🎣 Fishing Spot: Bulkley River – Skeena Basin, British Columbia, Canada

🏞️ About the Bulkley River

The Bulkley River is a legendary tributary of the mighty Skeena River system in northwestern British Columbia, flowing 257 kilometers through the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en people. This is one of the most revered steelhead rivers on the planet — home to the largest wild steelhead run in the world with tens of thousands of fish returning annually to over 90 miles of classic fly water.

What sets the Bulkley apart from other British Columbia steelhead rivers is its unique character. Originating from Morice Lake, the river maintains exceptional clarity and warmer temperatures than neighboring watersheds, creating ideal conditions for abundant aquatic insect life. This warm, fertile environment means juvenile steelhead spend 1-5 years in the system behaving like resident rainbow trout — rising to eat insects and imprinting "trouty" feeding behaviors. When they return as adult steelhead, this imprinting manifests in their legendary eagerness to attack dry flies and skaters on the surface — a trait that makes the Bulkley world-famous among fly anglers.

The river joins the Morice River at Houston (technically the larger Morice becomes the Bulkley downstream — a quirk of early cartography) and flows west for approximately 160 kilometers past the towns of Telkwa, Smithers, and New Hazelton before joining the Skeena River. Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) parallels the river for most of this distance, providing excellent access for both guided and do-it-yourself anglers.

🌟 Why the Bulkley River Is Special

• World's Largest Wild Steelhead Run
  The Bulkley hosts one of the largest populations of wild steelhead anywhere on Earth — recent years have seen returns exceeding 30,000 fish to the Skeena system, with the Bulkley receiving a massive percentage.

• Premier Dry Fly Steelhead Fishing
  Unlike most steelhead rivers where fish are reluctant to rise, Bulkley steelhead aggressively attack skated dry flies throughout September and early October — creating explosive surface takes that are the stuff of angling legend.

• Perfect Spey Casting Conditions
  Long, sweeping runs with ideal depth (3-8 feet), moderate current, and easy wading make this an exceptional river for learning and perfecting two-handed casting techniques.

• Excellent DIY Access
  Unlike many premier steelhead destinations, the Bulkley offers numerous public access points along Highway 16 and forest service roads, making quality fishing accessible to independent anglers.

• Trophy-Class Fish
  While the average Bulkley steelhead weighs 8-15 pounds, fish in the 20-30 pound class are caught every season, with specimens exceeding 35 inches regularly encountered.

• Extended Season & Consistent Conditions
  The Morice Lake origin provides stable flows and fast clearing times after rain, offering more fishable days than most coastal BC rivers. The season spans late August through mid-November.

• Multi-Species Opportunity
  Beyond steelhead, the Bulkley hosts all five Pacific salmon species plus resident rainbow trout, creating diverse fishing opportunities throughout the season.

🐟 Fish Species of the Bulkley River

🌤️ Seasonal Fishing Overview

🌸 Spring (April – June)

• Chinook salmon enter the system — spring run peaks May-June
• Early season steelhead (kelts and spring-run fish) in some sections
• Resident rainbow trout fishing excellent before salmon arrive
• Water levels typically higher from snowmelt; watch river conditions
• Less angler pressure than fall season

☀️ Summer (July – August)

• Peak summer Chinook runs — largest fish of the year (July-August)
• Sockeye and Pink salmon (odd years) enter the system
• First summer steelhead begin arriving late August
• Water temperatures ideal for active fish
• Coho salmon start appearing in August
• River can experience pressure from multiple species targeting

🍂 Fall (September – October)

• PRIME STEELHEAD SEASON — peak numbers and conditions
• September: Warmest water; exceptional dry fly/skater fishing; fish aggressively attack surface flies
• Early October: Still good dry fly action; increasing numbers of fish
• Mid-Late October: Water cooling; shift to swung wet flies and sink tips; most fish in system
• Coho salmon at peak abundance — excellent sport on flies
• Late-run pinks and sockeye also present
• Classified Waters regulations in effect September 1 – October 31

❄️ Winter (November – March)

• Season typically closes mid-November for steelhead protection
• Late steelhead and coho possible early November in some sections
• Some sections remain open for resident trout/char fishing
• Check current regulations carefully

🪶 Fishing Techniques on the Bulkley River

🎣 Classic Bulkley River Fly Patterns

Dry Flies & Skaters:

• Bulkley Mouse — originated by Andre Laporte; THE pattern for Bulkley surface fishing
• The Freddie — designed by Fred Watts for Babine; equally deadly on Bulkley
• Bombers (various colors) — orange, brown, rusty; classic skater patterns
• Waller Waker — high-floating wake fly; visible in all conditions
• Steelhead Bee — Roderick Haig-Brown classic; still produces
• Muddler Minnow (skated) — versatile; works as dry or wet

Wet Flies & Streamers:

• General Practitioner (GP) — black, purple, orange; deadly swung fly
• Intruders (various) — modern patterns; movement in water; multiple colors
• Bulkley Special — egg-sucking leech; black/purple with pink head
• Popsicle — bright attractor; classic BC pattern
• Silver Hilton — traditional; works in all conditions
• Woolly Bugger — black, olive, purple; simple and effective

Salmon Flies:

• Flesh Flies — pink/orange; for coho and late steelhead
• Egg Patterns — glo-bug, sucker spawn; various colors
• Comet — classic coho fly; bright colors

⚖️ Regulations & Permits

The Bulkley River has specific regulations designed to protect its world-class wild fishery:

Required Licenses:

Key Regulations:

⚠️ CRITICAL REGULATIONS:

• Classified Waters: The Bulkley is designated Class II Classified Water from September 1 – October 31 annually
• Daily quotas apply for non-residents during classified period — book early
• Catch and release mandatory for steelhead
• Barbless hooks required
• Bait restrictions: Check current synopsis; some sections fly-only
• Non-resident angling days limited to 10 days maximum per season
• Some sections have boating restrictions — check regulations
• Salmon retention varies by species and season — consult current regulations

Where to Purchase Licenses:

• Online: BC Government e-Licensing System (recommended)
• In Smithers:
  • Oscar's Source for Sports (fly shop — also provides river advice)
  • McBike & Sport
  • Service BC office
• Licenses available at tackle shops throughout BC

Important: Always carry your license, photo ID, and current regulations synopsis. Conservation officers patrol regularly, especially during classified waters season.

🗺️ Access Points & DIY Fishing

The Bulkley offers exceptional public access for independent anglers:

Major Access Points (Houston to Hazelton):

Upper River (Houston – Telkwa):

• Bymac (near Houston) — drift boat launch; walk-in access
• Walcott-Quick-Telkwa FSR — multiple access points along west bank
• Emerson Creek — rough boat access/parking
• Walcott — road access; multiple runs
• Quick Bridge — famous spot; easy walk-in access; can be crowded
• Telkwa — bridge access; upstream and downstream fishing

Middle River (Smithers Area):

• Telkwa to Smithers — multiple pullouts along Highway 16
• Smithers Highway 16 Bridge — town access; boat launch east side
• Smithers Riverside Municipal Park — west side access; take-out for floats
• Trout Creek — 10 minutes north of Smithers; popular spot; roadside access
• Lunan Road — family-friendly; sandy beach; bar fishing

Lower River (Smithers – Hazelton):

• Multiple Highway 16 access points
• Various forest service roads
• More remote; less pressure

DIY Tips:

• Base from Smithers — central location; all services; accommodations for all budgets
• Stork's Nest Inn — iconic steelheader hotel in Smithers
• Camping: Smithers Riverside Municipal Park, Fort Telkwa RV Park, 'Ksan Campground (Hazelton)
• Stop at Oscar's Source for Sports — current conditions, hot flies, access advice
• Respect private property — many farms/ranches along river; watch for no trespassing signs
• Boat rentals: Pontoon boats available through McBike & Sport in Smithers
• Shuttle service: Local cab companies will pick up from river for float trips
• Popular DIY floats: Quick to Telkwa; Telkwa to Smithers (use cabs for shuttle)

🧭 Summary

The Bulkley River is the crown jewel of British Columbia steelhead fishing — a river so perfect for the swung fly that it seems designed by fly fishing deities. Where else can you swing a size 4 Bulkley Mouse across crystal-clear water in September and watch a 15-pound wild steelhead explode on the surface? Where else do tens of thousands of wild fish return annually to over 90 miles of classic fly water accessible from a paved highway?

This is steelhead fishing at its absolute finest: long, sweeping runs with perfect wading depth; aggressive fish that love dry flies; stable, clear water from Morice Lake; and a "goldilocks" character where everything is "just right" for spey casting. Whether you're skating a Bomber over a prime riffle, swinging an Intruder through a deep run, or watching your line tighten as a chrome-bright September fish inhales your fly, the Bulkley delivers moments that define a steelheader's life.

Beyond steelhead, the river offers world-class Pacific salmon fishing: trophy Chinook that test your backing, acrobatic Coho that crush flies, and the spectacle of multiple species present simultaneously. All of this is accessible to both guided and DIY anglers, with excellent services in Smithers, legendary fly shops, and a welcoming community of steelhead addicts who understand that some rivers are worth traveling across continents to experience.

Pack your 7-8 weight spey rod, stock your fly box with Bulkley Mice and General Practitioners, book your Classified Waters permit, and prepare for steelhead fishing that will spoil you for anywhere else. This is "Steelhead Paradise" — and the name is not hyperbole.

Location: Bulkley Valley, Skeena Region, Northwest BC, Canada
Main Town: Smithers (services, accommodations, fly shops)
Fishing Season: Late August – mid-November (steelhead); varies for salmon
Main Species: Wild Summer-Run Steelhead, Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink
Best Methods: Spey casting, swung flies, skating dry flies, riffle hitching
Regulations: Classified Waters Sept 1-Oct 31; Catch & Release steelhead; Barbless hooks
Special Features: World's largest wild steelhead run, Premier dry fly water, DIY-friendly access, Trophy fish, Morice Lake clarity