Orvis Week at Skeena River Lodge
April 21-28, 2024 | Starting at $5,995 — Experience unmatched fly fishing for steelhead and salmon on British Columbia's Skeena River in this week-long trip to Canada.
Orvis Week at Skeena River Lodge
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Orvis Week at Skeena River Lodge
April 21-28, 2024 | Starting at $5,995 — Experience unmatched fly fishing for steelhead and salmon on British Columbia's Skeena River in this week-long trip to Canada.
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Jeremy Kehrein
Orvis Week at Skeena River Lodge
1-800-547-4322
Mon-Fri, 9am - 5pm (ET)
orvistravel@orvis.com
Accommodations:
Skeena River Lodge is located in the Skeena River valley, approximately 16 miles upstream of Terrace, British Columbia. The lodge itself is a park-like estate situated on the banks of the Skeena River. The lodge is one of the nicest facilities in the steelheading world. The main lodge overlooks a private casting pond with trout and is within easy walking access of the Skeena River. Guests stay in very nice single-occupancy rooms and/or cabins with attached baths. The lodge has a large dining room, a bar, multiple sitting areas, an outdoor hot tub, hot indoor steam bath, an indoor and an outdoor sauna, as well as exercise equipment and a game room with a pool table, table tennis, darts, and foosball. Massages are available with advance notice. Jeroen Wohe, the previous owner of Skeena River Lodge, and now the fishing manager, is typically on-site to welcome guests as they return from fishing. Brendan, another member of the guide staff, will always be on-site and available as well.
Meals:
Guests will dine in the main lodge dining room. The lodge employs at least one internationally trained chef who will oversee the preparation of a wide range of delicious and thoughtfully prepared meals. Breakfasts will be of the highest quality and have buffet and made-to-order options. Lunches will be served on the water and will include sandwiches and delicious hot soups.
Our Orvis week is seven nights with six days of guided fishing. Guests will be picked up at the Terrace Airport on Saturday afternoon and brought to the lodge, where they will be greeted by guiding and lodge staff. The head guide will provide a plan for the week, including where and with whom they will fish. Assignments are given nightly to ensure the best fishing opportunities.
Each day begins with a hearty breakfast, followed by heading out with the guides for a day of fishing. At times, guests might walk from the lodge to their boat and fish the Skeena. At other times, you will trailer boats to a wide range of rivers and or put-ins. The shortest drive is around 15 minutes and the longest will be 45–50 minutes. Once in the boats, you will typically be getting out to fish in very little time. Guests should plan to fish all day unless they have expressed a desire to get back a little earlier. Everyone is generally back to the lodge in time for cocktails and appetizers. Dinner is served around 7:00–7:30 PM.
A Typical Day on the Water:*
Morning breakfast
Depart for fishing
Go fishing!
Lunch, snacks, and coffee provided on river
Return to lodge in the afternoon
Après snacks and beverages
Dinner and assignments for the next day, relax—repeat
*Please note that this itinerary is subject to change.
Region & Terrain:
The second-longest river entirely within British Columbia, the Skeena River watershed drains 54,400 km2 (21,000 sq. mi.) of northwestern BC. The river begins its 570 km- (350 mi) long journey from the Sacred Headwaters before meeting the Pacific Ocean in Chatham Sound. Due to its abundant steelhead runs, the Skeena region has long been home to the Gitxsan and Tsimshian people. To the modern angler, the Skeena is known as a fish superhighway, with runs of all five Pacific salmon species and wild steelhead migrating up the river at different points throughout the year. For this Orvis Week, guides will target the spring steelhead run swinging flies to big wily chromes.
Season:
Spring is the time of the year Mother Nature is waking up and the first big steelhead start to migrate back upriver. No other season offers better chances to land a Chrome steelhead over 20 lbs. Don’t bring your light Spey rod in March or April; guests will need a rod and reel that can handle the power of these big and aggressive fish. The rivers are very clear and sometimes guests can see a large fish creating a massive wake as they zoom in towards their fly. The lodge’s spring program centers around fishing the Skeena, Kitimat, Kalum, Copper and other secret rivers depending on the fishing conditions.
Technique - Fishing - Rivers:
All fishing is swinging flies while wading. Sink tips are used for most seasons and they may be very light with unweighted tube flies or quite heavy with large flies. Guests who are proficient with Spey rods will often have more success. The lodge trailers both jet boats and rafts to various put-ins. Depending on the time of year and conditions, guests may fish the Skeena, Kitimat, Copper, or Kalum rivers in addition to a few lesser-known systems that shall remain nameless.
Target Species: Spring steelhead
What is Included?
- Six full days of guided fishing
- Seven nights' accommodation
- Full board (food & beverage included)
- Airport Transfer
- Access to the fitness room and spa
- Tackle
What is Not Included?
- Airfare
- Fishing license
- Waders & boots rental
- Alcoholic beverages
- Angling shop
- Gratuities
How many people are on this trip?
Ten anglers
What skill level is suggested?
The ability to cast a Spey rod with sink-tips is helpful. Guests are best served by a willingness to fish confidently for extended periods in between fish.
How strenuous are the activities?
While not strenuous, guests need to be able to wade all day and climb safely in and out of jet boats and rafts. The rocks on the main Skeena tend to be large and somewhat awkward.
Is this a child-friendly trip?
Skeena River Lodge welcomes families with teen kids who love the outdoors. They do not have childcare facilities. Parents should use their discretion regarding their children's level of maturity and patience if they will be joining the trip as an angler.
What other activities are available?
This lodge is focused on fishing, but the facility is comfortable enough for a non-angling companion who is happy to enjoy the facility and surrounding area.
What is the typical weather?
The spring season requires being able to fish through varying degrees of wet and/or cold weather. It's best to check the local weather forecast just prior to your trip for the most accurate weather conditions.
What gear do you recommend?
The lodge has plenty of single-hand rods as well as full Spey setups for guests to use. With that said, most guests elect to bring their own gear. In the spring season, we recommend 7–8 weight Spey rods in the 12.5’ to 14’ range. Skeena River Lodge relies heavily on tube flies for most of their fishing. The size, color, and weight of those tubes will vary with season and species. Pink is popular in the spring; black and blue are popular in the fall. Typically, these flies are unweighted or lightly weighted and 2–3 inches long. Size 2 barbless trailing hooks are popular for steelhead. Hobo Speys are popular as well.
Reservations, Deposits & Payments
The deposit is 50% of the trip price unless stated differently in the trip proposal and materials (trip planner and confirmation email). In some cases, deposits are non-refundable, this depends on the destination and will be clearly noted in the trip proposal and materials as well. Deposits may be made by check or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before departure, except where specified differently on individual itineraries. The balance will be charged automatically to the credit card used for the deposit, unless otherwise specified. Any changes made to the method of payment after the final balance has been collected are subject to processing fees.
A reservation form and release are required prior to departure.
All prices must be paid in U.S. dollars. Deposits are not transferable from one trip to another.
Prices quoted are based on foreign exchange values and tariffs currently in effect and prices are subject to change. Orvis Adventures reserves the right to adjust prices accordingly until the time of departure.
Planning information
When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive planning information to guide you through trip preparations. Details about arrival and departure, clothing and equipment, trip cancellation insurance, pre- and post- trip extensions, visas and documents and activities are included in the planning information.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Although cancellation fees may be higher for some trips (stated in the trip proposal and materials), the following minimum cancellation fees will apply:
| Days Prior to Trip | Fee |
| + 90 days | $300 per person |
| 89 days or less | 100% of cost |
For trips that include an Orvis gift card or Orvis merchandise, the retail value of the gift card or merchandise is non-refundable upon delivery. Cancellation fees cannot be waived for any reason, including health, business or personal emergencies, or weather.
We strongly urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance.
No refunds will be made for unused portions of a trip, including late arrival or early departure. Guide fees and hotel costs are not refundable if unused as outlined in the itinerary. Orvis reserves the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that Orvis must cancel a tour, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full settlement.
Orvis is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation of any canceled trip, including airline tickets and visas fees.
Cancellation Insurance
Your planning information includes information for travel insurance covering cancel for any reason, cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, lost baggage and medical evacuation. We urge you to obtain this coverage.
Share policies
Trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms & cabins are limited. If you request a single room, a single supplement will apply as noted in the itinerary. We will confirm the single room as early as possible, but in some cases it may not be earlier than 30 days prior to the trip. If you request a roommate, we can usually pair you with another guest of the same gender, and no single supplement will apply. If you request a roommate, and one is not available, we will only charge you the single supplement if required by the lodge or facility used in the trip.
Children under 18 must share a room with a parent or other family member. In some cases this may be waived.
Passports and documents
International trips require a passport. Check your passport early and make sure it has six months validity at the time of travel. A visa is needed in some countries and we will send you complete details and instructions.
Arrival and Departure
Group transfers from a central location such as an airport are described in the itinerary, and are included in the land cost.. Transfers are not included in the land cost if you arrive early or leave after the scheduled departure day.
Equipment & Clothing
You will receive a detailed list of appropriate gear with your trip planning information.
Airline reservations
The land cost of your trip does not include airfare.
Limitation of liability
This section defines Orvis Travel’s responsibility with regard to all travel arrangements made by Orvis Travel, including individual travel and pre- and post- trip extensions. Please read it carefully.
Upon sending your deposit to Orvis Travel, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all the terms and conditions outlined here, and agree to be bound by them.
All trips that involve outdoor sporting activities such as shooting or fishing, or travel through remote places by vehicle, boat, small plane or on foot, put you at risk for accidents and serious injuries in the normal course of the activity. That is the nature of travel to such destinations and you acknowledge that you accept these hazards as a condition of participation.
Orvis Travel, its Owners, Employees, Associates and Agents give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or other services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers.
Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, guns, fishing equipment or sporting goods are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no employee/agent of Orvis Travel, its subsidiaries, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation.
