River Fishing

Steelhead trout (Steelies) fishing on the Yakoun River is phenomenal. Whether you want to drift or fly fish, these fish are always willing to attack the offerings. Run after run of big Steelies converge on the river from November to March. Ten hook up days are not uncommon, even fly fishing!. We at Naden, practice C.P.R. fishing ethics, with this precious resource,

Digital pictures are placed here on this website, and we can provide you with hard copies for your trophy albums as well. The guides practise C.P.R. with clients after landing a few of these babies. Naden Lodge is committed to the preservation & continuation of the most exciting trout fishing in the world, the Yakoun River Steelhead. As with our Ocean Trips, River Fishing Trips are personally guided and all gear, meals & lodge amenities are included.

Our river trips are all inclusive, with airfare from Vancouver B.C. or Prince Rupert B.C., all transportation, meals and accommodation, tackle, rods & reels, bait, waders etc. The only extra cost is a B.C. freshwater fishing license, which can be purchased at the lodge. For the ardent fisher person, you can bring your own rod & reel, waders etc. This is not expected but is welcome. The only other important ingredient to bring is the desire to fish, and we will supply the rest.

The Trip:

Package trips can be one day up to 8 days depending on how avid a fisherperson you are. These trips are fully guided by a qualified, licensed Steelhead or Salmon fishing guide. Depending on river conditions, the trip will be on foot , raft, pram or by drift boat. Any form of angling, fly, drift, lures, we can accommodate you. Excellent fly-fishing for Coho and Steelhead. All Steelhead Trips are C.P.R. fishing. Catch, Photograph & Release! Steelhead is one of the finest game fish on the planet and is too valuable and too much fun to catch only once.

The Rivers: The Queen Charlotte Islands have several rivers and streams that have runs of salmon and steelhead. We take you to the top producers, depending on time of trip and river conditions. Steelhead trips are mostly on the Yakoun River, the largest system on these islands. The headwaters start at Yakoun Lake, in the middle of Graham Island, to which " Yakoun " in the native Haida language means, " in the middle." It meanders north through groves of Giant Sitka Spruce, its slightly tea colored water, moving through run after riffle of some of the finest Steelhead holding water on the B.C. coast.

The Quarry: The Yakoun supports all five species of salmon plus Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Dolly Varden. The main attractions are the legendary Northern Coho and the mighty Steelhead. The Queen Charlotte Islands are world famous for the healthy runs of Coho in the fall. Excellent Coho fishing can be available from late August, through the end of October. These fish will take a wobbler fished low and slow, with vicious strikes and a feisty fight. These fish are a favorite with all anglers. A mid all this, you will be fishing in some of the most scenic rivers B.C. has to offer, with the fall colors all around.

Charlotte Steelhead are has a good average weight with some monsters to 30 pounds. A 20 plus pound fish is rare but attainable. Most fish are in the 10 to 15 pound range. Runs of Steelhead usually hit the river the first week in November and continue into the early part of April. River levels are most stable in the early part or later in the season, so this is when we book most of our trips.

Cutthroat Trout: Trout fishing is available all year round. But if you are a trout stalker, try some Charlotte Estuary fishing in late April to May. Schools of salmon fry heading to the ocean from upstream, run into marauding schools of hungry trout. The sight can be unbelievable. Yellowish bodies slicing through the balls of pink fry. It looks like sale day at Walmart. if you can fly cast 50 feet this is the one for you This is exciting fishing to say the least. call the lodge for details.

Because of the constantly changing weather conditions, we recommend Trip Cancellation Insurance that can be purchased at the time of booking.

Here is a reference letter from one of our clients:

To: Whom it may concern,

I have had the pleasure of steelhead fishing with Brian Hillier and Naden Lodge for the past 6 years and plan on continuing to return to this very special place. The fishing is likely the best steelheading in the world! The Yakoun river produces an abundance of hard fighting winter “steelies” with average size in the 10-12 pound range. Most days you are likely to hook a handful of bucks in the 38-40 inch class along with 15-20 “average” fish in the 10-15lb range!! And these are the average days! We have had many days on the river where we have far outpaced these numbers, hooking in the neighbourhood of 40 steelhead. The Yakoun is a special river, a place where people are far and few between, wildlife abounds and gorgeous water seems like it encompasses the whole river.

I cannot recommend Brian and Naden Lodge more than by saying I will go back as long as I am able. Brian, his wife Chris and the winter staff are wonderful and make the beginning and end of each fishing day a pleasure. Fresh crab, sablefish, salmon, clams, mussels, are just a few of the delights that Brian is likely to have ready for you once you return to the lodge after a great day on the Yakoun.

While on the Yakoun you will soon come to realize that Brian is a true pro. From teaching less experienced fishermen to pointing out a few things to the knowledgeable angler Brian will be the greatest guide you’ve ever fished with. His knowledge of the river and all things “steehead” ensures that your day will be filled with fish, laughs, information, and probably the odd swear word when the big buck spits the bait. Whether your fly fishing or throwing out row bags you are sure to learn a few great things about steelhead on the magical Yakoun river.

Sincerely Guy Johnson Victoria B.C.

As your guide, I have been in the sportsfishing industry for over 16 years. My fish guiding experience ranges up and down the B.C. coast with several lodges to the rivers of Vancouver Island.I now reside in Masset and have been fishing the area for over 15 years, gaining extensive knowledge of local and offshore waters as well as all streams on the Queen Charlotte Islands. Naden Lodge has been operating as a professional charter company for over 10 years.

"Whether were fishing offshore for halibut or looking for the trophy chinook along the rocks in summer, I will personally guarantee you the best service, fish production and experience possible. "

In closing, I can assure you that this fishing adventure will not be easily forgotten. In essence, Naden Lodge is a sportsmans lodge, owned and operated by sportsmen and women, who love Salmon and Steelhead sport fishing and want to make the most of your time available. We make this experience possible by providing personal service, attending to all, so our guests are free to do what they came to do... FISH!

Vance Fletcher with his second 20 pounder of the day. His first Steelhead ever was a 23 to24 that the picture didn't turn out. Both fish were released to fight another day.

Mike Derry released this nice 21 to 22 pound buck as well. We release ALL our Steelhead