Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, HST, round-trip transfers from Smithers to lodge, wine, alcohol, guiding, flies, basic BC fishing license.
Not Included: Airfare, lodging and meals in Smithers, arrival and departure taxes, satellite phone charges (about $4.00 per minute), classified waters license, staff and guide gratuities.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Bear Claw Lodge on the Kisiox you need to make flight arrangements to Smithers, BC, via Vancouver. Packages are based on the actual dates as opposed to the days of the week. Please plan to arrive in Smithers the night before your listed start day at the lodge and overnight. (Hotel not included in package)
Getting to the Lodge: The following morning you will be transferred from Smithers to the lodge. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will be driven back to Smithers in the morning for your flight 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. Credit cards may be used at the lodge to settle your bill at the end of the week.
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travel with approximately with $600-$800 for staff & guide gratuities, licenses, etc.
Gratuities:
We recommend guide and staff gratuities of approximately 10% of your package price. Tips are pooled and may be given to Jim Allen at the end of your stay for distribution amongst the guides and lodge staff. Cash is preferred for gratuities.
Fishing Licenses:
The basic BC fishing license is included in your package price. The classified waters license is not included. Please be prepared to pay for this license on-site with cash, check or credit card.
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 any time and typical day temperatures range from 30-60 degrees f. For anglers visiting in October come prepared for hard frost and even snow.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is approximately a 45 minute drive from the lodge.
Power and Communications:
Bear Claw lodge has electricity available 24 hours a day. There is a lodge computer with wireless internet access and a satellite phone available for guest use (usage not included).
Water:
The lodge will provide bottled water in each rom. While the tap water is potable, it is iron rich and colored.
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. Boot foot waders are recommended for late season fishing. Dress at the lodge is neat but casual. Bring a swimsuit for the hot tub.
Laundry:
Laundry service is available at the lodge and the cost is about $7 per load.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Bear Claw Lodge provides wine and alcohol
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: 91/2-10 ft single hand rods for line weights 7-9, with eight weights being ideal. 12-15 ft two-handed spey rods for line weights 7-9.
Reels: Any good reel with or without a disk drag and room for 100-200 yards of 30lb braided Dacron backing.
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 skagit style lines with interchangeable sink tips. The most poplar spey tips will be type 6 or type 8.
Leaders/Tippet: 9-12 ft leaders tapering to 10-15 pounds for floating lines, 4-6 ft level tippets of 12-15 pounds maxima for sinking lines. Maxima Ultra Green is the tippet material of choice. Rio makes nice 15 ft. steelhead leaders for floating line fishing.
Flies: Dry Flies: Bombers (black and natural), Waller Wakers, Morrish Pompaor Skaters, Quigly’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 2-8. Streamers: Egg sucking leech (black and purple), black leech, Morrish Medusas in black/blue plus black/pink, Popsicle, articulated leeches, and assorted marabou and rabbit patterns in black, blue, and purple sizes 2-6. Tube flies are also becoming very popular. Note; the Kispiox 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 or boot foots becoming more popular throughout October and November. For anglers prone to cold (especially feet), boot foot waders such as the Simms 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, bandana, hemostats, tape measure, landing hand, camera with spare batteries and film, floatant, and a waterproof bag for day gear.
