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Derek Botchford

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Considering the fact I was born in a suburb of Toronto, I have a surprisingly diverse history in the fly-fishing industry. I grew up spending my summers in the Catskill Mountains, fishing the waters around our family farm. This area is the stomping grounds of Joan Wulff, like the Beaverkill, Delaware, Esopus Rivers, and countless others. Fishing these technical rivers on the fly with my cousin Nathaniel Gillespie at the young ages of 10 proved to be frustrating at best for us. Success was measured more on a scale of not burying hooks in ears instead of fooling educated trout. However, once in a while, we happened on to some hatches wherein even we could catch fish. Maybe that’s why I am so hooked on challenging fisheries to this day.

Both Nat and I became enamoured by the sport over those years, and the obsession took over much of our childhood. Tying flies and watching fishing shows passed the time in between adventures. Our first big break came at 16 with a job offer in Yellowstone, Montana, at Bud Lilly’s trout shop. I was lucky enough to be a dual citizen which allowed me the opportunity to delve into the much larger market in the US. Here, we honed our skills by hanging out with guides and fishing with real anglers who caught serious fish. We spent all our free time hitting the small creeks, but our favourite stream was the Galetin: here, we actually figured out that, with proper technique and pattern selection, we could pretty much catch multiple fish in any riffle or pool. All our efforts began to pay off, and we were finally out fishing people and solving the puzzles on the water ourselves.

From here, Nat moved on to conservation work with Trout Unlimited, and I started my journey as a fishing guide. While attending University of British Columbia, I worked at an iconic fly shop in Vancouver called Ruddicks, learning from one of the best ambassadors of the sport of fly fishing in Canada, Kathy Ruddick. Kathy was an incredibly smart, talented angler who carried such earnest respect in the Vancouver fishing scene that it was easy to look up to her. She was very supportive and trusting of her staff, and her attitude empowered all of us to do well for her.

After I graduated, I took my first job as a guide on the famous Blackwater River in central BC at MacKenzie Trail Lodge. The stories behind this lodge would make for a great movie, so I will leave that for another time. My manager was a young Mike VanWormer, and together Mike and I were launched into the world of very competitive marketing. The owner decided to unleash us on the sport show circuit, often alone. We immediately thrived at this and took many a booking right there and then at the shows. We had some legendary trips in those days, fishing the Thompson, floating the Dean, and many others.

After a few years working there, I met some clients who were able to secure me a position in Alaska at Alaska Rainbow Lodge. This was 1999, and the lodge was trying to transition from a gear fishing operation to strictly fly fishing. They hired four young guns to help propel this. After a rocky start, I was able to find my stride in Year 3 and was promoted to Head Guide honours. The owner, Ron Hayes, took me under his wing and mentored me for the next eight years. By this time, I had gained a very good understanding of the Bristol Bay watershed, fishing countless days on the American, Kvichak, Alegnak, Moraine, and Battle, as well as up and down the peninsula Ilnik, Cinder, and Ugashik. However, I wanted more: I wanted to take what I learned here and use it as a model for my own operation. In 2008, with the help of a truly great partner, I was able to purchase Frontier Farwest Lodge. The rest, as they say, is history!

Derek’s Instagram

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 12

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Bombing out some casts in steelhead paradise #epic #epicwaters #spey #speyfishing #steelheadparadise #bulkleyvalley #frontiersteelhead

Bombing out some casts in steelhead paradise #epic #epicwaters #spey #speyfishing #steelheadparadise #bulkleyvalley #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 11

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Swinging dries for Bulkley Steelhead is a must #makessense #ohthatswhy #lookingup #dryfly #flyfishing @smithersbrewing #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

Swinging dries for Bulkley Steelhead is a must #makessense #ohthatswhy #lookingup #dryfly #flyfishing @smithersbrewing #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 10

Open
Fishing the bamboo single hand with RayMac #legendsedition #bamboo #steelhead #flyfishing #moriceray #bulkleyvalley #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

Fishing the bamboo single hand with RayMac #legendsedition #bamboo #steelhead #flyfishing #moriceray #bulkleyvalley #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 9

Open
You can’t solve the worlds problems on Instagram but after a day of fishing, over a great bottle of scotch? Maybe 🤔 #epicthoughts #deepthoughts #thingsthatmakeyougohmm #problemsolvers #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

You can’t solve the worlds problems on Instagram but after a day of fishing, over a great bottle of scotch? Maybe 🤔 #epicthoughts #deepthoughts #thingsthatmakeyougohmm #problemsolvers #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 2

Open
It is quiet up north right now but things will come alive soon. Hopefully things will look half normal this fall. #frontiersteelhead #swingthefly #speyfishing #steelheadlodge #steelheadparadise #bulkleyriver #epicwaters

It is quiet up north right now but things will come alive soon. Hopefully things will look half normal this fall. #frontiersteelhead #swingthefly #speyfishing #steelheadlodge #steelheadparadise #bulkleyriver #epicwaters ...

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 1

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Each year we add lodge improvements, but never have we seen such excitement over last years. We now have a custom disc golf course with mowed fairways, putting greens and Tee offs. It traverses through 15 acres of the property. Also is our new riverside fire pit and games area. Once the border opens guests will be able to once again challenge the guides to take out any river frustrations. #epicgames #guidechallenge #discgolf #discgolflife #bonfires #smithersbc #bulkleyvalley #letthegamesbegin #frontiersteelhead

Each year we add lodge improvements, but never have we seen such excitement over last years. We now have a custom disc golf course with mowed fairways, putting greens and Tee offs. It traverses through 15 acres of the property. Also is our new riverside fire pit and games area. Once the border opens guests will be able to once again challenge the guides to take out any river frustrations. #epicgames #guidechallenge #discgolf #discgolflife #bonfires #smithersbc #bulkleyvalley #letthegamesbegin #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 30

Open
Time spent on the water, paying your dues, honing skills. It does eventually all pay off #artofsteelheadfishing #steelheaders #nopainnogain #workhard #rivertime #speyfishing #swingingflies #epicwaters

Time spent on the water, paying your dues, honing skills. It does eventually all pay off #artofsteelheadfishing #steelheaders #nopainnogain #workhard #rivertime #speyfishing #swingingflies #epicwaters ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 29

Open
Sometimes thing just have a miraculous way of working out #hereshoping @dhollinsphoto @anadromous #futurelooksbright #iwearmysunglassesatnight #steelhead #teamwork #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

Sometimes thing just have a miraculous way of working out #hereshoping @dhollinsphoto @anadromous #futurelooksbright #iwearmysunglassesatnight #steelhead #teamwork #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 26

Open
Steelhead are decked out in natural colours- sky, sunshine, and the multi-hued gravels of the river. #camo #troutbum #trout #troutfishing #steelhead #whereswaldo #steelhead #flyfishing #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

Steelhead are decked out in natural colours- sky, sunshine, and the multi-hued gravels of the river. #camo #troutbum #trout #troutfishing #steelhead #whereswaldo #steelhead #flyfishing #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 25

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The most shocking thing for anglers that fish our rivers for the first time is the shear density of A+ runs. #steelhead #steelheadwater #bcsteelhead #speyfishing #flyfishing #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

The most shocking thing for anglers that fish our rivers for the first time is the shear density of A+ runs. #steelhead #steelheadwater #bcsteelhead #speyfishing #flyfishing #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 24

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Even when the fishing is incredible, we rarely hear the fishing is better than the food #foodie #foodphotography #lodge #foodstagram #dinner #tasty #foodies #epiceats

Even when the fishing is incredible, we rarely hear the fishing is better than the food #foodie #foodphotography #lodge #foodstagram #dinner #tasty #foodies #epiceats ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 23

Open
Sometimes the guests just have to jump in the kitchen and help out #stems #frontiersteelhead #epicguests #kitchenlife #cooking #bulkleyvalley

Sometimes the guests just have to jump in the kitchen and help out #stems #frontiersteelhead #epicguests #kitchenlife #cooking #bulkleyvalley ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 23

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A young @dhollinsphoto doing what he loves #frontiersteelhead #epicteam #bcsteelhead #guidelife #speyfishing

A young @dhollinsphoto doing what he loves #frontiersteelhead #epicteam #bcsteelhead #guidelife #speyfishing ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 21

Open
Worth all the effort in the world #steelhead #bcsteelhead #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

Worth all the effort in the world #steelhead #bcsteelhead #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 20

Open
Once you experience a remote coastal BC river you are never quite the same #travelbc #travelphotography #travelcanada #coastalliving #northernbc #britishcolumbia #flyfishing #epicwaters

Once you experience a remote coastal BC river you are never quite the same #travelbc #travelphotography #travelcanada #coastalliving #northernbc #britishcolumbia #flyfishing #epicwaters ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 19

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@jordan_linger leading a short commute to work. #frontiersteelhead #steelhead #smithersbc #bulkleyvalley #bulkleyriver #epicwaters

@jordan_linger leading a short commute to work. #frontiersteelhead #steelhead #smithersbc #bulkleyvalley #bulkleyriver #epicwaters ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 18

Open
Great feeling driving down Raymond road, through the gate and seeing our featured 100 year old barn 📸 @anadromous #epicbarns #barnlife #barn #barnwood #bulkleyvalley #britishcolumbia #canada #frontiersteelhead

Great feeling driving down Raymond road, through the gate and seeing our featured 100 year old barn 📸 @anadromous #epicbarns #barnlife #barn #barnwood #bulkleyvalley #britishcolumbia #canada #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 17

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Great photo capturing the image that burns in our minds @anadromous #steelhead #bulkleyriver #bulkleyvalley #bcsteelhead #flyfishing #speyfishing #epicwaters

Great photo capturing the image that burns in our minds @anadromous #steelhead #bulkleyriver #bulkleyvalley #bcsteelhead #flyfishing #speyfishing #epicwaters ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 15

Open
These guests have become legends of the lodge over the past 10 years. #Strat&Peter #epicguests #frontierfamily #headnorth #steelheaders #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

These guests have become legends of the lodge over the past 10 years. #Strat&Peter #epicguests #frontierfamily #headnorth #steelheaders #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead ...

frontiersteelhead

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Mar 13

Open
This winter is really dragging now. Summertime on the Skeena feels like an eternity away #summersteelhead #skeena #skeenasteelhead #speyfishing #beautifulplaces #photography #fishing #flyfishing #epicwaters

This winter is really dragging now. Summertime on the Skeena feels like an eternity away #summersteelhead #skeena #skeenasteelhead #speyfishing #beautifulplaces #photography #fishing #flyfishing #epicwaters ...

Gallery:

Posts by Derek Botchford:

  • Steelhead Paradise

    Derek Botchford
    March 7, 2021

    The wilderness of northern BC is riddled with rushing rivers. Crystal clear waters teeming with unbelievable wild steelhead, some growing up to thirty pounds and beyond. That’s exactly what you’d expect from a place that’s home to the world’s most prolific wild steelhead run. And one of those rivers flows right through our backyard, the […]

    Read More…

    • Spey Fishing
    • Steelhead
    • Travel
  • Welcome to the Major Leagues

    Derek Botchford
    March 6, 2021

    For the passionate steelhead angler, all roads eventually lead to the west coast of BC where the Steelhead angling of your dreams waits for you. For those of you lucky enough to have already fished here, your hope is that a return trip is in the cards sooner than later. The truth is the watershed […]

    Read More…

    • Spey Fishing
    • Steelhead
  • American Creek, Bristol Bay Alaska

    Derek Botchford
    February 1, 2021 (February 3, 2021)

    Between the years of 2000-and 20011, I was not a very hard guy to find in the months of June and July. I spent these months guiding in Katmai park on the lower American Creek in Bristol Bay Alaska.  This is truly one of the unspoiled gems of Alaska.  With only 5 permits to fish […]

    Read More…

    • Uncategorised
  • Navigating Waters with Generation Z

    Derek Botchford
    January 28, 2021 (January 28, 2021)

    Photos by Chase White At age 45, and with 25 years in the fishing business under my belt, I am certainly plugged into the old school OG category. Even using the term OG (Original Gangsta) dates me. My grey hair, incessant chatter about the old days, and jittery finger that always aims to get the […]

    Read More…

    • Conservation
    • Deep Thoughts
    • Guide's Life
    • Spey Fishing
    • Steelhead
  • Top 6 King salmon flies

    Derek Botchford
    January 19, 2021 (January 19, 2021)

    Those who target king salmon on the fly often have endured through much pain in their fishing careers.  Throwing big heavy rods and fast sinking tips is usually key to success and sore arms.  However the new lighter, high density fibre composite, graphite rods have made life easier on the river while casting endless hours […]

    Read More…

    • Chinook
    • Spey Fishing
  • End of season Heli day

    Derek Botchford
    November 4, 2020

    The weather has been extremely unpredictable of late with extreme cold, than back to back snow storms into a warm pineapple express.  This hasn’t been ideal for the rivers, but it certainly has had its moments.  We had to postpone this heli trip once, but in the end we hit things just right.  The river

    This content is for Epic Waters Angling members only. Currently, membership is by invite only.

    If you would like to join the waiting list, please complete the form here.

    […]

    Read More…

    • Deep Thoughts
    • Epic Waters +
    • Guide's Life
    • Photography
    • Spey Fishing
    • Steelhead
  • Wild fish or pass thank you

    Derek Botchford
    October 23, 2020 (October 23, 2020)

    Originally published in 2014. Since I was 10 years old there has not been one time in my life when wild fish stocks did not need our help wherever I was fishing.  I grew up fishing in the Catskill mountain streams during probably the worst climate for native fish in the history of the region. […]

    Read More…

    • Deep Thoughts
    • Steelhead
    • Throwback Thursday
    • Uncategorised
  • Fishing with Franky

    Derek Botchford
    October 23, 2020

    One of the bright spots this season was having our old guide and friend Frankie Blanchet up to the lodge for a quick visit.  If there is a person that can instantly cheer up an entire staff with big smiles and a great attitude on the water it is Frankie.  Frankie stopped by the lodge

    This content is for Epic Waters Angling members only. Currently, membership is by invite only.

    If you would like to join the waiting list, please complete the form here.

    […]

    Read More…

    • Epic Waters +
    • Guide's Life
    • Spey Fishing
    • Steelhead
  • Team Basecamp

    Derek Botchford
    October 22, 2020 (October 22, 2020)

    The Bulkley Basecamp team are a rowdy bunch, and not the type to sit around the lodge crying into their beers.   Trying to make the best of a bad situation they upgraded some nagging issues.  In this video you can catch a glimpse into the life of a Basecamp guide during the forgotten season.

    This content is for Epic Waters Angling members only. Currently, membership is by invite only.

    If you would like to join the waiting list, please complete the form here.

    […]

    Read More…

    • Deep Thoughts
    • Epic Waters +
    • Guide's Life
    • Photography
    • Spey Fishing
    • Steelhead
    • Travel
  • Mike VanWormer A.K.A VDubs podcast

    Derek Botchford
    October 15, 2020 (October 15, 2020)

    Vdubs is one of the original members of the Frontier team.  He was an integral part of setting up the lodge platform and turning a plan into action.  Mike and I started working together in 1998 at Mackenzie Trail Lodge which was once the biggest freshwater operations in the province.  In this Podcast, Stevie Morrow

    This content is for Epic Waters Angling members only. Currently, membership is by invite only.

    If you would like to join the waiting list, please complete the form here.

    […]

    Read More…

    • Epic Waters +
    • Guide's Life
    • Podcast
    • Throwback Thursday
    • Travel
    • Trout
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Instagram Feed

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 12

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Bombing out some casts in steelhead paradise #epic #epicwaters #spey #speyfishing #steelheadparadise #bulkleyvalley #frontiersteelhead

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 11

Open
Swinging dries for Bulkley Steelhead is a must #makessense #ohthatswhy #lookingup #dryfly #flyfishing @smithersbrewing #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

epicwaters

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Apr 11

Open
RUN! Less line the better. You don’t want to give fish too much rope but when screamers scream you have no choice but to follow. Less line you have out there the better your control. #getmoving #boogy #run #chase #follow #100meterdash #steelhead #fishing #spey

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 10

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Fishing the bamboo single hand with RayMac #legendsedition #bamboo #steelhead #flyfishing #moriceray #bulkleyvalley #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

epicwaters

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Apr 9

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Spring steelhead fishing is a world of greens with the odd smattering of platinum #fish #spring #steelhead #britishcolumbia #spey #travel #photos #fishing #socialdistancing #getoutside #fishing

frontiersteelhead

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Apr 9

Open
You can’t solve the worlds problems on Instagram but after a day of fishing, over a great bottle of scotch? Maybe 🤔 #epicthoughts #deepthoughts #thingsthatmakeyougohmm #problemsolvers #epicwaters #frontiersteelhead

epicwaters

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Apr 7

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When a find a flat spot in a churning stretch of frothy water. When they can’t be anywhere else they’re probably right there 👇 #fishing #flatwater #helifishing #remote #outofbounds #flight #flyfishing #spey #epicwaters #steelhead #fish

stevie.morrow

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Apr 7

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#trek #hiking #walking #alpine #mountains #remote #telkwa #smithersbc #dog #allsmiles

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