Skeena River Lodge 

British Columbia

Located in the greater Terrace region on the banks of the lower Skeena, Skeena River Lodge is a hardcore fly fishing operation dedicated to the pursuit of BC’s strongest sea-run steelhead and salmon. Head guide Jeroen Wohe, originally from Holland, is a highly skilled, passionate professional who has spent years fishing and guiding the waters of BC as well as the trophy Atlantic salmon rivers of Russia’s Kola peninsula. He limits his operation to four anglers per week and prides himself on offering a great experience at a very reasonable rate.

Jeroen’s season begins in April with the pursuit of spring steelhead on the Kalum and Kitimat rivers. In June and July he targets massive sea-bright Chinook and in August he targets the hot early steelhead on the mainstem Skeena. Come fall, he focuses exclusively on the steelhead of the Bell- Irving. Jeroen uses both jets boats and self bailing rafts and has the full line of R.B. Meiser rods on hand for his guests to use.

New for the 2011 season, guests will enjoy comfortable accommodations at the Pioneer Fishing Lodge on the banks of the Skeena. In September anglers will transition to his remote outpost tent camp on the Bell-Irving River where he will fish steelhead well into November. For serious spey anglers who prefer to spend their dollars on fine fishing as opposed to white tablecloths, this is the best program BC has to offer.

Location:
Skeena River Lodge is a guide service that uses two separate facilities. The first is Pioneer Lodge located near the Skeena River, just downstream of the Kalum not far from Terrace, BC. Their remote camp is located considerably north of the Cassiar Highway on the Bell Irving, a tributary of the Nass.

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

Fishing Program:
You will have long days fishing for the elusive steelhead and salmon with head guide, Jeroen “Jerome” Wohe and his assistant guide, Derek Barber. They have many years of fly fishing experience and can provide you with spey/single handed casting instruction as well as share their knowledge about fly selection, sink tip usage, line control and presentation methods. They use both 14 ft Aire rafts and open jet boats to access water. All fishing is done while wading and all fish are released unharmed.

Seasons:
In late March the spring run of steelhead start migrating up river entering the Kalum, Kitimak, lower Skeena and countless remote coastal rivers. These areas are fished until the middle of May.

After the spring run steelhead, the mighty kings (Spring/Tyhee) start to migrate up river on their way to natural streams. These are big fish arriving with the high tides, fresh out of the ocean. They are the hardest fighting, toughest salmon and steelhead in the world. Generally the best time for summer steelhead is from the middle of June until the end of July.

When July starts all five species of Pacific salmon (king, chum, sockeye, pink and coho) are present in the rivers. There are countless rivers in the area to pursue any or all of these species.

Come August, the steelhead migration comes into full swing. In early September Jeome moves to his Outpost Camp on the Bell Irving and remains there until early November.

Fisheries:
Skeena River
The Skeena River is perhaps the most famous anadromous waterway in the world! All five species of Pacific salmon and the elusive steelhead migrate up the Skeena River on their way to their natal rivers to spawn. Most salmon and steelhead world records are made or broken in the Skeena River and its tributaries.

Beginning in March the spring run steelhead start to arrive on the way to their spawning grounds, followed by the early Chinooks. By June the Skeena is not suited to the fly fisher as high elevation snow melt causes the river to become turbid. But when the river drops in July and August it will be perfect to fly fish. At this time the river becomes a salmon and steelhead highway with literally millions of fish making their upstream migration. All 5 species of Pacific salmon are present in great numbers. Accompanying the salmon are large summer run steelhead destined for the Kispiox, Babine and Sustut Rivers as well as many other Skeena tributaries. They are aggressive to a fly, chrome and once hooked you will know it! Jumping cart wheeling and ripping hundreds of yards of backing.

Kitimat River
The Kitimat River is a favorite river because of its size, shape and geographic position. The highlight of the Kitimat is that it has an incredible spring steelhead run, followed by an impressive chinook, chum and pink run in the summer. A short but robust coho run follows.
From early April until the middle of May, the spring run steelhead begin their upriver migration to their spawning grounds. They spend an extra winter in the ocean feeding and preparing to head upriver in April to spawn and return to the Ocean as soon as possible. These fish are fat, chrome, strong and well conditioned. Once hooked they go ballistic! In the cold oxygen rich water they fight like no other. These are the strongest and hottest steelhead around.

When you are chasing the mighty chinook (spring/king) salmon you want to fish the Kitimat river in June or July. This is the time of the year the big boys are migrating upriver. They can be seduced with a well presented fly. These big fish are chrome and covered in sea lice. Once you hook a fresh chrome chinook you understand why this is so addictive. They are the strongest salmon on the planet, and it will take all your skills to land one of these giants! A single mistake or flaw will result in breaking lines or rods and losing your fish. But once you land a Chinook, it is a real fish of a life time.

The chum (dog) salmon join the chinooks in mid July. Chum are always coming in big numbers and are an underestimated game fish on the spey or fly rod. The chum is a very aggressive and powerful fish. You can expect multiple hooked fish daily. Don’t underestimate the chum! Every second year there is a massive pink (humpy) run in the Kitimat River. The salmon begin to enter the Kitimat in July. The pink salmon is the smallest of the five Pacific salmon species which allows you to gear down to a six weight and a dry fly. Catching pinks on such lightweight equipment is an absolute blast! The pink salmon is very aggressive and abundant. This will result in many hooked fish every day. This is a great opportunity for the novice angler to get familiar with the single handed, or spey rod but is also exciting for the seasoned angler as well. The surface takes are very visual and exciting.

In August the coho (silver) salmon begin to arrive. They are the last ones in the Kitimat River and the run extends into September. The coho is a great salmon to catch on a fly. Swing it with the spey rod or retrieve it with a single handed rod, it doesn’t matter. When you have selected the right fly you are in for a great time.

The Bell Irving River
From the middle of September until the end of October guiding is solely for the elusive steelhead on the Bell Irving River. The Bell Irving is a tributary of the Nass River. There is little known about the Bell Irving. It is a remote and challenging river that is visited by very few anglers each year. Following a long drive from civilization, transportation in this rugged terrain is limited to good jet boats and helicopters. Although access is limited, this pristine environment holds a special race of steelhead that will make your fly fishing dreams come true! Because this river is so remote, you will make camp by the river.

Accommodations and Meals:
Skeena River Lodge offers accommodations at two separate sites:

Main Lodge (Pioneer Fishing Lodge):
The main lodge is located just downstream of the confluence of Kalum and Skeena, near the city of Terrace. The lodge offers anglers single rooms in simple duplex cabins with shared baths. Hosts Jezz and Pip provide excellent meals and their facility offers wireless internet, dish TV, land line phone as well as great drying room for waders and fishing gear.

Remote Camp:
The remote outpost camp is located on the banks of the Bell Irving River. This camp, which is approximately a 3 ½ hour drive from Terrace, is set up in September and is taken down at the end of October to minimize the impact on the surrounding environment. The camp consists of heavy canvas wall tents including a woodstove and even a hot shower.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at the lodge and settle in for the week.
Days 2-7: Six full days of guided fishing.
Day 7: Depart lodge in the morning.

Complete Trip Details