Hodson's Dean River Lodge
Travel & Tackle Guide

Welcome to your Fly Water Travel trip guide. We’re excited to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure! Inside, you’ll find everything you need: your to-do list, travel logistics, destination notes, and a curated tackle guide tailored to your trip.

Getting Ready

We’ve created a quick checklist of essential tasks to make sure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. If questions come up or you need anything at all, just give us a call, we’re here to help every step of the way.

To-Do List:

✓ Confirm passport is valid for the dates of the trip

✓ Arrange flights to/from Vancouver, BC

✓ Arrange a hotel in Vancouver

✓ Purchase fishing licenses

✓ Complete personal online guest registration form

✓ Get travel cash

Hodson's Dean River Lodge
Travel Guide

From how to get there and what documents you’ll need to tipping guidelines and destination details, this section covers the practical information to ensure smooth travels.

Getting to the Lodge:
To get to Hodson’s Dean River Lodge, guests need to make flight arrangements to/from Vancouver, British Columbia. Guests will need to overnight in Vancouver the night before they are scheduled to fly into the lodge. The following morning, flight arrangements are made by the lodge for guests to be flown from Vancouver to Bella Coola, British Columbia, then onward to the Dean.

Arrival Day:
Guests need to arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia, to overnight, the night before they are scheduled to arrive at the lodge. Guests can arrive anytime this day.

Departure Day:
Guests can schedule an evening departure out of Vancouver the day they depart the lodge or elect to overnight in Vancouver, departing for home the following day. Guests are expected to arrive in Vancouver from the Dean at approximately 12:30-1:00 PM. Guests are advised to allow at least three hours between connecting flights in case of any weather-related delays.

Documentation Requirements:
To enter Canada, all guests are required to have the following:

  • Passport: Valid for the duration of your trip
  • Criminal History Clearance: Anyone with a criminal record (including misdemeanors or alcohol-related driving offenses) may not be able to enter Canada without first obtaining an approval for rehabilitation well in advance of any planned travel. To determine whether you may be inadmissible and how to overcome this finding, please visit the Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) website

Vancouver Hotels:
Fairmont Vancouver Airport
3111 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond
Mention Fly Water Travel for a discount

Radisson Hotel, Vancouver Airport
8181 Cambie Road, Richmond
Located about 2 miles from the airport and offers a free shuttle.

Holiday Inn Express Vancouver Airport
9351 Bridgeport Road, Richmond
Located about 2 miles from the airport and offers a free shuttle. Breakfast included.

Currency:
The Canadian dollar (CAD) is the official currency in British Columbia, however, US dollars (USD) are widely used and accepted.

Travel Cash:
We recommend that each guest travel with

  • $1,200-$1,400 (USD) if planning to purchase fishing licenses at the lodge and alcohol once in Canada.
  • $600-$800 (USD) if licenses were purchased in advance.

Credit Cards:
Hodson's Dean River Lodge does not accept credit cards.

Gratuities:
The following are only guidelines, as gratuities are up to the discretion of the individual guest. Tips are pooled and may be given to the manager at the end of the week for distribution to the guide and lodge staff. Cash (USD) is preferred.

  • Guides and Lodge Staff: $1,000 (USD) per person per week

Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included and will need to be purchased in advance.

As of April 1, 2026, British Columbia has changed its licensing system to
Wildlife Information and Licensing Data (WILD), combining hunting and fishing
licenses into one system. With the change, they will no longer be using angler
numbers and will shift all licensing to Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) numbers.

To receive an FWID and purchase fishing licenses, guests must first register for a BCeID HERE. After registering for a BCeID, guests will need to create an FWID HERE. Finally, once an FWID is supplied, fishing licenses can then be purchased HERE.

The following licenses are required for the trip.

  1. A Basic Angling License (either an eight-day or annual)
  2. Conservation Surcharge – Steelhead stamp
  3. Classified Waters License
  • River: Dean-Class I Lower (June 1 - Sept 30)
  • Dates: Day of arrival through the day before scheduled departure from the lodge
  • Guided: Yes
  • Fishing Guide License #: AGMRWL26-1033116 (Guide Danny Hodson)

Electrical Requirements:
Guests traveling to Canada from outside the U.S. or Canada, a Type A or Type B power adapter is needed. These are the standard North American outlets used throughout the United States and Canada.

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi:

  • Cell Coverage: Cell phones do not work at the lodge.
  • Wi-Fi: StarLink Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge.

Power:
Electricity is available in the cabins while the camp generator is running. The generator runs from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Laundry:
Laundry service is not available. Please pack accordingly.

Water:
Drinking water is safe to drink right from the tap and is quite good. They do not have bottled water on hand, but if requested in advance, they can make arrangements to have it available.

Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge does not provide alcohol. Guests are welcome to bring their own.

Emergency Medical Assistance:
In case of an emergency, guests would be transferred via helicopter to Bella Coola General Hospital.

Recommended Medical Evacuation Carrier and Insurance Provider:
Acera Insurance

Hodson's Dean River Lodge
Tackle Guide

Here you’ll find everything you need to be ready on the water: our preferred setups, favorite flies, recommended packing list, and notes on tackle available at the lodge.

Hodson's Dean River Lodge Tackle Overview

In late July, August, and September, we recommend 7- to 8-weight Spey rods in the 12.5- to 14-foot range. The first two weeks of July, a stout 8-weight is a good all-around choice as your catch rate may be split between kings and steelhead. During the prime steelhead weeks, we encourage guests to string up two rods so that they can always have a floating line setup and a Skagit setup ready. Setups should be matched with good-quality reels, appropriate mono or floating running lines, and at least 150 yards of 30-pound backing. Spey anglers have many options when it comes to rod lengths, and virtually all of the options are viable. Likewise, guests could travel with two 8-weights or two 7-weights, as both are well-suited to the program.

Hodson’s does not provide equipment so guests must travel with their own gear.

Hodson's Dean River Lodge Scandi Setup

Scandi setups are useful for fishing dry flies and unweighted traditional flies. When using a full floating Scandi head, anglers will attach a 12 ft tapered mono leader, but anglers can also purchase
a Scandi Body to which various tapered tips are attached. This is the most versatile option and allows anglers to adjust to a wide range of conditions.

1 6

Hodson's Dean River Lodge Skagit Setup

A Skagit setup is the staple for most BC anglers. They are easy to cast and are used most often for sink tip fishing. Less experienced casters can also use them with a 15-foot floating tip as an alternative to a Scandi head. RIO Skagit Max heads are typically recommended for Spey rods over 13 feet while the RIO Skagit Max Power is recommended for Spey rods13-feet and under.

1 5

Hodson’s Dean River Lodge Flies

Dean steelhead tend to be very aggressive towards flies making a wide range of patterns and colors highly effective. Tube flies and or flies with a trailing hook in the 2.5-3.5-inch range are great options. Bright colors like pink and orange and dark color such as black and blue flies. Unweighted and lightly weighted flies are best. In August and September be sure to bring along a few skaters as well.

Support Your Local Fly Shop

If you need assistance with assembling your gear for your upcoming travels, we encourage you to support your local fly shop. This curated list of tackle is handpicked for your destination by our experts and can serve as your shopping list to get your ready for your next adventure. Find your local Far Bank dealer.

Skeena River Lodge Flies

Skeena River Lodge relies heavily on tube flies for most of their fishing. The size, color and weight of those tubes will vary with season and species. Pink is popular in the spring and black and blue is popular in the fall. Typically, these flies are unweighted or lightly weighted and 2-3 inches long. Size 2 barbless trailing hooks are popular for steelhead. Hobo Speys are popular as well.

Top 5 Skeena River Lodge Steelhead Flies:

  • Larimer’s Reverse Marabou Spey - Black and Blue (Size 2)
  • Hobo Spey- Black and Blue, and Pink/Orange (Size 2)
  • Morrish Pom Skater 2.0 – Nightshade, Black and Blue (Size 6)
  • Silvenator – Black and Blue and Black and Orange (Size 4)
  • Stu’s Intruder- Black & Purple, Black & Blue (Size 2)

Suggested Packing List

We understand packing for an adventure is not easy. On a trip like this it is very important to have everything you need and nothing you do not.

Documents:
Passport, itinerary, fishing license, credit card, cash

Waders:
Breathable Gore-Tex stocking foot waders are recommended. Anglers with breathable waders should bring several layers of mid/heavy weight fleece leggings.

Boots:
Most operations prefer felt soled wading shoes. Rubber soles without cleats are not recommended.

Forceps:
We like scissor pliers for crimping barbs, releasing fish and trimming flies, and tippet

Clippers:
One line clipper

Wading Staff & Belt:
One wading staff & belt

Socks:
Four pairs of wool or synthetic socks to wear under your waders. Two pairs of camp socks.

Base Layers:
Two pairs of synthetic or merino wool long underwear (tops and bottoms) to wear beneath your waders. One mid-weight and one heavyweight. These can be worn alone or together depending on conditions.

Shirts:
Two or three long sleeve fishing shirts. One or two camp shirts.

Warm Layers:
A warm insulating layer. Down, nano puff and fleece are good. Avoid cotton.

Rain Jacket:
One high quality rain jacket

Hats:
Two fishing/baseball hats. One warm cap.

Camp Shoes:
One pair of shoes for around the lodge/camp

Gloves/Hand Warmers:
One pair of warm fishing gloves and hand warmers

Sun Gaiter:
One bandana or sun mask (which is good for bugs, too)

Sunglasses:
One pair of polarized sunglasses. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well.

Sunscreen:
One bottle SPF 30+

Lip Balm:
One tube of SPF 30+ lip balm.

Bug Dope:
Insect repellent and a lightweight head net (for June-August only)

Backpack:
One waterproof backpack or boat bag for day gear

Camera:
With extra batteries and a waterproof case/bag

Headlamp:
One small LED headlamp with batteries

Toiletries Kit
Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, razor, lotion, mini shampoo bottle, Advil, sleep aid, ear plugs, band aids, anti-bacterial ointment, Benadryl, Gold Bond powder

Contact Kat Mueller

Kat grew up in a fishing-obsessed family and remembers only one vacation in her youth that wasn't centered around chasing fish. She has spent most of her adult life fishing across Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah, while working behind the scenes with top lodges and outfitters to help their guests get the most out of their time on the water. An accomplished creative, Kat’s photography and writing have been featured in The Drake and other notable publications. While she is well-versed in all forms of fresh and saltwater fly fishing, she is first and foremost a two-handed steelhead angler. Her experience includes countless weeks on the Olympic Peninsula, the Snake and Clearwater rivers, and many of British Columbia's fabled waters. Additionally, Kat is a skilled rower and fly tier, and holds certifications in Swiftwater Rescue and Wilderness First Aid.

Contact Kat