Located five miles downstream from Suskeena Lodge, Steelhead Valhalla is the Sustut River’s original steelhead fly fishing lodge. Now, with both British Columbia lodges on the river under the same ownership, Steelhead Valhalla and Suskeena embrace identical steelhead fly fishing programs with a cordial rotation of beats that has removed any sense of competition from the daily program. This adds immeasurably to the overall wilderness fly fishing experience, making the Sustut River the most relaxed trophy steelhead river in the Skeena River system. Steelhead Valhalla Lodge consists of a cozy main log building where hearty family style meals are served. There are also five double occupancy cabins. All structures were built from logs milled on site and overlook the Sustut River. Cabins are carpeted, have electric lights, wood burning stoves and share a common washhouse with sinks, toilets and showers.
Anglers fly fish three per guide boat and in addition to the four primary beats of the Sustut River, fly fish a gorgeous section of the upper Skeena River. For the trophy steelhead angler in search of true solitude, few places in the world can compare to Steelhead Valhalla.
Steelhead Valhalla Lodge Quick Facts:
Species: Steelhead
Season: September – October
Capacity: 9 anglers
2010 Rates: $5,400 plus HST for a 7 night/6 day package
Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, guided fishing, limited wine with dinner, round-trip charter flight between Smithers and the lodge, HST
Not Included: Airfare to/from Smithers, accommodations and meals in Smithers, sodas, beer and alcohol, staff and guide gratuities, fishing licenses (approximately CAD $300-$400), flies.
Note: Steelhead Valhalla will NOT be responsible for any missed flights or connections due to weather or third party actions.
Location:
Steelhead Valhalla Lodge is located on the Sustut River in Northern British Columbia roughly 50 minutes northeast of Smithers by aircraft.
Smithers, BC Map
British Columbia time is the same as U.S. Pacific Time Zone.
Fishing Program:
Anglers at Steelhead Valhalla Lodge fly fish three per boat/guide. There are three beats on the Sustut River as well as one beat on the mainstem Skeena River. Each guide fishes the same beat every day and anglers cycle through all beats twice during their stay. The lower beat of the Sustut River and the mainstem Skeena River are each fished once and considered part of the same beat and the same guide is responsible for both sections. Due to the beat rotation it is recommended that angling parties of three guests remain with the same group each day.
Anglers depart the lodge at 8:30AM, have a streamside lunch at 1:00PM and return to the lodge at 5:30PM. The Sustut River fishes well with dry flies especially before October 1st. After late September the river cools quickly and warm clothing and bootfoot waders are recommended. Spey anglers fly fish a wide range of tips from type 3 through type 8 as well as T14. 12-20 pound maxima is used, as Sustut River steelhead are large. Many seasons the steelhead average near 14 pounds with steelhead over 30 pounds landed each season. The Sustut River mandates single barbless hooks and all steelhead must be released unharmed.
Fishery:
The Sustut River is a wilderness jewel that is largely unknown except among a core group of steelhead fly fishers that return to the river on an annual basis hoping to crack the magic 30 pound mark. The Sustut River has several advantages, no crowds, clear water (it is generally the last river to blow out) and large steelhead built for a long cold winter.
The steelhead are all wild, large on average, and at times numerous. They run on average twenty miles a day during their migration to their spawning grounds. They reach the Sustut River less than a week after they arrive on the Bulkley, Babine, Kispiox, etc. These wild steelhead will be in the river for 6-8 months and have a very stocky build to enable over-wintering.
The Sustut River valley offers stunning views, contrasting distant peaks against low lying native trees in fall colors along the river. It, in combination with the mainstem Skeena River, offers a remarkable diversity of productive water types.
Accommodations and Meals:
Steelhead Valhalla Lodge is the lower of the two lodges overlooking the Sustut River. It is a cluster of cabins, each of which sleeps two anglers. All cabins have two twin beds. Each cabin is carpeted, equipped with electric lights, warmed by wood airtight heaters, and stocked with warm bedding and towels. Steelhead Valhalla Lodge has a communal bathhouse with hot showers, sinks, and flush toilets.
The main lodge building is a custom built rustic log building with an expansive, open beam dining room, a fully equipped fly-tying area, and ample room to sit and enjoy drinks by the fire. With nine anglers, the atmosphere is just right.
All meals are served in the main lodge and prepared by the lodge chef. Meals are a blend of home cooking with homemade breads, desserts, meat, fish, and vegetables. Wine is served with dinner. After breakfast, clients depart for their day on the river. Lunch is prepared at the lodge each morning or by the guide on the river. Lunch consists of homemade soups, sandwiches, bread and salads. If you have any dietary requests, please be certain to let us know ahead of time so that we can accommodate them.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: (Tuesday) Arrive Smithers and overnight.
Day 2: (Wednesday) Fly from Smithers to Lodge via charter flight. No fishing on arrival day.
Days 3-8: Full days fishing (3 anglers per boat).
Day 9: (Wednesday) Fish until about Noon and then fly to Smithers and overnight.
Day 10: Depart Smithers for home.
Complete Trip Details
British Columbia