There are a handful of destinations around the world that everyone who travels to fish has either been to, or is planning to go. This is one of those places. Frontier Steelhead Experience (formerly Frontier Farwest) has become one of the premiere destinations to fish in the world. Luxury meets rustic as you fish your way through 150 miles of named runs while staying at two different lodges during a weeks stay. The main lodge boasts a spectacular, modern, post and beam facility and offers single occupancy cabins to 12 guests a week (private bathrooms with heated floors).
What makes the Frontier Steelhead Experience so unique and special is that the typical week allows you the opportunity to fish the Upper Morice river. It is famous for its long glassy glides, and Hemingway-esque dry fly water. Guests stay two nights at our Morice River Lodge, which is a remote jet boat access only facility with all the comforts of home. In these crystal clear waters, you will find yourself sight casting to a multitude of steelhead.
We are the only guided fishing operation on the entire Morice river. The Morice river represents the definition of what a wild steelhead system should look like, and is laid out like it was designed for a spey rod and a dry fly. Our specialized logistics, and attentions to detail make it effortless to fish through all this incredible water with ease in one week. Not one other steelhead lodge in the world offers you two lodges to utilize over a weeks stay. One lodge offers the highest level of luxury of any fishing operation in the world, while the other gives you that rustic, riverside, campfire vibe you have been craving. Together, over one week they fulfill every steelheaders wildest concept of a dream vacation.
If you prefer to get out of the luxury of the main lodge and rough it a bit more, we have two separate overnight steelhead camps in the upper and lower Bulkley canyons. Sturdy wall tents on prime water puts you in the centre of the best beats available on the entire Bulkley river. Fish from dawn till dusk and target aggressive, fresh, chrome steelhead as they negotiate the class 4 rapids of the canyons. No other lodge has put more effort into developing a fishing program than the Frontier Steelhead Experience. We love many fishing operations around the world, but this one is indeed a very special experience that should not be missed.
Why try the Frontier Steelhead Experience?
We have made a point of telling you about the fishing opportunities at FSE which are second to none. Due to the fact our waters rarely blow out, and that our steelhead returns are by far the largest in the world our catch rates are exceptional. However we never rely on catch rates to bring our customers back. Our focus is on service. From the moment you book a week with us until long after your fishing ends, our staff and team will help you with every detail along the way. Our staff is not only larger than any steelhead lodge in BC (1-1 staff to guest ratio) they are the most professional and service oriented in the business. The only comparison of service would be your favourite hotel or resort and we hear this time and time again. Check out our guest comments to see how often people rave about the food and service we provide.
How do I get there? Away?
Smithers is long ways from just about anywhere but it is actually very easy to get in and out of. It’s an option to drive but the sleepy town rests 1200 km north of
Vancouver. The recommended approach is by flight
from YVR. Below are the daily flights. Note: Saturdays have limited flights. The flight is
about 1.5 hours from Vancouver and the lodge is a mere 15 minutes from the airport.Arrivals….
1. Air Canada 8560 departing Vancouver at 7:30am and arriving in Smithers at 9:18AM2. Air
Canada 8562 departing Vancouver at 14:45 and arriving in Smithers at 16:333. Air Canada
8564 departing Vancouver at 17:45 and arriving in Smithers at 19:33
The Program : Two Lodges in 1 week
Main lodge
Our main lodge hosts 12 anglers per week. It is located halfway between Smithers and Telkwa and offers great river access. Every guest cabin is built with you the guest in mind, with queen size beds, chairs, desks, closet space and your own private bathroom. Each room is completely sound proofed so you can avoid the classic lodge snorer and actually be assured to sleep in peace. Each room is also built with a magnificent view of Hudson Bay Mountain.
We believe this is the finest steelhead facility in the province and compares with any great lodge in the world. The main lodge is our steelhead base camp, strategically built close to town and halfway in between our furthermost fishing destinations (which are Lower Canyon Bulkley and Morice Headwaters). You truly have to come experience this trip for yourself to understand why we put everything on the line to build this amazing building. Steelhead fishing is hard work, and is not your typical adventure. As any steelheader knows this is not easy fishing. After a hard day of working for a limited number of fish we want you to be extremely comfortable at the lodge. We have a masseuse and and a hot tub where you can rest your weary bones.
If you think this is just too luxurious and comfortable for a steelhead trip, let us explain why it is not . Our guests don’t get off that easy as they do get to ‘rough it’. Over a 7 day trip our guests stay two nights up at our rustic Morice River Lodge. See bellow for details. Morice Lodge is exactly what you picture when you think of getting off the grid chasing steelhead in wild BC. Riverfront cabins, camp fires, and a quaint lodge staffed with a wonderful chef. Step off your porch into the jet boat each morning for a day filled with adventure. However when the pipes freeze, temps dip, and issues arise, you have the security of your own oasis back at our main lodge and full team to make sure you are well taken care of.
Morice River Lodge
In 2011 Frontier Steelhead Experience purchased Morice River Lodge from the original pioneers of this river, the Britton family. This lodge is a jewel nestled away among some of the most beautiful steelhead runs you have ever seen. All our guests who chose our 7 day fishing package stay at Morice River Lodge for 2 nights and 3 days during there week with us. It is located deep in the Headwaters of the Bulkley and Skeena systems, offering a unique chance to fish small crystal clear waters where site casting is very common.
The facility itself is is made up of a main lodge and individual cabins. Each cabin houses 2 guests with a shared bathroom, and the rooms are separated by a divider giving some comfortable privacy. With 3 powerful jetboats parked out front you will rotate through 3 different beats. Morice River Lodge is a treasured part of the Bulkley Valley and those who are lucky enough to fish it quickly understand why it is so revered. It is very wild and remote, far removed from roads, houses, cel phone service, or power lines. This is where we commonly see wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, moose and much more.
This is the true wilderness where you’re more likely to see bears roaming the beaches in search of salmon than other fisherman. The lodge is only accessed by jet boat and is powered by a diesel generator running in the morning and evenings. However, as remote as this lodge is we are still able to provide you with a few creature comforts from home like flush toilets, and hot showers in your cabin.
There is wireless internet and a phone to use as well. Groups of 6 at a time come to the lodge, and always enjoy a great trip packed with steelhead stories, and evenings under the stars sitting at the camp fire.
Other Amenities Include
- Premium stocked bar
- 24 hour power
- Guest telephone services and 4g cel service
- nightly viewings of Epic videos and slide shows
- Variety of rare steelhead books and other reading material
- Daily housekeeping
- The worlds finest Nightly Equipment drying “mudroom”
- Laundry service as needed
- high speed Internet
- High end service at every stop
- Private bathroom with heated floors
- hot tub
- riverside bonfire
The Food
Making your stay unforgettable is our goal and promise. Frontier Steelhead Experience says all food is not all created equal. At FSE, we serve only the finest food, prepared with great care by our blue ribbon chef. The gourmet meals at Frontier Steelhead Experience are world famous.
Chef Brandi Collins and chef Becky Semenoff strive to leave you having more thoughts about the cuisine than the world class fishing. Your day is started with a wake-up tray of juice and a hot drink served to your room. You then decide on the breakfast of your choice in the dining room, cooked to order, before departing on your Fly Fishing adventure of the day.
Most Days afield your guide will prepare a hot shore lunch (typically soup). If you care to take the time, your guide will grill your sandwich along with homemade soup and freshly baked goods. Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks are furnished.
Upon returning from your days fishing, a variety of evening hors d’oeuvres will be waiting for you at the lodge. Choice dinner specialties include Filet Mignon, Prime Rib, wild fish, Local Halibut, Chicken, Baby Back Ribs and many more tasty delicacies to satisfy the hearty fisherman’s appetite. Daily, homemade breads, delicious pastries and gourmet delights are served with each lodge meal. 100% of our clients leave raving about the food. We can’t control the weather, or the attitude of the fish but what we can control is first class food, service and accommodations and we do this well.
Rates
Include single room at main lodge, shared room at Morice Lodge, private bathroom and two guests per guide.
Prices are in USD
$7900.00 plus tax USD per person
Non-fisher rate: $650 per night
Inclusions: Accommodations and meals at lodge, guiding, round-trip transfers between Smithers and lodge, Laundry facility, use of all gear – flies, rods, reels, waders, full scale open bar, HST, room tax, wine, alcohol.
Non-Inclusions: Airfare, accommodations and meals in Smithers, fishing licenses, gratuities, arrival and departure taxes, masseuse
Travel Arrangements
Travel from Vancouver-Smithers can be arranged via Air Canada. Please note, we do not have a shuttle service if you are staying at a hotel.
Making Reservations
A 50% deposit is due within 14 days of reserving rod space, to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 120 days prior to arrival.
2022 Schedule
Week 1 – Aug 26 – sept 2 – Full
Week 2 – Sept 2- Sept 9 – 4 spots
Week 3 – Sept 9-16 – FULL
Week 4 – Sept 16-23 – FULL
Week 5 – Sept 23-30 – FULL
Week 6 – Sept 30-Oct 7 – FULL
Week 7 – Oct 7-12 – FULL
Week 8 – Oct 12- 21 – 2 spots
Week 9 – Oct 21-28 – 1 spot
Week 10 – Oct 25-Nov 1 – FULL
Week 11 – Oct 28 -Nov 4 – 4 spots available
- Not included: Gratuities for guides and house staff (guest average 800-1200usd), Airfares, Fishing License ($220cdn per person),
- Payment terms: A deposit of 50% confirms a reservation. Deposits are non-refundable, unless client replacement is found. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. At this point, participants are responsible for total land costs and no refunds will be made for unused land transportation, accommodations, or included meals.
