Steelhead fishing in British Columbia: The BC West Lodge

Fly fishing on British Columbia’s premier steelhead river

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The River

The Dean River is considered by many to be the premier Steelhead River in British Columbia. A medium sized river it is dwarfed by the towering backdrop of mountainous snow covered peaks from every perspective. To fish in these surroundings is simply awe-inspiring and the scale of the surroundings has to be experienced to be believed. The lodge has access to the upper and lower sections of the river with the fishing focus changing from the lower to the upper river as the season progresses.

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The Environment

Breathtaking wilderness is how one might view the surroundings. From your flight in via a floatplane, either over the mountains or winding your way beneath the clouds along the Dean channel, you cannot fail to be entranced by the backdrop. The snow and glacier covered peaks drop almost vertically downwards, thousands of feet, and yet somehow pine trees cling precariously to these slopes.

The Fishing

If the surroundings are a distraction and they certainly are the fish, which run the river, are legendary. What makes separates the Dean from other similar rivers is a narrow and fearsome gorge, which is impassible by fish until the river subsides somewhat in mid-summer. Even then it prevents all but the strongest fish from ascending to the upper river and quite possibly this has led to a genetic strain of Chinook Salmon, (Kings) and Steelhead which are almost unstoppable. Whilst the Steelhead may be the most sort after trophy fish on the Dean, the Chinook salmon are probably indicative of the power that both fish have. Quite simply it is a rare feat to land a Chinook of over 20lbs, on a fly rod. Not that they do not exist; fish of 40 lbs and above are present, but simply they have a habit of disappearing in the direction they came equipped with your fly, line and backing!

Moving into July and August the focus shifts from the Kings to the Steelhead which will now be running the rapids and rest in the pools above the falls prior to running the rest of the river. This is a much more intimate part of the river and the Steelhead will readily take a dry fly skated along the surface.

BC West Lodge

The lodge is located on the lower Dean in the shadow of Kimsquit Peak and within earshot of the Dean River canyon. Consisting of a central house, containing the dining rooms, kitchen and lodge staff. Accommodation is in simple but comfortable wooden stove heated twin and individual cabins. In the evening there is a cosy log fired cabin for supper, drinks and the usual post conflict debriefing.

Best Times to Go

If you would prefer to speak to us directly regarding a trip to British Columbia, please contact us at the following:

United Kingdom Office:
Justin Maxwell-Stuart
Mobile: +44 (0)7711 519 857
Fax: +44 (0)20 7352 0942
justin@wherewisemenfish.com

United States Office:

US Country Code: +1
Telephone: 646 797 2945
info@wherewisemenfish.com

Or alternatively email us via our Booking Enquiries Form to request more information.