Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at lodge, guided fishing, round-trip transfers (charter and helicopter) between South Terminal in Vancouver and lodge, HST.
Not Included: Airfare to/from Vancouver, hotel and meals in Vancouver, beer, wine or hard alcohol and mixers, fishing licenses (approximately $420), guide and staff gratuities.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information:To get to Hodson’s you need to make travel arrangements to Vancouver, BC the night before you fly to the lodge and overnight. (Hotel not included.)
Getting to the Lodge: The next morning you will be flown into Bella Coola (flights from Vancouver’s South Terminal to the lodge are included) and then into the Dean River by Hodson’s helicopter.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will take a helicopter ride back to Bella Coola and then a flight from Bella Coola to Vancouver’s South Terminal. Continue home.
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 $800-$1,200 for staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, licenses, etc.
Gratuities:
We recommend guide and staff gratuities of approximately $400-$500 per person. Tips are pooled and may be given to the manager at the end of your stay for distribution amongst the guides and lodge staff. Cash is preferred for gratuities.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included. Licenses (BC basic license, steelhead stamp and a classified waters license) will be issued at the lodge.
Climate:
While the weather tends to be very mild, always be prepared for cold when visiting BC. Typical day temperatures range from 50-75 degrees F. More often than not you will start the days with several layers on and be down to one light layer by mid-day.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Bella Coola, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours away. The Bella Coola hospital has an emergency room. For major surgery guests would be flown to Vancouver. In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
Power and Communications:
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.
Clothing:
As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton. Dress at the lodge is casual.
Laundry:
Laundry services are not available at the lodge. Please pack accordingly.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge does not provide alcohol. Guests may bring in their own.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: 9-10 ft single hand rods for line weights 8-9. 12-15 ft two-handed spey rods for line weights 7-9.
Reels: Any good reel with a disk drag and room for 200-300 yards of 30lb braided Dacron backing.
Lines: Full floaters like the Mastery Steelhead taper, shooting heads (one line wt. over the list rod weight) in type 3,6, and 8, Teeny 200 and 300, Rio Versi-tip system, floating spey lines as well as ones with interchangeable sink tips. The most poplar spey tips will be type 6 – 8 as well as custom tips made from Rio’s T 14.
Leaders/Tippet: 9-12 ft leaders tapering to 10-15 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.
Flies: Dry Flies: Bombers (black and natural), Waller Wakers, Morrish Pom Skaters, Greased Liner, Mudlers, large humpys, and assorted other foam and deer hair patterns in sizes 2-8.
Traditional Wets: Green Butt Skunk, Freight Train, Signal Light, Purple Peril, General Practitioner, Silver Hilton, and assorted spey flies in sizes 1/0 - 4.
Streamers: Marabou tube flies or ‘trailing hook’ style flies in size #2 - #1 are great. Popular colors include pink , orange, and black/blue. Egg sucking leech (black and purple), black leech, Popsicle, articulated leech, Trailer Trash and Medusa’s, and assorted marabou and rabbit patterns in black, blue, and purple sizes 2-2/0.
Waders & Boots: Breathable gore-tex wanders are the most popular. Clients must wear a wading belt at all times on the river. Due to the wear and tear on the boats, spikes / studded boots are discouraged.
Miscellaneous: Sunscreen, camera, film, batteries, fly floatant, insect repellent, waterproof bag for day gear, tape measure, wading staff and sunglasses
