Who is best suited to this destination?
This trip is best suited to anglers that like to swing flies for steelhead and enjoy a casual atmosphere coupled with great meals and accommodations. Due to the lodge offering one guide for every two anglers, it is a great destination for steelheaders of all skill levels and a natural destination for anglers in search of some of the world’s largest wild steelhead.
Where is the lodge?
The lodge is situated in the upper reaches of the Kispiox River valley, approximately 63 KM upstream of the river confluence with the Skeena in BC.
How do I get there?
To get to Bear Claw Lodge, guests will need to arrange flights to Terrace, BC, which will initially require flying to Vancouver, BC. Please book Air Canada Flight #8441 that arrives Terrace at approx. 3:20 PM. There is one transfer to the lodge according to this flight schedule. If you cannot make this flight, please plan to arrive in Terrace the night before and overnight, otherwise we can assist in making custom arrangements to transfer into the lodge for an additional fee. Guests will depart on a 9:50 AM flight from Terrace.
When should I go?
The lodge operates from late August into early November. Because steelhead fishing at BC’s premier lodges is in high demand, when you go often boils down to when you can find an open week. All the weeks have the potential to be the best or worst of the season, and over the past 25 years, we have witnessed each week take its turn in the spotlight. With that said, we can make some generalizations about what to expect throughout the season.
The early season is from late August through mid-September. This time window tends to have rather light fishing pressure, warmer weather, and somewhat “streaky” fishing, meaning that there will be days when you will find the fish and likely days when you may not find them, as they are actively moving into the systems and their movements are not predictable. On the bright side, the early fish tend to be very grabby, bright, and full of energy. Additionally, this is a great time to fish dry flies and dry lines.
Mid-season is the latter half of September and the first half of October. This is a very popular time as it has a nice combination of moderate temperatures, fall colors, solid fish numbers and the ability to use both dry line/dry fly methods as well sink tips. This is when pressure in the greater Skeena watershed peaks. It is not uncommon to have one or more weather events during this time when the rivers blow out, but these fluctuations in flow and clarity also lead to great fishing “on the drop” and shuffle the fish around in a way that typically benefits anglers.
The late season is from mid-October into November. This is the most under-appreciated time of year and often offers the most opportunities for anglers to get their foot in the door at top lodges. The weather is colder, and frost and snow are expected. Dry line fishing opportunities are more limited but available especially in the afternoons. The big benefits of this time window are that the rivers tend to be at their most stable, as low overnight temperatures tend to drop and clear river flows and weather events tend to drop snow (which is stable) versus rain which causes blow outs. Additionally, virtually all of the season’s steelhead will have entered the rivers, making the fish counts the highest of the year. The fish also tends to congregate and concentrate, meaning that when you find one fish, there are often several more with it and this can make for big days.
How will I fish?
All fishing revolves around swinging flies while wading. Spey rods are by far the most popular and both floating and sink tip lines are employed. Typically, guests will spend four days rafting various sections of the Kispiox and two days trailing jetboats to the Skeena and or lower Bulkley. No fishing is ever done from the boat. In the early and mid-season, guests are often able to fish floating lines and dry flies in addition to sinking tips. In the later season, most of the fishing is done with sink tips.
Is there wade fishing?
All fishing is done while wading. Boats are used only for transport.
Where will I fish?
Typically, guests will spend four days floating the Kispiox in small rafts, one day jetboating the Skeena and one day jetboating the lower Bulkley. Guests will typically have the option to chopper into places like the upper Skeena and pay for that heli-time on site.
How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds?
At times, guests might put-in right behind the lodge or a short drive away. It takes roughly 40 minutes to get to the lower beat on the Kispiox and over an hour to get to the most distant put-ins on the Bulkley and Skeena. In the early season there is more driving time, as the fish have not yet reached the upper Kispiox where the lodge is located.
What type(s) of fish will I catch?
Wild Summer steelhead and the occasional bull trout or salmon.
How many fish will I catch?
The nature of swinging flies for any anadromous fish is that there is a lot of variation in catch rates, and few anglers return home complaining about having caught too many. That said, we feel that guests should go into the trip with the expectation that hooking 1 – 1.5 fish per day is a great trip. Another way of looking at it is hoping to have 1-3 “encounters” a day. That could be a light tug or landed fish depending on your luck.
Will I see other anglers?
Yes. The rivers are accessible to the public and rather popular, but this guide crew has lots of tricks up their sleeves that lead to their guests to doing far better than freelance anglers.
What are the guides like?
The guides are full-time professional fish hunters. Given variations in personality, the guides all do their best to put their clients onto the best water at the best times. This is a veteran staff, many of whom have dedicated most of their working lives to understanding the Kispiox and the surrounding rivers.
What are the physical demands?
While not strenuous, guests need to be able to wade all day and climb safely in and out of jetboats and rafts. The wading is moderately difficult and might rank 6.5-7.5 on a scale of 10.
Are there any special skills required?
The ability to cast a spey rod with sink-tips is helpful as are decent wading skills. Guests are best served by a willingness to fish confidently for long periods in between fish.
Does the lodge provide equipment?
The lodge does have limited loaner gear available free of charge. This includes rods, reels, lines, and wading gear. This is primarily to help guests in the event their gear is lost or delayed.
What is your favorite setup for the trip?
The staples are 7 and 8-weight Spey rods ranging from 12 to 14-feet in length. We encourage guests to string up two rods so that they can always have a floating line set-up and a Skagit set-up ready. In the late season, as water temps cool, many anglers will be fine with just a single Skagit set-up or two sink tip rods rigged, one with a heavier and on with a lighter tip.
What are the top flies?
Mid-sized black and blue tube flies and intruders are popular as are a host of other steelhead patterns. Here are some favorites:
- Larimer’s Reverse Marabou Spey - Black and Blue (Size 2)
- Hobo Spey- Black and Blue, and Pink/Orange (Size 2)
- Morrish Pom Skater – Nightshade, Black and Blue (Size 6)
- Silvenator – Black and Blue and Black and Orange (Size 4)
- Suskwa Poacher- multiple weights if possible (Size 2)
What are the options if water conditions become challenging?
Guests will have three primary systems to choose from and several much smaller systems that may be used in the event of really challenging conditions.
What is a typical day like?
The guides like to be on the water early so guests should plan to be up early. After a full hot breakfast, guests will pile into trucks and head to their sections of river. Lunch will be served streamside and folks will get back to the lodge in time for a pre-dinner cocktail. Dinner is typically served around 8PM.
What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge?
Despite Bear Claw Lodge’s grand design and remarkable craftsmanship, the lodge has a very casual vibe where all guests are made to feel like personal guests of the relaxed and colorful Allen family. This juxtaposition is one of the things that makes Bear Claw such a special experience.
Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge?
Yes, the lodge manager, Kaliegh Allen, is on-site, as is her brother and head guide, Jim Allen.
Where do we eat, and what are the meals like?
Guests dine at a lovely, large table in front of huge windows overlooking the river. Their food straddles the line between refined and rugged and they are masters at sourcing the finest local ingredients from their gardens and the valley. This includes local fish and game, wild berries, mushrooms, and herbs. Here, literally everything is homemade with love and then thoughtfully paired.
What is the alcohol policy?
All alcohol is included, and guests are also welcome to bring their own.
Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like?
Guests stay in very comfortable double-occupancy rooms with attached bathrooms. There are a limited number of single rooms available on a first-come-first-served basis and an up-charge will apply.
Is there internet and/or cell service?
Bear Claw Lodge has electricity available 24 hours a day. The lodge also has great Star Link Wi-Fi. There is no cell service.
Are there other activities?
During steelhead season this best thought of as a serious fishing lodge but were there a companion that elected not to fish and they brought along a rental car, there would be some interesting day trips.
Are there any other expenses?
On top of the package price, guests are expected to pay for gratuities. Guests need to arrive with a basic angling license and steelhead tag but the lodge will issue and cover your Classified Waters licensing on-site. .
Do I need a visa?
Guests do not need a visa but will need a valid passport.
Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances?
Rafting, jet boating and wading all come with some risk. There are black bears and the occasional grizzly bear in the area, but the lodge has never had a problematic incident. Biting insects are rarely an issue and are primarily limited to the summer months.
We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center for Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.
