Suskeena Lodge — Wild Steelhead on the Sustut

Fly into Smithers Regional Airport (YYD) from Vancouver International (YVR). The recommended flight is Air Canada AC8461, departing Vancouver at 4:10pm and arriving Smithers at 5:48pm. Book a hotel for the night — the Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge offers a discounted rate when you mention 'Suskeena Lodge' (restaurants on site). Sandman Inn and Stork Nest Inn are solid alternatives within walking distance of downtown. The Suskeena expeditor will reach out to confirm transfer details ahead of your arrival.

A shuttle picks you up from your hotel and transfers you to Alpine Lakes Air for an 11:30am charter departure. The 45-minute flight over Northern BC wilderness is a highlight in itself — expect to see the Sustut River canyon open up beneath you before landing on the strip.

Guides meet you at the landing strip and transfer you to the lodge. After settling into your cabin, lunch is served followed by an orientation covering the camp, the week's fishing program, and guide introductions. There is an option to fish unguided your first afternoon if you want to get on the water immediately (an additional license day is required — see the FAQ below). Evening snacks from 6pm; dinner served slightly early on arrival night.

Continental breakfast available from 6:30am; hot breakfast at 7:30am. Boats leave at 8:30am and return at 5:30pm. Guides rotate clients across the river system daily, accessing the water by jet boat or raft depending on conditions. More than half of each day is spent on runs that have seen no other anglers.

Your guide provides hot shoreside lunches — soups, sandwiches, stews. Back at the lodge, snacks from 6pm and a 3-course dinner at 7pm with complimentary wine and casual beer. The lodge has a small fly shop on site for any flies, leaders, or merchandise you need.

No fishing on the final morning. Breakfast is served slightly later. Please be packed and out of your cabin by 10:00am to allow the housekeeping team time for turnover. You're welcome to relax in the lodge until departure.

The charter departs the Sustut at approximately 12:30–1:00pm, returning you to Smithers. The shuttle meets you at the Alpine Lakes Air hangar for transfer to the airport. Same-day option: Air Canada AC8462, departing Smithers at 6:25pm, arriving Vancouver at 8:02pm. Overnight option: Stay another night in Smithers and catch AC8460 the following morning, departing 10:15am, arriving Vancouver 11:51am.

Beginners and first-time spey casters are genuinely welcome. Most fishing is done with two-handed spey rods, and your guides will walk you through the mechanics quickly — loaner rods are provided at no extra charge. If you already fish single-hand or spey, you'll hit the ground running. What matters most is patience and enthusiasm: steelhead fishing rewards persistence, and the Sustut guides have seen every skill level and know how to put people on fish.

Included:

• 6 guided days on the Sustut River
• Shared cabin accommodation (one single cabin available first-come, first-served)
• All meals — continental breakfast, hot shoreside lunch, 3-course dinner nightly
• Complimentary wine with dinner and casual beer throughout the week
• Non-alcoholic beverages at all times
• Private charter flight into and out of the lodge (Smithers ↔ Sustut)
• Loaner spey rods and gear if needed
• Shuttle service in Smithers within one day either side of trip dates

Not included:

• Commercial flights to/from Smithers and Smithers hotel nights
• BC fishing license (~$450 CAD total — see FAQ below)
• Staff gratuity — industry standard 10–15% of trip price; cash strongly preferred
• Flies and merchandise from the on-site fly shop
• Hard liquor and spirits (bring your own — lodge can assist with sourcing)
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

Fly into Smithers Regional Airport (YYD) from Vancouver (YVR) — Air Canada operates this route daily. We recommend taking flight AC8461 (departing Vancouver 4:10pm, arriving Smithers 5:48pm) and staying overnight. The following morning a shuttle transfers you to Alpine Lakes Air for the 11:30am charter departure. The flight to the Sustut is approximately 45 minutes over spectacular Northern BC wilderness.

Luggage limit: 50 lbs per person total. Pack accordingly — the charter floatplane has limited cargo space. There is no cell service at the lodge; Wi-Fi calling via satellite internet is available while the generator is running.

Yes — a BC fishing license is not included in the trip price and must be purchased before you arrive. You'll need three components totaling approximately $350–$450 CAD:

1. BC Freshwater Angling License — an 8-day license is sufficient if you're only fishing the Sustut
2. Steelhead Stamp — add this to your base license
3. Classified Waters Guided Days — 6 consecutive days; when prompted for the guide name, enter JADEN FRENCH

Purchase through the BC Government e-licensing portal and email a copy to the lodge before your trip. If you want to fish unguided on your arrival afternoon, add one additional unguided classified day to your license. The lodge manager can also assist on arrival if needed.

The Sustut fishes best with two-handed spey rods. A 7, 8, or 9wt in the 11–14 foot range paired with a Skagit or Scandi shooting head is the standard setup. Bring a selection of sink tips (T-14, T-11, or MOW tips in various lengths) and a full floating line for skating dries. Leader material: 12–30 lb Maxima or equivalent. Loaner rods are available if you don't own a spey rod.

Flies: Bring a variety of steelhead patterns in black, blue, purple, orange, and pink. Productive patterns include Intruders, Hobo Spey, Kilowatt, Deuce Wigalo, and natural muddlers. For dry fly opportunities, bring skaters, Pom skaters, Lady Caroline's, and Purple Perils. A selection of rubber-legged nymphs rounds out a good box. The lodge fly shop carries patterns specific to the Sustut if you need to top up.

Important: Single barbless hooks are mandatory by law in BC. Crimp all barbs before you arrive — Conservation Officers do visit the Sustut and issue fines for violations. Catch-and-release is also mandatory for wild steelhead.

The Sustut River corridor is genuine wilderness — large wild animals including bears are present throughout the area. Bear spray is mandatory on your wading belt while fishing and will be provided by the lodge. Your guide will have spray as well and serves as your eyes on the river. Always communicate with your guide if you're walking away from the water or from camp.

First aid kits and an emergency evacuation plan are in place at the lodge, with a trained first aid staff member on hand. Be aware that the nearest hospital is in Smithers — at least an hour away by air. Assess any medical considerations before traveling and keep all personal medications with you. Travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical, and unforeseen closures is strongly recommended.