We are now opening bookings for our spring Steelhead and Chinook program 2015, where we will be chasing the largest and meanest Steelhead and Chinook in the world.
We are very excited to announce that for 2015 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 the company of some of the best and most hardcore Canadian Steelhead and Chinook guides available.
Skeena: super-sized steelhead and world record Chinook
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 opportunities to pursue what are among the largest sea-run fish on the planet. In Skeena country early spring typically offers the year’s most dependable conditions for tempting Steelhead with a fly. During late March and 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.
Fly fishing for Chinooks is a full on activity and not for the fainthearted, but for fly fishers after the juiciest kicks in fresh water there is not much else to top it. Our test weeks in 2014 got us completely hooked and this adrenaline rush is now part of our program. It should be on the CV of every Salmon Junkie. We will target the Kitimat, Copper, Kalum and Skeena rivers, depending on conditions. Skeena region Chinook average 20 to 40 pounds and range up to 80 pounds — and perhaps beyond. The Skeena’s biggest have been known to reach 100 pounds!
Best Spring Steelhead and Chinook Program on the Planet
Many people believe that the Skeena watershed is easily accessible with easy-going fishing, but that is not the case if you want to get to the fish. Many of the best rivers and spots are more or less impossible to access without a guide, and the only way to get there is by power full jet boat and local knowledge. Some of the most attractive rivers are licensed with limited access for only a small number of people. Salmon Junkies has access to all classified water plus well-selected numbers of coastal rivers. Skeena has become quite a popular destination, even more so after we launched our short movie, but to fish it requires extremely talented guides who can manoeuvre and pick the right spots for any given time or situation. We dare to say that we have the best team of Steelhead guides and they are willing to share their deepest secrets by leading you to the fish. There is a fine line between success and failure when fishing the Skeena and we have got it right. That is exactly why we believe that Salmon Junkies has tailored the best Spring Steelhead and Chinook program on the Planet.
Award-winning Nicholas Dean Outdoors
For guiding and outfitting services to our Steelhead program we have partnered with award-winning Nicholas Dean Outdoors. They are based in Terrace and were named Fly Fusion Magazine’s Canadian Lodge of the Year for 2012! Accommodation is at the Pioneer Fishing Lodge located just minutes west of Terrace. It is a comfortable log cabin lodge offering an authentic, uniquely Canadian experience including all the luxurious touches you would expect from a premier world-class lodge. We welcome you at Pioneer Fishing Lodge.
What to expect? Steelhead. Why not watch our small movie and judge for yourself? Watch here http://salmonjunkies.com/steelhead-movies/skeena-the-biggest-and-meanest-steelheads-in-the-world/
What to expect? Chinook. Here are a few feedbacks from satisfied Skeena adventurers.
“After chasing big silver Atlantic salmon in Russia, Iceland, Norway and Sweden for my whole adult life, I got info about Salmon Junkies cooperation with Nicolas Dean Outdoors and their operation in the Skeena area in B.C. Canada. They had started to fish for Chinook or King Salmon with traditional swinging fly – Interesting. I had always considered Kings to be big, red and nothing for me, but this was new…catching Chinook fresh from the sea – pure chrome! I decided to try it in June/July 2014. During my stay I fished the Copper River and Kitimat for 9 days with 12 hook ups; two broke me off, I lost 5 but landed 5. Average weight approx 25 pound on the landed salmon and bigger ones got away. So next year’s trip is already booked and flies are in production”
Tight Lines – Lars Terkildsen
The Chinook Salmon rules in June! That is for sure.
“Forget everything about old coloured King Salmon at this time of the season. This time of the season the King Salmon are super fresh, and often with sea-lice hanging beneath. Try to imagine a 20-30-40 pound Chromer or even more. How strong do you thing they are? I can tell you. STRONGER than STRONG. Hold on to your rod and reel, because this is a serious and brutal game. I went there this year and manage to capture the essence in the Chinook fishing on video – a Video that is supposed to be ready later this year. I teamed up with Salmon Junkies and famous fly-fisherman and writer Jeff Bright who is one of the pioneers when it comes to Skeena fly-fishing for Chinook. We fished together for a week and caught a good numbers of Kings, with the biggest around +30, and lost quite a lot of bigger Salmon after long fights and crazy battles…
I will be back next year for more – that is certain!”
Best wishes – Columbus Leth
Read Jeff Bright´s very informative Chinook article here – http://salmonjunkies.com/chinook/the-kings-new-crown/
Please note that several of our guests from the last 2 years have rebooked in 2015 so we do not have many rods left. If you have any questions please ask us at sj@salmonjunkies.com
Notice: For more Skeena info please go to Skeena BC in the main menu. Finally we also have two “Fresh” information PDF´s available regarding our Chinook and Steelhead fishing at Skeena.
Follow us on a Steelhead or Chinook adventure to the mighty Skeena, we promise you a fishing adventure of a life time!
All the best,
Steffen & Kåre