Your weekly online magazine for
Fishing and Outdoor Recreation
in northern British Columbia, Canada

Published each whenever

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September, the steelhead month. A hint of fall in the air, a slight dusting of snow on Hudson’s Bay Mountain, some early yellowing on the poplars, comfortable days and cool evenings. Time for the pilgrimage to the angler’s Mecca, the famous waters of the Skeena and her tributaries. Many have made the journey in past years, and their angling year would not be complete without a journal entry from her revered waters. Many others will travel here for the first time, spurred on by stories from friends, magazine articles or searches on the Internet.

Bit by bit

Those anglers familiar with these waters know the best pools, runs, glides and holding water. They also know the best watering holes, great places to eat, shop, and best camp sites and motels. With each visit, their knowledge of the watershed increases, and gentle probes glean valuable little tidbits of info. Like the river, or a woman, secrets are revealed slowly, and only to the patient and worthy lover.

For the newcomers, steelheading is seldom an instant gratification pursuit. It usually takes time before the steelhead god will smile on you, and that is OK. If it were as easy as pulling some tiddlers out of your favorite pond it would hold no appeal.

A slam, bam, thank you ma’am, carve another notch on your angling belt style, will probably meet with little success. Getting to know a river, unless you have a guide, is a slow but worthwhile quest. It is often a lifetime journey accompanied by exceptional friends in some of the most beautiful waters in the world.

How do you get the information you need? Here are some frequently asked questions and some questions you should not ask.

How is the steelheading?

We don’t know for sure. The chief steelhead has not phoned in the exact numbers returning to their birthplace reunion. We can only go by the early returns on the test fishery, the index, an inexact guess of the numbers. 1998-2002 were great steelhead years, some of the best on record, however, the five years before were poor. This year we are on that 10-year average.

Can I get a guide for the day?

No. Most guides are booked up well in advance. At least a year if not more. In BC, guides are given a territory and a certain number of rod days. Most are filled with clients staying for a week at a time. Guides are not interested in taking a client for one day, only to have him show up next day with half a dozen buddies, who now know the holes. You can understand their reasoning.

Other questions we hear a lot...

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Is there any tackle restrictions?

Most BC steelhead waters have bait bans, which also include the scented products such as Berkley Power Bait, Exude etc. Steelhead waters are single, barbless hook and catch and release only.

Are there any other salmon in the river?

Yes, in most rivers we are seeing a good return of coho. Coho regulations are set by fishery notices and should be checked for the particular river you are fishing as to times and catch limits.

What are the river levels?

At the moment, rivers are much lower than last year, and clear. However that may change overnight, and if your weatherman can give you an absolute precise future forecast then maybe he should also buy your stocks. Check the 5-day weather forecast and the latest river levels on this website.

If the river goes out, is there an alternative?

Yes. We have many good lakes in the area that get little attention. If the rivers are out you can enjoy some trout fishing. If you have room bring the light rods and a selection of lake flies.

Is there a map of the rivers showing all the runs?

No. No explanation necessary.

Is there a best time to come?

Yes. When you can. Steelhead enter our rivers in August until freeze-up. The later you arrive the more steelhead may be in the river but also the greatest chance of very cold weather or ice-up. Peak season, the most steelhead, also means more anglers.

How is access?

There is some access points on most of our waters for float trips, but little access for streamside anglers as most runs are across private property or along high banks.

After 45 years of selling tackle, I've learned some questions you should not ask in a tackle shop.

How many fish can you get in a day?

Redundant. Question can only be answered by someone with an intimate knowledge of the skills of that angler, on a perfect day, when Murphy is nowhere to be seen, and river is full of suicidal, gluttonous fish, which may be there, or, may not.

Where is your favorite fishing spot?

Redundant. We would tell you but we would have to kill you. Amazingly we are always asked this question.

Finally, realize that most shops are entering their peak season. Anglers are there from everywhere getting licenses and tackle and looking for a little info. You may not get undivided attention. Also appreciate that the road to Mecca may be a much-anticipated journey but that journey also has fellow travelers. Take the road patiently and with some reverence.

Let us know your thoughts. Email me and give us some input.

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