Silver Hilton Lodge

Widely considered the finest and most exclusive steelhead fly fishing lodge in the world, the Silver Hilton has jetboat access to more than 20 miles of pristine trophy-steelhead water. Babine River steelhead range from eight pounds to over 30 and are among the purest strain of wild steelhead remaining in North America. Often the Babine River produces the largest steelhead of all Skeena River tributaries.

Silver Hilton Lodge features two fully-staffed, five-star steelhead lodges located approximately seven miles apart. The Main Camp fly fishes for steelhead eight rods per week on the two lower beats. The upper Triple Header Camp takes four rods per week on the upper reach. Anglers fly fish four per guide and rotate through all the beats, ensuring ample solitude streamside. This is the most sought-after steelhead fly fishing lodge in all British Columbia and due to a high rate of repeat clients, availability is typically limited to early and late in the season. All packages include private round-trip helicopter transportation from Smithers, BC, to the lodge.

Silver Hilton has guiding access to over 20 miles of the pristine Babine River. As a result of the remote wilderness location, anglers seldom see any people other than the lodge guests on the river. Fully equipped 22-foot jet sleds transport anglers up- and downriver. Limited instruction is available, making this program best suited to knowledgeable, independent anglers. In addition to the six guided days of fishing, guests may fish on their own the afternoon of arrival.

There are three main beats of the lower Babine River fished by Silver Hilton Steelhead Lodge. The Upper Beat goes from Triple Header pool upriver to the Gate Pool and beyond if conditions permit. This is the regular beat fished by the four anglers staying at Triple Header. The Middle Beat goes from just below the Triple Header pool downriver to Double Stripe. The Lower Beat goes from Red Bandana downstream to Skating Rink and beyond if conditions permit. These last two beats are the regular beats fished by the eight anglers staying at the Main Camp.

All anglers rotate among these three beats in the following manner: Twice each week, the four anglers staying at Triple Header come downstream and fish the middle beat; on the same days four anglers from the Main Camp come upstream and fish the beat normally covered by the four anglers at Triple Header. In addition, each group of four anglers fishing at the Main Camp rotate between the middle and lower beats on the days they are not fishing the upper beat of Triple Header.

Also, the four anglers staying at Triple Header and fishing that beat for the day may come down in the afternoon and fish portions of the middle beat after it has been vacated by the Main Camp anglers. Anglers can bring two set up rods with them each day. Many anglers will elect to have one dry line rod and one sink-tip rod.

Silver Hilton Steelhead Lodge has two locations strategically located about seven miles apart, right on the banks of the Babine. Both facilities are full service, complete with guides, cooks, and other hospitality staff. Breakfasts and dinners are served in the main dining room at both the Main Camp and Triple Header. Hot lunches are eaten streamside.

The Main Camp takes eight guests per week in Weeks 2 through 8 and nine guests per week in Weeks 1 and 9. Accommodations are double-occupancy cabins, each with its own bathroom. Triple Header takes four guests per week. All guests have single rooms, and there are two shared bathrooms.

Note: For Week #1 (Sept 3rd - 10th) and Week #9 (Oct 29th - Nov 5th), Triple Header is closed.

Day 1: Arrive Smithers and overnight (hotel not included).

Day 2: Fly from Smithers to the lodge via helicopter charter flight. Guests may fish ½ day unguided.

Days 3-8: Full days of fishing.

Day 9: Take helicopter flight back to Smithers and overnight or continue home.

2025 Rates: Per person based on single occupancy (Triple Header) and double occupancy (Main Camp)

September 3-10 and October 29 - November 5:
7 night/6 day package: $6,850 plus tax and $250 Babine River Foundation donation

September 10 - October 22:
7 night/6 day package: $10,050 plus tax and $250 Babine River Foundation donation

Included: Accommodations, meals, spirits, and wine at the lodge, round-trip transportation between Smithers and the lodge via private helicopter charter, guiding, BC taxes, donation.

Not Included: Airfare to/from Smithers, accommodations and meals in Smithers, beer, fishing licenses, staff and guide gratuities, satellite phone calls, flies.

Species: Steelhead

Season: September - early November

Capacity: 12 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination?  This trip is best suited to semi-independent anglers that like to swing fish for steelhead and enjoy the highest level of meals and accommodations. Folks that can wade well, like skating dries, want the chance at really big fish, and appreciate the chance to be left alone for limited periods of time on prime water, thrive at the Hilton.

Where is the lodge?  The lodge is in the remote middle reach of the Babine River roughly 35 miles downstream of Babine Lake. The Main Lodge takes eight guests, and the upper Triple Header lodge takes four guests.

How do I get there?  To get to the Silver Hilton, guests will need to arrange flights to Smithers, BC which will require initially flying to Vancouver, BC. Guests overnight in Smithers at the Hudson Bay Lodge or the hotel of your choice. The following morning a lodge representative will pick guests up early and transfer them to the helicopter hangar for a flight into the lodge. Guests may fish unguided upon arrival.

When should I go?  September through early November

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. The Babine fishes very well with skated dries, standard wet flies and larger patterns fished on sink tips. Guides shuttle four anglers around each day and anglers often get the opportunity to fish in solitude. Many guests will carry two rods with them each day. One might be a dry fly set up and the other a tip set up and they might fish the run through with both before getting moved.

Is there wade fishing?  Yes. All fishing is dome while wading.

Where will I fish?  All fishing will be done on three beats of the Babine. Guests at the main lodge will access to all three beats while guests at the smaller upstream Triple Header Camp will fish the upper two beats only.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds?  The longest run is from the main lodge to the uppermost Triple Header beat. Under normal conditions that takes about 35 minutes.

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 this operation offers a great chance for both large fish and good numbers of fish. On good years/good weeks the lodge can average more than two fish landed per person per day.

Will I see other anglers?  For the most part, no. On rare occasions in the middle of the season you may see independent fishing parties rafting down the river.

What are the guides like?  The guides are full-time professional fish hunters and some of the finest guides in BC. They know their section of the river intimately and tend to map out runs for guests and then let their guests’ fish them in peace. Sometime guests will get dropped at a run to fish it by themselves or with another angler. Guests will always have a radio and can call their guide for assistance at any time.

What are the physical demands?  Guests should be able to climb in an out of jet boats, wade well, and be able to deal with a wide range of uneven terrain. The Babine is a relatively challenging river to wade and we rate it as 7-8.5 on a scale of 10. Its rocks are large and irregular, and the bottom is dark so wading staffs are encouraged.

Are there any special skills required?  The ability to cast a Spey rod with sink-tips is helpful as are respectable wading and knot tying skills. Guests are best served by a willingness to fish confidently for long periods in between fish as well a willingness to land fish on their own when needed.

Does the lodge provide equipment?  Guests are encouraged to provide all their own equipment. With that said, there is a limited amount of loaner gear on hand and flies can be purchased at the lodge. The lodge also has a small tackle shop with lines, sink tips, selected rods as well as logoed hats and outwear.

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 able to fish a floating line or a sink-tip throughout the day.

• Rod: Sage 13 ft. 8-weight X (8130-4)
• Reel: Sage SPEY Reel 7/8/9
• Head: RIO Skagit Max, 575 gr
• Shooting Line: RIO GripShooter 35 lb.
• Tips: RIO InTouch Skagit MOW Tips – 12 ½ ft. in Light, Medium & Heavy, RIO InTouch 15 ft. Replacement Tips – Type 3, Type 6, Type 8
• Tippet: RIO Steelhead/Salmon Tippet 16 lb. or Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb.

What are the top flies?  Mid-sized black and blue tube flies and intruders are popular as are a host of other steelhead patterns. One favorite is the Larimer reverse marabou in black and blue. Many guide and guests prefer unweighted flies or lightly weighted flies as they are much easier to recover from the Babine’s grabby bottom structure.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging?  You will have to stick with it and hope the conditions to improve.

What is a typical day like?  After a hearty hot breakfast guests will head out at 8:30AM for full day on the water. Lunches will be served streamside and guests will typically be back at the lodge around 6:30PM for appetizers and drinks. Dinner tends to be served around 7:30PM.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge?  While the Hilton is a very nice facility, it maintains a relaxed atmosphere. There is no dress code of any sort and folks are just happy to enjoy the river and he lodge together.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge?  Lodge manager Brian Schneider is always on site and there to make sure that all your needs are taken care of.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like?  Meals are served in the main dining areas of both lodges. They will be of the highest quality and paired with nice wines. Hot lunches will be served streamside.

What is the alcohol policy?  Wine and hard alcohol are provided and included. There is an open bar for all to enjoy. Folks who want beer need to bring their own and all are welcome to bring along anything that that like.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like?  The Main Camp takes eight guests per week in Weeks 2-8 and nine guests per week in Weeks 1 and 9. Accommodations are in four double occupancy cabins. Each cabin has its own bathroom as well as a woodstove. The cabins are spacious and nice. There is one extra room upstairs in the main lodge with a bathroom across the hall. This room will be used in week 1 and week 9 and can be requested in the other weeks.

Triple Header takes four guests per week. All guests have single rooms. There are two shared bathrooms. It is also a very nice set up with a great fire circle overlooking an outstanding home pool.

Is there internet and/or cell service?  Yes, both camps have Wi-Fi, neither have cell service.

Are there other activities?  No

Are there any other expenses?  Guests will need to pay for their accommodations in Smithers, as well as all licensing/classified waters, and gratuities.

Do I need a visa?  No.

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances?  Jet boating and wading all come with some risk but they are negligible. There are black bears and a few grizzly bears in the area, as well as moose. Biting insects are rarely an issue and are primarily limited to the summer months.