Skeena River Spring Steelhead

March 30 – April 6, 2025

Hosted by Michael Bennett of Pacific Fly Fishers

The steelhead fishing on the Skeena River and its tributaries is legendary for numbers of fish and the size of the fish. However, most anglers go to the Skeena in the fall to target its famous summer steelhead. On this trip, we’ll target the biggest steelhead in the world, when the Skeena sees its largest fish of the year. This spring steelhead adventure targets Skeena winter steelhead fresh from the sea and having fed in the ocean an additional half a year compared to their summer run cousins.

The Summer/Fall 2024 season was one of the best steelhead returns in recent decades on the Skeena system. In addition, many anglers and guides felt there was a noticeably larger than average size of fish. On our trip, we’ll be targeting the winter-run steelhead from the same spawning class as those Fall 2024 fish, but these winter-run fish are typically larger due to their additional months feeding at sea. If a giant steelhead on the fly is on your mind, this is the opportunity to achieve it. 

During the March-April season, the lodge’s guides routinely see a fish of 20 pounds each week on a normal year. Could this year be even more exceptional? We’ll be there to find out and each cast will certainly be full of anticipation and excitement. 

We’ll be searching for steelhead in the Skeena River itself, plus the Kitimat River, and two tributaries of the Skeena, the Kalum and the Copper rivers. Which river an angler fishes each day will be determined by water conditions and where anglers are finding success.

During the March and April timeframe, the rivers are typically running low and clear with April typically being one of the driest months for the Terrace region. The average air temperatures in March and April are an average low of 30-35 degrees (F) and average high of around 50 degrees. The surrounding mountains haven’t begun to release snow melt, and rain has a minimal effect on river levels unless a warm weather event happens. In the case of high, dirty water, it is nice to have four rivers to choose from, plus the guides have some sneaky places that rarely blow out.

FISHING

Our fishing headquarters will be the beautiful Skeena River Lodge, which is located near Terrace, British Columbia. Each river is located a short drive from the lodge. During the fishing day, guides will transport anglers via jet boats on the main Skeena and Kalum rivers. On the Kitimat or Copper, rafts will be used to make short floats. Either way, all fishing is done while wading on shore, using traditional swinging fly techniques on each pool we fish. No fishing is done from the boats and all fishing is catch and release only.

We will fish for six full days. Expect early morning departures from the lodge after a hot breakfast. There is no shortage of time on the water at Skeena River Lodge. Our guides are experts, passionate about fishing and their rivers, and are very serious about putting anglers on prime steelhead water. Having fished with them for many years for steelhead, silvers, and Kings, you can count on your fishing time being spent on productive water.

During the week, anglers will rotate guides based on fishing conditions and your fishing preferences. Each evening a fishing plan is set for the next day and the excitement and anticipation continues.

TACKLE

Most fishing is done with 7-, 8- or 9-weight two-handed rods from 12’6” to 15 feet in length. Reels should hold at least 150 yards of 30-pound backing. Skagit or Scandinavian style heads are used with a range of sink-tips from intermediate to type 8 sink rates in lengths from 10 to 15 feet. Leaders are generally short at about four or six feet in length and 15- to 20-pound breaking strength. We can assist you with any equipment questions at the store at any time.

Even when fishing the giant Skeena River, the fishing is often done in surprisingly shallow water. Be prepared to fish with a full range of sink tips, including intermediate sinking tips.

Flies like the Hoh Bo Spey, Dirty Hoh, GP Spey, Senyo OCD, and any simple marabou steelhead patterns will all be ideal. Pink is the top choice for the guides this time of year but the colors of Black & Blue, Purple & Blue, Pink & Orange are always favorites. A mix of lightly weighted and unweighted flies can be handy on the river but very heavily weighted flies are unnecessary for most fishing conditions here.

Hooks should be strong enough to handle heavy tippets in sizes of 1 or 2. Hooks must be barbless or pinched down to be barbless.

ACCOMODATIONS

Skeena River Lodge features a beautiful log cabin which includes a dining area and cocktail bar. A series of small log cabin buildings allow anglers to have their own bedroom and private bathroom and shower. A weight room, hot tub, wader drying room, pool table and even a small trout pond are also part of the lodge, although on past trips, we’ve always been too tired after dinner to enjoy them much.

Each day typically starts by meeting the other anglers at the hot breakfast buffet with coffee, juice, muffins, eggs, bacon and ham, hot breakfast sandwiches, cereal, fruit, etc. Lunch is prepared by one of the lodge chefs and packed in the raft by the guides. Lunch will be eaten on the river, either stopping for a proper bankside lunch or simply eating while floating between fishing holes.

For all meals, the chefs are very accommodating of guests with food allergies or dislikes.

Dinners are always a treat beyond expectations and worthy of any downtown Seattle restaurant. A good wine selection is always available, as is other alcohol and non-alcohol choices. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert.  

PACKAGE DETAILS

Trip Dates:
Arrival:  Sunday, March 30, 2025
Departure:  Sunday, April 6, 2025

Included:
Seven nights lodging with a private bedroom and bathroom.
Six full fishing days with one guide per two anglers.
All meals.
Transportation to/from the lodge and airport. BC taxes.

Not Included:
Flights to/from Terrace, B.C.
B.C. fishing license (Classified Waters Licenses are not required this time of year).
Tips for the guides and lodge staff, generally about 15% of the package price is recommended.
Alcohol is not included and can be purchased from the bar at the lodge.

PAYMENT

Package Price:
$5,425 USD (Package price is $7,690 Canadian Dollars, which is $5,425 USD at the time of this writing).
50% deposit due 30 days after confirmation. The remaining 50% is due 60 days prior to the trip start date.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS

Flights will arrive in Terrace, B.C. the afternoon of March 30.  Our group will then be picked up and driven to the lodge. 

Most anglers living in the NW Washington area choose to drive across the border and choose a departing flight from the Vancouver, B.C. airport. Those living outside of Washington state can fly to Seattle and drive with our group or fly directly to Terrace, BC.

CONTACT

Contact us for more information and details on this trip.  We are more than happy to assist with questions.  Use our contact form or contact Michael Bennett directly at the phone number or email below.  We hope you can join us!

Phone: (425) 742-2402
Email: Michael@PacificFlyFishers.com