Babine Norlakes Lodge 
British Columbia
Located on the clear flowing upper reaches of the famed Babine River, Pierce Clegg’s Babine Norlakes Lodge is a classic camp for the serious steelheader. With the longest season of any BC steelhead camp, Babine Norlakes takes pride in creating an operation that involves fishing hard and playing hard each and every day of the season. Each day twelve anglers set out in three jet boats to ply the productive waters of the upper Babine. With a range of thirteen miles, anglers relentlessly cover the river’s prime holding water before returning to camp for drinks, a hearty meal, and the coveted roaring bonfire — complete with guitars and harmonicas. And while all anglers will have the opportunity to fish the lodge’s lower satellite waters, three anglers, through the process of a random drawing, will get to spend two full days in these waters with an overnight at the cozy four-person satellite camp. Anglers sleep in comfortable heated bunk cabins with detached communal shower and outhouses. For serious anglers keen on putting the big ones on the beach and having a good time in the process, there isn’t a finer lodge to be found.
Babine Norlakes Lodge Travel:
To get to Babine Norlakes Lodge you will need to make travel arrangements to and from Smithers, BC via Vancouver. Packages at the lodge run from Thursday to Wednesday. You should plan on arriving in Smithers on Wednesday night and spending the night Stork’s Nest Inn. Immediately after arrival at the Smithers Airport , call the stork’s Nest at 250-847-3831 and have their free shuttle come pick you up for transfer to the Inn. In the event there is no room at the Stork’s Nest please make your reservations at the Fireweed Motor Inn 250-847-2208. Overnight at the Stork’s Nest Inn (independently arranged, price not included). For dinner we recommend the Alpenhorn, a fun steelheader’s hangout within easy walking distance. Please let us know where you will be staying so we can coordinate your pick up the following morning. Note: Please make you flight and room reservations ASAP as these dates fill very quickly!
The Wednesday of your departure you will fish until noon and be back in Smithers at 5PM. Plan to depart Smithers on the evening flight to Vancouver that typically departs around 7:00 PM. Anglers may also elect to spend this night in Smithers, as evening departures from Smithers often mandate an overnight in Vancouver.
Note: You will be responsible for making and paying for these hotel reservations and we recommend making both your air and overnight reservations well in advance, as this is the most popular time to visit the area.
Babine Norlakes Lodge Documentation:
A valid US passport is required for entry into Canada!
Babine Norlakes Lodge Region and Rivers:
The Babine is a Skeena River tributary and is one of the most famous wilderness steelhead rivers in the world. From early September through early to mid October, the Babine is an excellent dry fly and greased line fishery and as the season progresses and water temperatures drop, anglers spend more time fishing a variety of sink tips. The fishing can remain excellent through November and later if water conditions permit. Babine fish are known the world over for their size and range from 7 to over 30 pounds, with the average fish most seasons weighing in around 12 lbs. The Babine is a rugged river with a wide variety of water types. Spey rods are a distinct advantage as a fair number of runs have limited backcasts. Wading staffs are also a good idea for those that like them. The lodge fishes approximately 15 miles of the river.
Babine Norlakes Lodge Guide Staff and Fishing Program:
Anglers will be transported up and down the river via jet boat. Typically there will be one guide for every four anglers and while the fishing parties of four remain intact throughout the week, your guides and boats will rotate. Anglers will be dropped solo or in tandem at fishing holes. As a result anglers must be prepared to fish alone and should insist on a detailed briefing of the particular pool, its high percentage water, the most appropriate sink tip etc. before the guide continues on his way to shuttle other anglers. Also be sure to get a rough understanding of how much time you will spend at each run so you can manage your time and tactics appropriately. For anglers visiting the river before mid-October we also find it handy to have both a dry fly and sink tip rod rigged at all times as many holes will be well suited to two passes through with differing techniques. All Babine fish are wild and must be released unharmed as quickly as possible.
Early in the week three anglers will be selected by random drawing to spend two days fishing the lower “satellite” waters and spend one night at a simple cabin situated on prime water. Regardless of being selected in this drawing, all anglers will have the chance to fish these lower waters at least once during their stay.
Babine Norlakes Lodge Accommodations and Meals:
Babine Norlakes Lodge is set very near the bank of the remote upper reaches of the Babine River. Anglers share cabins that sleep four guests each in bunk beds and each cabin has light, heat, bedding, ample storage space, filtered water and a sink. The lodge has a separate shower room (one shower only). To the rear of the cabins are four outhouses that are popular after breakfast. Hearty meals are served in the main lodge. After breakfast anglers will pack their own lunches. Typically this is a fast moving bunch so please don’t dally in the morning or you will keep the rest of the group waiting!
Evening campfires are a tradition here, and for the hearty they can last until the wee hours. If you are a musician, consider bringing your instrument!
Please bring whatever alcohol you would like for the week. Please pick up your alcohol the night before your pick up in Smithers or contact us with an order that we can forward to the lodge expediter. Orders will be paid for at the end of your stay.
Babine Norlakes Lodge 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.
Babine Norlakes Lodge Season:
September - November
Babine Norlakes Lodge Fish Species:
Steelhead
Babine Norlakes Lodge Capacity:
12 anglers
Babine Norlakes Lodge 2008 Rates:
$5500 CND plus 5% GST per week, based on double occupancy and $250 for Save the Babine.
Included:
Food, accommodations, guiding, transfers from Smithers airport or hotel to the lodge, a $250 Canadian contribution to the Babine River Foundation, 3.5% GST tax, $60 room tax, angling license and classified waters tag (aprox. $420 Canadian), limited wine with dinner.
Not Included:
Tackle, alcohol, air, overnights in Smithers.
