BULKLEY bASECAMP
A Luxury Steelhead Camp Adventure That is Truly Epic.
Located on a small Bulkley River tributary and only minutes from prime steelhead fishing in angling paradise.
Steelhead Paradise
Bulkley Basecamp is a relatively new operation brought to you by the Bulkley River Steelhead Company. The culmination of a decade’s experience in the Skeena region and far more in the fishing industry, ‘Basecamp is the most efficient product of it all. Situated central to many of the world’s greatest steelhead fisheries and with the flexibility to access them at a moment’s notice this really is the best-fit model. Small groups are entertained in tent camp luxury and wheeled off the best angling options available.
The lodge is located on a small Bulkley River tributary and only minutes from prime steelhead fishing. From here you can access the hundreds of miles of phenomenal water of the upper Skeena drainage. We regularly drive and fish the Bulkley, Skeena, Babine and Morice rivers representing the best of what the sport has to offer. We also fish the upper Copper and remote sections of the upper Skeena and lower Babine where helicopters are the only option. Steelhead sees minimal pressure here and the potential for excellent fish and the trophy of a lifetime is a cast away. Skeena steelhead are all healthy and completely wild fish averaging between 8-12 lbs with the possibility for 20-30 pounders.
The riverside accommodations at Basecamp sit at the foot of an extensive canyon and below the looming alpine of Skilokis Mountain. Close enough to amenities to provide comfort and security, the real world feels a million miles away. Sit back and relax at our riverside bar with a drink, go for a hike through meadows, enjoy spectacular food prepared by the camp chef, get warm around a crackling fire or retire to wood fire heat in your plush wall tent. In the mornings as you drink hot coffee keep your eye out for black bear, moose, red fox, mule deer and even bobcat, all of which are regularly seen on the property. Even enjoy a hot shower in our beautiful cedar-sided bathhouses enjoying the open air freshness and sunshine cascading in through the clear ceiling.
Show more +The lodge is located on a small Bulkley River tributary and only minutes from prime steelhead fishing. From here you can access the hundreds of miles of phenomenal water of the upper Skeena drainage. We regularly drive and fish the Bulkley, Skeena, Babine and Morice rivers representing the best of what the sport has to offer. We also fish the upper Copper and remote sections of the upper Skeena and lower Babine where helicopters are the only option. Steelhead sees minimal pressure here and the potential for excellent fish and the trophy of a lifetime is a cast away. Skeena steelhead are all healthy and completely wild fish averaging between 8-12 lbs with the possibility for 20-30 pounders.
The riverside accommodations at Basecamp sit at the foot of an extensive canyon and below the looming alpine of Skilokis Mountain. Close enough to amenities to provide comfort and security, the real world feels a million miles away. Sit back and relax at our riverside bar with a drink, go for a hike through meadows, enjoy spectacular food prepared by the camp chef, get warm around a crackling fire or retire to wood fire heat in your plush wall tent. In the mornings as you drink hot coffee keep your eye out for black bear, moose, red fox, mule deer and even bobcat, all of which are regularly seen on the property. Even enjoy a hot shower in our beautiful cedar-sided bathhouses enjoying the open air freshness and sunshine cascading in through the clear ceiling.
Why Choose Bulkley Basecamp?
- A small intimate operation where attention to details is important. 6 staff for 6 clients.
- Stunning creekside location and nestled among the dramatic peaks of BC’s Coastal Range.
- Feels remote but close enough to be comfortable and safe.
- Accommodations are luxury tents, excellent food, dedicated and hardworking staff, new well up kept equipment and facilities. Most clients repeat.
- One guide to 2 clients ensures attention to detail, safe experience and ample instruction. Our guides are the best there are and all well trained and come highly recommended.
- Best water in the world for steelhead. We can access countless beats and many of the world’s most well-known rivers. Runs range from rewarding ledge rock canyons to classic gravel bars.
- All spey styles are successful. Skate, wet fly, long rod, switch, long lines, short heads, classic flies, intruders and everything in between. If you fish it, they will come.
- Beats are rotated each day and you will get to experience different water under the best conditions available for each section.
The Accommodations
Created in 2015, Bulkley Basecamp was made to create a luxury “glamping” experience for a small group of lucky anglers. The relaxed atmosphere of the camp allows for a fluid schedule to ensure the very most from each and every day’s outing. Accommodating six anglers weekly in shared occupancy wall tents on raised platforms, each one has twin beds with good mattresses and plush bedding. The tents contain a wood stove, lit for you each early morning and afternoon for smothering warmth. Each well-lit tent has a dresser for clothing, a covered deck to sip a scotch and even a desk to write about the day’s plunder. The cedar outhouses are clean and well kept and the accompanying cedar shower houses have hot water on demand and powerful rainshower heads. Dining is done in a spacious safari tent or under the stars if weather permits and a creekside bar cabin is the perfect spot to tell a lie or two over a beer. Most nights finish with a big fire and nightcap.
The camp has all the best gear to use if you don’t have your own. If you like, bring your waders, boots and jacket and we have your fishing covered!
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Food & Drink
Amenities
Guides
The Fishing
Coffee is ready around 6:30 am each morning and breakfast is around 7 am. Departing camp by 8 am for the days fishing we spend the mornings attacking the river. After a lunch of soup and sandwich or gourmet salad, we fish into the late afternoon. Back at camp by 6:30 pm there is time for a hot shower before appetizers at 7 pm. Dinners are served around 7:30 pm and the rest of night is spent as you wish. The schedules change throughout the season to ensure we make the best use of the available time.
Fishing for steelhead is a rewarding experience for the beginner and ardent angler alike. Whether you like being up to your waist on a big powerful river or ankle deep on a small delicate stream, or whether you’re into skating long classic tailouts or digging deep into a boulder garden, Bulkley Basecamp has it all.
Fishing at basecamp is so varied we find most swung techniques work. Of course your guide knows the best option for success and will do his best to get you there, but with us you are welcome to do what you enjoy. Some of the big glides fish well with 15 foot boomsticks and longer lines where your dry is so far away you have to squint to find it. We have choppy pocket water where fish practically swim through your feet and your short switch rod and chunk of t14 excel. There are long riffles where types 3’s swung to the shallows find the fish and there are deep tanks where skagit techniques and intruders are the name of the game. Your guide will use his years of knowledge to not only put you in the right place for the most success but also give you options where your preferred methods excel. Even though we know what works we are hear to recommend and we understand that everyone is looking for a certain experience. Of course if you want to get em, we can just do that instead!
Show more +Fishing for steelhead is a rewarding experience for the beginner and ardent angler alike. Whether you like being up to your waist on a big powerful river or ankle deep on a small delicate stream, or whether you’re into skating long classic tailouts or digging deep into a boulder garden, Bulkley Basecamp has it all.
Fishing at basecamp is so varied we find most swung techniques work. Of course your guide knows the best option for success and will do his best to get you there, but with us you are welcome to do what you enjoy. Some of the big glides fish well with 15 foot boomsticks and longer lines where your dry is so far away you have to squint to find it. We have choppy pocket water where fish practically swim through your feet and your short switch rod and chunk of t14 excel. There are long riffles where types 3’s swung to the shallows find the fish and there are deep tanks where skagit techniques and intruders are the name of the game. Your guide will use his years of knowledge to not only put you in the right place for the most success but also give you options where your preferred methods excel. Even though we know what works we are hear to recommend and we understand that everyone is looking for a certain experience. Of course if you want to get em, we can just do that instead!
Getting There
Bulkley Basecamp is located a short 45-minute drive from the idyllic mountain town of Smithers, BC. Easily reached from Vancouver, a short flight through the spectacular Coastal Mountains along BC’s Pacific edge is your reward. We will help facilitate your adventure and provide transport to the camp when your trip begins.
Information
Details
- Please purchase your license. You must have:
- An angling license for your duration
- We have a decent supply of beer and wine at the lodge but no hard alcohol. Duty-free is a great place to purchase alcohol prior to entering Canada. Our health care is expensive and you will feel it when you buy booze here. Please note there is no liquor store at the lodge and people regularly regret not bringing scotch to toast that 30 lbs Musky they caught!
Before travel
Traveling with Special Items: Fishing Equipment
- Traveling with outdoor gear and most fishing-related items is permitted. Outdoor enthusiasts should carefully prepare and pack to avoid removal of prohibited items from checked baggage or surrendering prohibited items at the security checkpoint. Here is a specific list of all permitted and prohibited items.
- Fishing Rods – Rods are permitted as carry-on and checked baggage. However, please check with your air carrier to confirm that it fits within their size limitations for carry-on items. Ultimately, it is the carrier’s decision as to whether or not it can be transported as carry-on baggage.
- Tackle and Other Equipment – Most fishing equipment should be placed in your checked baggage, especially tools and other tackle equipment that can be considered sharp and dangerous. Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as flies should be packed in your carry-on baggage. (*T.S.A. Recommendation from T.S.A. website, March 1, 2009)
- Please keep in mind that these are T.S.A. policies for flights originating within the United States. Canada may apply different standards and different policies with regard to rods, reels, flies, etc.
ID Requirements for Airport Checkpoints
Adult passengers are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains the following: Name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight. Passengers who do not or cannot present an acceptable ID will have to provide information to the Transportation Security Officer performing Travel Document Checking duties in order to verify their identity. Passengers who are cleared through this process may be subject to additional screening. Passengers whose identity cannot be verified by TSA may not be allowed to go through the checkpoint or onto an airplane.
Acceptable IDs include:
- U.S. passport card
- DHS “Trusted Traveler” cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents)
- Permanent Resident Card
- Border Crossing Card
- DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
- Drivers Licenses or other state photo I.D. cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles An airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
- A foreign government-issued passport
Information for Traveling with Liquids: T.S.A.’s “3-1-1 Plan for Carry-Ons”
3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce bottle or less (by volume) for each item; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveller can bring. 3.4 oz. container size is a security measure. Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening. Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
Show more +Packages & Rates
$6,600
USD + Tax + $100 conservation surcharge
7
Days
6
Nights
Aug-Nov
Dates
Accommodations and meals, guiding, use of all gear – flies, rods, reels, waders, wine, beer.
Airfare, accommodations and meals in Smithers, fishing licenses, gratuities, arrival and departure taxes, helicopter. Airport shuttle (offered by hotel).