Included / Not Included: –
Included: Accommodations and meals at the ldoge, meals, guiding, transfers between Smithers airport or hotel and the lodge, limited wine with dinner, HST.
Not Included: Airfare, gratuities, alcohol, licenses (about $450 Canadian that must be paid in check or cash), arrival and departure taxes, flies.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Babine Steelhead Lodge you need to make travel arrangements to Smithers, BC, via Vancouver. All guests need to arrive in Smithers the night before your start date at the lodge and overnight (hotel independently arranged and not included).
Getting to the Lodge: The morning of your arrival to the lodge your hosts will pick you up and transfer you to the Babine River weir. The drive takes about 1.75 hours. You will be met by the guides, who will then take you down river by jet boat to the lodge (about 45 minutes).
Departure Information: On your departure day plan to spend another night in Smithers (hotel independently arranged and not included.) or depart Smithers on the evening flight.
Documentation Requirements:
You need a valid passport to enter Canada and it must be valid for six months after the last day of your trip.
Currency:
The Canadian dollar is the official currency in BC, however US dollars are widely used and accepted.
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travel with approximately with $900-$1200 for staff & guide gratuities, departure taxes, etc. The lodge does not accept credit cards, only cash and checks.
Gratuities:
We recommend guide and staff gratuities of approximately 10-15% of your package price. Gratuities typically range from $450-$600 US per person per week. There will be an envelope in each room where the tips should be left at the end of your stay. They will be split amongst the guides, cook, and serving staff. Please plan to pay for gratuities in cash.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included. Anglers must purchase their fishing licenses (BC Basic License and 7 Day Classified Waters License) online ahead of time at the British Columbia Government website: www.fishing.gov.bc.ca/.
Climate:
While the weather can be mild, always be prepared for cold when visiting the interior reaches of BC in the fall. Rain and snow can occur at almost anytime and typical day temperatures range from 30-60 degrees f.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Smithers, approximately 2.5 hours from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
Power and Communications:
Babine Steelhead Lodge runs on generator power. Each cabin has propane lights There is no internet access.
Water:
All cabins have a washroom with a sink and running tap water.
Clothing:
Warm socks, polar fleece pullovers or sweaters, warm hat, one or more pairs of fishing gloves, a quality waterproof wading jacket, synthetic long underwear and fleece pants. Dress at the lodge is casual.
Laundry:
Laundry service is not available. Please pack accordingly
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge does not provide alcohol. Guests may bring in their own.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: 91/2-10 ft single hand rods for line weights 8-9, with eight weights being ideal. 12-15 ft two-handed spey rods for line weights 7-10.
Lines: Full floaters like the Mastery Steelhead taper, Mastery wet tip type 4 sink tip line, Teeny 200 and 300 grain heads, Rio Versi-tip system (or comparable interchangeable tip line), floating spey lines as well as ones with interchangeable sink tips. The most poplar spey tips will be type 6 or type 8. Custom spey tips made from Rio T14 in 12 and 14 foot lengths are also handy.
Reels: Any good reel with or without a disk drag and room for 100-200 yards of 30lb braided Dacron backing.
Leaders: 9-10 ft leaders tapering to 12-15 pounds for floating lines, 4-6 ft leaders tapering from 12-15 pounds for sinking lines. Maxima Ultra Green is the tippet material of choice. When used with a looped leader butt, not tapered leader will be needed. Rio makes nice hand tied and extruded steelhead leaders for floating line fishing.
Flies: Dry Flies: Bombers (black and natural), Waller Wakers, Morrish Pompaor Skaters, Quigley’s dragon gurgler, Greased Liner, Mudlers, and assorted other foam and deer hair patterns in sizes 4-8.
Traditional Wets: Green Butt Skunk, Freight Train, Signal Light, Purple Peril, Blue Charm, Silver Hilton, and assorted spey flies in sizes 1-6.
Streamers: Egg sucking leech (black and purple), black leech, Morrish Trailer Trash in black/blue, nightshade and sherbet, Boss, starlight leeches, Morrish Medusa’s, Woolly Buggers, Popsicle, articulated leeches, and assorted marabou and rabbit patterns in black, blue, and purple sizes 1-6. Tube flies are also becoming very popular. Note; the Babine varies greatly from run to run so having flies of differing weights is very useful.
Waders & Boots: Breathable gore-tex waders are typically fine for September fishing with neoprene becoming more popular throughout October and November. For anglers prone to cold (especially feet), boot foot 4-5 mm waders such as the Simms Boot Foot Extremes are excellent. Due to boat travel, spikes/studded boots are discouraged. Anglers that choose use breathable waders should bring several layers of mid/heavy weight fleece leggings.
Miscellaneous: Sunscreen, lip balm, hand-warmers, headlamp, bandana, hemostats, tape measure, camera with spare batteries and film, floatant, and a waterproof bag for day gear.
