Legends Of The Skeena Region
                                © by John L. Beath 

New! check out John Beath's new halibut fishing site.

Monster-sized salmon and steelhead live within the minds of most anglers. These fish
routinely entertain countless dreams of angling paradise. Even during conscious times, these
mythical fish keep hopes and spirits alive -- until the next fishing trip which usually falls short of
expectations.

Far to the north, within a day's hard drive of the US border, the Skeena region of British
Columbia produces legendary dream-sized chinook, coho, chum, pink and sockeye salmon.
An average-sized chinook could easily be as long as your leg and as big around as your
waist. A record-sized chinook might outweigh the biggest dog in your neighborhood or the
90-pound weakling from your school days. The Skeena River held the world record
sport-caught chinook until 1985 with an unbelievable 92 & 1/2 pound wall hanger.

Jim Bonner of Northwest River Guides with "a decent
salmon."

PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN BEATH


If hard-fighting, tackle-breaking chinook don't send you
north in a hurry, maybe the area's incredible runs of
catch-'em-all-day hooknose coho will send you packing with
rod and reel at the ready. Since these mature coho return in
high numbers, and fewer anglers than southern areas wait for them, anglers experience
less-crowded opportunities for more fish.

The Kitimat River has massive runs of pitbull-like chum salmon. Many of the chums reach
trophy size and world-record size, but most local anglers don't even consider these fish
worthy enough to brag about. Only trophy-minded record seekers bother keeping track of
these stubborn fighters.

The Nass River, one of the premier rivers in the Skeena region, has some of the largest
sockeye salmon in the world. As countless sockeye migrate toward their birth place, anglers
intentionally and accidentally intercept six to 14-pound chrome-sided beauties fresh from the
ocean. These fish enjoy the highest table rating of any salmon because of their deep red,
rich-flavored fillets.

Throughout the year, bigger than average hatchery and native steelhead push their way inland
to numerous fertile spawning beds. Any one of a thousand locations could produce a
once-in-a-lifetime steelie like the previous world record 36-pounder. Some locals even claim
to have taken or seen 40-pound steelhead, but they don't want official recognition because
they wish to keep the area's special water-born gifts a secret from out-of-area anglers.
However, once you arrive, the residents and anglers couldn't be friendlier.


Winged bobbers, like these Spin-N-Glows, work well
when plunked from shore or boat.

PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN BEATH

Mention a 50-pound chinook in this region and you won't even bend an eyebrow in
recognition. Mention a twenty-pound steelhead at the local angler's pub and you won't even
be congratulated. A trophy-sized chum might even bring laughter, considering these folks
have cussed these fish as a nuisance in the way of more desirable catches.

Welcome to Skeena Country, where big fish and anglers gather throughout the year. Skeena
means "River of Mists" to the area's Nisga'a natives. For those of us who don't speak their
native tongue, but fish the area, Skeena quickly and easily translates to "Big Fish Country!"

Legends and dreams come together here, when anglers like yourself come prepared to test
wits, strength and endurance with whatever swims! When you come to Skeena country,
beware: It will take 1000 lifetimes to explore every river, stream and lake. If you're lucky, you
may discover a dozen world-class opportunities, but only if you can pry yourself away from the
fish-infested places you've discovered and can't leave. Even the locals don't know most of the
fishing holes because it's so difficult to leave their favorite productive places.

Since Skeena country lies within easy reach of Prince Rupert to the west and Kitimat to the
southwest, anglers also enjoy phenomenal ocean opportunities from salmon fishing and
Dungeness crab to shrimping and halibut fishing. Either locale easily provides unforgettable
ocean experiences.

Where to Fish

Jet-boats provide easy access to the Skeena and Kalum Rivers. Both rivers flow through
Terrace B.C., the hub for Skeena-bound anglers. Drift boats also provide great access to
much of both rivers as well as the Kitimat River to the south. Bank anglers enjoy lots of
access throughout the region. Beyond Ferry Island in town, bank anglers will find literally
hundreds of miles of shoreline throughout the Skeena and its varied tributaries.

Other Rivers To Fish

Many other rivers throughout the area, including, the Copper, Kasiks, Exchamsiks, Tseax and
Kitimat Rivers, provide top-notch fishing, especially for bank-bound anglers.

Best of all there's wade fishing aplenty.

PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN BEATH

Seasons

Winter: Steelheading on the Kalum and Copper can't be beat. During the months of
December, January and February, the region comes alive with steelhead averaging 12
pounds. Twenty pounders aren't uncommon, and neither is icy cold water and snowy river
banks.

Spring: Springtime provides the best opportunities to take steelhead on a variety of Skeena
region rivers. As water levels drop and clear in March and April, and the weather warms, new
runs of fresh-from-the-ocean steelhead arrive in force to provide unbelievable action for
bottom-bouncers, plug pullers, float fishermen and yes, fly-anglers.

April also signals migrating chinook to begin their migration up the Skeena and Kalum
Rivers. When May arrives, chinook have spread themselves throughout the Skeena and its
tributaries in force and provide excellent angling opportunities while still offering the chance at
trophy steelhead.

40 Plus pound Tyee taken from the Skeena on a Hot
Shot.

PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN BEATH


Summer June is the month to focus on chinook in the Kitimat region. Anglers with boats
ranging in size from 14 feet and up pursue large runs of 30-plus pound chinook in Douglas
Channel. By mid-June and early July, the Kitimat river swells with chinook averaging 35
pounds. Chinook on the Kitimat have reached 69 pounds, more than enough to qualify the
river as a world-class trophy chinook river. The Kitimat provides bank-bound or drift-boaters
with some of the best chinook fishing imaginable.

As the sun's rays intensify in July, so does the opportunity to take chinook throughout the
Skeena region. It's this time of year when anglers from around the world converge on the
Skeena, in hopes of nailing a 50-plus pounder. Hogline fishing, where the kalum meets the
Skeena's main flow, becomes an enjoyable opportunity to relax with anticipation while
soaking up the sun while your S.E. Hotshot or jumbo Spin N Glow twists in the faces of
migrating chinook. When the fish hits, look out, a battle will surely send you down river in
pursuit of your prized catch.

When the heat of August arrives, the opportunity to take monster chinook in the main Skeena
and its tributaries prevails until mid month. After then, anglers switch focus and head to
pristine rivers like the Tseax or Nass, where opportunities abound.

Mid August also signals the beginning of summer steelheading and coho fishing on many
rivers including the main Skeena. Pink salmon, in numbers only imagined, also keep rods
bent with excitement. The ocean at Prince Rupert or Kitimat also provides calm waters, warm
weather and lots of bottomfish, crab, shrimp and several species of salmon.

Fall: September reigns supreme as the hooknose coho invade area rivers. Summer
steelheading also proves too inviting a proposition to resist, so most anglers come prepared
to fish for both, on one or more rivers.

Floats keep lures and bait in the right drifts.

PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN BEATH

Hooknose coho in Skeena country routinely push the double digit mark. Tough tackle or light
tackle and nerves of steel keep anglers fighting one of the world's toughest strains of coho.
Bring a camera and marvel at the coho's numerous acrobatics at the end of your line.

Fly-fishing for steelhead or coho in September couldn't be better. Anglers familiar with the
area routinely marvel at the aggressiveness of the fish toward their flies during the fall months.
Come prepared with strong arms, and lots of backing on the fly reel -- you won't be sorry!

Lodges and Guides

Northwest Fishing Guides in Terrace, B.C. guides on 14 rivers, 7 lakes and the saltwater out
of Prince Rupert. All of their guides have lived and fished the area throughout their lifetimes.
While they offer day trips, they also offer affordable package prices in their comfortable
lodge. A 6 day/5 night, fully guided stay at their lodge costs $1,375 including meals. For more
information call Northwest Fishing Guides at their phone/fax, {604} 635-5295.

Check out Northwest Fishing Guides Weekly Reports......

Northwest Fishing guides also has several 2-hour "year in review" feature videos from 1987
to present for a cost of $20.00 each.

In Kitimat, Spring King Charters offers once-in-a-lifetime trips aboard their 32-foot, sleep
aboard boat. From Kitimat, Spring King Charters cruises throughout the Douglas channel
area while fishing, shrimping, crabbing and enjoying the pristine beauty. They can be reached
at {604} 632-7431.

Motels In Terrace & Kitimat

Northern Motor Inn, 1-800-663-3390

Slumber lodge, {604} 635-6302

City Centre Motel, {604} 632-4848

Boat Launches In Terrace

Fisherman's Park. Located on Hwy 16, this launch provides access to the Skeena and
Kalum Rivers.

Saltwater Boat Launches & Marinas In Kitimat

M.K's, {604} 632-6401

Moon Bay, {604} 632-4655

Campgrounds In Terrace

Ferry Island, {604} 638-4750. $11.00 per night with hookups, $8.50 without.

Furlong Bay 798-2277. $14.50 per night.

Campgrounds In Kitimat

Jed Stump's Estates, {RV park} {604} 632-6527.

Radley Park, {604} 632-2161

For More Information Call:

Terrace Chamber of Commerce, {604} 635-2063

Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-664-6554

Discover B.C. 1-800-663-6000. Call for a free B.C. visitors package and road map.

Getting There

Driving: Anglers should plan on two days leisure travel from Western Washington or one
day's hard driving. The trip takes roughly 18 to 20 hours. From the Canadian border, take the
Coquihalla Highway north of Hope. Travel toward Kamloops. Take Hwy 97 north all the way to
Prince George, the halfway point. From Prince George take Hwy 16 to Terrace.
Kitimat-bound anglers travel from Terrace to Kitimat on Hwy 37 for about an hour. Anglers
headed toward Prince Rupert travel on Hwy 16 for about 90 minutes. The road is fine and the
drive from Terrace to Rupert is noted as one of the ten most scenic drives on earth.

Flying: Several airlines fly directly from Seattle and Vancouver. I recommend Central
Mountain Air because their flights are by far the most scenic. Call them at 1-800-663-390