When we first visited Frontier Steelhead Experience in the heart of British Columbia back in 1986 before we left for home we were told “we would never be the same:” At the time, we didn’t think much of what was shared with us, but we soon realized that statement couldn’t be more true. For those who have joined us on our hosted steelhead trips or fished with our good friends at Frontier Steelhead Experience or at their Bulkley Base Camp, like us, they too have been coming back to fish with them time and time again. And like us, they too haven’t been the same.
Situated on the banks of one of British Columbia’s more noted steelhead rivers, the Bulkley, is the beautiful Frontier Steelhead Experience main lodge, but it isn’t their only lodge or river when fishing with them that you’ll stay at or swing a fly through. For those who base out of the main lodge you will split your week between it and their other more remote lodge on the Morice River; another legendary BC steelhead river that is known for its incredible dry fly steelhead fishing. After your week in Steelhead Paradise fishing these two rivers, you’ll have swung flies through some of BC’s more prolific steelhead waters. Of all the incredible steelhead rivers in this province, the Bulkley, which is a tributary to the Skeena, receives the largest percentage of wild Skeena steelhead that return each fall. This is why the Bulkley of all the BC rivers is so productive.
In addition to their main and Morice River Lodge, there is also Bulkley Base Camp. This part of their operation is located on a small tributary to the Bulkley in its lower canyon reaches that are somewhat removed from all other lodges that fish this river system. Base Camp is a very comfortable tent operation that is ideally suited to put you on the water in parts of the river that see’s much less traffic. Although rustic, Base Camps location will efficiently put you on some of the Bulkley’s more productive and scenic runs. It couldn’t be more ideally located.
All of their operations are suited to help you get the most of the steelhead fishing these rivers offer. And if by chance you want to take a day to explore, for an additional charge you can helicopter into the Upper Copper, Skeena, Babine, the Nass or one of its tributaries. There is no other operation that has such a diversity of options or the experience to ensure your steelhead fishing is a success. And we are familiar with them all.
When we first paid visit, the lodge was operated by Collin Shadrach and his wife Cari and called Frontier Farwest. Although catching a steelhead on a dry fly had been done before Collin began guiding on the Bulkley, he and his guides took it to another level. At the time, fishing a dry fly was one's first option. They were so productive, that for a number of us in those early years, we didn’t even have a wet fly in our fly box. By the time Derek and Andrea Soto bought the operation from Collin and Cari, fishing dry flies was still productive, but sinking lines and weighted flies played far more of a role in your success. Another thing that’s changed is the rods that are now used. Single handed rods have been replaced by longer two handed Spey Rods. They are simply much more efficient at helping you cover water. If you’ve never tried a Spey Rod before, given the line options that are now available, the learning curve has gotten much shorter. Without a doubt, given that these fish live in the land of a “thousand casts” these long elegant rods will help you have success.
Regardless of how you like to fish for steelhead, dry fly, wet fly, dry line, or weighted flies and tips, Derek’s knowledgeable guides can accommodate you. They are not only very skilled boatmen, but they are all die hard steelheader anglers. Even if it’s your first time chasing these amazing fish, they can set you up with a technique that will optimize your chances. That said, if you’ve never caught a steelhead on a dry fly before, both the Bulkley and Morice are two of the more productive rivers in all of BC for having success with skating flies.
Other than rare exceptions, your means of river transportation will be in a jet boat, or sled as they sometimes are called. These boats are designed to help you get the most of your time on the water. They are fast, efficient and due to their mobility give you tremendous flexibility when fishing a given section of the Bulkley or Morice rivers.
The best time of year to fish these rivers is when you can get a spot. Derek and Andrea have created a loyal clientele that like us, as we alluded to return year after year. If you want to catch a steelhead on a dry fly, the entire month of September is prime and even the first of October can be productive. As October arrives, the weather gets a little colder and fishing tips and the sunk fly becomes more productive. It’s also the month when the bulk of the river's larger steelhead are caught. If you are interested, you need to start planning at least a year in advance and like all the operations we work with, our experience can help you not only plan a trip but get your foot in the door.
The main headquarters and lodge for Frontier Steelhead Experience is incredible. It’s spacious, with amazing views, and to a degree somewhat luxurious. They take a total of twelve quests. and while staying at this lodge each guest will have their own spacious cabin. All your meals when not on the river will be served in the main facility and to say they are delicious is an understatement. While seated in the spacious high vaulted ceiling dining room, you’d be hard pressed to believe you weren’t being served in a fine restaurant somewhere, instead of a steelhead lodge on the banks of one of BC’s most productive rivers.
Since you’ll be splitting your week of fishing between the main and Morice lodge, you’ll find the Morice facility more rustic and quaint. Meals are hearty and also excellent, though not as “fancy” as what you’ll experience at the main lodge. After a delicious dinner, possibly even some campfire time under a star studded sky, you’ll retire to a dual occupancy. For particularly cold nights, each cabin has a wood burning fireplace that will keep you more than comfortable and cozy. Although this older lodge isn’t as nice as the main lodge, its remote location and more rustic appearance is no less appealing or comfortable. For those of us at the shop, it is our favorite.
Bulkley Base Camp tent operation is also quite rustic, yet incredibly comfortable. It’s situated on a small tributary of the Bulkley, which you can fish, but Frontier is not allowed to guide on. Unlike the main lodge, which is located just a short distance from Smithers, Bulkley Base Camp is about 45 minutes down river, and is quite isolated. It’s nestled comfortably among tall cottonwoods and river birch and just a short drive to some of the Bulkley’s most productive and remote pieces of water; Waters and access points that other lodges will spend almost an hour getting to.
The main eating area at Bulkley base camp is home to a dining experience that impresses. Especially given the camp's location. Meals are hearty, delicious, and will exceed your expectations. Spacious and comfortable tents are dual occupancy, each tent has a wood burning stove to keep you warm on those chilly late season nights. Shower facilities are communal and with plenty of hot water, and you’ll find them more than adequate during your stay.
Regardless of what facility you are staying at, we know of no other steelhead operation that is more ideally suited to optimize your steelheading experience. Like these fish that will change you forever, this operation and their efforts to help you catch these amazing fish will leave you wanting to come back for more. They truly offer a steelhead experience line no other.
You can drive or fly to Smithers, British Columbia; a quaint little town where all guests begin their steelhead adventure. If you’re staying at the main lodge, you’ll typically arrive Thursday, and spend the evening in Smithers. Friday morning, you’ll be picked up by the guides and transferred to the lodge where you’ll settle in, eat lunch, and then head out to get a half day on the Bulkley. The following day, half of the 12 guests will head up to the Morice River Lodge bright and early. The other 6 will remain at the main lodge, each group of 6 fishing their respective rivers for three days before switching lodges. For those at Base Camp. you will arrive on a Friday and spend the night in Smithers. Saturday morning, you’ll need to be suited up and ready for a full day of fishing on the Bulkley.
Logistically, travels are fairly easy, however Air Canada’s flight schedules can make it challenging to get to Smithers in a day depending on where you live. That’s where we can be of help. We can not only help you book a trip to Steelhead Paradise, but we can help you with where to stay, and in navigating flights to minimize your travel time, and to help you get the most of fishing with Frontier Steelhead Experience.
