Thursday 31 March 2011

A little extra water makes for very happy Spring Steelhead!

As predicted the rising water has given us a good push of Steelhead. Monday and Tuesday provided spectacular fishing but miserable weather, wet, cold and windy. If you had the intestinal fortitude to cope with the elements you were rewarded with the hardest fighting fish of the year so far.

Joe Downing with a silver bullet!
The fish we encountered on Monday and Tuesday were no more than five kilometers (3 miles) from the sea, on a small remote coastal stream. The water was well suited for a floating line and lightly weighted flies. The ocean going jet boat provided the transport to the river, once there we were able to walk and wade many pools and runs with ease. There is nothing like a Steelhead with sea salt stll in his nostrals, mad as hell once you lift the rod!  


Just above the waterline for a quick picture.


As well as all the Steelhead we also enjoyed seeing moose, swans, sea lions, many species of birds, mountainous fiord's and lots of mountain goats. The three below in the picture were just 30 meters (100 feet) up from the ocean. Talk about ocean front property!




My best, Walter

Sunday 27 March 2011

April approaches with rising river levels!

March is ending warm and wet making the start of April more and more appealing. The last week we've enjoyed bright sunshine with cool nights and spectacular days. Yes the fishing has been OK, but run off has been delayed with the cold nights, and this has held back the fish a bit. But today we have a big low pressure bearing down on the north coast with lots of rain, wind and moderately warm temperatures. The next couple days will give the rivers a good push of water that will in turn facilitate a real run of fresh fish up our rivers!


Owen Olivia and Dad on top of the world!
I have to admit that a part of me hates to see the sunny days of winter go, I just spent the March break at Shames Mountain with family and friends, and the skiing and atmosphere was incredible. I sure hope our poor little mountain can stay afloat. A fine bunch of volunteers are trying to create a Mountain coop at Shames to keep this treasure available for the people of the Northwest, check them out @ http://friendsofshames.ca.


OK enough about skiing. With all the ice and snow in the boat launches it wasn't until last weekend that I had my new Ocean going jetboat out for a trial run. 21 feet with 325 horse power will make my long trips down to channel rivers much more enjoyable this season. The first real trip is later this week, once the water starts to flow a bit more.




I did manage to catch a Steelhead this week, I was out for a couple hours Tuesday morning. I landed this nice little 6 pounder and touched two others.




Flashback picture from March 2007. Tom, Matt and I enjoyed moose burgers and a bunch of Steelies during a snow storm! 


That's all for now. The posts are going to get a lot more exciting next month, so keep coming back for a look.


My best Wally

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Last minute Spring Steelhead openings @ Spey Lodge!


Well it's spring here in the north! 

Rivers are rising, ice is melting and the snow is receding slowly. Northern British Columbia enjoyed a real old fashion winter this year, with lots of snow, wind, and cold weather. Now were looking forward to enjoying the benefits of all that pain in the form of moderate to high water conditions on the coastal stream, these conditions are a much need element to provide productive Steelhead fishing.




Currently I have a few openings remaining for the Spring fishery, and I'm offering discounts to try to fill the few spots I have.

Dates available,
April 10-16th one rod available
April 17-23rd two rods available


If your interested in these dates, or require any information about the Spring Steelhead fishery please feel free to contact me at your leisure.



Spring Steelheading @ Spey Lodge is enjoyed  in many different ways. A week in the spring is anything but boring, in five days you'll find yourself  floating a river near the lodge in a white water raft, jet boating a larger Skeena tributary and exploring coastal streams with the ocean going large jet boat or helicopter. Everyday is a new adventure in the spring!

I hope to see you knee deep in Steelhead water!


My best,
Walter
www.speylodge.com
info@speylodge.com
1-866-SPEYROD 

Saturday 5 March 2011

Now I have a blog to maintain, I'll never get to fish!


I know I need a blog, everyone has one, how can I expect to be different? My fear related to having a blog is that I'll neglect to update it. Similar to how I keep fishing a cracked loop on one of my fly lines, or that leaky wader that I keep slipping on without repairing it. But this will be different I will make every effort to keep the blog updated, even when I'm working 16 hour days! Do not expect much in the way of literature on this site, I'm no Haig Brown. but you can expect lots of pictures, and brief descriptions of our more interesting days on the water. 


Below is a few pictures from the 2010 season for your pleasure.


My very best, 
Walter Faetz
owner/operator of Spey lodge & Boundary Lodge


March Steelhead
May Steelhead

Remote coastal river
June Chinook (king) Salmon
Coastal River Chinook Salmon
Prime August Steelhead
Summer Steelhead
Autumn begins
Very remote early September "creek" Steelhead
October Steelhead @ Boundary
November Steelhead @ Spey Lodge