Frontier Farwest Fishing Lodge
British Columbia
For more than twenty years, Frontier Farwest Lodge has been sharing the secrets of the Bulkley River with steelhead anglers from around the world. Built in 1935 and known then as The Telkwa Creamery, Frontier Farwest Lodge is owned by veteran steelhead guide Derek Botchford and his Chilean wife Andrea Soto. Rooms in this BC steelhead lodge have private baths and sleep two anglers per room. Hearty meals are served with complimentary drinks each evening.
Travel on the Bulkley River is done via drift boat. All guests get to experience two rustic overnight trips that include two full days of fly fishing the Bulkley River’s remote canyon waters. Camps are located on exceptional steelhead water and offer a spacious cook tent and a large guest tent with four comfortable cots and a portable heater. Frontier Farwest also offers a limited number of four day float trips through their canyon waters.
Location:
Frontier Farwest Lodge is located in the historic Telkwa Creamery. The small, sleepy town of Telkwa sits on the banks of the Bulkley River.
Fishing Program:
The Bulkley is a Skeena River tributary and considered one of the best steelhead fly fishing rivers in the world. From late August through mid-October, the Bulkley is as good a dry fly and greased line steelhead fishery as exists. As the season progresses and water temperatures drop, steelhead anglers spend more time fly fishing light type III and IV sink tips. The steelhead fly fishing can remain excellent through the second week in November and later if water conditions permit. Bulkley River steelhead are known for their willingness to move to a fly and range from 4 to 24 pounds, with the average steelhead typically weighing in around 10 pounds. Drift boats and rafts are employed to access steelhead water, but all fly fishing is done while wading. All Bulkley River steelhead are wild and must be released unharmed as quickly as possible.
Accommodations and Meals:
Built in 1935, Frontier Farwest Lodge was originally the Telkwa Creamery. The simple homey lodge has been decorated with colorful antiques, collectibles and memorabilia of yesteryear. The cook prepares traditional breakfasts, hearty river lunches, and hearty cuisine for the dinner hour. All guest rooms are immaculately clean and self-contained including bathroom and shower facilities.
Additionally, all anglers have the option to spend two nights out at the lodge’s remote river camps. Each camp consists of two large tents, one guest tent and one cook tent. These are equipped with comfortable cots and adjacent cooking facilities. Upon arrival your guides will prepare an evening meal on the outdoor barbecue. Each camp is located on exceptional steelhead water to enable long hours of fly fishing. Each of the two potential outings would entail two full days of fly fishing remote canyon waters by raft and offer a rare view of the breathtakingly scenic and least traveled sections of the Bulkley River. All bedding is provided.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1 (Friday): Arrive in Smithers and overnight (hotel not included).
Day 2 (Saturday): Travel via shuttle to the lodge and start fishing around noon.
Days 3-8: Full days of guided fishing.
Day 9 (Saturday): Depart lodge for home.
Complete Trip Details
