Fly Fishing British Columbia
Experience Mouth-Watering Canadian Streams and Rivers
A visiting fishing writer, describing one of our smaller streams, wrote “…I nearly gasped! There before me was the most picturesque pool one could ever imagine…This spot will be recorded in my memory banks as the single most beautiful pool I have ever had the pleasure to fish.” For the full text of this article, please click here.
A small stream reveals a large fish – very gratifying
Fly fishing in British Columbia is full of variety. Our fishing spots are located within a 10-50 minute boat ride from the lodge. Some of these locations 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 Fish
When’s the best time for fly fishing British Columbia at Blackfish Lodge? Click to see a month-by-month description of our season.
Great Variety of Water
A resident cutthroat trout being released back into the wild
The local streams, lakes, and rivers are 100% catch-and-release and are, indeed, some of the most beautiful, productive, and unpressured waters you’ve never heard of. Fish small streams or bigger water, dry flies or wet. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find yourself hooking resident and/or searun cutthroat trout, dolly varden char and a few rainbow trout. You’ll also find silver, and pink salmon, small numbers of chinook salmon, and, if you’re really lucky, maybe a steelhead.
Experts and Novices are Welcome
We have water and fishing opportunities to satisfy every skill level. Experienced anglers will appreciate the variety and challenges of the different streams and waters that we fish.
Hooking a searun cutthroat on a fly
We are very pleased to provide fly tying and casting instruction to first-timers or beginning anglers. We’ve taught many a guest who had never touched a fly rod before. We’ll teach casting basics and have you (if you wish) tie a fly or two. Then we’ll go out on the water.
More often than not, you’ll land your first fly-caught fish.
Small Streams
Our guides will take you into lovely small streams where the sighting of another angler would be an extraordinary event. Tying into a leaping, twisting, running silver salmon in a stream that you might be able to cross in two jumps is quite an angling thrill. Want a real challenge? Bring your 12-14 weight gear, fast sink tip line, a strong arm, and hook a 20-60 pound early summer chinook salmon in a stream on a stripped fly. Landing that fish, however, is quite another matter.
Gorgeous Wakeman River
Float & Fish Trip
Woman vs. salmon on the Wakeman
If larger water is on your mind, you’ll want to take our full-day Wakeman River float trip. 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. Again, 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 Kingcome Inlet and up into Wakeman Sound. Your float trip starts with a short truck ride up the river to your put-in spot. You and your guide will serenely raft 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.
Hunwadi/Ahnuhati
Blackfish Lodge has been granted the only park use permit for the Hunwadi/Ahnuhati conservancy area. We’re very pleased to have added this to our inventory of exclusive fly-fishing water for 2015 and on.
The fish’s perspective
This area is one of the last, pristine, never-been-logged areas on the central BC coast. Full of salmon from mid-July through mid-October and sporting a great estuary fishery for searun cutthroat trout, you’ll absolutely love spending a day here—especially with the knowledge that no other lodges are authorized to guide in the conservancy.
Saltwater Fly Fishing
Saltwater fly fishing for searun cutthroats and salmon is becoming a popular part of the fly angler’s repertoire. Fishing the estuaries and rock piles for cutts can stir up some nonstop action. The estuaries can also produce some excellent fishing for silvers and pinks waiting to enter the streams. Furthermore, silvers can be fished in other saltwater areas around kelp beds and tidal rips.
Equipment
Chris Bennett, lodge owner/guide readies the gear for a day on the river
We provide rods, reels, flies, waders and boots for those who prefer to use our equipment. However, if you wish to bring your own gear you’re welcome to do so. See the Things You Will Need section for further details.
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, use of any tackle, and fuel are included in our rates.
Fly-In Fishing
Should you want even more variety and excitement fly fishing British Columbia, 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.
