Nicholas Dean Outfitters & Lodge

Nicholas Dean Lodge and Outfitters offer anglers the fly fishing experience of a lifetime. Based on the Skeena system in British Columbia, the fishing areas include the Copper and Kalum rivers. This watershed boasts numerous productive steelhead and salmon rivers and produces some of the biggest wild steelhead and Pacific salmon in the world.

Fantastic fishing on the Skeena, Copper, Kalum Rivers and more…

The guides at Nicholas Dean have been fishing the Skeena River, including the myriad tributaries in the area (Copper, Kalum etc.) and remote coastal rivers for wild steelhead and Pacific salmon, for decades.

Nicholas Dean has one of the longest fishing seasons of any lodge in North America. With over 54 rivers, lakes and salt water estuary destinations the guides have the unique ability to plan a different experience daily. From long line casts and big water on the Skeena River, to small gin clear streams, sight casting to steelhead and coho, or skating a dry fly across a coastal river pool.

They also offer different modes of access from rafting, drift boat, hiking, jet boat or helicopter. Even when bad weather makes fishing conditions tricky in one area, you will simply be moved to another watershed.

The charming and comfortable Yellow Cedar Lodge

NDO purchased the incredible Yellow Cedar Lodge in April 2020, to offer the finest in accommodation in Terrace. Right on the banks of the Skeena, Yellow Cedar Lodge features large, vaulted ceilings to highlight impressive mountain views, numerous amenities and a large, wraparound deck for guests to take in the majestic riverscape. The spacious dining room has two large tables and several smaller custom cedar tables, plenty of room for you to relax, unwind and enjoy your favourite drink, and savour the fine dining from our experienced culinary team. The bar – adjoining the dining room – is well stocked with wine, beer and spirits for your enjoyment. 

Guest accommodation comprises single and double rooms, with comfortable double or king beds, and quality linen. Each room is equipped with its own private shower, which is supplied with abundant hot water. There is ample storage for clothes and luggage and the rooms are just steps away from all the amenities that YCL has to offer.

The lodge has a state of the art, custom wader room which was updated in May 2020. Built with locally milled cedar, the wader room is where anglers keep fishing gear and clothing for the duration. Each guest is provided with a large, roomy stall, for rods, reels and personal gear. 

Explore the Lower Skeena watershed

Nicholas Dean Outfitters are based just off the Kalum River on the outskirts of Terrace, close to the British Columbia border with Alaska.  Access is via an hour and a half flight from Vancouver to Terrace.   

Yellow Cedar Lodge is a short distance from the Copper, Nass and Kitimat watersheds and remote coastal streams. No matter what sort of river you have a preference for it can be found within the guiding territory.  The guides know where and when to fish these rivers for large wild steelhead, all five species of Pacific salmon, rainbow trout, bull trout, sea-run cutthroat and dolly varden.