Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at lodge camp, HST, guiding, air transportation between Smithers and the lodge.
Not Included: Airfare to/from Smithers, accommodations and meals in Smithers, gratuities, alcohol, beer, wine, ice, fishing licenses, arrival and departure taxes, sleeping bag.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to the camp on the Secret System you need to make flight arrangements to Smithers, BC, via Vancouver. Packages are 5.5 fishing days and there are no set arrival or departure dates. Please plan to arrive Smithers the night before the date you head into the river and overnight. (Hotel not included in package).
Getting to the Camp: The following morning you will be transferred from Smithers to the camp. The flight takes approximately 1 ½ hours.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will be flown back to Smithers in the late morning for your flight home that evening. Or you may choose to overnight in Smithers and depart for home the following day.
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. To participate in the actitivites at the Secret System, guests will be required to sign a waiver form.
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-$800 for guide gratuities, alcohol, etc.
Gratuities:
We recommend guide gratuities of approximately 10% of your package price. Tips may be given to your guides at the end of your stay. Cash is appreciated for tips.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included and are not sold at camp. Please plan to purchase your licenses online ahead of time at: http://fishing.gov.bc.ca/. You will need the following:
- BC basic license
- Steelhead stamp
- Classified waters license for each day of fishing (Michael Young as the guide)
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. Hard frosts are common throughout the fishing season.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Smithers, approximately a 1.5 hour flight from the camp. In emergency situations, a charter flight or helicopter 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:
The camp has a satellite phone for emergency use only. There is no internet service available.
Water:
Water is available from a spring fed source.
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. Bring waterproof shoes for around camp. Bringing along some talcum powder is recommended as the long hikes can lead to chafing!
Laundry:
Laundry service is not available. Please pack accordingly.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge does not provide alcohol. Guests may bring in their own beer and alcohol. If you need ice, bring some of that along too! These items can be bought in Smithers the night before or in advance by the expediters, by special arrangement.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: 91/2-10 ft single hand rods for line weights 8-9, with eight weights being ideal. 12-14 ft two-handed spey rods for line weights 6-8. Also note that 7-8 wt switch rods are very well suited to the river.
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, 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 floating, intermediate and type 3
Leaders/Tippet: 9-12 ft leaders tapering to 12-15 pounds for floating lines, 4-6 ft leaders tapering to15 pounds for sinking lines. Maxima Ultra Green is the tippet material of choice. Rio make nice hand tied steelhead leaders from Maxima for floating line fishing.
Flies: Dry Flies: Bombers (black and natural), Waller Wakers, Morrish Pompador 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 4-10.
Streamers: Egg sucking leech (black and purple), black leech, Trailer Trash in black/blue, nightshade and sherbet, Morrish Medusa in black and blue and black and pink, Popsicle, articulated leeches, and assorted marabou and rabbit patterns in black, blue, orange and purple sizes 2-6. Tube flies are also becoming very popular. Note; having flies of differing weight is very useful.
Waders & Boots: Breathable gore-tex waders are recommended due to the amount of time spent hiking. Due to cold water temps, make sure your boots enable plenty of wiggle space. Spike boots are welcomed but not required. Anglers that choose to 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, water bottle, talcum powder, headlamp, sleeping bag, energy bars, and a day pack.
"Skeena headwater fishing in a majestic setting with just two fishermen! Now I understand why one keeps returning, not for the quantities, nor the size, but for the environment and camaraderie with a fellow fisherman. Only Fly Water Travel could put me there!" B.F., MT
