Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness and 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 Terrace, BC

✓ Purchase fishing licenses

✓ Complete personal online guest registration form

✓ Get travel cash

Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness and 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 Skeena Spey, guests need to make flight arrangements to/from Terrace (YXT), British Columbia. All flights connect through Vancouver, British Columbia (YVR).

Arrival Day:
Guests are asked to arrive in Terrace, BC, around 4:00 PM or later.

Departure Day:
Guests are asked to depart Terrace, BC, between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM.

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.

Servicing Airlines:
Air Canada
Note: We highly recommend booking the ‘Comfort’ fare option which offers refundable tickets and the ability to change your ticket.

WestJet

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.

Terrace Hotels:
Best Western Terrace Inn
4553 Greig Ave

Comfort Inn & Suites
5112 Highway 16 West
Offers airport shuttle

Holiday Inn Express & Suites
3059 Highway 16 E
Offers airport shuttle

Terrace Transfer Options:
Kalum Kabs Ltd.
250-635-7177

Coastal Taxi
250-632-7250

Kitimat Taxi
250-632-2100

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 each guest travel with $1,500 (USD)

Credit Cards:
The lodge accepts credit cards, which can be used for any classified waters licenses, fly shop purchases, alcohol from the bar, etc. The lodge will have you fill out a credit card authorization form at check-in should you wish to use one.

Gratuities:
We recommend staff and guide gratuities of about 10% of your package price. The lodge will provide you with envelopes, one for the house staff and one for the guide staff. These can be given to the lodge manager at the end of your stay for distribution amongst the guides and lodge staff. Cash for gratuities is preferred, however the lodge will accept a credit card if necessary.

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 a FWID, guests need to first register for a BC ID HERE, then proceed
to purchase fishing licenses 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 - These will be arranged at the lodge.

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: Service is respectable at the lodge.
  • Wi-Fi: The lodge has satellite internet and is very good.

Power:
The lodge has 24-hour power

Laundry:
Laundry service is available upon request and is included

Water:
The tap water is good to drink

Beverages/Alcohol:
No alcohol is provided. They are a licensed facility and have a good section of spirits, wine and beer for sale in the main lodge building. If guests want alcohol for their cabin they should bring it along.

Emergency Medical Assistance:
Terrace has a regional hospital with an emergency room that provides short-term acute care service. Once stabilized, patients are sent to Prince George.

Recommended Medical Evacuation Carrier and Insurance Provider:
Acera Insurance

Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness and 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.

Skeena Spey Tackle Overview

In the Spring and Fall steelhead seasons we recommend 7 to 8 weight Spey rods in the 12.5-to-14-foot range.

Spring:
Spring steelheading is dominated by Skagit style fishing. Dry-line and dry fly enthusiasts may be presented with opportunities, but having a dry-line setup is strictly optional.

Fall:
We travel to Skeena Spey in the Fall with two Spey rods. The first is a 13 ft. 8-weight paired with a matching Skagit head and the second is a 13 ft. 7-weight setup with a floating Scandi head. Before October 15th, the Scandi set up is strongly recommended, but after that time, your second rod could be rigged as a backup Skagit system, with different/lighter sink tip, reducing time spent changing sink tips. Both set-ups 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 a great 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.

Skeena Spey Lodge Provided Equipment:

  • Rods/Reels/Lines: The lodge has plenty of single hand and Spey rods available for rent in the event of lost or delayed luggage.
  • Flies: Guests are encouraged to bring all their own flies, but the lodge has a fly shop should you choose to purchase them on arrival.
  • Waders/Boots: The lodge has a limited selection of waders and boots available for rent should guests need in the event of lost or delayed luggage.

Skeena Spey 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 Launch heads are typically recommended for Spey rods over 13 feet while the RIO Skagit Max Power is recommended for Spey rods 13-feet and under.

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Skeena Spey Scandi Setup

Scandi setups are useful for fishing dry flies and unweighted traditional flies. They can also come in handy when the water is very low. While they are most often used from August through mid-October, when water temps are warmer and the fish are active, they can occasionally be useful during low clear water later in the season. For less experienced anglers, these set ups tend to be used less than the Skagit set ups, but most intermediate and experienced anglers like to travel with them and use them often in the early season. When using a full floating Scandi head, anglers will attach a 12 ft tapered mono leader, but anglers can also purchase Scandi-body style lines to which various tapered tips are attached. This is a versatile option and allows anglers to adjust to a wide range of conditions.

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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 Spey Riverside Wilderness and Lodge Flies

Skeena Spey 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. Owner Brian Niska’s favorite fly is Stu’s Pot-Bellied Pig (tied by Aqua Flies) in black and blue.

Top 5 Flies for Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness and Lodge:

  • 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. As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton. Dress at the lodges/camps is neat but casual.

Documents:
Passport, plane tickets, itinerary, credit card, cash, business cards.

Waders:
Breathable stocking foot waders are recommended. For anglers prone to cold (especially feet), boot foot waders are excellent. 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 the Dr. Slick scissor pliers for crimping barbs, releasing fish, and trimming flies.

Nippers:
One line nipper.

Wading Staff:
One wading staff and belt.

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

Base layers:
One to 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 lodge shirts.

Pants:
Two pairs of comfortable pants for wearing around the lodge and travelling.

Warm Layers
One or two warm insulating layers. Down, synthetic, or fleece mid layers are good options. Avoid cotton.

Rain Jacket
One high quality rain jacket.

Hats
Two fishing/baseball hats. One warm cap.

Lodge Shoes
One pair of shoes for around the lodge.

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

Sun Gaitor:
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.

Backpack:
One waterproof backpack or boat bag for day gear.

Headlamp:
One small LED headlamp with batteries.

Toiletries Kit
Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, razor, lotion, mini shampoo bottle, Advil, Ambien, 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