A Little Steelhead trip before the Stillwater Season gets going

I’ve always wanted to fish the Skeena River country for steelhead and I was fortunate to spend 4 days up there last week.  It was early spring conditions with unpredictable weather which meant we encountered snow, rain, sun and wind each day we were on the water.   I’ve been practicing my spey casting all winter and this was my first trip with just the double hand rod.  Water conditions on the Upper Kalum River were low but water clarity was good.  Fishing companions included Rob Vodola from Kitimat and  Chad Black and Dustin Kovacvich from Nicholas Dean Lodge in Terrace www.nicholasdean.com.  We swung either large black/purple or orange/pink patterns using type 6 to 8 tips on Skagit heads.  It has been a few years since I had fished seriously for steelhead and the take of these magificant fish certainly got my blood flowing again.

All in all a very enjoyable trip in which I learned lots about early spring tactics as well as picking up badly needed tips on improving my double hand casting.  I can’t wait to get back up there this coming fall!!

Here is a shot of a nice fish caught on the spey rod.

cheers,

Brian