Maxwell Steelhead Guides

A new year of steelhead is coming soon….

The Olympics are over and life is getting back to normal around here.  Now we have to get our heads around the upcoming steelhead season and it is looking good.  Now you might say that is ‘guide’ talk – but I think it is going to be  an early season for fishing and don’t forget that September is ideal for dry fly fishing.

In British Columbia, we have had a very early spring (did you watch the Olympics?) and the whole winter itself was quite mild.  I think it is makeup for last winter when we had a brutally cold and snowy season.  Three feet of snow in the rain forest of Vancouver is not good.

This past winter has had mild temperatures and a low snow pack.  Now you might ask how that translates into fishing conditions?  The seasons shift as Mother Nature dictates and they don’t follow the calendar at all.   Early seasons bring early runs of fish and depending on the water conditions, steelhead will show up earlier in the rivers.

Forecasts for returns of salmon on the coast are also poor and this translates into less commercial fishing and less impact on our steelhead.

So if all stays the same, we should have a great season of fishing on the Bulkley with some good early season fishing.

Matt’s Black & Blue – by Matt Sharp©

1. Start with a tail of black ostrich (6-12 pieces). For the length of the ostrich, look to photo for proportions.
   Add 2 – 4 stands of blue flashabou to the tail.    Tie in the flash to lay down either side of the tail.
   Use an equal # of strands on each side.
2. Use a dubbing loop with black seal fur (or standard substitute, sometimes I like a little flash in my dubbing). Dub halfway up your hook or tube; then tie in two pieces of blue grizzly hackle in a deceiver style so that the tip of each feather reaches just short of the end of the ostrich tail.   This adds to the tapered appearance.
3. In front, wrap one feather of black marabou.   Look for long fibers in the feather and strip one side to make it lie properly.   When wrapped, the strands of marabou should cover about half of the ostrich/grizzly tail, again to achieve the proper taper).
4. After the black marabou, spin in one feather of blue (preferably a light royal blue, though a dark baby blue works as well).
5. Add 2 to 4 more stands of blue flashabou, one more feather of black marabou, then finish with dark blue guinea.   Strip one side of the feather.   This completes the shoulder effect.
6. For weight, use .03 lead or dumbbell eyes.   As of late, I have been leaning toward the dumbbells.   I like the silver flash and the silhouette of an eye.   I recommend staying away from the cheap, oddly shaped lead eyes in favor of the hourglass style.    The hourglass style doesn’t brake as often and rides better in the water.
   Use sizes x-small, small and medium.
7. It also pays off to vary the size of the fly – my favorites are 2 inch, 3.5 inch and 4+ inches.
   Playing with rhea, ostrich or rubber legs spaced evenly before or between the marabou is fun.

Other color combinations I like are:  maroon and black, maroon, black and blue, blue and solid black, and blue and white.   I also tie them all as a ‘bastard’ egg-sucking leech. Simply add wraps of peach chenille to the head.

I hope these simple concepts will help guide you when you are filling your box for next season.   We hope to see you fishing on the river year – preferably with the Maxwells.    Let us know if we can help.©

Dates for 2010

We still have some available dates for this season.
Here are the 2010 fishing weeks:
#1 – September 12-17
#2 – September 19-24 – FULL
#3 – September 26-October 1
#4 – October 3-8
#5 – October 10-15
#6 – October 17-22

We also take anglers ‘passing through’ on their way to other lodges on the Babine, Sustut, Kispiox – or on their way out.
Many take the opportunity to get tuned up with casting, rods and reels, plus waders, etc. A great chance to see if anything is missing and get everything in working order.
When we have space, we will do this.
So if you are interested, please call us.

Steelhead for the Future!

Our wild steelhead depend on the Bulkley River for sustenance and sanctuary at all stages of their existence while in fresh water… the only exception being when our fish are foraging in the Pacific Ocean.

Present and future generations of Bulkley River steelhead, particularly those that we – you and I – entice to the fly, need our respect and care while they are in the river. To ensure all steelhead taken on the fly are returned quickly and safely back to the river, we will be posting ‘catch and release’ guidelines to make this so.

Denise

Maxwell Steelhead Guides Galleria

The Bulkley River, in itself, is a thing of beauty… water conditions – and the steelhead fishing – can change from one day to the next… scenics to be enjoyed while running the river in one of our jet boats… seasonal colours to dapple the river’s edge and the mountains beyond… there’s something here for everyone!

To the Beach

A fish in hand… is worth many more in the river. For anyone who has fly fished for wild steelhead, the rush you experience of a steelhead engulfing your fly… played to the beach to be admired… and released… just reward for your time on the river.

Casting Tips & Tactics

We know our water… we know our fish… casting tips and tactics when fly fishing for Bulkley River steelhead that will help you get the most out of your time on the water… it will only be a matter of time before your universe unfolds!

Flies & Gear

Flies to tie and bring with you or tie and fish while you’re here… either way you will be putting ‘the’ fly on or under the water that will bring out the players who will take your fly!

This section is dedicated to fly fishing gear – rods, reels, lines and flies – you will want to bring to heighten your experience on the Bulkley River!

Steelhead Fishing with Maxwell Steelhead Guides

We are wanting you to experience the best waters… the best fishing… while you are here.

Check out STEELHEAD FISHING on our web site for info on our steelhead fishing packages… dates, rates and links to useful online resources to help you plan your trip!

Maxwell Steelhead Guides… Home Waters

The steelhead season is here!  It is an early start this year and there are lots of fish in the river.  This is an unusual season as our steelhead runs have not been hit by commercial fisheries.

A poor season of salmon has allowed our steelhead to arrive unmolested by nets.  There are pinks, lots of coho, lots of early run Morice River fish in the river and our own Bulkley fish arriving.

Water levels are good!  A little bit of rain around after a very dry summer and best of all, early morning mist on the river.

Its going to be a good one!

Denise