Terrace & Beyond

The greater Terrace region offers nearly eight months of opportunity for the most serious anadromous anglers. Photo: Ken Morrish

she greater Terrace region on the lower Skeena is, in many ways, the ultimate anadromous angling hub. Offering access to sea-bright steelhead and salmon virtually year-round, it features a multitude of rivers including the main-stem Skeena, Kitimat, Kalum, and Copper as well as numerous lesser-known systems. This region offers an unbeatable combination of value and opportunity for serious Spey anglers.

Skeena Spey Skeena Spey is a wonderful riverside lodge headed by renowned casting instructor Brian Niska of Whistler, BC. Brian has a great team of guides who pride themselves on putting folks onto big, bright fish as well as helping guests improve their angling and casting skills. Their fishing program focuses

primarily on the main Skeena, home to the largest fly-friendly salmon and steelhead in the world. They offer deluxe A-frame cabins with single-occupancy accommodations and stays of varying length are available. Unguided anglers are also welcome and can fish their productive unclassified home waters on the weekends. Rate: CAD $7,205 plus tax per person for a 7 night/6 day package

Nass River Steelhead Company For anglers interested in fishing for wild steelhead in a truly remote wilderness setting, this program should be on the short list. Located north of the Skeena watershed, Nass River Steelhead Co. is an intimate four person camp tucked into an old growth forest on the banks of the mighty Nass not far from the confluence of the Damdochax. The nearest road is 150 km away and moose and wolves abound.

In addition to five great runs within a short distance of camp, the camp fishes multiple miles of water accessing key runs by raft and jet boat. Nass steelhead average 10 to 15 pounds but fish in the 20-pound class are not uncommon. These fish tend to be aggressive and when conditions align, catch rates can be impressive. While the camp is very basic, meals are as good as it gets. Rate: $7,900 plus tax per person for a 7 night/6 day package

Nicholas Dean Lodge Nicholas Dean Lodge should be at the top of the list for anglers looking to experience the many seasons, species, and unique systems of the greater Terrace region. Highly qualified angling guides know the Skeena, Kalum, Copper, Kitimat, and lower Skeena tributaries intimately, ensuring that anglers have the best chance possible at landing one of the many world-record fish that migrate upriver each year.

Each guest will enjoy their own private bedroom with a deluxe double bed and quality linens in a comfortable two-bedroom log cabin. This trip is well rounded with seasoned guides, wonderful meals, and comfortable accommodations in the heart of what is considered the ultimate, year-round anadromous region in the world. Rate: CAD $5,595 plus tax per person for a 6 night/5 day package

Skeena Wilderness Charters Veteran guide Stan Doll has guided the best waters in the Terrace area for more than 40 years. When it comes to knowing where to be and when, few can compete with the trove of experience Stan and his sons offer. They fish the local rivers by jet boat, raft, walk and wade, and helicopter.

Stan’s home is also his lodge. Located on the outskirts of Terrace the home-style lodge offers four double-occupancy

bedrooms and three shared baths. Tasty home-cooked meals are served family-style upstairs. Stan puts folks in front of big fish year-round with his enviable menu of classified-waters permits (including the Copper). For the ultimate in remote wilderness fishing, Stan also offers an array of sought-after fly-out fishing options for spring steelhead. Rate: CAD $6,000 plus tax per person for a 7 night/6 day package

Copper Bay Lodge For fit, skilled anglers searching for one of the most rewarding winter steelhead challenges, Copper Bay Lodge is the answer. Here, groups of four to six anglers fish a wide range of woodyisland streams on Haida Gwaii, a remote complex of islands located 60 miles offshore from the mouth of the Skeena. The islands receive more than 200 inches of rain per year and offer an abundance of little known wild winter steelhead streams.

The lodge is a 2,000 square foot facility that overlooks a large pristine and seemingly private section of beach south of the town of Sandspit. The lodge has two single-occupancy guest bedrooms and one double-occupancy guest bedroom. Delicious and thoughtfully prepared meals are served in the main dining area which is adjacent a comfortable main living room where appetizers are served each evening. This is a special place and a special opportunity to fish for some of the world’s strongest winter steelhead. Rate: $5,600 per person for a 7 night/6 ½ day package