Just when you think you have a basic understanding of something as cryptic as spring steelhead fishing in Skeena country, nature throws you a curve. This year could be considered the year of the curve ball. For anglers that fished the system last year, this was hard to swallow, as 2011 was a banner year with great water conditions and big returns. To read more about what a great year is like have a look at this past trip reportfrom April 2011. Also make sure you check out the slideshow.
Typically the outfitters we work with in the greater Terrace region begin guiding the last week of March. This year, with the epic snow pack, this week felt more like the first week in March and the fish were few and far between. The following week things picked up considerably, especially on the main stem Skeena later in the week. Below are images from the week of March 31-April 7 with anglers John Rogers, Marc Gignac, and Gina Rooker (with the biggest fish of the week). There were a good many other fish but these are our favorites.
The following week of April 7-14 proved to be the best week of the season for the majority of our guests. The main stem Skeena carried the torch with several runs producing consistent catches every day. The Kitimat was still very low and inconsistent. Below are some great fish from that week. There were plenty more but these were our top picks. The big hen fish was caught by Rob Stuart of Portland and the next two were caught by Oregon State Senator Frank Morse. Well done guys!
The week of April 14-21 had returning veterans Pete Laskier and Brian Gambini as well as new anglers Gary Shelton and Bill McMahan. It was a tough week any way you slice it. The real issue was that the Skeena went out and never came back in for the rest of the season. While this is relatively uncommon it was positively unfortunate. At the same time that it rose and colored, the Kitimat rose into perfect shape. The only problem was that there were very few fish in it. The boys all scraped some up, all handsome strong fish, but they really worked for them. Peter Laskier even managed to get a big one on one of my monster skaters. I love that…snow on the banks and a huge skater in the scissors! Here are the guys with their fish in the order named above.
The last week of April was a carbon copy of the week before. The Skeena was mud and the Kitimat was perfect but there were not a whole lot of fish ascending it. The Kalum was in decent shape but with the Skeena out, there was more pressure than usual. Fly Water client Keith Foreman worked really hard all week and came through with this great 18 pound buck late in the game. Way to stay after them Keith!
Despite 2012 being a relatively tough season, the crew at Skeena River Lodgedid a great job and the majority of this year’s anglers are returning. If you would like to give these impressive fish a go, be sure to call Ken at 800-552-2729 and he will do his best to make it happen.
The fishing operation we consider to be one of the most interesting in the world has faced some significant hurdles over the past couple of years. First the news that several anglers had contracted Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (a nasty little disease carried by infected female sandflies) sent a major shock wave through the angling community. Since the operation and visiting anglers have become aware of this disease (which occurs in over 80 countries were the weather and warm and sandflies roam) there have been no reported cases. Basic common sense adjustments including no longer fishing in shorts and shirt sleeves, wearing bug dope when near the native villages, spraying around the lodges and sleeping under bug nets have all proven incredibly successful.
Their next challenge pertained to the native Tsimane people’s protest of building a super highway right through the center of the national park in which they live and operate. The highway, which was to connect Brazil with the Pacific, was a big money deal and their successful protest greatly enraged Bolivian president Evo Morales, leading him to temporarily revoke their license to operate the two lodges that we refer to as Tsimane. This, in turn, lead to renegotiations with the government, the establishment of a new highway route (that did not go through the park) and the government eventually re-issuing Tsimane’s permits. The problem was that this re-issue process took longer than expected and forced all anglers booked in Aril May and early June to reschedule to later dates. It was a real disappointment for those anglers and we feel very badly for all who got dragged through that process.
But the good news is that this operation is now up and running again and we could not be happier. I still maintain that the week I spent there was the single most interesting and rewarding week of fishing in my adult life…the coolest trip ever. Have a look over my trip reportfor the full story. They still have some great openings for this season so if you are thinking about it…just do it!
Current Tsimane Availability
June 12-20 1 Rods
July 22-30 4 Rods
July 30-Aug 7 5 Rods
Aug. 23-31 2 Rods
Aug 27-Sept 4 6 Rods
Sept 20-28 1 Rods
Sept 24-Oct 2 5 Rods
Sept 28-Oct 6 1 Rods
Oct 14-22 6 Rods
Oct 18-26 4 Rods
Oct 22-30 6 Rods
It’s official: summer is going to arrive “on time” this year! After last year’s extreme high water throughout most of the Rockies we are all looking forward to early fishable conditions this year. We at Fly Water Travel are making plans to fish the Rockies in June this year…are you?
Ruby Springs Lodge
This lodge is the total package in terms of fishing, lodging and food. The lodge, situated on the banks of the Ruby River, literally sits at ground zero for great Montana trout fishing. The variety of waters available for day trips ensures that you’ll fish the water type or fishing method you most prefer. The lodge is exceedingly tasteful and the meals are mouth-watering. Spaces at Ruby Springs are hard to come by as they have a very high repeat rate.
We have just heard of availability at Ruby Springs Lodge in June. With the average snowpack and the variety of great fishing venues available to Ruby Springs guests, these dates could potentially see some of the best fishing of the season!
Available Dates: Wednesday, June 27th: Arrive Ruby Springs Lodge Thursday – Sunday, June 28th – July 1st: Four full days of guided fishing on elected systems which may include the Ruby, Madison, Big Hole, Jefferson or Beaverhead rivers. Monday, July 2nd: Depart Ruby Springs Lodge for home.
Cost of this trip = $4,250/person for a 5 night / 4 day package, based on double occupancy Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, guiding, flies, fully-stocked bar. The lodge can also provide any tackle that you might need. Not Included: Transportation to the lodge, fishing license, airport shuttle (if required), and staff and guide gratuities.
Give us a call at 800-552-2729 to snatch up these dates!
We still have prime dating available this fall on the world’s most prolific steelhead streams in British Columbia – including two rods available at the incomparable Silver Hilton at the end of October. Don’t wait to make your steelhead dreams come true because you’ll only be one day older when you do!
Please call Ken or Brian for more information: 1-800-552-2729
Z-Boat, Terrace:
Aug 26-Sept 1: 4 rods
September 16-22: 4 rods
Sept 30-Oct 6: 4 rods
October 14-20: 4 rods Bell Irving Remote Camp: Oct 4-11: 2 rods
Oct 27-Nov5: 1 rod
Sandy River Alaska: Sorry, no Link! Oct 21-28: 4 rods
Morice Day Trips :
Multiple day trips still available. $1000 for two anglers. Call for dates
Peter Laskier just returned from another week of spring steelheading at Skeena River Lodge. It was not as great as last season, largely because the Skeena was out and the Kitimat was not as packed with fish as it was last year, but Pete managed to get some dandy fish nonetheless. Also note that he made Ken Morrish tie him a monster skater and then managed to feed that fly to a big spring buck. Well done Peter! Spring steelhead on the dry are impressive! Call Ken about about dates for 2013.
We have been getting regular updates on water conditions from Cam Jensen, owner/operator of Eastslope Adventuresin Alberta. Even though SW Alberta and SE British Columbia experienced healthy snowpack, the spring weather has been warm and dry for the last 6 – 7 weeks. Because of this the low elevation snowpack has completely cleared out and we’re expecting outstanding fishing conditions for the June 16th opener.
The last two years SW Alberta has experienced record snowpack combined with cold, wet Spring seasons. These factors combined to produce record high flows in June and therefore less than optimal fishing. Because of this possibility, Cam has spent the last few years developing a stillwater fishery less than 15 minutes from the Eastslope Adventureslodge. Cam has exclusive access to two spring-fed ponds that are both 1 – 2 acres in size. The planted fish have been lake-reared (never raised in a concrete pen) and have been planted in the lakes while 4″ – 6″ in length. This allows the fish to grow as naturally as possible while feeding on naturally-occuring aquatic insects.
We received a call from Cam Jensen last week saying that the ice was off of his ponds and they had done some preliminary scouting. We’ll spare you the exact numbers but take a look at the following pictures representing the smallest and largest fish caught by three anglers in 1.5 hours.
THE "SMALL" ONE
THE BIG ONE!
Needless to say, we think Cam has a pretty darn good backup plan in case of a blown out river!
Give us a call at 800-552-2729 to learn more about available June and July dates at Eastslope Adventures.
The 65 miles of the South Fork of the Snake River is known by many as one of the best tail water and dry fly fisheries in the country. Natural Retreats Snake River offers the ultimate access to this extraordinary natural resource. The comfort of the Lodge, the magic of the South Fork and the many other activities of the surrounding area from Yellowstone National Park to Jackson Hole ensures a vacation experience that you will remember forever.
The Bureau of Reclamation has recently announced that there will NOT be a washout of the South Fork this year. This will equate to great fishing flow through May and June! For those of you who are ready to get out on a Rocky Mountain river sooner rather than later we have a fantastic May special at Natural Retreats Snake River.
Book your trip and stay at the lodge before May 31st and guided fishing trip rates are discounted to $350/day! All accommodations are $149.99/night.
Give us a call at 800-552-2729 to take advantage of this great Spring fishing special!
It had been far too long since my last visit to Tierra del Fuego’s beautiful Rio Grande River and Estancia Despedida. In preparation for my upcoming hosted trip I had been tying flies like a wild man when my co-worker Charles Gehr returned from his hosted trip, only two weeks earlier than my own. I soon found out from him that I would have to begin the whole tying process over again as the bugs I had been assembling were way too big! Apparently, the water was low… really low… and there was no hope of rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future. Charles’ trip had been excellent; lots of fish on dry flies, dry lines and intermediate tips. Oh yeah, and all of them were bright silvery blue and tail-walked to beat the band when they were hooked. Needless to say, I was pretty pumped up!
After meeting up with the group and spending the night in Buenos Aires, we flew down to the town of Rio Grande and made the 20 minute drive to the lodge where we were greeted by owner Danny Lajous and his fine crew. It is a perfect little place, casual and cozy and ideal for groups of six or less. Moreover, it’s located right in the midst of the Rio Grande’s best water; the water the locals call “El Corazon del Rio”, i.e. “The Heart of the River”. Even their most distant pools are just over ten minutes from the lodge and during the week each angler fishes each pool twice; once in the morning session and once in the evening.
Our week was pretty darn solid. It wasn’t quite as good as the week before, nor was it as good as the week following, but considering the massive drop in air/water temperatures and the severity of the wind for the first three days, it was still excellent by my standards. Due to the extreme wind and cold, we put the dry lines away and fished tips with long leaders and remarkably small flies. Some anglers in the group caught fish on every session, while others simply got on the wrong side of random circumstances and fought hard for each and every bite.
These sea-run browns are seriously strong, and nearly all of them were bright and big. The average fish weighed in at just over 10.5 pounds and six of seven anglers landed a fish of 20 pounds or better. All and all we had nine fish over 20 pounds and every one of the monsters launched clean out of the water! The high rod for the week, Pete Laskier, landed something like 22 fish including a 20 pounder on a #16 Copper John. Overall numbers for the group would have been even higher, but we were straightening out a lot of hooks on heavy fish. The following week it warmed back up and the wind died down (that is relatively speaking) and I think the Dave Douglas party who arrived just after us doubled our numbers and landed an obscene number of fish over 20 pounds. “Should have been here next week” if that even means anything!
The bottom line is that we had a blast. I caught a couple of handsome sea trout over 20 pounds including a great buck of 23 pounds and I got to fish with all six guys in the group. I had a number of memorable encounters but the most shocking was hooking an extremely large fish on a relatively short line. I had just fished the run but had a hunch that there was something I missed on the inside edge. I tied on a sparse #6 Crab Cake (a muddler-like bonefish fly that I like) and swung it down into the eye of the pool. Midway through the swing the fly stopped dead and I set into something so solid I thought it was bottom. I leaned on it hard and it lurched in a fashion I can only describe as terrifying. Then it bucked violently out into the main current… I think I was crying aloud for my momma as this happened and apparently my hands grew heavy with fright. The rod must have been bent deeply as the gap on the stainless saltwater hook bent open and the line sprung back in my face. I was a limp, distraught, jittery mess. I’m certain some words inappropriate for print slipped my lips and were carried off in the wind. It was my opportunity at a true fish of a lifetime and it was over before it even began.
Will I be back to Estancia Despedida? You bet and I hope it is soon. In my book there is no better place on the Rio Grande for anglers who want long hours on the water, a great value, unpretentious home style hospitality, and proven pools that hold big numbers of fish each and every week of the season.
For more images from this amazing trip please check out the slideshow below:
Fly Water Travel is proud to have arranged this trip to the mighty Kispiox River for Andy Mill and Maui Jim. Some stunningly good work in this video from Andy, film maker Jamie Howard and Bear Claw Lodge head guide Jim Allen.
Fly Water Travel is a team of fly fishing travel experts exclusively dedicated to arranging trips to the world’s finest fishing destinations and lodges. We are experienced anglers and passionate travelers who are faithfully committed to making sure our customers have the best angling vacation possible.
