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For those who have not had the good fortune to fish the Dean River, other’s tales of their personal exploits here can become tedious. The explicit details of hard takes, hissing bellies of line, wild leaps, and the relentless runs of these “super” steelhead are admittedly hard to compete with especially when compounded within a setting that is one of North America most impressive. Equally impressive is the lodge’s willingness to go the extra mile and create a split day fishing program where anglers fish from dawn to lunch, then return to camp for massive gourmet meal, drinks and a siesta before heading out in the late afternoon and fishing until dark. A fishery best suited to experienced anglers, BC West’s guests fish half of their days guided beneath the fall via jet boat and the other half of the time they are self-guided above the falls using personal four wheelers for access to prime runs. By all standards, this is rigorous and rewarding routine. For the ultimate andadromous challenge anglers may also want to consider the June king salmon fishery. Like their steelhead co-habitants only larger, the Dean’s kings are widely considered among the hardest fighting (and hardest to land) sea run fish in the world. Spaces for both salmon and steelhead are extremely limited.

BC West Documentation:
A valid US passport is required for entry into Canada!

BC West Travel:
To get to BC West Lodge you will need to make travel arrangements to and from Bella Coola, BC. BC West recommends arriving in Bella Coola the night before your listed start day; just as you traveled to Campbell River the day prior to your transfer in previous years.

BC West will provide lodging and transfers to the Bella Coola Valley Inn – a nice, clean hotel in Bella Coola with a restaurant and a bar. We will make a reservation on your behalf at the Bella Coola Valley Inn. Your room will be paid for but not your food or drinks at the Inn. You do not need to contact the Bella Coola Valley Inn prior to your trip—a reservation in your name will be waiting for you in Bella Coola. A representative from the Bella Coola Valley Inn will meet you at the airport and transport you to the Inn.

Travel to and from Bella Coola
The majority of guests will find that Pacific Coastal Airlines offers by far the best option for travel to Bella Coola. They offer 1-2 flights per day between Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal and Bella Coola, and they utilize equipment that includes King Air 200s and Beechcraft 1900s. As with the inbound travel leg, most guests will find that their best option to depart from Bella Coola will be with Pacific Coastal Airlines. Depending on the week, guests will arrive in Bella Coola from the Dean River mid-morning or early afternoon in time for an afternoon departure to Vancouver, BC.

Travel to and from the Dean
Six guests plus some gear will be loaded into the A Star. Two guests plus the remainder of the gear and our groceries will be loaded into the 185. Note that up to two guests each week may opt to fly in the 185 if you’d prefer not to fly in a helicopter. The flight from Bella Coola to the Dean goes essentially straight through the mountains on a clear weather day. On days with a lower ceiling, the flights will follow the ocean channel. As many of you know, the scenery between Bella Coola and the Dean is spectacular. Approximate flight time is 30 to 45 minutes.

As with the transfer in to the lodge, guests will load into the A Star and the 185 for the short flight back to Bella Coola.

Dean River Logistics
On arrival at the Dean, the A Star will land at the end of the Dean River airstrip. The 185 will land in the bay and will utilize the same trailer/dock system to unload as has been used in the past. As in years past, you will transfer from the Dean River airstrip to BC West, unpack, have a quick meal, and have the opportunity to get a few hours of fishing in on your arrival day.

BC West Guide Staff and Fishing Program:
It is widely accepted that the Dean is home to the hottest summer steelhead in the world. This due to many factors including the force of the river itself, relatively warm water temperatures, and the exceptional brightness or freshness of the average fish. From June through September, fresh fish enter the system daily. Peak season is considered to include the months of July and August, and anglers fishing at BC West during that time can be assured that they will fishing over the freshest fish possible, for at no time will they ever be more than 5 miles from the salt. BC West fishes the lower river in a guided context (four anglers in a single jet boat being dropped at various holes) and the upper river is fished in an un-guided context with ATV’s used for access. Typically anglers will spend half their time on the upper river and half their time on the lower river. While dry line and dry fly fishing can be excellent, most anglers fish with sinking tips and shooting heads. Dean fish are known for their willingness to move to a fly and range from 8 to 25 pounds, with the average fish typically weighing in around 10-12 pounds.

BC West Accommodations and Meals:
BC West is located in the woods on the right bank of the lower river and has four simple guest cabins. Anglers sleep either two or four per cabin and there is a large community cabin with a fireplace, common shower, tying room and a comfortable sitting area for sharing drinks and stories. In the morning and evenings the guests gather in the main lodge for meals. Breakfast is served at about 5AM and the mid day meal is the largest of the day and often followed by a nap. Evening fishing resumes at about 4PM and extends until after 8PM with the evening meal typically being served around 10PM.

BC West Climate:
While the weather tends to very mild, always be prepared for cold when visiting BC. Typical day temperatures range from 50-75 degrees F. More often than not you will start the days with several layers on and be down to one light layer by mid day.

BC West Season:
June - August

BC West Fish Species:
Summer steelhead and king salmon

BC West Capacity:
8 anglers

BC West 2008 Rates:
$5820 - $6560 US per person, depending on the week plus 5% GST.

Included:
Food, accommodations, guiding, limited beer and wine with meals, overnight accommodations in Bella Coola, transfers from Bella Coola airport to lodge, 5% GST, and license fee.

Not Included:
Airfare to Bella Coola, meals in Bella Coola, gratuities (see above), hard alcohol (please BYOB). Note that there will be no compensation for loss of fishing time, or missed flight connections due to weather conditions or actions of third parties.