Skeena River
Steelhead & Chinoook
British Columbia
SKEENA, THE BIGGEST
AND MEANEST STEELHEADS
IN THE WORLd
Skeena. It is a powerful and evocative word. To the indigenous peoples of British Columbia’s north coast region it is the “River of Mists.” To fly fishers around the globe it is a dream destination offering nearly boundless opportunity to pursue what are among the largest sea-run fish on the planet.
While the river’s 100-pound chinook salmon may be its biggest, the most desired and iconic Skeena fish is the steelhead. The Skeena is justifiably world-renowned for its summer and fall steelhead fishing.
Salmon Junkies
on the Skeena River
At Salmon Junkies we think outside of the box. We have developed salmon programs that are among the best in the world today. In that tradition we are tailoring one of the most awesome steelhead programs on the market. We are very excited to announce that we have secured full exclusivity for the European market.
That means you will now be able to fish Skeena mainstem and select tributaries in a full 6-day package in company of some of the best and most hardcore Canadian steelhead guides available. Our guides will share their darkest “secrets” in pursuit of Skeena’s quick and powerful spring and fall steelhead.
SKEENA RIVER, FISH & SEASON
Beginning in summer and continuing through the ensuing seasons — leading to spawning in May — steelhead enter the Skeena system. In spring, the mainstem and lower valley tributaries host a bounty from this 10-month run. Pools can hold over-wintering fish with prominent red stripes and massive jaws alongside fish bright and fresh from the sea. On these trips, an angler can experience the full range of character of one of the world’s greatest game fish.
-
Skeena Spring Steelhead
In Skeena country, early spring typically offers the year’s most dependable conditions for tempting steelhead with a fly. During late March early April, as winter gives way to spring, precipitation falls as snow on the ridges and the rivers remain at winter height, flowing low and green in the valley bottoms and warming slowly with each lengthening day. The conditions are perfect for swinging big, swimming flies on sinking tip lines — and triggering the natural aggression of the Skeena’s legendary, super-sized steelhead.
-
Skeena Fall Steelhead
This is the season that has made the Skeena watershed famous. In fall, we fish a number of wild rivers, including the renowned Copper (Zymoetz), for huge, aggressive Steelhead. These are surface-oriented fish and can readily be taken with waking dry flies. Notable is that the Kalum River’s run of large, late-fall steelhead is now available to guided fishing through the end of October. Our fall season books very fast; to ensure your spot, please contact us as soon as possible.
-
Costal Steelhead
The remote coastal wilderness Steelhead streams of British Columbia hold exceptional spring Steelhead opportunities located in the stunning fjords of the Great Bear Rainforest. There are numerous streams – accessed by walk in, ocean boat, fixed wing air craft and helicopter – that vary from medium sized rivers best suited for swinging flies with a Spey rod to small, intimate streams where you can sight fish for 5 to 20 pound Steelhead and fish for them with a light switch or single handed rod.
Why us?
Many people believe that Skeena watershed is easy accessible and easy-going to fish. However that is not the case if you want to get most out of a week. Many of the best rivers and spots are more or less impossible to access without a local guide, and the only way to get there is by power full jetboat and local knowledge. Lastly some of the most attractive rivers are licensed with limited access for only a small numbers of people. Salmon Junkies have access to all classified water through our partner, plus a well selected numbers of coastal river. But perhaps and more important we have probably the best team of Steelheads guides, that will share there darkest secrets and lead you to the fish.
Accomodation
To complement our first class guides and fishing program, our partner NDO purchased the incredible Yellow Cedar Lodge in April 2020, to offer the finest in accommodations in Terrace. Right on the banks of the Skeena, Yellow Cedar Lodge – a Tourism BC Approved Accommodation – features large, vaulted ceilings to highlight impressive mountain views, numerous amenities and a large, wraparound deck for guests to take in the majestic riverscape.
Yellow Cedar Lodge’s spacious dining room has two large tables and several smaller custom cedar tables, plenty of room for you to relax, unwind and enjoy your favourite cab, and savour the fine dining from our experienced culinary team. The bar – adjoining the dining room – is well stocked with wine, beer and spirits for your enjoyment.
Guest accommodations are comprised of both single and double rooms, with comfortable double or king beds, and quality linen. Each room is equipped with its own private shower, which is supplied with abundant hot water from our private, licensed well. The showers are powerful, with no added chemicals, just pure spring water – just what is needed to refresh the body at the end of a long day.
The lodge has a state of the art, custom wader room that was just updated in May 2020. Built with locally milled cedar, the wader room is where you will keep your fishing gear and clothing for the duration of your trip. You are provided with a large, roomy stall, where you can leave your rods, reels and personal gear, then hang up your waders, jacket and other layers to dry overnight in front of the gas fireplace. We are very proud of our well-crafted wader room – the finest in the north!
WHAT TO BRING WHEN FISHING IN BC?
Fishing for sea run fish like Steelhead and Chinook can be a mental game – some days you will have to work hard for each grab, and other days the stars are just perfectly aligned. In order to get the most enjoyment and pleasure out of the game we strongly recommend that the clothes and fishing tackle your bring are suitable and well balanced for the adventure you have in front of you. Therefore we strongly recommend you to read the following information that focus on “What to Bring” when fishing for Steelhead and Chinook.
Check out our detailed gear guide:
what to bring? fishing for Skeena Steelead & Chinook.
