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The Skeena River in northern British Columbia is legendary for its world-class Steelhead and Salmon fishing, and I was fortunate to spend a week there this April with an amazing group. Skeena River Lodge is, without a doubt, the top operation on these iconic waters, with a talented guide team, welcoming staff, and a comfortable lodge that quickly feels like home. I’d been anxiously tying flies and preparing for this trip for months, and I couldn’t wait to be knee-deep in the river alongside friends from around the world.

Our week was a huge success. Every angler in our Trident group hooked and landed multiple Steelhead and, perhaps more importantly, picked up valuable skills we’ll carry forward into future trips. Read on for a full report on the current conditions in the Skeena system, the lodge itself, and what makes this trip one of the most special we offer.

Travel To The Lodge

Getting to Skeena River Lodge is straightforward no matter where you're coming from. The lodge is located just outside of Terrace, British Columbia (YXT), which serves as your arrival and departure point. Weekly trips run Sunday to Sunday, and most travelers can make the journey in a single day by connecting through Vancouver (YVR) via Air Canada.

My own route began with a flight from Boston to Toronto, then on to Vancouver, followed by a short one-hour hop to Terrace. We had Trident guests arriving from Denver (Evan) and Mexico City (Eric, Daniel, Hector, and Juan). The crew from Mexico chose to overnight in Vancouver to break up their travel and provide a cushion for potential delays or lost baggage - a wise move we recommend when your schedule allows it.

Upon arrival in Terrace, we were greeted by Mandy, the lodge manager, and Brandon, the head guide. They helped us load up our luggage into a pair of pickup trucks, and we made the 30-minute drive to the lodge.

Once we arrived, we settled into our rooms and had time to clean up before gathering in the main lodge for welcome cocktails and a trip briefing. Brandon walked us through the daily schedule: breakfast at 5:00am, departure with the guides by 5:45, and return to the lodge around 4:00pm each day. Apres-fishing drinks and hors d’oeuvres are served at 5:00pm, followed by dinner at 6:30.

Brandon also outlined the gear essentials: warm layers, one rod per angler, various sink tips, and 20-pound Maxima Ultragreen. The guides are happy to supply flies, although nearly everyone in our group brought their own home-tied creations to try.

After a delicious three-course meal and some time getting to know the other guests, we turned in for the night. I could hardly sleep, too excited about what the week ahead might bring.

The Fishing

Skeena River Lodge offers several programs throughout the season, each with its own distinct rhythm and appeal. Our April trip fell during the spring Steelhead season—a more hardcore time of year, marked by colder temps and chrome-bright fish fresh from the ocean. This isn’t typically a numbers game. Instead, it’s about quality over quantity, with low angling pressure and snow-covered peaks framing every cast.

One of the best parts of fishing with SRL is the guide team. These are expert instructors who will get you swinging productive water regardless of your prior spey casting experience. Our Trident group included anglers ranging from novice to advanced, and everyone walked away with new skills to help them cover water more effectively and hook more fish. With a wide array of productive systems in the area, there’s no shortage of promising runs, and the guides are dialed in to which ones fish best under changing conditions.

Day 1: The Copper

A big part of any spey trip is getting your casting dialed. Ideally, you’ll practice well in advance with an instructor, but even then, it often takes a day or two on the water to find your rhythm. That’s exactly what day one was about for me. My guide, Kevin, struck a great balance between offering useful pointers and keeping things simple. His coaching style was upbeat and encouraging—he’d share a helpful suggestion, then step back and give me space to settle into the flow of each swing.

My fishing partner for the week was Evan, a longtime friend and former guiding colleague from Colorado. Evan is a true fly fishing junkie. His calendar is packed with guiding stints in Colorado and Alaska, trips to Pyramid Lake, and Steelhead missions throughout the Pacific Northwest. He’s a sharp spey caster and was confidently covering water from the jump.

We kicked off the week on the Copper River, a classified water that requires a special license to fish. Fortunately, Skeena River Lodge handles that for you, so all we had to do was focus on fishing.

The Copper gave up a few grabs but no hookups—a perfectly normal start to a Steelhead week. That’s just how this game works. Success here isn’t measured in numbers, but in how well you fish each run. If you get a grab, it means your cast, swing, and positioning were solid. The rest is up to the fish. Even without a landed fish on day one, Evan and I were feeling good about our casts and the conditions. Cool weather was keeping the system stable, and most rivers were running with about three feet of visibility.

Around the lodge, it was a similar story. Most anglers spent the day tuning their cast, feeling out new water, and maybe getting a tug or two. The guides suspected a high-pressure system might be slowing things down, but the forecast for the week looked promising. We capped the day with a session in the steam sauna before calling it a night, optimistic for what was ahead.

Day 2: The Skeena

On day two, we fished with head guide Brandon on the fabled Skeena River. Unlike the Copper, which is accessed via raft, the Skeena is massive and requires a jet boat to cover water effectively. It was the coldest, windiest day of the trip, and the morning boat ride had us all chilled to the bone. Still, the grey skies felt promising—bad weather often means good fishing, and I had a hunch the day might deliver.

After warming up with a shot of coffee, we stepped into our first run. It was a textbook Steelhead riffle: knee-deep with soft walking speed current. It didn’t take long for Evan to connect. A chrome-bright hen erupted from the water and put on a show. Evan fought her like the seasoned angler he is, and we all grinned as he hoisted the 15-pound fish for a quick photo before releasing her back into the current.

Not long after, it was my turn. Another silver hen, fresh from the salt, inhaled my fly. Brandon was quick with the net in the fast water, and I let out a full-volume yell that probably echoed across the river valley. The day was already a success.

Later in the afternoon, we brought another smaller fish to hand and fished several more classic Skeena runs. The sheer size of this river is staggering, and navigating it requires both experience and confidence—Brandon has both in spades. He’s spent years learning this river, and it shows. A day with him feels like a masterclass in reading water, casting, and presentation. I’m already looking forward to the next chance I get to fish with him.

Back at the lodge, it was smiles all around. Other groups also reported success on different rivers, with several chrome fish landed. Spirits were high knowing fresh fish were on the move and willing to eat. We wrapped up the day with playoff NHL hockey in the game room, which felt perfectly fitting for our northern setting.

Days 3-4: The Kitimat

On day three we ventured to the upper Kitimat, easily the most unique and technical section we fished all week. This stretch is defined by crystal-clear water, complex pools, plenty of woody debris, and scattered riffles. Our guide for the day was Jack, a younger guide with serious enthusiasm and a deep passion for Steelhead. He introduced us to new techniques for presenting a fly in clear, technical water—fishing short lines, keeping only the head out of the guides, and focusing on fast, shallow swings to trigger reaction strikes.

After a few runs and some trial and error, Jack’s coaching paid off. I landed a gorgeous 10-pound buck in a quick riffle, right where he told me to focus. It was a tricky net job that Jack made look easy, and we celebrated as the fish torpedoed back into the current. The upper Kitimat was certainly challenging, but it was my favorite water of the trip. Its smaller scale and visual nature reminded me of the Taylor River back home in Colorado—technical, intimate, and incredibly rewarding when things come together.

The next day, we fished the lower Kitimat with JP, a veteran guide with a calm demeanor and sharp instructional style. The lower section felt entirely different from the upper: wider water, classic swing runs, and endless Steelhead potential. Without JP, it would have been tough to know where to focus—almost everything looked fishy. He helped us hone in on productive tailouts and places where fish feel safe from seal predation. It was a great reminder of just how valuable a knowledgeable guide can be on a complex river system.

Evan had a solid grab around midday, but the rest of the day passed without a fish. Still, it was a beautiful, sunny day and a great opportunity to work on casting and reading water. JP was all in and genuinely wanted us to succeed. That energy is infectious. Days like this are part of spring Steelheading—these fish are always on the move, and nothing is guaranteed. The best you can do is stay focused, stay positive, and fish good water with confidence.

While Evan and I explored the Kitimat, our Trident crew from Mexico had stellar outings on days three and four. Despite limited opportunities to practice spey casting back home in Mexico City, their determination and positive energy paid off in a big way. The group landed several beautiful fish, including two exceptional bucks and a few chrome hens that lit up the lodge with excitement. Some had previous experience with Atlantic Salmon, which certainly helped, but these wild Skeena Steelhead were a whole different challenge. Their success was a testament to their grit and willingness to learn on the fly, and it was a blast to celebrate their victories each evening back at the lodge.

Day 5: The Kalum

Throughout the week, we’d been hearing strong reports from the Kalum, so Evan and I were fired up to fish it with Matt on day five. This is another jet boat river accessed at its confluence with the Skeena, right in Terrace. The water had a striking turquoise-blue hue—clear, cold, and absolutely beautiful. As we ran upstream, Evan, who runs a jet in Alaska, commented on how dialed Matt was on the tiller, expertly navigating tight corners and tricky structure with calm precision.

Our first stop was a textbook Steelhead run: a long riffle spilling into a broad tailout. Evan started high, and I made my way down to the lower stretch. Before I even finished my first swing, I heard a yell—Evan was tight to a fish. A chrome hen exploded into the air, and with Matt’s calm coaching, Evan brought her to hand. It was the most pristine Steelhead we saw all week.

Next, we ran upstream to another dreamy stretch that would yield back-to-back fish for both of us—two beautifully colored bucks that ate a black bunny leech right at the end of the swing. The takes were subtle, easily mistaken for ticking bottom, but Matt had prepped us to stay sharp on the dangle. We were now 3 for 3 and riding high.

Then the Kalum delivered again. At our third stop, Evan connected with another fresh hen, this one inhaling his fly within seconds of the swing starting. A classic “no-doubter” eat—the kind you replay in your mind for years.

After lunch, we headed downstream to the Skeena to try one last spot. Matt suggested a white bunny leech from Evan’s Alaska box, and it was the right call. Within minutes, Evan was tight to his fourth Steelhead of the day. At that point, I didn’t even mind not hooking another fish. Watching a close friend have one of those dream days is a joy all its own. Evan had put in the work—casting practice, fly tying, research—and it was all coming together.

Back at the lodge, the energy was high. Another knockout meal from Chef Rob, a session in the infrared sauna, and a playoff hockey game on the big screen wrapped up what was easily a “best day ever” kind of day.

Day 6: The Skeena, Round 2

Our final morning had arrived, and it was bittersweet knowing our time in this Steelhead playground was coming to a close. We fished with Kevin again, which I was grateful for—I really appreciated his calm guiding style and witty sense of humor. Although he had been guiding the Copper most of the week, the team decided it was time to switch it up. The Copper was beginning to color up, and action had slowed. So we headed farther downstream to the lower Skeena, an unbelievably scenic section where snow-capped mountains rise straight from the riverbanks.

The day started with an unforgettable encounter. I had hooked a 16-inch Bull Trout, and as I was bringing it in, a bald eagle swooped low, eyeing it for an easy meal. I gave the fish some slack and popped the hook before the eagle could grab it, but for a few seconds the giant bird hovered just 15 feet away, locked in on us. Kevin managed to snap some amazing photos of the bird as it circled back to its perch, clearly disappointed but still on the lookout for its next opportunity.

We fished hard that day—seven different runs, each more beautiful than the last—but we couldn’t connect. Nobody wanted a fish more than Kevin, who rotated us through some of his favorite pieces of water on the lower Skeena. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen. As they say, Steelhead aren’t hard to catch, they’re just hard to find.

For me, though, it was the perfect way to finish the trip. I let my mind quiet down and tried to soak in every detail: the pull of the current, the sound of the line peeling off the reel, and the backdrop of towering peaks across the river. There’s peace in the swing, and I wanted to savor every last moment.

That evening, the lodge pulled out all the stops with a prime rib dinner, a weekly tradition. Everyone stayed up a little later that night, sharing drinks with the guides and staff, swapping photos and contact info, and making loose plans to meet up again next year. It felt like the perfect ending to a truly special week.

The Guides & Lodge Staff

Skeena River Lodge uses a smart guide rotation system that maximizes your chances of hooking fish. Rather than pairing you with the same guide all week, you’ll fish with a different one each day, sometimes overlapping by the end of the week. Each guide sticks to the same river section for the duration of the week, which helps them stay dialed into holding water, productive runs, and ideal wading conditions as the week progresses.

Depending on the river, you’ll access water by either jetboat or raft. Most of the wading is friendly, but certain sections can be slick or uneven. The guides are great about helping you navigate safely and comfortably throughout the day.

All of the guides are skilled casting instructors, but they tend to focus more on helping you improve your presentation than on overhauling your cast. It’s a thoughtful approach—like a good golf caddy who doesn’t tinker with your swing if you’re landing the ball on the green. Beyond casting help, I picked up some clever rigging tips and a few creative fly patterns that I can’t wait to try again. The guides are knowledgeable, personable, and genuinely invested in your experience. Many are hilarious, and all have some great stories to share.

The lodge staff at SRL is equally impressive. They’re warm, attentive, and professional, and they’ll remember your name from the first handshake. From Chef Rob’s incredible meals to the bartender keeping tabs on your glass, the team is focused on making you feel welcome and well cared for from the moment you arrive.

The Lodge & Accommodations

Skeena River Lodge features a spacious main lodge with a bar and lounge area, a large dining room, and several well-appointed single-occupancy guest cabins, each with a private bathroom. There’s also a multi-room building that houses the game room, gym, and spa. In terms of amenities, it’s hard to imagine another Steelhead lodge in the world that offers this level of comfort and convenience.

The property includes two hot tubs, three saunas, massage services by appointment, and even a stocked casting pond for fine-tuning your stroke. If that’s not enough, the mainstem Skeena is just a 10-minute walk from your cabin, giving you the option to explore the water right out your front door.

This place is a Steelheader’s dream—fishing is the clear priority, but the lodge offers a level of comfort and luxury that makes your time off the water just as enjoyable.

Conclusion

Our week at Skeena River Lodge was one for the books. Every Trident guest brought home memories of chrome Steelhead, new friendships, and fresh skills to carry forward into future seasons. Whether it was a first grab, a personal best, or simply a perfect swing through perfect water, everyone had moments they’ll remember for a long time.

I’m already looking forward to returning next year with another group of passionate anglers. If you’ve ever dreamed of chasing wild Steelhead in one of the most scenic and productive river systems on Earth, this is your chance to do it with expert guides, a supportive group, and an incredible lodge that handles every detail.

If you'd like to join us next spring, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to share this experience with you on the Skeena.

If you’d like to learn more about Skeena River Lodge, give us a call at 888-413-5211 or drop us a line at [email protected].