Spring Steelhead on the Skeena - a great video to start off the 2014 Season!

Last April, we hosted Steffen Juhl of Salmon Junkies, a company that provides outstanding trips for Atlantic Salmon on the world renowned Varzuga and Umba rivers.  We wanted to see what Steffen and photographer/videographer Columbus Leth thought about Spring Steelhead on the lower Skeena system, and perhaps how they might compare to their Atlantic cousins.  Turns out they enjoyed the fishing so much, they're coming back again in 2014 - this time for several weeks, and with a few friends in tow!  Here's a great video shot and filmed by Columbus - we think you'll agree that there's some pretty darn good stuff in there...

Spring Steelhead - the Last of Week 3

Along with big, bright fish, a great reason to fish the Spring is for the coastal mountain scenery - complete with snow capped peaks. All photos by Columbus Leth & Steffen Juhl

In our last post we posted a few photos from Jeff Bright's hosted week with his client Jim, Steffen Juhl and Columbus Leth.  We've since gotten a few of Steffen and Columbus' excellent photos and wanted to make sure that they received a wider audience than just us! 

Steffen with a chromer

Translucent fins = fresh

Columbus' big fish of the week!

Good Steelhead images wouldn't be complete without a rod/reel/fly shot...

Getting ready to go!  Jezz at Pioneer Lodge seeing the guests off in the morning...

Even after being landed, Spring fish still have lots of energy.

River transportation - ideal for skinny water

You know a fish is fresh, when...

High teens for Columbus!

We like it when the tape measure stretches this far...

Sky and Columbus with one of the 'smaller' ones for the week.

Now that fish has some shoulders...

Spring Steelhead 2013 - Week 3

Jim Leithliter with a bright hen and a big smile

When the fishing is as good as it is in a particular week, at some point it will eventually slow down as river conditions change or fish move through the system.  Fortunately, this was not the case last week as we again had one of our best Spring weeks to date here at Nicholas Dean.  Agent, writer and photographer Jeff Bright, hosted the week, and along with him were guests Jim Leithliter, Steffen Juhl and Columbus Leth.  Steffen is no stranger to the international fishing community, nor is Columbus.  Steffen is the owner and CEO of Salmon Junkies, a company that offers first rate  Atlantic Salmon trips on the famed Kola peninsula, and Columbus is a professional photographer who specializes in portraits, food and outdoor photography, and more recently, high quality travel/destination videos.  To see some of his work, check out Columbus Leth Photography.  

Below are a few snap shots from our fishing this week, courtesy of Jim Leithliter; look for more to come shortly from Steffen and Columbus.  In the meantime be sure to check out the Salmon junkies blog for their first and second trip reports from last week.

When the fish are this nice, everyone wants to photograph them!

The definition of white chrome - translucent fins.

Guide Scott Young's new ride - a covered 18' Thunderjet, for riding in style - and warmth!

A bright hen for Jeff Bright, at 18 lbs

Scott Young and Jim Leithliter hold a mid teens fish from the last day

Spring Steelhead Opener - Part 2

Craig Gnos with an 18 lb buck, his largest caught to date.  Well done, Craig!

Yesterday we mentioned that the fishing so far this year has been pretty darn good.  If you need a little more convincing, just check out some of these photos below from last week with Donald and Craig from California! 

It's been a season of bright and large fish to date, and we're just getting started!  Look for more updates on our Spring Steelhead season soon - including remote coastal Steelhead, and hopefully the first of the Spring Chinook... 

Spring Steelhead Opener - At its Finest!

Now that's a big Steelhead!  Kris landed this 20 lb buck on his last day in Skeena Country.  It had been a goal of his to land a 20 lb fish on the fly and we are happy to have helped out.  Congrats, Kris! 

Simply put, it's been a fantastic start to our Spring Steelhead season here at Nicholas Dean.  Unseasonably warm temperatures, a good push of larger-than-average Spring fish in the rivers and happy guests have made the first two weeks of our season very successful.  If you are interested in getting in on this action, we do have a few last minute spaces available - inquire for more details and specific dates.  Check back here again soon - we'll be posting more photos from last week that you won't want to miss...

 

Another large buck for Kris, at 37 x 19.

Tonya with a bright hen from a long riffle.

Winter Steelhead Fishing

Nicholas Dean Ops Manager, Chad Black, with a bright Winter fish taken on a long cast, and a slow swing.  

Simply put, it's been a great Winter for Steelhead fly fishing opportunities here in the Skeena region near Terrace.  Temperatures have consistently stayed close to the freezing mark on most days since mid January, and there are some fish around.  Here's a few shots from our Winter Steelhead collection this year, as we look forward to starting our Spring guiding season in a month's time!

Fishing Coastal Rivers - with Henry Gilbey

Wait for it, wait for it… Guest Ken Morando swings through the dark water on a Spring coastal river. There’s nothing like seeing a flash in water like this, or your line tighten quickly. In all, it’s an extremely visual fishing experience and because the fish are typically found in smaller slots, you have a much more heightened sense of anticipation as your fly swings through the ‘fishy’ water. Henry Gilbey Photo

Last Spring we were fortunate to have renowned photographer Henry Gilbey tag along with a couple of guests and document their fishing over the course of a week, while targeting Spring Steelhead. Henry is a humble man, and at times we’ve heard him deflect comments about just how good his photos are. We will be posting several photos from Henry’s trip over the coming weeks, so will let you be the judge! And, of course, for more of Henry’s work, check out his website at: http://www.henry-gilbey.com/

Spring Steelhead 2013 - Prime Space Available!

Spring Steelhead - a variety of opportunities abound for what can be some of the largest fish of the year in the Skeena region.  Here's a big Steelhead in the high 20s landed by Yvonne Williams on the mainstem Skeena in mid-April from a few years back.  Mike Kenyon photo

There's no doubt that the Skeena region is best known for its Summer Steelhead fishing, particularly in September and October.  However, the lower Skeena region near Terrace, because of its close proximity to the Ocean, offers additional opportunities for Winter and Spring run fish in the big river itself, its tributaries, and small, not-to-be-named coastal rivers.  

If you are interested in seeing a different fishery that offers quality fishing on a variety of rivers, with the potential for some very large fish, you might want to consider our Spring fishery.  For more information, check out our general Spring Steelhead & Chinook brochure, or for a slightly different experience 'off the beaten path,' so to speak, our Adventure Steelhead brochure.  We recently had some last minute cancellations which have opened up space during prime weeks.  For more information or to book your trip, don't hesitate to get in touch at: info@nicholasdean.com or (250) 635-5295.

Skeena Spring Steelhead 2011 - Part 2

David Higman is an experienced Steelhead angler who has fished extensively in BC, and if you've followed David Lambroughton's "Fly Fishing Dreams" calendar over the years, you might recognize him from its pages.  David and his Dad, Dan Higman, encountered many fresh Spring Steelhead on the Skeena, hooking seven on their first day.  Adam Tavender Photo

In part two of our Spring Steelhead season photo essay, we'll look at photos taken during mid April on the Skeena River and its tributaries  At this time of year, we'll typically fish the Skeena, Kalum, Lower Copper, and Kitimat Rivers, as well as several unmentionable remote coastal streams that flow directly into the Ocean.  Why unmentionable?  Because very few anglers fish these sorts of places and, on average, the Steelhead in them can be quite large.  These types of streams offer a high quality, true wilderness experience with just the rivers, fish, old growth trees and vistas of the coastal BC rainforest.  Access, weather and timing are all variables that are perhaps even more important to consider than fishing the mainstem Skeena and other larger rivers, and sometimes it seems these elements can conspire against you.  But, when all these elements align - and they often do - the experience is a rich and very rewarding one... 

A great sunset on a clear night from the patio of Yellow Cedar Lodge.  Brian Flegg photo

Coastal BC mountains in all their glory - yes, the scenery is good here too!  Brian Flegg photo

Doug Flegg has been fishing with us every Spring for the past 6 years, and is always keen for a hike in to remote rivers off the northern BC coast, or others close to home.  Brian Flegg photo

Searching for a chromer on the Skeena...Brian Flegg Photo

Mike Kenyon and his wife Yvonne Williams are long time repeat guests who have fished with us every Spring for as long as we can remember.  [Back in 2007, Yvonne caught her first Steelhead while fishing with us - a 28 lb broad shouldered buck on the mainstem Skeena!]  Both Mike and Yvonne have fished at a lot of different lodges and destinations globally, and we're flattered that they choose to join us each year.  Here, Mike is into a good fish on the mainstem Skeena.  Brian Flegg photo

Gotta love bright Spring chrome.  Brian Flegg Photo

This bright Steelhead made Mike's day.  The only problem - having a guy as big as Dustin makes fish look much smaller than they actually are!  Brian Flegg photo

One of my favourite types of shots in Steelhead photography.  Despite seeing a number of these Steelhead portraits over the years, each one is inherently different, with so many different variables at play - angle of the sun, water clarity, depth of water the fish is in etc.  One thing is for certain - Steelhead are exceptionally beautiful creatures.  Brian Flegg photo

Now that's what you call a V loop! Brian Flegg photo

Ted Simon, a toxicologist from Georgia, joined us for the first time this Spring.  He's pictured here with a bright fish caught on a favourite remote coastal river.  Ted Simon photo

A remote coastal river.  Who wouldn't want to fish here?  Ted Simon photo

Ted Simon with a chromer on the "big" river - the Skeena. Because of its large size, many clients are often intimidated by the Skeena until they realize the majority of the fish travel between 10 to 40 ft from shore.  Identify the fish lane, make short casts and you'll find fish.  Well done Ted!  Ted Simon photo

Greg Buck and a guest exploring the aquamarine flows of the Kalum.  Adam Tavender photo

Smaller rivers just have that intimate feel to them and, for me, the adrenaline rush is particularly heightened as your fly swims convincingly through the bucket...Yvonne Williams photo

Doug Flegg with a good one from the coast...

...And another one.  On this day, Doug hooked five bright Steelhead less than a mile from the salt...

Mike Trainor landed this bright doe while fishing on the mainstem Skeena.  Mike Trainor photo

What guests come back to every night at Yellow Cedar Lodge - absolutely stunning food.  Red Seal chef Alf Leslie knows what he's doing in the kitchen...Adam Tavender photo

The wader room at Yellow Cedar Lodge is always a busy time in the mornings and bustling with anticipation as clients get ready for the day.  The wader room has a gas fireplace that kicks out a lot of heat, ensuring that waders, jackets and your fishing gear are dry and ready for the adventure that awaits you.  Adam Tavender photo