THE Skeena Steelhead Trailer

The reel deal: the Skeena Steelhead Trailer from Fly Max Films/Fly Nation TV:


Fly Nation TV: Skeena Steelhead Trailer from Nick Pujic on Vimeo.

Fly Max Films and Skeena Steelhead

Last week I posted a link to Fly Max Film's Facebook page, which features our Skeena Steelhead Trailer - a brief but infectious glimpse at the amazingly good Steelhead fishing the group found while staying with us and Yellow Cedar Lodge a few weeks ago. However, if you're not on Facebook, you might've been left wondering what the buzz was all about. Fear not! The new Fly Max Films website is now up and running and the Skeena Steelhead Trailer is the current featured video. And, don't worry, I'll let you know when the final cut is out...

It's Here - Fly Nation' Skeena Steelhead Trailer!

Just one of many memorable moments while fiming with the Fly Nation crew in mid September.  Here, Andrea Charlton and Dustin Kovacvich display a Steelhead double header - one of two on this day!  Nick Pujic Photo

A few weeks ago, the Nicholas Dean crew and our partners, Alf and Simone at Yellow Cedar Lodge had the pleasure of hosting Nick Pujic, Tim Myers, April Vokey (of Fly Gal Ventures) and Andrea Charlton of Fly Nation on their quest to sample our Fall Steelhead fishery and get it on film.  The result?  Epic footage which includes Steelhead double headers, Steelhead sipping dry flies off the surace and an adventure only to be found in northwest British Columbia.  If you're on Facebook, be sure to check out the following:

--THE Skeena Steelhead Trailer - A short exerpt of the forthcoming final cut. Warning - this will make you want to go Steelhead fishing!

-- Join the Nicholas Dean Lodge Facebook Group for updates on our fishing, promotions and more,  and the Fly Max Films Facebook Group for updates on their incredible film work and worldwide fishing travels.

Stay tuned for more photos and video updates over the coming weeks and months!

2010 Discounted Steelhead Weeks - Great Fishing and Great Value!

Alistair Robjent of Robjent's Fine Country Pursuits joined Pete McLeod in early September to see what our Steelhead and Salmon fishery was all about.  With the fishing exceptionally good on both wet and dry flies, it was indeed difficult to get Alistair off the river!  Pete McLeod and his staff operate Aardvark McLeod, a travel company dedicated to providing the best in international fly fishing trips.

It's been an absoutely stellar Summer and Fall Steelhead season thus far on the Lower Skeena system near Terrace.  Near record numbers of Steelhead have returned this year and our fishing has been far and away the best it has been in years!  August on the Skeena Camp saw more Steelhead hook ups than in any other previous camps; I say hook ups because many of these fish were simply too fresh and too hot to land!  Now, many of these fish will be in the Skeena's tributary rivers,where our clients have enjoyed exceptional days of Steelhead fishing.  

If you've ever been interested in fishing the Skeena and can sneak away for a week in the next month, I can assure you that this season is not one that you'll want to miss!  And, since we've had a few recent cancellations, we are offering discounts off select weeks - which make it that much more attractive. Dates, rates and availability are as follows:

-- October 3 to 9 - one space available

-- October 10 to 16 - two spaces available

-- October 31 to November 6 - four spaces available

Normal 2010 rates are: $3595.00 CDN plus taxes (double occupancy) and $3795.00 CDN plus taxes (single occupancy); Discounted rates are: $3200.00 CDN plus taxes (double occupancy) and $3400.00 CDN plus taxes (single occupancy).  Rates based on 5 days of guided fishing, all meals and 6 night's accommodations at our partnering facility, Yellow Cedar Lodge.

Contact me at chadblack@nicholasdean.com or (250) 641-1551 for more information on your trip of a lifetime!

Skeena Summer Steelhead at a DISCOUNT PRICE!

A "proper" 25 lb Skeena Steelhead landed during mid August - peak run timing on the Skeena for these migrating fish

With a recent cancellation during one of our best Summer Steelhead and Salmon weeks of the year, we are offering trips at a discounted rate of 20% off. So, that means our lodge trips are starting at just $2850.00 CDN - which includes 5 days of guided fishing, all meals and 6 nights at Yellow Cedar Lodge.  The ever popular on-river Skeena Camp package is priced at $1860.00 - for 5 plus days of fishing! If you've been thinking of going on a Steelhead trip but for whatever reason it hasn't materialized, this is YOUR chance at what may be one of the best Steelhead returns on the Skeena in years.  Steelhead numbers past the Tyee Test Fishery are nearly double the historical average, meaning that you've got an even better chance at hooking into the Skeena's monster fish - fish aproaching and well over 20 lbs that are just plain mean!  If one of these trips picques your interest, contact me today (chadblack@nicholasdean.com or 250-635-5295) for more information, or check out our Summer Steelhead/Salmon and Skeena Camp brochures...

Co-Ed Learn to Fly Fish Weekend with April Vokey

Are you Interested in learning how to fly fish and having a shot at some of the most prolific Steelhead and Salmon fishing in the world?  Or, perhaps your significant other has been hinting that they'd like to join you on one of your fishing adventures?  If so, block off your calendar from August 6 to 8, 2010.  April Vokey of Fly Gal Ventures will be teaching and hosting a weekend retreat at our five star lodge, which includes 3 days of fishing/instruction, 2 nights accommodations and all meals.  This learn to fly fish retreat is limited to 8 anglers, so booking early is recommended.  Cost is $895.00 CDN/person.  For more information or to confirm your space, please feel free to get in touch with either myself (chadblack@nicholasdean.com or 250-635-5295) or April at: april@flygal.ca.

Steelhead on the Remote Coast - A Story in the Making

In early May 2010, the Nicholas Dean guide staff and the folks at Yellow Cedar Lodge had the pleasure of hosting some of the most well known anglers in the fly fishing community: Steve Rajeff, world champion fly caster and chief rod designer at Loomis, Ross Purnell, editor of Fly Fisherman magazine, Bruce Holt, communications director at Loomis, and April Vokey, world class writer, guide and operator of Fly Gal Ventures.  Collectively, the group searched for bright Spring Steelhead on the Skeena and Kalum, as well as small remote rivers off the BC coast as part of our Adventure Steelhead program.  What follows is a brief report on their trip - of memorable moments and memorable fish; however, be sure to look for April's feature article in a future issue of Fly Fisherman, slated for late 2010/early 2011.

On a remote stream off the north BC coast, April Vokey fights a bright Steelhead under the guidance of Nicholas Dean Lodge guide, Dustin Kovacvich. Ross Purnell photo

Coastal river Steelhead are both strong and brilliantly coloured.  Here, Ross Purnell of Fly Fisherman magazine snaps a few of April admiring her fish.

With warming water temperatures, coastal river Steelhead are both aggressive and exceptionally strong fighters.

Yellow Cedar Lodge - our partnering five star lodge where April, Ross, Steve and Bruce relaxed in the evenings after chasing Steelhead on the Skeena, Kalum and remote coastal rivers.  

An 8 lb hen that fell to a well presented marabou fly, swung on a tight line. April Vokey photo

Can you tell that April is happy to be out Steelhead fishing? Bruce Holt photo

 Fishing the "Picnic Table" from the high bank side.  On the Kalum River in low water conditions, many pools tend to swing and fish better when fished from the bank you'd normally fish in higher flows.  Here, April bombs one out amongst classic west coast mountain views. Bruce Holt photo

Bruce Holt and Sky Richard with a nice Steelhead from the Upper Kalum. Bruce Holt Photo

 Steve Rajeff airing out a long one en route to the Skeena's far bank. Bruce Holt photo

Ross, Steve and Sky pause for a few brief moments before getting back on the water. Bruce Holt photo

 Lower 16, as it's affectionately known, is a massively long, slow moving run that Steelhead love to hold in.  Lengthy casts and a long slow, swing are needed to cover this run well. Ross Purnell photo

Accessing remote coastal rivers is never easy, but herein lies the adventure.  On this day, Dustin, Ross and April launched a jet boat in the Ocean, travelled many kilometres and then scrambled along the rocky river bank lined with devil's club.  But, the rewards were well worth it...Ross Purnell photo
 

Single hand and switch rods are ideal tools to use while fishing small streams.  Plus, they're a lot of fun to fight fish on. Ross Purnell Photo

A sea run hen fresh from the Ocean - only a kilometre away.  Ross Purnell Photo

Ross with a good one from the Upper Kalum.  Bruce Holt Photo

 Nicholas Dean guide Greg Buck knows the Skeena's waters intimately, and where to place his fly when searching for fish like this. Ross Purnell Photo

Bruce and his nice pink shirt.  Oh, and a nice Steelhead too.  Ross Purnell Photo

 While world record casts are not required on remote coastal rivers, some degree of precision is.  Placing a weighted fly into specific lies amonsgst boulders and logs can be somewhat challenging at first, but once mastered is an extremely effective technique for fooling fish in pocket water and other difficult to reach places.  Steve Rajeff is surely a master at this, as well as distance casting.  Ross Purnell Photo

Coastal river scenery is breathtakingly beautiful...Ross Purnell Photo

Steve demonstrating his double haul technique.  Ross Purnell Photo

Sky Richard with a chrome bright Spring Steelhead from the Lower Kalum.  Ross Purnell Photo

Ross and Steve admire a chrome Steelhead in the Stumble run - aptly named for the many large boulders scattered throughout the run and which makes wading somewhat challenging.

April swinging through a run just up from tidewater.  Ross Purnell Photo

 Steve launching yet another one, bound for the far side.  Ross Purnell Photo