Boundary Lodge

Henry Mountain reports on his trip to catch steelhead on the Bell-Irving from Boundary Lodge, Canada

Having returned from fishing the Copper and Bell-Irving in British Columbia, I am more convinced than ever that every keen salmon fisherman should make the journey to catch a steelhead at least once.

Wally Faetz is the owner and operator of Boundary Lodge on the Bell-Irving some 200 miles from Terrace. He also owns Spey Lodge, just outside Terrace, where his clients fish the Copper, Skeena, Kitimat and Kasiks. While they catch steelhead on the Copper from mid-July onwards, Wally moves his operation to the Bell-Irving for steelheading during the months of September and October. Together with Fly Fisher Travel clients, I joined him for the week of 10^th-17^th October.

To begin with, the scenery is beautiful - indeed gobsmackingly breathtaking. During our stay, the mountainous peaks were capped with snow and the green coniferous trees contrasted against the cottonwoods and poplars turning their various shades of yellow. There was considerable wow factor from the start.

The Bell-Irving itself is what every fly fishermen craves. We were taken to pools that were all enticing with fast necks with deep water which flowed into sweeping pools with tails that you know must surely hold steelhead. Steelhead rarely, if ever, show themselves, but the nature of the water meant we fished every pool with absolute confidence.

Steelhead fishing itself has many similarities to Atlantic salmon fishing. There are certainly some differences, such as the general need to slow down the swing and the various types of takes with the occasional need to set the hook. By and large the crossover from salmon to steelhead is a simple one and the party adapted quickly. Indeed two people landed a fish each within the first hour and half of starting, so confidence was high from the beginning.

The first days on the Bell-Irving saw the anticipated cool weather for that time of the year. However, steelhead seem to be comfortable in relatively shallow water (sometimes only knee-deep water) and we caught fish on floating lines with weighted tubes and also by using Type 3 sinking tips with regular flies. Dry flies can often work well and while we tried, the cool weather meant we were unsuccessful.

Takes varied from smooth draws on the swing to some more tentative takes while stripping line at the end of the cast. Steelhead are angry fighters and frequently change direction rapidly like a sea trout and, on occasions, become airborne. Just when you thought they were ready for the net they usually produced another determined run, earning them their deserved reputation as strong fighters.

We were fortunate to have settled weather. However, clear skies meant plummeting air temperatures with the knock on effect of lowering water temperatures. It was even below 33°F on one day. They were exhilarating days with clear blue skies and bright sunshine, but the downside was coping with freezing rod rings.

We worked hard for our fish and everyone achieved some memorable catches with everyone landing a fish a day on average, which in steelheading terms is pretty good. The majority of the fish landed were in the 6lbs to 15lbs range with one person landing a lovely 20lber.

During the course of the week there were many other memorable moments. Moose crossing the river, sightings of black bears, a grizzly who fished opposite two of us and probably the friendliest beaver in Canada who visited frequently and swam within yards of us all.

Steelheading is not for everyone and is certainly not a numbers game. However, I would urge keen Atlantic salmon fishermen who wish to pursue one of the world's great migratory salmonids to give it the consideration it deserves.

Land packages are from CAD$5,200+5% tax (approx. £3,050) for 7-night stay.

Call Henry on 020 3301 3300 if you are interested in visiting Boundary Lodge, Canada.