4 Seasons of angling the Skeena River - British Columbia Canada

Terrace, British Columbia, is located 600 air miles north of Vancouver, B.C. and is situated on the Skeena River, the second largest river system in the province. To the native Nisga'a people, the "Skeena" means "River of Mists," and within its pristine valleys are countless rivers and streams that flow rich with Pacific salmon, trout and steelhead. This area held the world-record chinook salmon of 92 and one-half pounds; the record coho salmon which weighed in at 25 and one-half pounds; and a 36-pound steelhead.

Even average size fish in the Skeena region are considered trophies when compared to catches taken elsewhere. Steelhead weigh more that twenty pound and chinook over fifty pounders are not uncommon. Local biologists have also netted several world-record size chum salmon as well as chinook in excess of one hundred pounds.

Sheltered amidst the coastal mountain range of the Canadian Rockies, Terrace is surrounded by fishing opportunities. Discover ancient forests, majestic waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic boulder fields, fossil beds, not spring, eagles, mountain goats and the elusive Kermodei bear.

In March, steelheading is in full swing. Water levels are low and weather conditions are improving. On a warm day it can almost feel like summer. By April, although there is always the chance of wet snow or rain, weather conditions are generally favorable. Fresh runs of steelhead make their way up rivers and mingle with winter populations. These aggressive fish offer explosive action, whether it be fly-fishing from shore or hot-shotting by drift boat. Also, giant chinook salmon begin making their way up the Skeena and enter the Kalum River. In May, the chinook can be found throughout the Skeena and Kalum, a Skeena tributary, where the fishing is often outstanding; steelhead can still be caught, although their numbers decline once spawning is over. Summer

In June, spring run-off is at its maximum on the main Skeena, so high murky water leads us to focus on other productive Skeena tributaries. By mid-June, rivers such as the Kitimat are full of silver-fresh chinook, and ocean fish are always an option that can enhance the total catch. July is prime time for targeting kings everywhere, but on the main Skeena, where the largest salmon spawn, the most memorable battles await you…In addition, summer-run steelhead begin their long migration upstream; these radiant fish can reach up to 20 or 30-pounds and in warm water, are especially spectacular fighters. In August, the chinook season begins to wind down in the main rivers as their spawning period approaches. In some tributaries, catching silver fish is still possible, but we tend to focus more attentively on the fresh runs of the steelhead and coho entering the Skeena. Fall

In September, summer-run steelheading is outstanding and fly-fishing conditions are usually ideal. In addition, the main runs of northern hooked-jaw coho begin filling most rivers. These hard fighters can average 15-pounds and fish over 20-pounds are not uncommon. Dolly Varden are also plentiful. In October and November, fly-fishing for steelhead and coho is in full swing. Float fishing and spinning is also effective - there's lots of fish and they're aggressive. Winter

In December, January and February, the focus narrows to steelhead only. There are three ice-free rivers in the Terrace area that hold wintering steelhead. In cold low water conditions, a subtle approach often leads to excellent results. Fly-fishing, spinning and float fishing are the most popular methods. THE SKEENA, For World Record Chinook

The Skeena River is "where to be" when angling for world record Chinook Salmon! While the nearby Kitimat River also has a large run of Chinook, on average, they are smaller fish. Fishery employees have found carcasses of Chinook spawned out along the banks of the Skeena system that weighed more than 107-pounds!

Anglers from around the world come to Terrace and the Skeena River to angle for these famous giants. It's approximately a one hour flight from Vancouver, B.C. by modern jet aircraft. The best time to fish is the whole month of July and the first week of August. The days are long with many hours to fish and warm summer temperature of plus 27 degrees Celsius. The best fishing results can be obtained when the water is clean. Around the Cottonwood area near the mouth of the Kalum River exceptionally large fish can be seen rolling all day. This is an incredible sight and it really gets my adrenaline flowing. The boat launch known as "Fishermen's Park" is only a five-minute drive from downtown Terrace and it's usually full of vehicles and empty jet-boat trailers. Summer is an exciting time of year! Several years ago, a world record Chinook (weighing 92 ½ - pounds) was landed by Mr. Heinz Wickman of Terrace, from the Skeena River near the mouth of the Kalum River. This fish was caught with a Lure Jensen Crocodile lure. Our lodge record Chinook weighed 83-pounds. Ninety per cent of the Chinook in the Skeena River are wild fish. Some hatchery Chinook do exist, but most are wild fish. The Kitimat river probably has more hatchery Chinook because of the $10 million fish hatchery.

My personal fishing diary goes back some 25 years fishing the Skeena River. My log pays special attention to fish over 70-pounds. The ultimate challenge in river sportfishing is to try and land one of these "giants". It's especially difficult because of the fast-flowing, six-mile-per-hour river current.

While angling for Chinook you may also hook "fresh" summer-run Steelhead. These fish are in the system migrating further upstream to distant tributaries for spawning. The silver chrome fish will surely give you a tackle-straining experience. I believe more could be hooked if it weren't for Chinook chasing and spooking them as they defend their "reds."

Our lodge record steelhead weighed 32-pounds. It was caught and released by Dennis Therein from the Kalum river in 1995. It measured 40 inches in length and had a girth of 24.5 inches. The weight was estimated by using a formula of length x girth squared x 1.33 divided by 1000.

Catch & Release formula…Chinook: girth squared x length x 1.53 divided by 1000. Steelhead: girth squared x length x 1.33 divided by 1000 (inches) My website is: http://www.noelgyger.ca Check it out and SIGN UP for my Weekly Fishing Reports sent via e-mail. Hope to hear from you. GOOD luck fishing!

About the Author: Hello, my name is Noel Gyger and I came out of retirement to book guided fishing trips for the "best" fishing guides and lodges in British Columbia Canada. I have over 25 years of experience in this industry and I love it will all my heart. SUBSCRIBE to receive my Weekly Fishing Report via e-mail on my website at http://www.noelgyger.ca

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