british columbia

B.C. Steelhead Counts - Exciting News from Skeena Country!

Dylan Rose July 30, 2024

Recent news from British Columbia has our hopes high for a productive and exciting season this Fall in Skeena Country. With plenty of opportunities still remaining, Ken Morrish fills us in on the latest availability and the amazing options still up for grabs.

Hello Steelheading Friends, 

We have great news for those who signed up to fish for steelhead in the greater Skeena region this fall. The early returns have been exceptionally strong, blowing the past ten-year average clean out of the river.  In fact, DFO Canada forecasts this will be the seventh-strongest return in the past 70 years.  There have been times in past years when I never thought we would be fortunate enough to witness a season like this again. This is news worth celebrating and sharing.

For those that have a trip planned I am super excited for you as this news bodes well for your upcoming time in Skeena Country.  For those of you that have not made plans, we still have a wide range of high-quality openings available from early August through late October. 

Below are the current Tyee test index numbers from Skeena Wild on the run return, as well as a comprehensive list of current openings and lodge availability. Keep in mind that dates and availability is a fluid situation. Contact Us today for an up to the minute update from our B.C. expert Ken Morrish.

2024 Steelhead Lodge Descriptions and Openings 
(Note: openings are subject to change on short notice) 

Silver Hilton Steelhead Lodge

  • A good mix of both larger fish and numbers of fish
  • Private rooms at triple Header, double occupancy cabins at Main Camp 
  • True wilderness, challenging wading, very little competition from other anglers 
  • Best for experienced anglers due to guide ratio   
  • On the high end of the price spectrum 

2024 Open Dates:
October 22 - 29, 3 spots Main Camp (pending)

Frontier Steelhead Experience

  • A good mix of both larger fish and numbers of fish
  • Really nice accommodations and meals 
  • Private rooms at the main lodge, shared rooms on Morice days 
  • Attentive guides and great instruction
  • A wide variety of water with moderate wading difficulty 
  • On the medium to high end of the price spectrum with very limited openings  

2024 Open Dates:
September 6 - 13, 2 spots

Nass Base Camp

  • Nice average size fish and the chance at high numbers
  • Very simple accommodation and meals 
  • Private rooms available 
  • A wide variety of water, and resilient to storms and rainfall
  • On the low end of the price spectrum 
  • Relatively easy wading 

2024 Open Dates:
September 22 - 29, 6 spots
September 29 - October 6, 1 spot
October 20 - 27, 3 spots

Nass River Steelhead Co

  • Nice average fish size
  • A very simple, rustic, well-run wall-tent camp
  • Attentive guides and great instruction
  • Very good meals
  • Long easy wading runs
  • On the medium end of the price spectrum due to long heli flight in 

2024 Open Dates:
September 13 - 20, 2 spots
October 4- 11 ,1 spot

Bear Claw Lodge

  • A river that can produce some of the largest steelhead in the world
  • Really nice accommodations and meals
  • Great double occupancy rooms with limited single room upgrades available 
  • Attentive guides and great instruction
  • A wide variety of water on three rivers
  • On the high end of the price spectrum 

2024 Open Dates:
October 3 - 10, 1 spots (one time only)
October 10 - 17 ,4 spots
October 17 - 24, 7 spots

Skeena River Lodge

  • A good mix of both larger fish and numbers of fish
  • Really nice accommodations and meals
  • Great double occupancy rooms with limited single room upgrades available 
  • Private rooms for all guests
  • Attentive guides and great instruction 
  • A wide variety of water, species and a long season
  • On the medium to high end of the price spectrum

2024 Open Dates:
August 18 - 25, 4 spots
August 25 - September 1, 1 spot
September 1 - 8, 4 spots
September 8 - 15, 2 spots
September 15 - 22, 2 spots
September 22 - 29, 3 spots
September 29 - October 6, 4 spots
October 6 - 13, 4 spots

Steelhead Valhalla

  • A great big fish destination with modest catch rates
  • A combination of double and single accommodations
  • A scenic wilderness venue with limited competition
  • On the medium to high end of the price spectrum with very limited openings
  • Upper Skeena days sometimes available with package 

2024 Open Dates:
October 13 - 20, 2 spots

Skeena Spey

  • Offers a long season focused on the main Skeena
  • Great hospitality, accommodations, and meals
  • Double occupancy and single occupancy packages available
  • Attentive guides and great instruction 
  • On the medium end of the price spectrum
  • Stays of varying length available as well as unguided options

2024 Open Dates:
August 1 - 7, 4 spots
September 2 - 8, 2 spots
October 1 - 8, 4 spots

Bob Hull's Steelhead Excursions

  • An intimate family run operation
  • 6 single rooms with shared baths
  • Really great Bulkley River fishing program
  • One-time only rights to the listed dates
  • Good catch rates 

2024 Open Dates:
September 6 - 13, 4 spots
September 13 - 20, 2 spots

Contact our British Columbia steelhead expert Ken Morrish

With the exciting news of productive returns rolling in from British Columbia, don't delay in contacting Ken Morrish now to find the perfect fit for you this Fall in steelhead Mecca.

CONTACT US