Hodson's Dean River Lodge

For generations, the Hodson family and the Dean River have been inseparable. Dean River steelhead pioneer and founder of the family operation, Bud Hodson, passed the torch to his son Danny. Now Danny’s sons are also working the river as guides for this legendary upper Dean River steelhead fly fishing lodge.

In addition to the main camp, Hodson’s Lodge has a rustic steelhead camp located 25-miles upstream of the main lodge. Most anglers who visit Hodson’s Lodge during the heart of the season will have between one and three days at the upper camp and will be flown in by veteran helicopter pilot, Danny Hodson. In all fairness, the water surrounding the upper camp may be some of the finest trophy steelhead dry fly water in the world. For the best of what the magical upper Dean River has to offer for steelhead fly fishing, Hodson’s Lodge holds the key.

The beautiful Dean River is famous for its aggressive summer-run steelhead. Clients will be accompanied by knowledgeable guides and transported by jetboats. Dean River steelhead range in size from 8-25 pounds, with the average steelhead weighing 10-12 pounds. Hodson’s Lodge runs three steelhead anglers per boat on the lower Dean River and two anglers in the boat at the upper camp. They can access over 20 miles of fishable water. All fishing is traditional down and across swing fishing, most often with Spey rods. The Dean is a big, powerful river with large rocks. While not overly strenuous, the wading is moderately difficult, and guests need to be able to get in and out of the boat safely during their fishing days.

During the months of July and August, Hodson’s Lodge operates on a “split” schedule due to warm temperatures and longer daylight hours. A steelhead angler’s day begins with breakfast at 6:00 AM and is in the boat by 6:45 AM. Coffee and cookies are sent out on the river for a mid-morning break and guests will return to the lodge at noon for a main meal at 1:00 PM. Fishing resumes at 4:00 PM and guides will provide supper over the campfire. Guests remain on the river until dusk, returning to camp between 9:30 and 10:30 PM.

The schedule changes slightly in September when the guides switch to a full day of fishing. Clients wake for a 6:30 AM breakfast and are in the boats by 7:15 AM. Anglers will spend the day on the river with a hot lunch streamside and will return to the lodge by 5:30 PM followed by a main evening meal at 6:30 PM.

Hodson’s main lodge is located on the north side of the Dean River, seven miles from the saltwater. The double occupancy cabins are equipped with propane lights, a wood stove, and cold running water. Electricity is available in the cabins while the camp generator is running. The Hodson’s main lodge contains shower facilities, a dining room, and lounge. Guests will enjoy hearty home-style meals in a family atmosphere.

Their upper camp is located 25 miles from the saltwater and is accessed by a 10-minute helicopter flight. A guest cabin and lodge with shower facilities and a dining room compliment this remote fishing experience.

Day 1: Arrive Vancouver and overnight (independently arranged, not included).

Day 2: Fly from Vancouver to Bella Coola. You will be met at the Bella Coola airport by a representative from the Lodge and flown via helicopter into the Dean River.

Days 3 - 8: Full days of guided fishing.

Day 9: Helicopter flight back to Bella Coola for the flight back to Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver or continue home.

2025 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• July 9-16: 7 night/6½ day package: $8,715
• September 10-17 and September 17-24: 7 night/ day package: $9,618

Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, guided fishing, round-trip transfers (charter and helicopter) between Vancouver and lodge, taxes

Not Included: Airfare to/from Vancouver, hotel and meals in Vancouver, beer, wine or hard alcohol and mixers, flies, fishing licenses, guide and staff gratuities

Species: Summer steelhead, king salmon

Season: June - September

Capacity: 6 to 8 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? This destination is best suited to any serious steelhead angler lucky enough to get a spot.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is located roughly 10 KM above the salt on Dean River. The Dean is located roughly 50 KM north of Bella Coola in coastal BC.

How do I get there? To get to Hodson’s, guests will fly to Vancouver BC in the evening and overnight. The following morning guests will fly to Bella Coola from the south Terminal. From Bella Coola Danny Hodson will helicopter all into camp where you will fish upon arrival.

When should I go? Late-June through September.

How will I fish? All fishing is traditional down and across swing fishing, most often with Spey rods. Guests will fish three per guide using a jet boat to move from spot to spot.

Is there wade fishing? Yes, all fishing will be done while wading.

Where will I fish? Guests will fish roughly 15 KM of water above the famous falls of the Dean. Guests in the central portion of the season will get to fish out of their upper camp which is 27 KM above the salt and covers the furthest upstream reaches of river fished by steelhead anglers. Some guests will overnight at their upper river camp while others will fly in to fish the area for the day.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Depending on which beat you will be fishing you could be fishing within less than five minutes or motoring up to 25-minutes.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Wild summer steelhead and some chinook salmon in late June and early July.

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. That said, we feel that guests should go into the trip with the expectation that hooking 1 – 3 fish per day is a great trip. These fish are particularly hard to land, so be prepared to have a lower than normal landing ratio.

Will I see other anglers? Yes. While the Dean is remote it is also busy, and you will see other anglers each day.

What are the guides like? The guide team is made up by Danny Hodson’s boys Ben, Everett and John who grew up on the river. They are exceptional anglers, boatmen and casters and the third generation of Hodson’s to work the river. Guests will fish three or four per boat when fishing out of camp and they will fish two per guide when flying by chopper to the upper river. Fly-outs to the upper river are not available in the early season.

What are the physical demands? The Dean is a powerful river with rather large rocks. We consider the wading difficulty to be in the 6-7 range out of 10. Guests must be able to get in and out of the jetboats safely and wade all day long.

Are there any special skills required? The ability to Spey cast with sink tips is important as is a willingness to go significant periods between fish.

Does the lodge provide equipment? No guest should bring all their own gear and there will be some extra stuff around if anyone gets in pinch.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? 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 good all-around choice as your catch rate may be split between kings and steelhead.

What are the top 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.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? On the Dean there are no alternative rivers/options.

What is a typical day like? During the months of July and August, Hodson’s Lodge operates on a “split” schedule due to warm temperatures and longer daylight hours. A steelhead angler’s day begins with breakfast at 6:00AM and into the boats by 6:45AM. Coffee and cookies are sent out on the river for a mid-morning break and guests will return to the lodge at noon for a main meal at 1:00PM. Fishing resumes at 4:00PM and guides will provide supper over the campfire. Guests remain on the river until dusk, returning to camp between 9:30-10:30PM.

Their schedule changes slightly in September when they switch to a full day of fishing with clients waking to a 6:30AM breakfast and into the boats by 7:15AM. Anglers will spend the day on the river with a hot lunch streamside and return to the lodge by 5:30PM followed by a main evening meal at 6:30PM.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? This is a casual, wholesome, family-run operation. It is a very fishing focused operation as opposed to party-focused operation.  

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? Yes. Danny and Darcy Hodson are always on site.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Darcy and her crew prepare delicious hearty and wholesome meals. They bake all their own bread, and our guests are very complimentary of the food.

What is the alcohol policy? Guests will need to bring all their own alcohol.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Cabins at the main lodge sleep two guests and are equipped with propane lights, a wood stove and cold running water. Electricity is available in the cabins while the camp generator is running. The four guest cabins share two bathrooms with hot showers. The Hodson’s main lodge overlooking the river has a dining room and lounge. Their upper camp is smaller and more rustic and can sleep two guests.

Is there internet and/or cell service? Electricity is available in the cabins while the camp generator is running. Cell phones do not work at the lodge. There is a satellite phone available for quick “check-ins” and guests will be billed for any minutes they accumulate. Please expect to have only limited communication with the outside world during your stay. There is direct communication between their lower and upper lodges and with their boats utilizing FM radio and repeater system. Wi-Fi is available in the main lodge.

Are there other activities? No

Are there any other expenses? Guests will need to pay for their airfare to/from Vancouver, hotel and meals in Vancouver, beer, wine or hard alcohol and mixers, flies, fishing licenses, and the guide and staff gratuities.

Do I need a visa? No

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? While there are risks associated with wading rivers, using jetboats, as well as helicopter transport, they are all negligible. Mosquitoes and horseflies can be an issue and there are occasional grizzly bears.