Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, guided fishing, round-trip transfer between Smithers and the lodge, HST.
Not Included: Airfare, accommodations and meals in Smithers, arrival and departure taxes, fishing licenses (about $250), alcohol (BYOB), telephone calls, staff & guide gratuities.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Steelhead Excursions you need to make travel arrangements to Smithers, BC. The lodge itinerary is typically from Wednesday to Wednesday.
Getting to the Lodge: Steelhead Excursions will pick you up at the Smithers airport as you disembark the Wednesday evening flight.
Departure Information: The lodge will return you to the airport the following Wednesday for the morning flight back to Vancouver and points beyond.
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 $600 -$1,000 for staff & guide gratuities, arrival and departure taxes, fishing licenses and any miscellaneous items you may purchase while in BC. The lodge does NOT accept credit cards.
Gratuities:
The recommended gratuity for guides and staff is approximately 10-12% of the trip cost. Tips are pooled and can be given to Bob Hull at the end of your stay to be distributed amongst the staff and guides. Cash is preferred for gratuities.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included. Please be prepared to pay for these on-site with cash or check. Steelhead Excursion will issue all the angling licenses when you arrive.
Climate:
While the weather can be mild, always be prepared for cold when visiting the interior reaches of BC. Rain and snow can occur at almost any time and typical day temperatures range from 30-60 degrees f. Snow is common from mid-December onward.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Smithers, approximately 30 minutes 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:
Most cell phones do work at the lodge and there is also a phone line available for use. Internet access is also available.
Water:
Clean water is readily available.
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 neat but casual. A swimsuit for the hot tub is also a good idea.
Laundry:
Laundry service is available as a courtesy to its guests at no additional cost.
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 7-9. 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 30 pound braided Dacron backing.
Lines: Full floaters like the Mastery Steelhead taper, Mastery wet tip type 4 sink tip line, Teeny 200, 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 4 of 160 grains or less.
Leaders/Tippet: 9-12 ft leaders tapering to 10 pounds for floating lines, 4-6 ft leaders tapering from 10-15 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, Bivisable, large humpys, 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 4-10.
Streamers: Egg sucking leech (black and purple), black leech, Blue Bruce, Boss, Woolly Buggers, Popsicle, Morrish Medusa’s in black and blue, black and pink and 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 Bulkley is a shallow river and fishes best with un-weighted flies.
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, bandana, hemostats, tape measure, camera with spare batteries and film, floatant, and a waterproof bag for day gear.
