Babine Norlakes Lodge 

British Columbia

Located on the clear flowing upper reaches of the famed Babine River, Pierce Clegg’s Babine Norlakes Lodge is a classic fly fishing camp for the serious steelheader. With the longest season of any BC steelhead camp, Babine Norlakes takes pride in creating an operation that involves fly fishing hard and playing hard each and every day of the season.

With a range of 13 miles, anglers relentlessly fly fish the river’s prime holding water before returning to camp for drinks, a hearty meal, and the coveted roaring bonfire. And while all anglers will have the opportunity to fly fish the lodge’s lower satellite waters, three anglers, through the process of a random drawing, will get to spend two full days on these waters with an overnight at the cozy, four person satellite camp.
Steelhead anglers sleep in comfortable, heated bunk cabins with detached communal shower and outhouses. For serious anglers keen on putting the big ones on the beach and having a good time in the process, this is the place.

Location:
Babine Norlakes Lodge is set very near the bank of the remote upper reaches of the Babine River.

Fishing Program:
Steelhead anglers will be transported up and down the river via jet boat. Typically there will be one guide for every four steelhead anglers and while the fishing parties of four remain intact throughout the week, your guides and boats will rotate. Anglers will be dropped solo or in tandem at prime steelhead holes. As a result anglers must be prepared to fly fish alone and should insist on a detailed briefing of the particular pool, its high percentage water, the most appropriate sink tip etc. before the guide continues on his way to shuttle other anglers. Also be sure to get a rough understanding of how much time you will spend at each run so you can manage your time and tactics appropriately. For anglers visiting the Babine river before mid-October we also find it handy to have both a dry fly and sink tip rod rigged at all times as many holes will be well suited to two passes through with differing techniques. All Babine steelhead are wild and must be released unharmed as quickly as possible.

Early in the week three anglers will be selected by random drawing to spend two days fly fishing the lower “satellite” waters and spend one night at a simple cabin situated on prime steelhead water. Regardless of being selected in this drawing, all anglers will have the chance to fly fish these lower waters at least once during their stay.

Accommodations and Meals:
Babine Norlakes Steelhead Lodge is set very near the bank of the remote upper reaches of the Babine River. Anglers share cabins that sleep four guests each in bunk beds and each cabin has light, heat, bedding, ample storage space, filtered water and a sink. The lodge has a separate shower room (one shower only). To the rear of the cabins are four outhouses that are popular after breakfast. Hearty meals are served in the main lodge.

After breakfast anglers will pack their own lunches. Typically this is a fast moving bunch so please don’t dally in the morning or you will keep the rest of the group waiting!

Evening campfires are a tradition here, and for the hearty they can last until the wee hours. If you are a musician, consider bringing your instrument!

Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Smithers, BC and overnight (hotel not included in package price).
Day 2: Travel to lodge via van and jet boat and fish half day.
Days 3-7: Full days of guided fishing on the Babine River via jet boat.
Day 8: Fish half day in the morning and transfer to Smithers. Overnight in Smithers or continue home.

Complete Trip Details