Skeena river fishing guides prepare for spring steelhead season

Skeena river fishing guides prepare for spring steelhead season after a warm winter and little snow pack we are left with just one month before the start of our spring steelhead season. Now after attending ISE Sacramento & Denver Fishing Shows and meeting so many great people just refreshed and rejuvenated us, now don’t misunderstand me the show days are long but after 18 years of doing ISE shows there is no end to the laughter,smiles,hand shakes and good people in the show it self as well as all my guests that have patronized our business for so many seasons it’s amazing I Thank every one of you for supporting my addiction to the great out doors and the experience I get to share and pass on to you the micro share holder’s of Westcoast Fishing Adventures. Now enough of the mushy stuff and on to Steelhead & Salmon fishing swinging bugs and feeling for Tugs is why were here and at days end we drink some Beer with a fire a glow in the melting snow we share our stories of gray shadows below. There just a little poem for you, I am getting more excited by the day to get this season under way we will be setting camp in March with our first guest from Denver Colorado braving the season opener March 1 to the 6th. We will be offering Spring Steelhead on the Main stem Skeena 2 this season as well as the Moose river experience we have not decided where the camp will be placed so I will leave you hanging all I can tell you is we will be ready and the camp will be comfortable just as it has been for the last 5 years. I would also like to touch on another fishery that we enjoy every season from late September to the end of October Silver Salmon fill some very beautiful remote rivers these can only be accessed by jet boat or helicopter making these fisheries very exclusive. Steelhead can also be taken during the same trip so many rivers and so little time this is what has kept our guests coming back two to three times in one season. Because you never know whats around the next bend !

Tight Lines to all Gill McKean.

GET HOOKED UP
Spring Steelhead

Come And Join Us for Another incredible season 2015

Kitimat Fishing Clackacraft Driftboat
Kitimat Fishing Clackacraft Driftboat

Just a recap of some of the moments and people that made 2014 one to remember !

Available Dates – April 26 to May 2  Spring Steelhead.

May 3 to May 9th Spring Steelhead & Chinook Salmon.

May 10 to May 16 Spring Steelhead & Chinook Salmon

Skeena river coho silver
fall steelhead Peter Kurey with a Nass river Steelhead
Spring Steelhead
Spring Steelhead
guided by gill mckean in westcoast fishing adventures in terrace bc
Guided by Gill Mckean  Westcoast Fishing Adventures in Terrace BC
Fall Steelhead
Stuart  with Spring Steelhead
fall steelhead
Helge fall steelhead 2014
Steelhead fishing on the kitimat river
Duane Spring Steelhead fishing on the kitimat river 2014

Terrace bc Coho

westcoast fishing adventures

long time guest Craig Freas
long time guest Craig Freas on the Bell Irving 2014
fall steelhead in terrace bc guided by westcoast fishing adventures
Brad Howe fall steelhead in Terrace BC guided by Westcoast Fishing Adventures 2014
Fly fishing on the Nass river steelhead.
Mark left the bulkley river to salvage his trip, Fly fishing on the Nass river steelhead. 2014
adventures with gill mckean
adventures with Gill Mckean 2014
Remote Spring Steelhead Camp
Remote Spring Steelhead Camp
Skeena River Coho / Silver
Skeena River Coho / Silver
Spey fishing at its finest - coho in terrace bc
Adam learning Spey casting first time – coho in Terrace BC 2014

Terrace British Columbia is the destination of choice for fishing enthusiasts wanting a wide variety of salmon and steelhead. Trophy Chinook (Kings), Coho (Silvers), Chum (Dog Salmon), Sockeye (Reds) and Pink Salmon along with Dolly Varden, Char and the best rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing that North America has to offer. Lets not forget that the Skeena region is home to the largest steelhead ever caught!

 A Fishing Report With A Little Twist by Gill McKean

Terrace British Columbia is the destination of choice for fishing enthusiasts wanting a wide variety of salmon and Steelhead. Trophy Chinook (Kings), Coho (Silvers), Chum (Dog Salmon), Sockeye (Reds) and Pink Salmon along with Dolly Varden, Char and the best rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing that North America has to offer. Lets not forget that the Skeena river, Nass river & Kitimat river region is home to the largest Steelhead ever caught!

We have everything, except, overcrowded combat fishing. Although, you may experience the rare sighting of another fisherman.

Located in North Western B.C., just off the Pacific Coast, in the town of Terrace. You fly to Vancouver and then take a one-hour flight to this world-class fishery.

Fly fishing on the Nass river steelhead.
Fly fishing on the Nass river steelhead.

Looking back at 2014 we had some of the lowest water on record that said it provided some of the best Steelhead & Salmon fishing we have seen in years as the months past we headed into September wondering if we would ever see the “RAIN ” and it came and never stopped that said we managed to keep our guests hooked up daily. The key to success is doing your home work being on the water daily and never giving up. Not to mention the years of experience thousands of dollars in equipment to get our guests to the waters edge in comfort and style from 30 ft Jet boats to Track Machines on to a zodiac then across the snow to a remote Steelhead camp in other words we are fully committed guide outfitter that prides it self in taking your investment then applying it to the waters we guide. Welcome to Westcoast Fishing Adventures we are now booking for 2015 our guide program will start again with our remote steelhead camp on a river that has limited access as well as very limited guide allocation we have fought every year to keep this experience pristine with out over booking this incredible fishery there will only be four lucky guests per week we are 70% booked on this trip, however we will also be guiding the Skeena river class 2 and the unclassified sections as well. For the Secret that has been let out of the Bag with recent videos of some of the largest Steelhead you can imagine we will now look forward to showing our guests a fishery that Gill & Justin pioneered when most only thought of Steelhead being caught on the Sustut or Dean rivers on dries or the Kalum river in the spring to name just a few, we were just 20 years old with big dreams and bigger ambitions than just working for North West Fishing guides.with out the help of Google Earth we set out on a mission to pioneer rivers and unlock fisheries very few Knew existed. It is with out disrespect that there is know doubt that some old timers have encountered these beauties but most guiding and lodge owners were just happy to beat up on one river keeping there costs down and program going smooth. As we were beating the bushes cutting trails and breaking new ground on unclassified waters of the North. Justin has since moved on but still feels the pull of Northwest BC every day as he has made his home in Kamloops BC.

It is now 2014 with more guides and even more pressure on a fishery that is based on having first water it is my belief that if you are unable to catch a Steelhead it is because they have either been caught and the pool has been disturbed or they are not there. Now there are some exceptions to this rule of course as you can not catch them all unless you are using roe / eggs in this case it is almost impossible for a Steelhead to pass this meal up un knowing there is a size 2 Gami buried in there some where. Hence the debate that takes place with the evolution of an angler that some refuse to allow to happen we were not all born with fly rods in hand so we must as sports man & women embrace others that choose other methods to angle, and in time most if not all after the first catch to the big numbers to the largest fish ok you get the point come to except spending time on the water with good people taking in the surroundings.

Fall Fishing for Steelhead & Coho
Fall Fishing for Steelhead & Coho

I feel it is important to keep the sport of angling alive, as in the end it is not about the fish that are caught, it is about experiencing the outdoors and the places it takes you, the people you meet along the way Good or Bad .. I found it very funny just the other day myself and Mandi were out on the Kalum river we noticed more anglers than we have ever seen as I stopped and fished a run 2 anglers passed with Big smiles and a warm hello ! as they paddled off into the distance Mandi turned to me and said “there is no way they are local”,  I laughed and said your correct they looked at us and said a warm hello. Is this what we have created out of a sport that as a young boy my Dad attended the Rod and Gun Club on Vancouver Island in large gatherings of Sports Men & Women from potlucks to turkey shoots the Totem Fishers and on it goes I have fond Memories of these days of happy people sharing memories and places they have been. Have we lost this the comrade and sportsman? It has become so competitive that we cant even say hello to each other on the water.

At the age of 42 with my life invested in Terrace BC starting a business in the 90 ties with Justin Gyger after some time spent as an assistant guide for North West Fishing Guides also known as BIG FISH COUNTRY .. & it is ! I have made it my mission to see as many rivers and to unlock there secrets while sharing my knowledge with others from around the world & most recently Teaching the Kitselas First Nations the Art of guiding I do this with pride and vigor as they put there trust in my many years of angling,rafting,boating ect… I have over the years taken many anglers into our lodge as friends with the desire to become guides or employes of Westcoast showing them the secrets of our years of hard work only to turn on us this is where the story takes a turn as I am getting older I have trained and employed 40% of my competition I guess this is why the apprenticeship program has been a tough nut for most trades workers. That said I am still here loving every day I get to spend on the water always learning and seeing things I would never see in an office enviroment.

So with that off my chest i hope you enjoy this report as we head into December a time to spend remembering the Spring,Summer and Fall with family and friends Tight Lines to All whether you choose to Spin,Fly,Float or Troll enjoy Tip your Head Up & Show us your most ripping cast keep on fishing.

Skeena river spring steelhead

Tight Lines

Gill McKean

 

Skeena River ,Nass River, Kitimat River Fishing Report for Feb 8 / 2014

Skeena river is now frozen over with thick ice over most of the river the Kitimat river is nothing more than a trickle of water & The Nass river is low frozen and clear for a change. We have been ice fishing on some area lakes with the family catching brook  trout up to 3 lb and rainbows as the winter steelhead lurk under the ice flow until the arctic wind subsides. There has been some great winter spring action out of Prince Rupert just out of Rush brook, Kinkolith has been very good on the changing tides as well not far from the old government ferry dock casting buzz bombs & sting zelda’s halibut action is also good. I am also looking forward to the first prawn feed. As for bookings this season things are going very well with a lot of positive energy being felt at the trade shows in the US this season, seems people are getting over the economy scare and just getting out and living.
We are looking forward to the 2014 season with our old guests as well as new ones.

If you haven’t booked your fishing vacation yet don’t delay dates are going quickly.

Tight Lines/Gill McKean 1-250-638-0021

info@westcoastfishing.ca

Skeena river fishing report Jan 20 / 2014 Steelhead winter run.

Skeena river fishing report Jan 20/2014 Steelhead winter run, most of the area rivers are back in shape after a hard rain fall & warm weather the rivers are coming back the winter run has been strong on the Kalum river as well as the lower copper and Lakelse river. The  main stem Skeena river fishing report Jan 20/2014 Steelhead winter run, most of the area rivers are back in shape after a hard rain fall & warm weather the rivers are coming back the winter run has been strong on the Kalum river as well as the lower copper and Lakelse river. The  main stem Skeena can also fish very good at this time of the year we have been swinging flies there has also been good reports of float fishermen landing 7 to 8 steelhead per day from 14 to 20 pounds. If you would like info on our area please feel free to contact me at any time. We are now taking bookings for summer steelhead and salmon on the the Skeena, Kitimat rivers. On another note we had a great trip to Sacramento California meeting new customers and hooking up with our old friends. We had the opportunity to stop by the Drift boat shop in Oregon to fish the Clackamas river and pick up another new 18 ft Clackacraft this is by far the best drift boat money can buy. The service and product are second to none, even more exciting they have now built a true power paddle drift sled that we had the pleasure of running the very first one. Thats all for now Tight Lines Gill McKean www.westcoastfishing.ca Ph 1-250-638-0021

Walt and Mike with a double !
Walt and Mike with a double ! Spring Steelhead

Swinging flies for steelhead & salmon

Swinging flies for steelhead & salmon can be very complicated if you are just getting into spey casting or fly fishing. A guided fishing trip with Westcoast Fishing Adventures could not only provide an adventure but fast track you to steelhead & salmon heaven. For more steelhead photos please feel free to visit www.skeenariversteelhead.com Tight Lines to all in 2014 .

Total beginner hooks up on day one with Westcoast Fishing Adventures.
Total beginner hooks up on day one with Westcoast Fishing Adventures. Steelhead Salmon

Spring Steelhead & Hawaii Monster Bones.

Hello all!

Been a bit since the last report, but its always nice to write about something that you love, so here it goes. Spring Steelhead & Hawaii bones on the fly, as we wait for winter to pass in Terrace BC, Mandi & myself have gone on an adventure in Hawaii with Captain Mike Hennessy. I highly recommend his guide services 100%.  His eagle eye and complete knowledge of this relatively unknown Big Bone fishery is second to none! He also does trips to other destinations as well. Click HERE to visit Mike’s site.

Mike Hennessy holding my first bone fish of the day !
Mike Hennessy holding my first bone fish of the day !
Bone flat Mandi & Collin on the hunt.
Bone flat Mandi & Collin on the hunt.
Bone fish Two
Bone fish in Hawaii

This is my first bone fishing experience. I am not a rookie angler, however there is a bit of a learning curve to catching these trophy sport fish. The hunt is half the fun – then you spot one your adrenaline starts to run now you have to make the perfect cast to these ninja bones as they are big and wise for a reason. When hooked these fish absolutely tear off line. This fish in the photo emptied my reel in about 20 seconds. Words do not describe how much fun this is hunting and having the opportunity to catch these Bone fish has truly been another life experience not to be forgotten! And we will be back. Thanks again Mike…

Mandi makes an attempt to a ninja bone.
Mandi makes an attempt to a ninja bone.
Early morning catching the tide for Big Bones !
Early morning catching the tide for Big Bones !

Now back to spring Steelhead action. We are looking so forward to another spring Steelhead season, our camp will be even better this season with the addition of hot water on demand. That’s right, this means you can have a shower after a hard day of Steelheading. There are only a few spaces available, so do not delay if you want a Steelhead Adventure of a life time.

Steve showing his beauty
Spring Steelhead
Group staying at the lodge - Good times!
Remote Spring Steelhead Camp
One Of Pat Houglads Catch
Pat Hougland Spring Steelhead
Pat Hooked up/article for Salmon & Steelhead Journal
Pat Hooked up/article for Salmon & Steelhead Journal
Camp 2012 Signature
Spring Steelhead Camp
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Spring Steelhead camp
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Happy Nass Client
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Remote Steelhead Camp
Guided steelhead fishing Gordon Mckean with another bright steelhead.
Spring Steelhead
Alex Hall chromer steelhead on the fly
Spring Steelhead

2013 Spring Steelhead season is only a few months away. Tight lines and screaming reels are on the horizon!

Tight Lines

Gill Mckean

contact information. 1-250-638-0021 email info@westcoastfishing.ca