Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: ByteMe on June 12, 2013, 10:31:25 AM

Title: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 12, 2013, 10:31:25 AM
It's time to work on the "TO DO" bucket list.I am planning on a trip to The Skeena,The Bulkley,and/or The Kispiox this Sepetmber.Anyone have any experience on these rivers?It's a long trip,so I don't want to waste time and money exploring the area,or would it be more beneficial to book a guided trip,even though it would triple my cost.My understanding is Guides are a pretty scarce commodity at that time of year,unless you stay at one of their lodges.I am hoping to stay at campsites to keep the cost down,any suggestions would be appreciated.Since I live on the Island, my plans are to take the ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert and drive from there
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: Burkie on June 12, 2013, 12:40:10 PM
What part of sept are you going? Do you have a pontoon boat?
How long are you going for?
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 12, 2013, 03:03:33 PM
last week in Sept,for a week,and yes I have a pontoon boat
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: banx on June 12, 2013, 06:10:36 PM
If you don't know anyone up there, I would say spend the money on a guide.  they will be able to take you to some fantastic spots by jet boat.  your money will be well spent..... really.  However, if you have friends or family that fish they will surely know a few easy access spots where your going to be in great shape to catch fish.....  the local shops in terrace will probably tell you a  couple of drive up spots as well.... if your willing to drop a few $.

though I have never fished the thompson or kispiox, I have the fraser and its tributaries.. nass and tseax etc. all amazing. your going to enjoy yourself..... might want to up the lb test on your reels. some very very big fish in those systems.
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 12, 2013, 06:19:32 PM
If you don't know anyone up there, I would say spend the money on a guide.  they will be able to take you to some fantastic spots by jet boat.  your money will be well spent..... really.  However, if you have friends or family that fish they will surely know a few easy access spots where your going to be in great shape to catch fish.....  the local shops in terrace will probably tell you a  couple of drive up spots as well.... if your willing to drop a few $.

though I have never fished the thompson or kispiox, I have the fraser and its tributaries.. nass and tseax etc. all amazing. your going to enjoy yourself..... might want to up the lb test on your reels. some very very big fish in those systems.
......tks for the advice,as I was thinking about the same thing,think I'll spend the extra $$ for a guide,at least for a couple of days,as I hear most of the great spots are accessed by jet boats mainly.............well it's on the bucket list so I don't feel too bad about anteing it a few extra $$ for a memorable trip
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: HOOK on June 12, 2013, 06:41:17 PM
I would also hire a guide on my first trip in the area. Thank god for me I know someone that lives up there who guides and has given me an open offer to take me out  ;D


HOOK - perhaps next years bday present to myself......1 week on the Skeena and its tribs
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: joshhowat on June 12, 2013, 08:29:40 PM
Maby I will bump into you up there. I'm going sept 8 to 16. Will be my third trip up there. If you can get steelhead down here you will do fine.
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 12, 2013, 08:49:25 PM
I would also hire a guide on my first trip in the area. Thank god for me I know someone that lives up there who guides and has given me an open offer to take me out 
>:(.........................I envy you!!.............and HOOK,tks for the imput on the Switch rod ;)
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 12, 2013, 08:54:36 PM
Maby I will bump into you up there. I'm going sept 8 to 16. Will be my third trip up there. If you can get steelhead down here you will do fine.
...........getting steelhead won't be a problem,.......Swing baby Swing!!!!!!!!!!,just finding them would be the prob.1 week isn't long enough for alot of exploring,especially when I don't know the area.Which river are you headed for?
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: joshhowat on June 12, 2013, 09:24:05 PM
Anything near Terrace. This will be my first year with a toon so can't wait to float. Woot for not having to hike.
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: HOOK on June 12, 2013, 10:28:02 PM
ByteMe - always glad to help a fellow angler when I can.
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: banx on June 13, 2013, 07:50:54 AM
joshhowat, in the name of safety I probably wouldn't advise putting yourself in a pontoon and drifting down the skeena..... you would probably wanna put that pontoon in the water on say the copper river, lakelse river or the kitimat which will be smack in the middle of coho season.

all 3 of those rivers are less than 30 minutes from terrace. the copper is very accessible, just radio or call the forestry company before you begin the climb up the road.... the lakelse is a bit of a drive. like 12-15kms down a dirt road. off the highway from kitimat/terrace

each river will have a different species running. your lucky enough to hit steelhead in the copper, chinook and big northern coho in the skeena, and coho in the kitimat. some old sockeye in the lakelse too. 

this thread makes me miss home.  :'(




Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: joshhowat on June 13, 2013, 11:42:27 AM
Thanks for the concern but I won't be fishing the skeena I found that river to be a bit of a snag fest.

I will mainly be fishing the copper and floating up top.
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 13, 2013, 02:09:29 PM
Thanks for the concern but I won't be fishing the skeena I found that river to be a bit of a snag fest.

I will mainly be fishing the copper and floating up top.
I heard the same thing,my initial plan was to get away from that...........damn I could stay on The Stamp and experience the same.I think this is going to take abit more planning fellow fisherman.I think we are all looking for the same thing, joshhowat,....some quiet water.
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: joshhowat on June 13, 2013, 06:11:00 PM
Here is a pair from last years trip for motivation.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/54893_10152120644515705_1490545347_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/415677_10152120643895705_1940125920_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 13, 2013, 06:55:28 PM
HaHa!!!..........joshhowat.......you dog!!..........lol..........you're pushing the right buttons :'(

BTW.......nice fish
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: HOOK on June 13, 2013, 07:21:28 PM
OK so which one of you am I stowing away with ?? LoL
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: joshhowat on June 13, 2013, 09:12:19 PM
I don't know if you want to ride with me hook. My wife will be 7 months pregnant. Lol
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 14, 2013, 09:57:00 AM
I don't know if you want to ride with me hook. My wife will be 7 months pregnant. Lol
I have even a better idea.........leave her at home and we'll both ride with you.......lmao
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: joshhowat on June 14, 2013, 11:47:36 AM
She would kill me.
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 14, 2013, 02:01:59 PM
Tide is coming in.......Sockeye are running,heading out to toss a few flies for them.Isn't retirement great? :P
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: HOOK on June 14, 2013, 05:33:36 PM
Josh - I have 2 kids already (aged 2 & 4).Im not scared of a pregnant woman, sometimes scared of my kids mom though  :o lol

Im sure mine would kill me if I didn't bring her and the boys along to such a beautiful and pristine area of our province. I have mentioned wanting to start making yearly trips and told I have to bring the boys at least  :D
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: banx on June 15, 2013, 09:10:48 AM
well not that you don't have enough motivation already,  here's a little more.

buddy walking over the lava fields, and some of the water you will come across.

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o4/banx14/fishing014-1.jpg) (http://s116.photobucket.com/user/banx14/media/fishing014-1.jpg.html)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o4/banx14/fishing015.jpg) (http://s116.photobucket.com/user/banx14/media/fishing015.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: dennyman on June 18, 2013, 10:37:52 PM
Also don't forget about the Kitimat River. Some of the spots are easy to access from Kitimat and the Home Hardware store in Kitimat can give you up to date information as to what is running in the river when you are up there. Also take a look at Noel Gyger's fishing reports as he gives out up to date information as to what is happening in that area. If you get a chance to get out there earlier I would say go for it, as you could have a chance for all five species of Pacific salmon and Steelhead to boot in the Skeena.
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: banx on June 28, 2013, 12:04:30 PM
ya don't forget the kitimat.  I will be there visting family from august 23rd till sept 3rd....  if you would like some gps coordinates pm me, and I can give you a couple of my favourite places.....  coho are in thick at that time
Title: Re: Skeena River
Post by: ByteMe on June 30, 2013, 06:52:28 AM
ya don't forget the kitimat.  I will be there visting family from august 23rd till sept 3rd....  if you would like some gps coordinates pm me, and I can give you a couple of my favourite places.....  coho are in thick at that time

tks Banx for the kind offer,but looks like it will be on hold for this year.........just became a grandpa,too much happening this year,but might hit ya up again next year,tks again