Queen Charlotte Islands steelhead

 Welcome to Copper Bay Lodge located in Haida Gwaii on the northwest coast of BC.  Surrounded by pristine wilderness, this rustic lodge overlooks the Hecate Strait.  

The lodge offers 2 rooms with 2 single beds and an additional cabin with a queen size bed and private bath.  It is the perfect size for small groups of 4.  We have exclusive guiding on many steelhead rivers on both Moresby and Graham Islands. This is the perfect basecamp for Queen Charlotte Islands Steelhead.

The Queen Charlotte Islands truly represents the passion for steelhead that many speak of. Its remote rugged landscape, and unique ancient forests put you into the perfect mindset to cast a fly to natures most covenant freshwater fish.

This is the Galapagos of the north, and provides you with an adventure that will stay with you forever.

Its rivers are small and teaming with Steelhead, salmon, and cutthroat trout. Copper bay Lodge is an operation that will give you access to over 8 rivers that each host runs of steelhead.

The starting point for your fishing adventure will be the Yakoun River. The steelhead in the Yakoun can be as big as any other watershed in B.C. In fact over 35 percent of all adult steelhead returning to the Yakoun are three- salt fish, and 30 percent are 4- salts. That means over half the adult population of steelhead returning to the Yakoun are 3- and 4-years-old. This equates to a great potential for large fish.  

We have pursued sea trout from the southern tip of Tierra Del Fuego, to the south west corner of Alaska’s tundra, all the way to the undiscovered rivers of Kamchatka.

We have never found a more spectacular place to cast a fly as is found in the rainforests of the Queen Charlotte Islands. 

Although we have several other small rivers that we fish according to the timing of the runs, these are the meat and potato rivers in our program. 

Yakoun River

This is the premier Steelhead river on Haida Gwaii and boasts the largest steelhead on the Islands. Twenty pound steelhead are caught here with regularity.  It is a large watershed with its headwaters at Yakoun Lake. 

About half the river is closed to fishing to allow the fish piece of mind while spawning.  It is made up of many different sections, most of the good water is wide (80 feet) and has a good clean bottom. 

It has good backcast space and it ideal for a short skagit type fly rod.  Fishing the tailouts is a steelhead anglers paradise.  Yakoun fishes the best in Nov and Dec but holds some fish through March depending on water flows.

Tlell River

This river flows north from the Pontoons to the Ocean on Graham Island in the town of Tlell.  The Tlell is another tea colored river similar in size to the Copper River.  It is a difficult river to fly fish in the fact it has very limited back cast space.  However due to its small size a well placed roll cast can be very effective.  Timing for the Tlell starts in Feb and goes into April.  10-12 pounders are the norm with some fish pushing 20 pounds.

Copper River

This is the closest river to the lodge with only a 5 minute drive time to its outflow into the ocean.  We love the water on the lower river fishing fresh steelhead in tidal water.  If you have ever wanted to try BC Steelhead this river is a must as it is a small coastal stream that runs through a rainforest. 

It has little backcast space due to thick overgrown trees, but it is an intimate river that can be covered very well with roll casts.  For the beginner fishing a river like this may seem daunting, but the challenges are fun to explore and the fish make it well worth the effort. 

We have some very good tricks up our sleeve to fish our home water and you will quickly fall in love with this unique steelhead stream as we have.  We start fishing this river in Dec and continue through April.  Dec and March are the best 2 months for the Copper.

Pallant Creek

The Pallant flows into Cumshewa Inlet at Moresby Camp and is a 35 minute drive from the lodge.  This is a beautiful little stream that flows through a number of canyons and steep gradients. 

There are some perfect beats for the fly fisherman and you can stalk, and sight cast to fresh chrome steelhead.  It is made up of canyon water and a few open gravel runs.  The Pallant usually has fish to be caught from Dec until April.  The best month tends to be February. It seldom blows out because it is lake headed.

Our program

Our trips run from Nov 1 until March 31.  We are a small lodge catering to groups that are looking for something different than the large steelhead camps.  We only take 4 guest per week to ensure we can put you on the best beats at the best times. 

With only 4 guests we can organize the week according to your specific needs.  If you would like to fish 3 rivers in one day with lunch back at the lodge, we can accommodate. 

We have both local guides who were born and raised fishing steelhead on these rivers and we have our Bulkley team all with over 10 years experience guiding steelhead.   This is a unique experience fishing the remote coastal rain forests of Haida Gwaii, one that offers fisherman an extraordinary opportunity to catch wild steelhead in one of the most remote reaches of North America.

Copper Bay Lodge Winter Steelhead Program Rates

4 days / 5 nights -    $2900

5 days / 6 nights -    $3400

6.5 days / 7 nights - $4100

Price includes:

· Transportation to and from Sandspit Airport
· Shared room and private room accommodation
· Delicious gourmet-style, home-cooked meals served with wine
· Fully guided fishing & all fishing gear
· Photo CD of your fishing adventure

Extras:

· Fishing Licenses
· Alcoholic Beverages (BYOB)
· Guide Gratuities (10 – 15%)
· Fly Out Trips to our remote steelhead rivers