Kitimat, BC Tributary Fishing Report.
Posted on October 21st, 2010
Tracey John Hittel reports. The last weeks have been Spey-tacular as guests were fortunate to catch the famous Steelhead Trout on the fly. With the rivers up and down in level like a frog in a frying pan the guys prevailed and never gave up. Fishing from the bush as the rivers are so high that finding a gravel bar to cast from is rare. This is the highest water levels I have guided on the Skeena tributaries in the past 10 yrs and at times you feel it is hopeless to fish the river, large logs raging down the river and 80 year old Cottonwood trees snapped off from the 60 MPH winds including heavy rainfalls. Like the one Japanese Doctor said what are we going to do? I came here to fish. And yes the Doctor did do so. After many casts he hit pay dirt and took three fish in one pool, attached is a nice Steelhead he fooled on a large Pink Fly.
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Also attached is a pic of Takahashi with a nice male Steelhead he took on the Spey, not to mention catching 8 Steelhead in 2 days in high water conditions, the Steelhead are running in nice numbers for sure. Taka was using a new Meiser rod he brought for this trip and river specifically and I can tell you these rods are very nice for smaller rivers and light lines. One Steelhead in particular that is quite memorable for me was when Taka was swinging his fly in a fast riffle with large boulders 100m downstream, this fish took so aggressively and peeled his line then immediately tucked in behind the group of boulders and his line went limp, the fish was off, the 16lb tippet cut above the fly. The day before the same thing happened when he hooked in to a large Steelhead and lost most of his line before the fly pulled out of the Steelhead. Funny thing he asked me minutes before this fish what is the best thing to do when a large Steelhead is pulling all your line off the reel. Each fish is different and I prefer to stay in the same place I hooked the fish, chasing the fish into the fast water will only get you into bigger trouble and further downstream.
Next pic of Darcy from Vancouver, he landed this chrome female on a black leech pattern and a short sink tip, fishing a depth of 3ft, this fish jumped out of the water so many times when it was hooked, so typical of fresh Steelhead.
Repeat clients Ebi and Chiba were also in town for the summer runs and attached is Ebi with a nice pair of fresh ones, and Chiba with a large male taken on a Intruder fly. All the Steelhead lately were approx 32-36 inches long, and recordable good hook-ups with 40 inch Steelhead, estimated to be over 20lbs.
October guests that target Steelhead like to fly-fish as it is the most challenging and rewarding. Our 2011 bookings for April and May Steelhead, June to September Salmon and Halibut are all available. Large groups please book in advance as we have parties of 12-14 booked for June Freshwater/Saltwater Salmon and Halibut.
If you would like to book a guided fishing trip with Tracey you can contact him at,
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