When it comes to knowledge of British Columbia’s wilderness trout fishing, few know more about the subject than the Collingwood family. Having outfitted anglers for more than 35 years, it is certainly not by chance that they built their lodge 200 miles northeast of Smithers, deep in the heart of Spatsizi Wilderness Park.
As the only licensed outfitter in the park, the Collingwoods have exclusive access to 1.5 million acres of the most beautiful, prolific and unspoiled trout fishing in the world. With over 30 lakes, rivers, and streams to choose from, a week of fly-out fishing merely scratches the surface of the available waters. All trips include daily fly-outs and the fishing program is dictated only by personal preferences and prevailing conditions.
Guest cabins are complete with cozy log beds and wood stoves and there are two centrally located bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers. In the main lodge overlooking Laslui Lake, anglers will enjoy exquisite meals, complete with freshly baked breads, pastries, and homemade desserts. In terms of a friendly, family-oriented lodge with fine cuisine, extremely high catch-rates for anglers of all skill levels, and an unspoiled wilderness setting that will leave you speechless, Spatsizi is truly in a class by itself. Early reservations required, as spaces are limited.
Spatsizi Wilderness Lodge Travel:
You will need to make travel arrangements to and from Smithers BC via Vancouver. Most packages at the lodge run from Wednesday to Wednesday. You should plan on arriving in Smithers on Tuesday night and spending the night at the Hudson Bay Lodge. The staff at Spatsizi will make this reservation for you but you will need to pay for it on site. Please forward us a copy of your flight schedule when it is complete so that so that we can coordinate your pick you up at the airport. The following morning you will be picked up at the Inn at roughly 8:00AM and taken to Tyee Lake where you will board a turbine Otter for the 2 hour flight into the main lodge.
Spatsizi Wilderness Lodge Documentation:
A valid passport is now required for entry into Canada.
Spatsizi Wilderness Region and Rivers:
The Park is a vast 2.7 million acre region comprised largely of alpine and sub-alpine regions laced with rivers and streams as well as numerous lakes. The region is exceptionally rugged and scenic, and most interestingly, the Collingwood family (the owners and founders of Spatsizi Wilderness Vacations) are the only outfitters licensed to operate within the entire park. Guest typically enjoy daily fly-outs to a different river, lake or stream each day. Due the special use permitting process and the government’s limited allotment of rod days, no destination can be repeated throughout the week. In the same breath, there are lots of options that range from small streams to larger rivers such as the Firesteel, as well as lots of lakes, some of which hold very large wild trout. All float tubes and pontoon boats are provided. The region as a whole is known for some great dry fly fishing for rainbows in the 10-16 inch class in a remote and dramatic wilderness setting.
Spatsizi Wilderness Lodge Accommodations and Meals:
Guest cabins are complete with cozy long beds and wood stoves. Guests share two centrally located bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers. In the main lodge overlooking Laslui Lake, guests will enjoy exquisite meals complete with freshly baked breads, pastries, and homemade desserts. In terms of friendly, family-oriented lodges with fine cuisine, extremely high catch rates for anglers of all skill levels, and an unspoiled wilderness setting that will leave you speechless, Spatsizi is truly in a class by itself. Early reservations required, as spaces are extremely limited.
Spatsizi Wilderness Lodge Climate:
Please be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. Your week could range from the mid 40s up to the high 80s. Yes, it does rain; and that trend seems more prevalent in the last few years. Be prepared for rain and inclement weather with a good quality rain jacket and a positive attitude. You may encounter mosquitoes and black flies throughout July and August. Please bring insect repellent with deet. Sunscreen is also recommended.
Spatsizi Wilderness Lodge Season:
July – August
Spatsizi Wilderness Lodge Fish Species:
Rainbow trout, bull trout, lake trout, grayling
Spatsizi Wilderness Lodge Capacity:
8 anglers
Spatsizi Wilderness 2009 Rates:
$6,100 CAD plus 2.5% GST (6 fly outs included) per person based on double occupancy
Included:
Meals, guiding, accommodations, fly outs, 400 mile air charter trip from Smithers to the lodge and back, and GST.
Not Included:
Transportation to Smithers, accommodations and meals in Smithers, fishing licenses (these will be purchased from the expediter on the evening you arrive Smithers at a cost of about $50 US), liquor and gratuities.
British Columbia