Skeena Steelhead – Join us for the hottest and strongest freshwater fish in the world where they’re at their very best – in the lower 20 miles of the Skeena river.
Back home after a fantastic BC. Trip where Columbus Leth and I managed to land 30 big Steelies (Most fish was Sea liced). Two fish was 20 lbs and with a 22Lbs. for Columbus as the biggest. Beside the twenty pounders, we managed to land 21 Steelhead between 13 – 19 Lbs. Smallest fish was a couple of 13lbs chromes. Many of the fish stripped us for more than 200meters of backing in the first run, and most of the time we had to jump behind a hot Chromer 200 – 300m downstream before we managed to land the fish.
We have over the years 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 in 2014 we will offer 3 prime weeks (Exclusively) where you will be able to fish Skeena mainstem and select tributaries in a full 6-day package – not the usual 5 days package – in company of some of the best and most hardcore Canadian steelhead guides available.
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.
Spring Fishing – A Hidden Gem:
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. But perhaps the hidden gem in the region’s treasures is the spring fishery in the lower valley tributaries around the town of Terrace. Here, as the alders bud and ruffed grouse drum in the forest, fresh steelhead push into pools to join the nearly year-long run and the fly fisher has an opportunity to connect with what are often the largest steelhead of the year.
The season is our friend:
We’ll concentrate our efforts on the broad main channel Skeena in its lower reaches between the town of Terrace and tidewater, where steelhead hold surprisingly close to the river’s edge in shallow tailouts and riffles. Also on the program is one of the Skeena’s well-hidden and protected treasures. Commonly referred to as the Kalum, the mysterious Kitsumkalum River, fed by a 500-foot deep lake, courses furtively through the shadows of a densely forested valley to meet the Skeena just downstream of Terrace. Channelized by eons of constant flow and running heavy and deep over a large cobble substrate, the Kalum breeds its fish on a larger scale. The majority of the Skeena’s giant Chinook — leviathans reaching 100 pounds — are Kalum fish. Similarly, the Kalum’s steelhead are built thick and strong.
Also in our focus will be the lower Zymoetz (Copper) River as well as a few other tributaries and small coastal rivers that may hold spring-run fish in this period. In all cases, the season again is our friend. The relatively low flows of late winter and early spring give the fly fisher access to classic runs, riffles and flat-water glides that are typically obscured by the higher, glacial flows of summer and fall.
Award-winning Nicholas Dean Outdoors:
For guiding and outfitting services in our steelhead program we have partnered with award-winning Nicholas Dean Outdoors. Based in Terrace and named Fly Fusion Magazine’s Canadian Lodge of the Year for 2012, NDO features a roster of guides whose knowledge of local rivers and fish are unrivaled in the area. Accordingly, NDO enjoys a well-earned, loyal following of spring steelhead anglers. We are confident you will find their work to be exemplary.
What to expect?
Besides having the hottest, strongest Steelhead around, there is so much to describe that is part of the total experience at the Skeena. We hope that we with our small film will give you a flavor of what to expect from this remarkable place.
Please watch our NEW Steelhead short movie from our trip and you can judge yourself. Check out http://salmonjunkies.com/steelhead-movies/skeena-the-biggest-and-meanest-steelheads-in-the-world/
Program dates:
We will only be 6-8 rods per week – depending on week.
Week 1: March 22 – March 29, 2014
Week 2: March 29 – April 5, 2014
Week 3: April 5 – April 12, 2014
Please join us for the meanest and strongest Steelheads on the Planet. If you are interested please make your reservation now at sj@salmonjunkies.com
For more info about our Skeena program visit www.salmonjunkies.com
Please note I am leaving for Russia 21st May and won’t be back until 1st July.
All the best
Steffen and Kåre
PS: Both Steffen and Kåre will be joining you for our new Skeena program 2014.