As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton. Dress at the lodge is casual.
Laundry:
Laundry is included as a courtesy for guests, however, please do not plan to have laundry done every day.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge provides a complimentary supply of beer, soda and mixers in the clubhouse refrigerator. Wine is served during the main meal of the day and is available at other times upon request. Guests may bring in their own alcohol.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: 9-10 ft single hand rods for line weights 8-9. 12-15 ft two-handed spey rods for line weights 8-10.
Reels: Any good reel with a disk drag and room for 200-300 yards of 30lb braided Dacron backing.
Lines: Spey Lines like the Rio Skagit are well suited to the Dean. The most poplar spey tips will be type 6 – 8 as well as custom tips made from Rio’s T 14. Be sure to have a floating tip as well as there are dry fly opportunities on the upper river during the later portion of the the season.
Leaders/Tippet: 9-12 ft leaders tapering to 12-16 pounds for floating lines, 4-6 ft leaders od straight 12-15 pound test for sinking lines. Maxima Ultra Green is the tippet material of choice.
Flies: Dry Flies: Bombers (black and natural), Waller Wakers, Morrish Pom Skaters, Greased Liner, Mudlers, large humpys, and assorted other foam and deer hair patterns in sizes 2-8.
Traditional Wets: Green Butt Skunk, Freight Train, Signal Light, Purple Peril, General Practitioner, Silver Hilton, and assorted spey flies in sizes 1/0 - 4.
Streamers: Marabou tube flies or ‘trailing hook’ style flies in size #2 - #1 are great. Popular colors include pink , orange, and black/blue. Egg sucking leech (black and purple), black leech, Popsicle, articulated leech, Morrish Medusa’s, and assorted marabou and rabbit patterns in black, blue, and purple sizes 2-2/0.
Waders & Boots: Breathable gore-tex waders are the most popular. Due to boat travel, spikes/studded boots are discouraged. Anglers that choose use breathable waders should bring several layers of mid/heavy weight fleece leggings.
Miscellaneous: Sunscreen, lip balm, bandana, hemostats, tape measure, camera with spare batteries and film, floatant, insect repellent and a waterproof bag for day gear that is good for the boat and can be strapped to your ATV.
Note: Hard rod cases that hold broken down rods with reels attached are handy especially when traveling up river via ATV. We recommend the double spey cases made by Harding and Sons. Clear or yellow safety glasses and a Buff are also recommended for ATV travel.
