Skeena River Chinook (King) Salmon Fishing

By Dustin Kovacvich - Feb 28, 2005

Gear Fishing Come and fish for the King of Salmon, the Chinook. The world’s largest King Salmon are found in the spectacular rivers of Northwestern British Columbia’s Skeena Region. The average size Chinooks we catch at Nicholas Dean lodge are 20 to 50 pounds with plenty of fish from 50 to 70 pounds, even a few over 80 with a chance at a fish over 100 pounds. The Skeena River produced the largest sport caught Chinook salmon, a catch and release record of an astounding 99.15 pounds.

Seasons

Springer Chinook April 20 to May 24 This is the time of year for the fishery on the Kalum River. On the upper river we fish a semi – private 5 mile drift with over 27 different pools to fish. This is a Chinook fisherman’s dream water. We hunt mint, bright, aggressive, early run Chinooks mostly by spoons, plugs, and float fishing. These are the hardest fighting freshwater Kings you will probably ever encounter; they will even jump on occasion. We also fish the lower Kalum and the Skeena Rivers.

Chinook and Halibut May 20 to July 15 The Kitimat River is the place to pull plugs, chuck spoons and bottom bounce from the drift boats. It has many long classic sweeping runs and pools with very reliable fishing for Chinooks from 20 to 50 pounds, and up to 80 pounds. The Skeena River and tributaries also offer some Chinook fishing that can prove to be very productive when conditions are prime. This is also the prime season for saltwater adventures for Halibut and Chinooks which makes a great option to spice up any trip.

Trophy Chinook July 1 to August 20 If you want to chase the giant Chinooks that have made the Skeena River system and tributaries world renowned, this is the time to come. Fish average between 20 to 40 pounds with fish over 50 pounds not at all uncommon with a chance at a 100 plus pound Salmon. The methods we use to chase these fish are primarily Back Bouncing Roe, Plunking, Bottom Bouncing, and Back Trolling for these powerful brutes.

Rivers

Skeena - Classified Sections, Spring, Summer Kitimat - Non-Classified, Summer Kalum - Classified Spring, Summer Copper - Non-Classified, Summer Remote Coastal Streams by helicopter access in Mid-July to Mid August.

Chinook Fishing Techniques

We use a very wide variety of gear fishing techniques to fish for our Chinooks but the most common techniques are: Back Trolling Plugs Back Trolling Planers and Bait Plunking Back Bouncing roe Float Fishing Bottom Bouncing (Drift Fishing) Spoon Fishing

For a more in depth explanation of fishing techniques please see the Conventional Fishing Techniques Section Fly Fishing for Chinooks The challenge of chasing the largest and most powerful of the pacific salmon on the fly is an admirable pursuit. Our Chinooks are fresh out of the ocean, white chrome, and super hot. They average 20 to 40 pounds with fish over 50 pounds fairly common. There is even the chance of catching the ever elusive 100 plus pound King in the Skeena system. If you like being beaten up by a mean powerful beast of a fish than this is the fishery you. Seasons Springer Chinook - April 20 to May 24 We have an excellent Springer Chinook fishery that meshes well with Steelhead fishing until May 15 and it is also possible to catch both species in the same pool using similar methods. These Chinooks are usually smaller fish averaging about 15 to 30 pounds but one year we did get an 83 pounder on May 22. Summer Chinooks - June 20 to August 15 Fly fishing for Chinooks with fish averaging about 30 pounds. These are fresh chrome fish and not spawners, which are excessively powerful. The Chinooks also have the advantage of being found in large fast flowing rivers this time of the year which makes them hard to handle. Rivers Skeena Classified Sections, Spring, Summer Kitimat Non-Classified, Summer Kalum Classified Spring, Summer Copper Non-Classified, Summer Remote Coastal Streams by helicopter access in Mid to late July. Presentation Wet fly swing is the most common technique using 150 to 450 grain sink tips deep heavy water were Chinooks prefer to hold. Flash flies and Popsicle patterns can be quite effective. Dustin Kovacvich owns and operates Nicholas Dean Lodge

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