Bell 2 Lodge 

British Columbia

Located north of the Nass River on a lonely section of the Cassiar Highway, Bell 2 Lodge fishes some of the most remote and scenic steelhead water in all of British Columbia. With the Bell-Irving River at its doorstep and several otherwise inaccessible rivers a stunning helicopter flight away, Bell 2 is one of the most unique steelhead operations anywhere. The lodge’s most popular fishing package includes two days of helicopter fishing on remote sections and tributaries of the Nass. In some cases these fly-outs will facilitate short float trips, and in other instances anglers will touch down at several productive wade fishing spots. The other days will be spent fishing the Bell-Irving via jet boat. The luxurious, recently renovated Bell 2 Lodge offers handsome and heavily built Swiss-style chalets with all the amenities — fine dining, sauna, hot tub, and massage services on most weeks.

The world famous Skeena and Nass rivers have their headwaters high in the mountains to the East of the Bell 2 resort. These two watersheds have become well respected for their world class steelhead fishing over the last century. The main focus of the Bell 2 fishing program is to provide exciting steelhead fishing on the Bell Irving River. This mountain river is a tributary of the mighty Nass, which is fed mainly by snowmelt and to a lesser extent rainfall. Anglers are able to fish floating lines with weighted flies or dry flies at almost all times of the season without having to cast heavy sinking tips. The Bell Irving provides a good variety of quality pools and runs offering exceptional opportunities to anglers.

Location:
The lodge is located on the Bell Irving River, 360 km (220 miles) north of Terrace on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway (Hwy 37 North). Driving time is approximately 4 hours from Terrace or Smithers. Helicopter transfers to the lodge are available and take 1½ hour.

British Columbia time is the same as the U.S. Pacific Time Zone.

Fishing Program:
Bell 2 Lodge provides access to the remote and seldom fished Nass River Watershed. Due to the remoteness and lack of access to this system, very few anglers fish the Nass waters each year. The run of fish is comprised of only wild stock and these fish are concentrated in the four tributary rivers and numerous small creeks that you can fish on a daily basis. Typically anglers will chopper to the Nass system twice during their stay. Once there they will embark on a heli assisted float trip in a self bailing raft. All fishing will be done while wading.

There is easy access from the lodge to the home river (the Bell Irving) without a long drive or any wasted fishing time. A heated shelter is set up on the riverbank that provides a little warmth when needed. The lodge uses jet-boats and rafts to access the fishing but occasionally walk to some of the runs close to the lodge and on the lower river. They have been guiding extensively on this river since 2000. Guides know where the fish are year after year and will help you catch them even if the conditions are tough. Other rivers fished within 1 ½ hour drive from the lodge include the Meziadin, Bear and Ninginsaw.

Rivers:
Bell Irving River
The Bell Irving is a major tributary of the Nass River. It is fed mainly by snowmelt and to a lesser extent, rainfall; therefore the highest water tends to be in spring (May / June) with relatively stable flows in the fall. It does not have maintained launches for boats and rafts. It has difficult rapids, numerous logjams and side channels.

The average steelhead on this river is 8-10 pounds. Fish in the 15-pound range are common and the largest buck measured to date is 42”. The fish start to show up in late August with numbers building through September. A big push of fish can be expected in late-September and if conditions are right, anglers can expect multiple hook up days. On average it’s realistic for fly fishermen to expect to land one fish per day.

The river is 50-60 yards wide typically, with a grey/green shingle bottom. The water is quite clear but doesn't look it on account of reflection from the dark bottom. It can become cloudy with a thaw or heavy rain but tends to come back into shape quickly if temperatures are cool. Smaller tributaries of the Bell Irving provide some great fishing if the mainstem is colored. These creeks can only be accessed by helicopter.

It is the most perfect fly water with pools typically 3'-10' deep and relatively fast flowing. They can be 40-400 yards long. Most pools have shingle banks from which to fish. This characteristic makes life very easy for the fly fisherman. The Bell Irving, like most fly-fishing rivers, consists of a large variety of pools and runs. Some of these appear to be holding pools and in others the fish seem to be travelers or moving fish. Wading is excellent; though in places spey casting can be a major benefit as the forest can come down to the water’s edge. The river valley has forests of mature firs (cedars, spruce and hemlocks) with dogwood, birch alders and huge cottonwoods interspersed. The valley is relatively narrow (1-2 miles) and the surrounding peaks usually snow covered. Bring your camera for the spectacular fall colors.

Upper Nass River
The only way to access this huge water system is by helicopter. Much of the water on the upper Nass River is not suited to fishing of any kind. The river has numerous logjams, difficult rapids and long stretches of canyon. This creates an environment that only the biggest, toughest steelhead can survive in. However, we have found that this river has some of the nicest fly water available anywhere in the world. We have located a number of areas, including parts of the mainstem and confluences of some of the many tributaries, which are ideally suited to fishing the impressive Nass steelhead on the fly. Anglers should be competent in the use of double handed (spey) rods or very strong casters with single-handed rods. This river requires long casts and some deep wading to be fished properly.

Fed by small headwater lakes and annual snowmelt, in the past we have found the Nass to be somewhat unpredictable in terms of water quality. Stable and consistent flows in all weather conditions have happened for some seasons providing fishing opportunities when other river systems are out. While in other seasons we have seen more precipitation and the Nass has proven to be tougher fishing. The quality of the fishing and fish movement patterns are both ultimately dictated by Mother Nature. If you are on the Nass when the steelhead Gods are shining, you are promised the one best days of steelheading you’ll ever have.

The average steelhead caught on the Nass River weighs 12-14 pounds and has had very little, if any, fishing pressure before arriving in the area. This contributes to aggressive takes and numerous hookups on any given day of fishing. The largest fish ever landed was a 41” hen (honey). Anglers can expect 2-3 hookups per day when conditions are right. A good day is 24 hookups with 3 rods or maybe you didn’t want to hear that part!

This trip is an experience of a lifetime for any dedicated steelheader. You have the chance to see abundant wildlife set in a totally untouched environment. Only the moose, grizzly and black bears, wolves and eagles will share the day with you on this very remote and spectacular river.

History of the Lodge:
Ernie Kreese built Bell 2 Crossing in 1979 as a basic gas station and garage. Why ‘Bell 2 Crossing’ you may ask? It’s located at the second bridge crossing over the Bell Irving River. Later a small restaurant and cabins were added to the facility. In those days, Hwy 37 was a gravel road from Kitwanga right up to the Yukon border it was a bumpy, dusty and adventurous ride.

Ownership changed in the mid 80’s when Pete and Kathy Kossey became the proprietors. It wasn’t until the fall of 1996 that George Rosset and his ambitious partners looked closely at using Bell 2 as a base for helicopter skiing. No less than two years later, they bought the property and established the largest heliski area on the planet, Last Frontier Heliskiing. ‘Bell 2 Crossing’ was renamed ‘Bell 2 Lodge’.

Between 1998 and 2003, the new owners have invested heavily redesigning, refurbishing and more or less completely rebuilding the existing lodge structure as well as building all the surrounding chalets and facilities.

A rich and vibrant First Nations culture thrives in this spiritual place. Visit the local First Nations villages to experience canoe and totem carving, traditional fishing and smoking, cultural tours and dance along with the beliefs they have passed on through generations. You will be captivated by their legends and past events (Aadawak) that depict the history of each tribal house. To learn and understand the culture of a people dependent upon and dedicated to the natural resources and wilderness is an experience to be cherished forever.

Accommodations and Meals:
Bell 2 offers the comforts of a first class hotel with a rustic touch of the Canadian wild. Recent upgrades to facilities meet the highest environmental standards. The lodge holds a Canada Select rating of 4 stars and resembles a mini-village with walkways connecting all the buildings.

Guests are accommodated in chalets approximately 100 meters (300 feet) from the main lodge building. Each of the rooms within their 5 log chalets is spacious with either two queen size beds or one king size bed. All rooms have a private entrance, bathroom, wood-burning fireplace, telephone and internet connection. While there is a capacity for more, the number of fishing guests is limited to only six anglers at a time.

The Bell 2 dining room is spacious and comfortable, where all anglers converge in the evening to share stories of the day's events and make plans for the following day. Unique and creative meals prepared with fresh ingredients by their chef and will impress and satisfy the most cultured of tastes. Breakfast is served buffet style, lunch on the river is varied and prepared by your guide and dinner usually consists of four courses. A good selection of wine and liquor is available from the lodge cellar.

The facilities also have a full service bar, satellite TV, pool table, darts and other games along with a small locally focused library and gift shop. The sauna and hot tub are ready for you to relax in after a day of fishing and are only steps from your room. Massage services are available most weeks.

Storage of rods and wading gear is provided in their drying room. Anglers wake up to warm and dry clothes with plenty of space to prepare for the new day ahead.

Daily Program:
Breakfast served between 6:30AM – 8:00AM (depending on guest desires and time of year).
Full 8-10 hour days on the water.
Lunch served on the river.
Dinner at 7:30PM at the lodge. Lounge and games room open.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Vancouver and overnight.
Day 2 (Friday): Fly from Vancouver to Terrace in the morning and transfer from Terrace to the lodge (drive takes about 4 hours).
Days 3-8: Six full days guided fishing.
Day 9 (Friday): Fish for about a half day and then depart lodge for Terrace and points beyond.

Complete Trip Details