Thanks to all who joined us for our annual pilgramage to Turneffe Island Resort off the coast of Belize. This year’s trips brought lots of fun in the sun. Great people, outstanding food and a good amount of bonefish and permit were landed. We made many memories that we will cherish for years to come. We appreciate all the photos sent in and look forward to seeing everyone again on next year’s trip.
Arriving
Preparing
Searching
Fish On
Bonefish
Barracuda King
Taking it Easy
Permit
Goodbye Belize-See you next year
When-Arrive Sunday September 26th and return on Saturday October 2nd. This is 6 nights of lodging and 5 full days of fishing.
Where-The Nicholas Dean Lodge www.nicholasdean.com is nestled in the majestic coastal mountains near Terrace, British Columbia, Canada. The mighty Skeena River and its tributaries form the major arteries that fork through strands of old growth forests and steep valley walls. Nicholas Dean Lodge has access to over 50 of the best rivers in the lower Skeena System. Their highly qualified guides know the Skeena, Kalum, Copper, Kitimat, Bell-Irving, Lower Skeena tributaries and Nass River tributaries intimately, ensuring you the best chance at catching one of the many wild trophy fish that migrate up this system every year. There are also options to do Helicopter fly outs to remote coastal rivers with no roads or development, just gin clear water and large, wild steelhead.
The Fish-Fall in the Skeena Region offers some of the best opportunities in the world for Steelhead and Trophy Coho Salmon. The Summer Steelhead have entered their over-wintering holding streams and the fall runs of fresh chrome fish are in full force. In addition, Coho Salmon have been entering the system since early September, with the biggest Coho arriving in late September and early October. The Skeena system fall Steelhead and Coho are wild, large fish. The Steelhead average 8 to 15lbs, with fish in the 20 to 30lbs range not being uncommon. The Coho average 8 to 20lbs with some fish pushing 30lbs.
Equipment and Gear-The typical rods used for this trip are Spey Rods, Switch Rods or Single Handed Rods in the 7-9wt range. Spey and Switch rods will give the angler a greater range and more line control on the bigger waters in the region. Single handed rods are a good choice for the smaller tributaries in the area. It is fall in British Columbia and the weather can be often cold and rainy. Boot foot insulated waders, warm underlayering and a heavy duty Simms Gore-Tex wading jacket will help make you comfortable in the worst conditions.
Cost-The cost for this trip is $3600. It includes 6 nights lodging as well as breakfast, lunch on the river and dinner. Transportation to and from the airport is also included. The food is outstanding and the beautiful modern lodge is nestled in the pines of British Columbia. Transportation to Terrace, licenses, liquor and gratuties are not included.
Another incredible trip to Minor Bay Lodge on Wollaston Lake in Northern Saskatchewan has come and gone.
We left Scottsdale on Tuesday the 15th of July for cooler temps, good times, and huge pike. The 15th was spent traveling; we wouldn’t arrive at the lodge until the following morning. Upon arrival at the lodge we were greeted by our guides and the shore staff. With a warm breakfast in our stomachs and the latest 8, 9, and 10wt rods rigged it was finally time to hit the water.
Our group included 16 customers and 3 staff members from Desert Sportsman, the fishing was phenomenal, everyone on the trip landed a pike over 40″ on the fly. The largest fish was an obese 47″ taken by Chris Baiker. A group of four took a fly out to Cairns Lake, their fishing that day was nothing short of epic. Landing 39 board fish, (a pike larger than 36″) they successfully landed more boards in one day than most do in a week.
After being put through the trials of monster pike, several pieces of equipment really stood out as “built for the job.” We can’t say enough about the Sage Z-AXIS, and the new Winston BIIMX. Match either of these rods with the Clouser taper from Rio and you will have the power and guts to send large flies to monstrous fish all week long. The fly selection can be extensive and this year was no exception. Most of the top producing flies were typical pike flies in the 3/0-6/0 size range, with several color combos. The new flies from Enrico Puglisi were outstanding, incredibly durable many of them lasted for more than 100 pike, and with their lifelike movements it didn’t take long to reach 100 pike.
Great moments create great memories, and this trip was full of those. After four full days of pike fishing our group returned to Scottsdale, tired, sore, and rewarded for our efforts.
We have already booked next year’s trip to Wollaston Lake and spots are limited, if you are interested in joining us in 2009 please contact the shop.
