Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness and Lodge

Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness and Lodge is a team of seasoned fly fishing professionals headed by renowned casting instructor Brian Niska of Whistler, BC. Brian has a fabulous team of guides who pride themselves not only on putting folks onto big, bright fish but also on improving their guests’ angling and Spey casting skills.

The Terrace area is home to all five species of salmon and steelhead, making it one of the best fly fishing destinations in British Columbia. The fishing program at Skeena Spey Lodge focuses primarily on the mainstem Skeena River, which many consider the ultimate anadromous highway. This area has some of the best spawning grounds for Pacific salmon and is home to the largest fly-friendly salmon and steelhead in the world. They offer deluxe, A-frame cabins with single-occupancy accommodations and stays of varying length are available. Unguided anglers are also welcome and can fish their productive unclassified home waters on the weekends. Fishing Program:

The mild-coastal climate in Terrace allows for good angling conditions for ocean bright fish, including spring steelhead, Pacific salmon, and fall steelhead from March through October. During this time, knowledgeable salmon and steelhead anglers from throughout the world migrate to Terrace in search of trophy fish in the Skeena River and her many tributaries.

Guests fish one or two per guide in jet boats and anglers also have the option to design their own program. Unguided days can be scheduled and single-guiding can be arranged for an up-charge. Skeena Spey Lodge is a great fit for beginner and intermediate anglers looking to receive quality Spey casting instruction. Rental gear is available at the lodge upon arrival.

Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness and Lodge is located on the banks of the Skeena River and has multiple cabins that have been recently renovated. While anglers typically sleep two per cabin, single accommodations can be arranged in advance for a reasonable up-charge. Meals are served family-style in the newly-renovated main lodge in a welcoming and inclusive environment. The lodge features a hot tub, pool table, bar, and tackle shop and overlooks the Skeena River in Terrace. Stays of any length are available at the Skeena Spey Lodge.

Day 1: Arrive at the lodge.

Days 2 - 7: Full days of guided fishing.

Day 8: Depart lodge.

2025 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• 7 night/6 day package: CAD $7,900 plus tax
• 3 night/2 day package: CAD $2,900 plus tax

Included: Accommodations and meals at lodge, guiding, BC taxes

Not Included: Airfare to/from Terrace, fishing licenses, flies, alcohol, rental gear, staff and guide gratuities

Species: All pacific salmon species; summer, winter, and spring steelhead

Season: March to October

Capacity: 6 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? This trip is best suited to anglers that like to fish for fresh anadromous fish and enjoy a high level of service and comfort at day’s end. This also a great place for short stays, as well as for anglers that want instruction or a trip that combines guided and unguided fishing.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is in the Skeena River valley, approximately seven miles upstream of Terrace, BC.

How do I get there? To get to Skeena Spey guests will need to arrange flights to Terrace, BC which will require initially flying to Vancouver, BC. The lodge asks that guests book a late afternoon / evening arrival. A lodge representative will pick guests up at the airport then drive the 15-minutes to the lodge.

When should I go? Skeena Spey enjoys a long season. Mid-March through the end of April is spring steelhead season. Mid-June through early August is the time to target chinook salmon as well as other species of Pacific salmon. By mid-August, the lodge primarily targets summer steelhead, and that season continues until the end of October.

How will I fish? All fishing entails swinging flies down and across while wading. Most often guest will depart from the lodge by jetboat.

Is there wade fishing? All fishing is done while wading.

Where will I fish? Skeena Spey specializes in fishing the main Skeena River both upstream and downstream of the lodge. At times they may travel to the Kitimat river as well.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Guests can fish right in front of the lodge on a great long piece of water or they might travel as long as 30-minutes by jetboat before starting to fish. At times you may trailer boats up to 45-minutes before putting in.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Spring steelhead in March and April. King, chum, sockeye, and pink salmon mid-June to early August. Fall steelhead mid-August through October.

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 – 1.5 steelhead per day is a great trip. In later July and early August, catch rates for assorted Pacific salmon tend to be higher.

Will I see other anglers? Yes, expect to see other anglers on the water. However, the Skeena is not busy by American standards and there is lots of room to spread out.

What are the guides like? The guides are full-time professional fish hunters. Brian Niska’s crew at Skeena Spey are particularly adept instructors and greatly enjoy helping their guests improve their skills.

What are the physical demands? While not strenuous, guests need to be able to wade all day and climb safely in and out of jet boats and rafts. The rocks on the main Skeena tend to be large and somewhat awkward. Decent balance and strong wading legs are very helpful.

Are there any special skills required? The ability to cast a Spey rod with sink-tips is helpful, but there is no better place in BC to learn these skills. Guests are best served by a willingness to fish happily for long periods in between fish.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge has plenty of Spey set ups for guests to use. Waders and boots are available to rent and they also provide flies. With that said, many guests elect to bring their own gear.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? In the spring season we recommend 7- to 8-weight Spey rods in the 12.5- to 14-foot range. Summer chinook fishing is time to break out heavier tackle. 9- to 10-weight Spey rods are the norm in 13- to 15-foot lengths. Fall steelhead fishing is well-suited to 7- to 8-weight rods.

What are the top 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.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? The Skeena fishes remarkably well with limited visibility but if thing get bad, a percentage of guests may be able to try the clearer flowing Kitimat River.

What is a typical day like? After an early hot breakfast, guests will head out for the day. Lunches will be served streamside. Guests should plan on fishing all afternoon unless they have expressed a desire to get back a little earlier. Everyone is generally back to the lodge in time for cocktails and appetizers. Dinner is served around 7:30PM.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? The lodge is large, spacious, casual, and inclusive. It has an inviting bar, a pool table, and a variety of seating configurations in the dining area.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? Brian Niska, the lodge’s co-owner, and manager, is on-site to welcome guests as they return from fishing. He is an excellent host and happy to do all that he can to ensure that guests have a great stay.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Guests will dine in the main lodge dining room. The lodge employs a trained chef who will oversee the preparation of a wide range of delicious and thoughtfully prepared meals. Hot breakfasts will be of the highest quality. Lunches will be served on the water.

What is the alcohol policy? The lodge has a full bar and a liquor license. Folks can run a tab for beer, wine and hard alcohol which can be settled at the end of the week. Folks may also bring their own alcohol, but it must remain in their rooms. Alcohol is not permitted in the boat during fishing days.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Skeena Spey is a very comfortable facility with eight deluxe cabins and three classic cabins. Four of the deluxe cabins have a king bed and four of them have a queen and a twin XL. Several of the units also have a small loft appropriate for families traveling with kids. The simpler and less expensive classic cabins have a queen and a single. Typically, guests sleep two per room, but single accommodation upgrades are available on a first come first served basis at the time of booking. The main lodge is within easy walking access of the Skeena River and great home pool. The lodge has a large dining room, a bar, pool table, sauna, and an outdoor hot tub.

Is there internet and/or cell service? Yes, the lodge had good Wi-Fi and cell service.

Are there other activities? No, this lodge is focused on fishing, but the facility is comfortable enough for a non-angling companion who is happy to enjoy the facility and surrounding area with a rental car.

Are there any other expenses? On top of the package price guests are expected to pay for alcohol, fishing licenses and gratuities

Do I need a visa? No

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? Rafting, jet boating and wading all come with some risk but they are negligible. There are black bears in the area, and the very occasional grizzly but they are not a serious concern. Biting insects are rarely an issue and are primarily limited to the summer months.