The Skeena’s Fall Steelhead are large, wild fish.

Steelhead average 8 to 15 pounds, though 15 to 20-pound fish are not uncommon and each year fish over 20 pounds are caught.

Skeena Coho are also in the system at this time. These Coho are true trophy Coho, averaging 8 to 20 pounds with a few fish pushing 30 pounds.

When fishing the Skeena Region in fall, there is always the potential for setting a world record for both Coho and Steelhead.

Terrace, BC Essential Items

A trip to the coastal rain forest of Northwestern British Columbia is always exciting and can be extremely enjoyable, providing you are prepared.

Being a coastal climate, the locals always say “If you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes”.

The climate varies between being wet, overcast, sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowfall, hail and wind.

Clothing for the River

The layered approach is the best way to ensure comfort on the river.

Layer 1: Next to the skin use a wicking material that allows your skin to breathe while removing moisture at the same time. Many of the outdoor companies provide this performance material as it is truly the best way to optimize comfort throughout the day. These articles are worn in the form of long sleeved shirts and long underwear.

Layer 2:A mid layer long sleeved shirt made of either wool, down, fleece, polyester, flannel or a blend of synthetic and natural materials (Polar-Tec, etc.)

Layer 3: A Polar Fleece sweater or something of the sort. We recommend that you bring a lighter weight and a medium weight fleece at the very least. If you are fishing early spring or late fall you may prefer a heavier polar fleece sweater.

For your legs you can also use a polar fleece pant of varying weights depending on the river's water temperature. Obviously if you are using a Gortex Wader in the late fall you will want a heavy fleece pant. If you are using neoprene waders then a lighter fleece may work better.

Layer 4: Gortex Fishing Jacket (Patagonia, Simms, etc.) with hoods.

We do not recommend fishing vests since they tend to get really wet in continuous rain. Gortex jackets all have pockets and storage for fly boxes, tippets, leaders, etc.

Waders: We recommend a Gortex Wader with a built in Neoprene Sock and separate wading boots without cleats (or with screw in cleats for hiking).

If you are using Gortex waders then polar fleece pants worn under them in the spring and fall will be required. Gortex is very light weight and does not limit flexibility. It also breathes to keep you cool during those warm summer days.

Hat and Polarized Sun Glasses

Make sure you have both a hat and sunglasses, not only for protection from the sun, but also for safety from barbless flies that may accidentally find themselves headed towards your face.
Either a baseball style hat or full rim hat works best.

For sunglasses use high quality polarized lenses so your eyes do not get fatigued while glaring into the river all day.

Polar Fleece Fingerless Gloves

For those cold spring and fall days you may want to use polar fleece gloves with the finger ends cut off.

Most of the fly fishing gear manufacturers make them and they work excellent. If you are fishing in March or early April, late October or November, you may want to bring a pair of full polar fleece mittens with you so you can warm your hands on the side of the river. Additionally, a polar fleece hat that covers your ears may not be such a bad idea as well.

Clothing for the Lodge

We are very informal at the lodge so bring comfortable clothes to lounge around in when you get up in the morning and after you get back from the river.

The lodge provides fresh towels everyday and fresh sheets on the day of your arrival. Soap and shampoo is provided, however, you'll have to bring the rest of your toiletries.

Fishing Gear

Most of our customers bring their own fly rods and fly lines, however we do have complete equipment for both the fly fisher and the conventional fisher if you do not have your own preferred equipment.

We suggest the following:

• 7-9 Weight Single Hand Rods with a weight forward steelhead taper
• 7-9 Weight Spey Rods (two handed rods) with line of choice, though we suggest Rio Skagit lines to help turn over heavy sink tips and weighted flies. Dry lines are also nice to have in the event that the fish are taking dry flies.

Camera

Each of our guides bring a digital camera to the river to photograph that trophy fish of yours, however we advise customers to also bring their own.

Skin Protection

It is always a good idea to have protection from mosquitoes and black flies in the event that they're out and biting.

A good sun block, SPF30 or better should be brought along.

Miscellaneous

Items that are useful to bring along on your trip are as follows:

• A knapsack to carry your personal stuff (camera, sunscreen etc.)
• Hook Sharpener, you don’t want to lose the big one because of a dull hook.
• Various lengths of sink tips, from 5’ to 20’.
• Spools of tippet in various sizes.
• Your favorite flies that you would like to try out on these BC fish. You never know...you may just have the secret weapon in your fly box!

Our accommodations are first class, designed with our clients in mind. We know that you will enjoy yourself for the duration of your trip at the Yellow Cedar Lodge.

The lodge features a number of single and double bedrooms, each with en-suite washrooms and shower facilities. Each room is furnished with comfortable beds, feather duvets and pillows, closets, dressers and reading lights.

The main dining area in the lodge features two large cedar tables over a high vaulted ceiling where guests are welcome to sit and enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.

Beside the dining area is a full service bar, where you can sample house wines, sip on a glass of scotch, or exchange stories about the big one that got away.

Above the dining area and bar is a lounge complete with comfortable leather sofas and a high definition television.

Other lodge amenities include both a hot tub and sauna. Both are a great way to warm up after a day of wading in a cold river. A game of darts or pool in the games-room with friends is a popular pursuit.

For those warm Summer nights, many guests enjoy sitting on the large wrap around porch, cigar in hand, while enjoying the impressive mountain vistas and sunsets overlooking the beautiful Skeena River.

A gym and equipment room is also available if you'd like to keep up with your workout routine while away from home.

Wireless internet is available for the executive that needs connectivity to the office.

We are sure you will enjoy our comfortable, first class environment.

Five Star Meals

You will enjoy the cooking of Red Seal Chef, Alf Leslie.

Alf is a master chef who goes to great lengths to provide the best in fine dining.

Using only the freshest of local ingredients, Alf makes home-made breads and desserts, preparing delectable meals including wild Salmon and Halibut from the Pacific Ocean.

To ensure that you are fueled up for a full day of fishing ahead, Alf prepares a hearty breakfast, including a combination of eggs, cereal, fresh fruit, toast, sausage, bacon, juice and coffee.

For Lunch, you are welcome to take full advantage of the "lunch bar," as you customize your preferred lunch for on the river. A variety of meats and cheeses, fruits and vegetables, snacks, water/juice and thermoses of hot coffee/tea.

Dinners are always spectacular at the Yellow Cedar Lodge and it would be difficult to find better fine dining anywhere in Northwest BC.

Start with a homemade soup or salad, such as carrot and ginger soup with a fresh chive chantilly, or caramelized pear and asparagus salad.

Followed by a main course, which might be Pacific rim marinated wild Coho Salmon served with homemade sweet potato ravioli in a cilantro cream sauce and baby bok choy, or char-grilled lamb chops in a rye-whisky demi-glaze served with delicious potatoes and char grilled vegetables.

To satisfy that sweet tooth, Alf might serve amaretto creme brulee, maple pecan pie with fresh whipped cream, or molten chocolate cake served with ruby port.

After an adventurous day in the outdoors, most clients tend to work up quite a large appetite, and we know you will be very satisfied with Alf's meals and delicious concoctions.

photo: Jeff Bright

Dustin Kovacvich

BC, Canada

Dustin is a well-rounded fisherman who has 24 years experience in both fresh and salt water fishing.

He is an exceptional Steelhead guide and outdoorsman who is equally as passionate about getting other anglers into fish as he is himself.

Dustin has spent the last eight years working alongside Forestries, participating in reconnaissance and engineering work on the rugged North Coast of BC.

Sky Richard

BC, Canada

Sky is one of the most dedicated and skillful fly-fishermen that we have the pleasure of working with.

Sky grew up on the banks of the Skeena River and has been fishing it and its tributaries for over 20 years.

He is extremely talented at helping his guests raise steelhead to the dry fly, and is unbelievably patient. Fishing with Sky is relaxed, tranquil and therapeutic.