Blackfish Lodge

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Fresh Water
Season
Mid April - Mid October Following is a guide to the season - Mid April - mid May spring steelhead. June - Cutthroat in lakes, rivers and estuaries, mid month summer steelhead start arriving and go to mid July. This is not a huge run, but they are chromers. July - Kings enter the Wakeman and tributaries, coho are in the salt as well as a few early ones in the rivers. August - Coho are everywhere, Cuttie fishing great. September - Fall is spectacular here with the scenery and the fishing, coho are still strong and the cutties are bulking up for winter. The saltwater fishing for Kings and Halibut with gear runs from May to September. It can be a blast with the quality hot fish.
For 2013 the rates are - April 1-21: US $570 per night, April 22-June 30: US $695 per night, July 1-August 31: US $785 per night, September 1-September 30: US $695 per night, October 1-October 31: US $570 per night. Single guest rate: add 30% to all rates.
Number of guests
The lodge takes 6 guests per week.
Species:
- King Salmon
- Silver Salmon
- Pink Salmon
- Sea Run Cutthroat
- Steelhead

Canada >> British Columbia >> West Coast

Fishing and Species

These 100% catch and release streams, lakes, and rivers are, indeed, some of the most beautiful, productive, and unpressured waters you’ve never heard of. You can go by truck to some fine lakes and streams on nearby Gilford Island. Fish small streams or bigger water, dry flies, or wet. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find yourself hooking summer or winter run steelhead, cutthroat trout, dolly varden char, a few rainbow trout, and chinook, silver, and pink salmon. If larger water is on your menu, you’ll want to take the full-day Wakeman River float trip. Blackfish Lodge is one of only two lodges authorized to fish these legendary Class 2 Classified Waters.

Arrivals and Departures

The lodge is flexible on length of stay and day of arrival and departure. In the early season before June and late season beginning in September, Kenmore Air does not fly everyday so the scheduling needs to coincide with the flights. Another option early and late is to fly through Campbell River and take a charter from there. I have done both. There is a 3 night minum stay.

Accomodations

The floating lodge was built by owner Chris Bennett in 1988, using locally milled wood. The smells of cedar and the woodstove and the picturesque setting of the cove make this one of the most charming places you will ever visit. There are four guest rooms for six anglers. Each has a private bath. The main lodge is a comfortable place to relax with your favorite beverage after a day’s fishing. Hannah Bennett is an exceptional cook, making meals to look forward to.

Non Anglers / Activities

This is not a good destination for a total non-angler, but there are non-angling sights and activities that may interest you. Visit the very eclectic Billy’s Museum and Gift Shop in the nearby hamlet of Echo Bay. Stop by and see well-known local artist and potter, Yvonne Maximchuk. For a very modest hourly extra charge, our guests can arrange to take Yvonne’s individualized painting (watercolor and/or acrylic) or ceramics instruction. Visit a First Nations woodcarver and purchase wonderful masks and carvings directly from this skilled craftsman. The region has a rich native heritage and there are sites displaying rock paintings, burial grounds, old villages and many other aspects of British Columbia's coastal Indian history.

Airport / Logistics

From sometime in June until early September, the lodge is serviced by Kenmore Air in a float plane from Seattle. There is one flight per day. One the way to the lodge you will clear Canadian customs in Nanaimo, and on the return you will clear US customs at Kenmore. The simple logistics of this flight make a very remote lodge in a roadless area easily accessible. You will fish the afternoon on the day you arrive as well as the morning of your day of departure. The scenic part of the flight is special. It can also work to fly through Campbell River and take a charter from there in the early and late season.

Climate

This is a temperate rain forest. That is why fish thrive here. As the the lodge season spans spring to fall, the weather changes during this time. Daytime temps in the spring and fall range from the 40's to 50's and sometimes in the 60's. In the summer, the daytime temps range from the 60's to 70's, with a possibility of even warmer weather.

Included

Flyfishing prices quoted below are per person, in Canadian dollars, and are based on double occupancy. Rates for your fly-in wilderness fishing tripdo not include roundtrip airfare on Kenmore Air from Seattle to Blackfish Lodge, generous fishing days, nature-watching, or sightseeing time, GST and other taxes, all licenses, tackle, bait, fuel, food, drink (beer, soft drinks, & wine), lodging, and guide fees. Gratuities and transportation fees to Seattle are not included. Call or email for a rate quote on stays longer than 5 nights.

Not Included

Gratuities, liquor and flies. Kenmore Air flight from Seattle to the lodge.

Currency/Credit Cards

Canadian and US dollars are accepted at the lodge. The lodge has the option for credit cards for special tours but not for gratuities.

Gratuities

A suggested gratuity is 15% of the trip not including the Kenmore Air portion (about $700)

Medical Facilities

The nearest medical facilities are in Port Hardy, Port McNeill or Campbell River. These are all on Vancouver Island and require a float plane to reach. Medevac coverage is highly recommended.

Documentation

A US Passport is required. When flying on Kenmore Air you will clear Canadian customs in Nanaimo and US Customs on the return right at Kenmore Air.

Beverages

All beverages are included in the price and hospitality except liquor. If there is a favorite you would enjoy during your stay, please bring it.

Laundry

The lodge can do limited laundry.

Phone, Internet, Power

Phone: paid phone

Internet: free internet

Power: 110 volts

Founded in 1989, Blackfish Lodge is a charming fly-in or boat-in floating lodge located in Canada, about 30 miles east of the northern end of Vancouver Island. Blackfish Lodge is in a remote wilderness within the new Great Bear Rainforest preserve, so it has very low angling pressure.
Founded in 1989, Blackfish Lodge is a charming fly-in or boat-in floating lodge located in Canada, about 30 miles east of the northern end of Vancouver Island. Blackfish Lodge is in a remote wilderness within the new Great Bear Rainforest preserve, so it has very low angling pressure.

Combining the best of a British Columbia fly fishing lodge and traditional saltwater salmon fishing, they offer a wide range of fishing opportunities for all experience levels. Whether you are fly fishing for salmon, trout or steelhead in a secluded river, lake or stream, or fishing for trophy salmon in the protected waters of the surrounding islands, Blackfish Lodge’s dedication and over 20 years of experience ensure that you will have an enjoyable and rewarding stay.

Your stay at Blackfish Lodge can be tailored to your interests and schedule. Chris and Hannah Bennett, your congenial hosts and owners, are year-round residents of the lodge. You’ll be treated to great food and hospitality during your visit. Personal service is assured by the limit of 6 to 8 guests at a time. For quality wilderness angling, nature watching and hospitality, there’s no better place than Blackfish Lodge.

Details

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Number of guests

Blackfish Lodge