Spincasting

Gear, Guides, and Excitement Included!

Guided floating and wading on the Wakeman River. © Chris Cardenas, 2016

British Columbia fishing is noted for its excellent variety. All of the local streams, rivers, and lakes are fishable using conventional gear. Trout fishing, salmon fishing, and dolly varden fishing are all very productive. All fish respond extremely well to a cast lure. Equipped with single, barbless hooks, different varieties of spinners and spoons can provide incredible action.

Freshwater fishing spots are located within a 20-50 minute boat ride from the lodge. Some of these spots require short to moderate hikes, so guests should have the appropriate physical mobility necessary to reach these locations. Blackfish Lodge is licensed and insured for all freshwater fishing.

 When to visit

When’s the best time to enjoy some great British Columbia fishing for trout or salmon? Click for a month-by-month description of our season.

Trout Fishing

Our region is home to native coastal cutthroat trout and some rainbows. The cutthroat can live as a resident variety in the freshwater or as the searun variety. Trout, salmon, and dollies will take a spinner or spoon aggressively. A #2 or #3 Mepps or Roostertail type spinner or a medium to medium-small spoon will work well.

Freshwater Salmon

Setting the hook on a Coho

The silver and pink salmon runs in both the small streams and Wakeman River can provide some of the most exciting, fish-’til-your-arms-fall-off fishing you’ve ever had. In early July, you can also hook chinook salmon in the Wakeman and tributaries on a larger spoon or spinner. These fish can be huge, so you may want to bring a reel filled with a lot of 25- or 30-pound test.

Wakeman River Trip

We highly recommend the full day float trip down the Wakeman River. Designated as Class 2 Classified Waters by the BC government, we are one of only two lodges authorized to fish the spectacularly beautiful and legendary Wakeman. Rarely will you see other anglers. Clear in the spring and turning to a striking jade green color in the mid and late summer, the Wakeman has very often been noted as the highlight of our guests´ trip.

Your Wakeman day starts off with a 50-minute boat ride from the lodge to lovely Kingcome Inlet and then up Wakeman Sound to the mouth of the river. The float trip starts with a short truck ride up the river to your put-in spot. You and your guide will serenely float your way down the river, fishing innumerable pools and runs. After hooking your fill of salmon, trout, or dollies (depending on the season), you’ll come back to the lodge for another great dinner.

Casting from the shore into beautiful pools provides a change of pace

Blackfish Lodge has one 21´ Grady-White, and two 19´ open “Boston Whaler” type boats. Each boat is fully equipped with GPS, downrigger gear, depth sounders, and quiet, smokeless 4-cycle trolling motors. Personal floatation devices are provided for all guests. All licenses, guest use of any tackle, bait and fuel are included in our rates.

We do provide spinning gear for our guests´ use.  However, if you have a favorite fishing setup, you’re welcome to bring it it along. See the Things You Will Need section.

Fly-in Fishing

Should you want even more variety and excitement, with advance notice, floatplane and/or helicopter charters can be arranged (significant extra charges apply) that will take you right from the lodge to fish nearby pristine and rarely fished lakes and streams.