There is much talk of this fly around camp especially in the late season, but billy doesnt tie enough to meet the demand, thats where i come in. Combining the beautiful narrow canyon rapids of the babine river, the massive exhilarating waves of the skeena river, the amazing scenery of the coast mountain range, and more wildlife than you can count, this 6day rafting trip is the best adventure expedition in all of british columbia. Lani has been fly fishing for trout and steelhead for over fifty years, and is. Many experts believe that the babine river is the finest wilderness river in the world granting anglers the opportunity to catch trophy steelhead that can exceed thirty pounds. Babine norlakes camp is located on the upper babine river, north of smithers, bc. Babine steelhead lodge prides itself on having assembled an elite guide staff that possesses the instructional skills and knowledge of the babine river system to ensure a memorable experience. Packages to the babine river are considered semiguided, meaning guides spend time with 34 guests during the day. Located on the clear flowing upper reaches of the famed babine river, billy labontes babine norlakes lodge is a classic fly fishing camp for the serious steelheader. Babine steelhead lodge the fly shop fly fishing shop. A 50year celebration of a worldrenowned steelhead and trout river, was. A 50 year celebration of a worldrenowned steelhead and trout river, was. Wild river press is pleased to have acquired a small stash of remaining copies of the first edition. You could spend a week steelhead fishing the babine river for only.
Its an amazing conservation success story and a grand flyfishing adventure. The pattern is made up of two eggs with some hackle applied and works well as a floating egg pattern. Local anglers and bears frequent this area, especially while salmon and steelhead are present. Babine lake is a large canadian british columbia lake that originates the babine river but its the section below nilkitka lake thats famous for its steehead fishing. For serious anglers keen on putting the big ones on the beach and having a good time in the process, this is the place. Epic waters owns and operates the very best spey portfolio in the industry. Pierce clegg owned and operated the babine norlakes trout lodge for 30 years. We have space at the babine steelhead lodge for a prime early october week each year. Babine special red available at the trout spot in 6 the babine special was originally designed as a steelhead pattern for british colombias babine river system. Babine river steelhead range from 8 pounds to over 30 pounds and are among the purest strain of wild steelhead remaining in north america. The babine is a skeena river tributary and one of the most famous wilderness steelhead rivers in the world. This fly was made on the babine river, for the babine river.
Suskeena lodge, on the sustut river in northern british columbia is relatively unknown except among a core group of fanatics that fish the river on an annual basis hoping to crack the magic 30 pound mark for steelhead. He guided each fall on the babine until 2004 and part time until 2010. A 50year celebration of a worldrenowned steelhead and trout river author. This is the season that has made the skeena river watershed justifiably famous. After a hearty lunch, orientation and safety briefing you will be gearing up and heading out for your first half day of fishing. Babine steelhead lodge is strategically located a little more than 10 miles downstream of the weir, below the lake.
How to get skunked on the bulkley and threaten your marriage at the same time. Few words evoke instant passion in steelhead anglers who have fished or have. The idea for the book was sealed with a handshake on the bank of the river with the two men agreeing from the outset that the story of the babine had to be. This is one of the finest fishing films ever produced, featuring. We are a licensed fly fishing guide service in vancouver, british columbia and a fullservice booking agency for all the top freshwater and saltwater fishing adventures in bc. Hardcover with jacket 463 pages isbn 9780984227174 standard edition.
An introduction let me preface this right off by saying i am not a steelhead expert. Chad black wake fly, dry fly, and skating flies are fishing forms closely associated with fly fishing for steelhead. Craig is a long time guest of westcoast fishing adventures this trip he joined 10 year repeat guest john mccoulgh for some fly fishing steelhead action on the kitimat river. A skeena river steelhead caught on a deaddrifted black tube bomber picture with courtesy of mr. Kalum river lodge canadian steelhead fly fishing guides. Suskeena lodge on the sustut river is truly a jewel that is largely unknown except among a core group of fanatics that fish the river annually as they try to crack the 30pound mark for wild steelhead. The babine river in britsh columbia has long been known as one of the finest steelhead and trout rivers in the world. With the longest season of any bc steelhead camp, babine norlakes takes pride in creating an operation that involves fishing hard and playing hard each and. Steelheaders way a book by lani waller lost coast outfitters. If you are a steelheader, this book belongs in your library. We have a wide variety of flies for salmon and steelhead avialable at the trout spot. The renown babine river, a steelhead and trout fishing. Flyfishing picture of steelhead shared by graziano mordini fly dreamers. An inductee into the fly fishing hall of fame 1997, waller is a founding director of the babine river foundation and was a founding director of british columbias north coast steelhead alliance.
Upon your arrival to the babine steelhead lodge, after a beautiful and scenic helicopter ride with silver king helicopters from the town of smithers, you will arrive no more than ten feet from the famed babine river. The upper river between the wier and lower babine steelhead lodge cabin chicks is some of the best water and well worth spending quality time, however, pierces and stewarts guides hit. Craig says every year just keeps getting better thanks craig we look forward to you showing up in 2011 its a pleasure to guide you. This is one of the finest fishing films ever produced, featuring spectacular scenes of huge atlantic salmon taking flies, fighting to get away, and being released to spawn. This is one of the greatest rivers on the face of the earth, hands down. In this book, lani goes through all interesting aspects of our sport. Pierce clegg somewhere down that famous river red tuque. Rafts, paddles, pfds life jacket, waterproof bags, transportation from smithers and return,camping fees, cooking gear, camp stoves, tents, meal preparations, mealssnacksbeverages on the expedition, tarps, major first aid supplies, emergency radio or. The following are some flies to include in your steelhead fly box for british columbia. Babine special steelhead fly the worlds best flies. Lani has also pursued salt water species for over three decades and has taken all major species on a fly, from bonefish, tarpon and permit, to sailfish and blue marlin.
Babine steelhead smash dry flies through most of the season, a thrill that few other rivers can offer in such consistency. Having recently moved to oregon and been bitten by the steelhead bug and having a friend in the fishing travel business who regaled me with tales of the chrome monsters lurking in the famed bulkley i. Often muddy and easily blown out, this river lends itself to big, dark flies. Skeena river steelhead action september 11,2015 guests of westcoast fishing adventures hooking up swinging flies on the skeena river, hooked up to some trophy steelhead while being guided by gill mckean owner and 20 year guide out of terrace bc photos will tell the rest of the story. Epic waters and babine steelhead lodge have generously donated a week of steelhead fishing on the babine. Fishing the mighty babine river is a steelhead experience you will never forget. Babine norlakes steelhead camp in 1965, babine norlakes steelhead camp began a longstanding reputation of astounding the most afflicted of anglers known to have steelhead fever. Babine norlakes steelhead camp fly water travel llc. Babine steelhead lodge is one of only 2 full service fly fishing lodges located on the upper babine, and without public access, there is plenty of water to go around. Babine steelhead lodge in stock, ready to fish leland fly.
Over coffee at searun fly and tackle one day i asked brian about bcs best steelhead flies. A 50year celebration of a worldfamous steelhead and trout river frank amato. Conversations struck up and it turns out these two fellas were doing a heli trip to the babine river the very day. Babine river rafting river of grizzlies sea to sky. The lower babine and the silver hilton steelhead lodge was his introduction to the guiding world, and under the tutelage of babine bob wickwire, master jet boater jud wickwire and steelhead guru lani waller, he had an unfair advantage and a sharp learning curve as a guide. Babine steelhead lodge is located in the upper reaches of the babine river. The skeena river during the fall offers some of the finest fishing opportunities in the world for trophy steelhead.
From the minute you arrive at the lodge, you will experience first class fishing and accomadations. Caught using a farlex edward vom hofe griswold tribute multiplying reel. Few words evoke instant passion in steelhead anglers who have fishedor have. Give us a call at 8005522729 to book your bc steelhead trip. Babine river corridor park protects the heart of the babine river watershed a wild river, home to steelhead and salmon and to the bears who feed on them.
Babine norlakes steelhead camp is set very near the bank of the remote upper reaches of the babine river. Feb 20, 2018 rob goes deep into the morice river and shares tips for dry flies, the fly lines he uses as well as other resources that will help if you are new to the skeena system. From early september through early to mid october, the babine is an excellent dry fly and greased line fishery and as the season progresses and water temperatures drop, anglers spend more time. In episode 006 of the fly fishing show i had the pleasure of interviewing one of the biggest people in the history of steelhead fly fishing, trey combs. Here you will find a trail that follows two miles of the upper river, but dont expect to have it to yourself. He continues writing about fishing, a lifelong passion. Northwest british columbias best steelhead fishing on the skeena, bulkley, babine, kispiox, morice rivers to name a few. The book bridges a major gap in steelheadfly literature, picking up the story in 1993 and bringing us to the present day. Widely considered to be the finest and most exclusive steelhead fly fishing lodge in the world, the silver hilton has jet boat access to more than twenty miles of pristine trophy steelhead water. Finding prime fishing dates for on this remote river isnt easy, with limited capacity and a short season prime dates book quickly, thats where we come in.
The access is limited creating a remote wilderness angling experience. Listen to this podcast to find out how the river used to be, how it is now and how it might be in the future. Below is more information on the trips, remember this is a popular one with very limited space so grabbing dates from us early is advised. A brief guide to steelhead fishing in british columbia yellow dog. It is our pleasure to announce an upcoming new book on the angling history of the babine river has been brought to our attention. A home for salmon is an exciting exploration of the rugged wild salmon rivers on the north coast of russias kola peninsula. Wild fish in wild places babine river steelhead youtube.
Most of the lodged do give first right of refusal to book the same dates for the. Canadian steelhead fishing charters, also fresh water fishing in the skeena river system home of the world record steelhead and salmon. With the longest season of any bc steelhead camp, babine norlakes takes pride in creating an operation that involves fly fishing hard and playing hard each and every day of the season. The upper section is closed to angling as of december 31 but the lower section below the first canyon will stay open for the winter steelheaders to enjoy. Accommodation in the base camp includes a main lodge building, five guest cabins, each of the guest cabins provides accommodation for two guests. Skeena river steelhead fall guided fly fishing flygal. Actually i know nothing about steelheading other than the fact that they are heralded as one of the top targets in this sport of fly fishing. Coauthored by guide pierce clegg and writer peter mcmullan, the book presents a glimpse into the world of the babine river steelhead fraternity.
Babine worldrenowned steelhead and trout river ask about. Most of the runs contain a lot of structure, so take your time and cover the water well. A 50year celebration of a worldrenowned steelhead and trout river, was originally published in 2010. Steelhead legend lani waller covers the essential elements of fishing for trophy. You will also find the best videos, fishing reports, flytying instructions and more. A classic pattern featuring two eggs, developed on the babine river in british columbia. Its the first book of its kind to bring the pacific and great lakes schools together under one roof. It was the bigfish reputation of the babine river in british columbia and its longstanding sport fishing traditions that in 2010 led peter to conceive and coauthor the book babine. When we dream of the perfect wilderness steelhead river, the one with deep forests and distant towering peaks, we are dreaming of the babine. It was originally used on the babine river and of course, was named after it.
Babine special greg senyo tied a modern version of this classic steelhead fly and it caught my eye on instagram. Kalum river lodge fly fishing guides in northwest british columbia terrace b. Bulkley river canadian residentonly on saturday and sunday from. Choose my new book or the original babine book, and proceed to checkout with your choice of payment.
Located on the clear flowing upper reaches of the famed babine river, pierce cleggs babine norlakes lodge is a classic camp for the serious steelheader. The classic was a steelhead, salmon egg pattern that was originally tied for use on the babine river located in british columbia. Salmon and steelhead flies home salmon and steelhead flies page 1 of 4 we have a wide variety of flies for salmon and steelhead avialable at the trout spot. Named after the daughter of billy labonte creator or fly billy and his wife carrie collingwood own babine norlakes steelhead camp. This pattern is an excellent winter pattern, but works year around for steelies and pacific salmon runs, effective in alaska too. Orange available in size 6 the babine special was originally designed as a steelhead pattern for british colombias babine river system.
Rivers such as the skeena, kalum, copper, kitimat, are worldclass and. Many of lanis tales emerge from his many hours spent in the skeena river basin, the mecca of steelheading, and more precisely on the babine river, so dear to him, and where he almost lost his life. Babine river steelhead range from 8 pounds to over 30 pounds and are among the purest. Steelhead fly fishing offers practical advice on all aspects of the sport. Trey wrote one of the early books on the history of steelhead fishing and flies and has done a lot of other amazing stuff in his fly fishing career that we cover today. The babine river is considered one of the last unspoiled rivers in british columbia. Rivers are sacred and none more so than those that have the holy trinity of salmon, grizzly bears and steelhead. Skeena river fly fishing with rob bryce steelhead, morice. After his season on the bow, he heads north to spend his fall at babine norlakes steelhead camp near smithers, bc. The skeena river is situated in british columbia and features such famous rivers as the kispiox, morice, babine, copper, bulkley and sustat. Chromer sport fishing vancouver fly fishing guides. A complete itinerary along with maps, clothing and equipment list, will be issued upon registration. Babine norlakes lodge in stock, ready to fish leland fly.
Hilton steelhead lodge, located on the babine river in northern british columbia. Thank you so much for your support and i hope you enjoy the read, share it with your friends, family and diseased anglers like myself. Welcome to chromer sport fishing, the trusted source for the best bc fishing trips out there. Steelhead 103cm in the babine river fly dreamers see more. At babine steelhead lodge, our goal is for you to have the fishing adventure of a lifetime. How to get skunked on the bulkley and threaten your. Find the best photos of every fish species in fly dreamers, the flyfishing network. A fearless and vocal advocate for wild steelhead, brian leaves little doubt that the future of our sport and the fish we treasure is in good hands. Jan 08, 2018 brian braidwood is the youthful president of the steelhead society of bc. Steelhead anglers sleep in comfortable, heated bunk cabins with detached communal shower and outhouses. There are exceptional chapters on the fish itself, the tackle and techniques used to pursue it under diverse circumstances, and such great steelhead rivers as the deschutes, the dean, the north umpqua, the bulkley, the rogue, and the babine. Babine special orange available in size 6 the babine special was originally designed as a steelhead pattern for british colombias babine river system. The water is in poor shape today, with moderate to heavy ice flows and fishing for steelhead is difficult. The skeena river and its famous tributaries host many of the largest wild steelhead in north america.
This creates the ideal location to minimize run time in the jets every day, whether you are fishing the upper or lower beats of the upper river. Wading conditions on the babine are managed easily by most anglers. Babine worldrenowned steelhead and trout river ask. The guides at bulkley river lodge draw from a pool of over 65 years of bulkley river guiding experience, so your days hunting steelhead in one of five jet boats or rafts over km 80 miles of river. The only other access to the river is a long, bumpy logging road from smithers to where the river leaves babine lake.
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