Just returned from the Holy Land of the Skeena. Myself and five friends left last Saturday for a planned 6 days on the Kispiox. After 16 hours of driving we stopped along the Bulkley to pick up our liceses before our final hour drive into the K. The lady informed us she was sold out as the Kispiox had blown out that morning and all the anglers had headed to the Bulkley. We would have to backtrack to Smithers to find the paperwork.
We decided to go on into the lodge and check things out, dump off all the stuff we brought and get the rafts set up for the morning. A couple hours later we were headed back to Smithers and then to find a nice Bulkley run. Finally with only a couple hours left of daylight, we wet our lines into the famous waters. The first night resulted in only one coho to hand but we did see a couple of nice steelhead caught and one monster hooked and its aerial display before it finally found freedom. As we drove back to the lodge that night with our 11-mile float planned for the next morning, our spirits were high.
The next morning found rain falling but we were still sure of a great day as the Bulkley seldom goes out. Just before sunrise we gazed at the river at the put-in to see maybe one foot of vis and the river up dramatically from the night before. Thanks to Trey Comb’s book and my reading it habitually, I thought we might find better water up above the Telkwa. Up river we headed. Sure enough the Telkwa was puking mud but the Bulkley above it was looking sweeeeet! Now to find a place to launch from. An hour later we were easing the rafts into the current. It wasn’t long before we realized that every angler from around the area was concentrated into this section of the Bulkley. Competition for runs was fierce.
Finally about 1:30, Rob hooks into some BC Steel. After a grand fight, he eased a 16-17 lb. Hen into the shallows. Sore muscles and tired casting arms were suddenly healed. A short time later Kevin hooked a nice fish that jumped and spit the hook. Rob followed this with a good yank but no hookup. The rest of us were shutout but went home confidant that the next day would be rewarding.
Daylight the next morning revealed the river up over a foot and visibility down to 2’. We were still hopeful though as we pushed off and floated by Harry Lemire casting a skater on a nice run. Soon there was so much junk in the water that one needed to clean flies off after every 3-4 casts. Despite all this, Carl managed to hook and land his first steelhead ever: a 4-5 pound buck apparently one of the run of smaller fish that return to the Morice every year. As the day went on, the river deteriorated. Rob and I each managed a good pull but the river was quickly going out and with it our hopes.
Rain fell all that night and the next morning and with it went our last hope for finding any water to fish. With all the guides predicting at least a week before the rivers were in shape, we broke camp and headed south.
While this was not the report I hoped to write upon my return, I would not have traded it for anything. Over 2000 miles driven for 2 fish among 6 guys might seem a bit extreme but it was worth it. Besides, we have started planning for next year.
Keep the faith –
Sinktip
We decided to go on into the lodge and check things out, dump off all the stuff we brought and get the rafts set up for the morning. A couple hours later we were headed back to Smithers and then to find a nice Bulkley run. Finally with only a couple hours left of daylight, we wet our lines into the famous waters. The first night resulted in only one coho to hand but we did see a couple of nice steelhead caught and one monster hooked and its aerial display before it finally found freedom. As we drove back to the lodge that night with our 11-mile float planned for the next morning, our spirits were high.
The next morning found rain falling but we were still sure of a great day as the Bulkley seldom goes out. Just before sunrise we gazed at the river at the put-in to see maybe one foot of vis and the river up dramatically from the night before. Thanks to Trey Comb’s book and my reading it habitually, I thought we might find better water up above the Telkwa. Up river we headed. Sure enough the Telkwa was puking mud but the Bulkley above it was looking sweeeeet! Now to find a place to launch from. An hour later we were easing the rafts into the current. It wasn’t long before we realized that every angler from around the area was concentrated into this section of the Bulkley. Competition for runs was fierce.
Finally about 1:30, Rob hooks into some BC Steel. After a grand fight, he eased a 16-17 lb. Hen into the shallows. Sore muscles and tired casting arms were suddenly healed. A short time later Kevin hooked a nice fish that jumped and spit the hook. Rob followed this with a good yank but no hookup. The rest of us were shutout but went home confidant that the next day would be rewarding.
Daylight the next morning revealed the river up over a foot and visibility down to 2’. We were still hopeful though as we pushed off and floated by Harry Lemire casting a skater on a nice run. Soon there was so much junk in the water that one needed to clean flies off after every 3-4 casts. Despite all this, Carl managed to hook and land his first steelhead ever: a 4-5 pound buck apparently one of the run of smaller fish that return to the Morice every year. As the day went on, the river deteriorated. Rob and I each managed a good pull but the river was quickly going out and with it our hopes.
Rain fell all that night and the next morning and with it went our last hope for finding any water to fish. With all the guides predicting at least a week before the rivers were in shape, we broke camp and headed south.
While this was not the report I hoped to write upon my return, I would not have traded it for anything. Over 2000 miles driven for 2 fish among 6 guys might seem a bit extreme but it was worth it. Besides, we have started planning for next year.
Keep the faith –
Sinktip
