British Columbia’s Dean River is world-renowned for having the hottest, meanest, most powerful steelhead on the planet. Evolution eliminated all but the strongest fish that are able to negotiate the heavy rapids of the Dean River Canyon and steep gradient of the Upper Dean. In the eyes of many well-traveled anglers, nothing rivals the awesome fight of a chrome-bright Lower Dean River steelhead.
BC West is located just upriver of the mouth of the Dean, roughly 135 miles NNE of Vancouver Island, and near the end of the 90 mile long Dean Channel. Accessible only by boat, floatplane or helicopter, the lodge is tucked away in the beautiful wilderness of classic coastal British Columbia surrounded by enormous trees and snow capped peaks.
Dean River steelies average around 12 pounds and range upwards of 20 pounds. Peak weeks for steelhead are from late-June through the end of August, complimented by an excellent run of big Chinook salmon in June & July and a strong run of coho salmon the latter half of August.
The BC West Fishing Day
BC West fishes a two-shift day during the more productive low-light hours. Breakfast is served between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM and anglers are on the river at sunrise. At 11:30 AM you return to the lodge for the midday main meal. The evening fishng is from 4:00 PM until just before dusk. The evening meal served at 9:30 PM in the clubhouse.
Throughout most of the season, guests alternate days fishing below and above the Dean River canyon.
Guests fishing below the canyon are transported from run to run by jet boat. Fishing time is a mix of closely-guided (guide standing near the guest as they fish through a run) and relatively unguided (guide within 1 ½ miles of guests on the river; communication via handheld radio). Below the Canyon, the Dean River presents a mile and a half of big, beautiful, broad runs, the staging are for fish exiting the saltwater of the Dean Channel, before tackling the rapids of the canyon. These fish are within a tide or two of the salt, and are sometimes described as “unstoppable”!
Fishing above the canyon is self-guided. At the beginning of the week, guests are given an orientation on the basic layout of the upper river and are trained on the safe operation of 4-wheeler ATVs. Each guest is issued a 4-wheeler, to access the upper river via a network of trails. Several 2-man boats are strategically placed to allow access to the side of the river.
BC West Accommodations
Guests at BC West stay in comfortable rustic cabins with running water, comfortable beds and wood heat. Several of the cabins house two anglers, and one cabin provides lodging for four anglers.
The main lodge building includes the kitchen, dining room and housing for the staff. The dining room has loads of natural light, and is where breakfasts and the main mid-day meals are served.
The clubhouse, a separate large cabin, provides the main indoor lounge area and features comfortable couches, a wood stove, fishing pictures and a fly tying area.
The combination Shower House/Drying Room provides comfortable central shower facilities and a heated room to ensure that waders and raingear are warm and dry each morning.
Our Services are Free!
Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing
BC West 2020 Rates
The steelhead season on the Dean runs from mid-June though the end of August. The rates range from $5,995 to $7,295 USD per person depending on the week. Please contact Angler Adventures for a quote.
The Rates Include: 7-nights accommodations (2 people per room); 6 1/2 -days fishing; all meals, sodas, mixers, beer & wine; classified water license; round trip charter flights from Bella Coola, B.C.; Friday night accommodations in Bella Coola, if required.
Not included: airfare to Bella Coola; fishing tackle and flies; liquor or any other alcoholic beverages other than beer and wine; tips; B.C. Fishing license and steelhead stamp; GST.
Peak weeks at BC West are typically booked a year in advance, but we stay in close contact with the lodge and are the first to know of available weeks. Please contact us for current availability or to make a reservation.
Dean River Lodge Package – Our Dean River package is based on 6 days guided fishing and 1 day non-guided. It includes roundtrip flights from Smither to the Dean.