NICHOLAS DEAN OUTDOORS 

NICHOLAS DEAN OUTDOORS BASED NEAR TERRACE IS THE PERFECT BASE FOR THOSE FISHING FOR STEELHEAD AND PACIFIC SALMON. AMAZING GUIDE TEAM AND ACCESS TO MULTIPLE RIVERS. 

Factfile

Nicholas Dean Outdoors and Yellow Cedar Lodge is located within a short drive from the town of Terrace in British Columbia. The lodge is perched above the Skeena River with a beautiful vista, and is within easy reach of amazing tributaries such as the Kalum and Copper. 

A great place to head to for targeting steelhead, coho (silver salmon), along with a myriad of other trout and Pacific salmon species. 

Overview

Nestled in the majestic coastal mountains near Terrace, British Columbia, Canada, the mighty Skeena River is home to some of the strongest runs of large, wild steelhead and salmon left in the world. Nicholas Dean Outdoors has been operating in the area and on these rivers for decades – they know the fish and the waters like the back of their hand, leaving nothing to chance.

Nicholas Dean Outdoors have an enviable amount of water at their disposal, due to the exceptional and longstanding guide team. They can change rivers according to runs and conditions and mix your stay up to give you an amazing insight as to what the area has to offer, not matter what your target species.

Nicholas Dean Outdoors is operated out of Yellow Cedar Lodge, which is a beautiful wooden lodge perched over the Skeena Valley – it is worth visiting for the view alone. They have a great team at the lodge who will look after you every need before and after a day on the river. 

Fishing

Imagine wading down and casting a line on one of the Kalum River’s best runs for trophy steelhead, or skating a dry fly across the tail of a boulder-studded pool on the Copper River for its aggressive steelhead. This is what Nicholas Dean Outdoors offers, making such dreams become a reality. They have an amazing guide team that has access to a myriad of rivers within very easy reach of their lodge, Yellow Cedar Lodge. Not only that, but the guide team knows all of these rivers and tributaries intimately – knowing where to take you when.

During your stay and depending on the time of year, you will have the opportunity to fish for coho (silver salmon, chinook (king salmon, pink salmon, sockeye salmon, steelhead, chum salmon, dolly varden, bull trout and more. We can advise on the best time to visit for the different species.

Nicholas Dean Outdoors is strategically located in the Lower Skeena watershed to take advantage of the numerous productive Steelhead and Salmon rivers that have made the Skeena justifiably famous. The lodge is also a short traveling distance from the Nass River watershed and many innumerable remote coastal streams. No matter what kind of river you prefer to fish – from large, broad braided rivers like the Skeena, small rainforest rivers, classic gravel and cobble Steelhead streams, rich coastal estuaries, to meandering brooks – we can find it all in our guiding territory.

A major strength of Nicholas Dean Outdoors is that they own the largest array of licenses and rod days for the best Classified rivers in the lower Skeena watershed. With intimate knowledge of these rivers, their guides know where and when to fish these streams for trophy steelhead, all five species of Pacific Salmon and trout and char, allowing them to provide the best, most diverse fishing experience for their guests – delivering true value – that’s second to none in the lower Skeena watershed.

accommodation and pricing

Accommodations at Nicholas Dean Outdoors and Yellow Cedar Lodge is spacious, comfortable, clean and very friendly, designed with guests in mind – they know that you will enjoy yourself for the duration of your trip. 

Right on the banks of the Skeena, Yellow Cedar Lodge – a ‘Tourism BC Approved’ lodge – features large, vaulted ceilings to highlight impressive mountain views, numerous amenities and a large, wraparound deck for guests to take in the majestic river vista.

Yellow Cedar Lodge’s 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 cab, and savour the delicious food from the experienced culinary team. The bar – adjoining the dining room – is well stocked with wine, beer and spirits for your enjoyment. 

Guest rooms are comprised of both 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 from the lodge’s well. The showers are powerful, with no added chemicals, just pure spring water – just what is needed to refresh the body at the end of a long day. Each room has ample storage for your clothes and luggage and is just steps away from all the amenities that Yellow Cedar Lodge has to offer.

The lodge has a state of the art, custom wader room that was just updated in May 2020. Built with locally milled cedar, the wader room is where you will keep your fishing gear and clothing for the duration of your trip. You are provided with a large, roomy stall, where you can leave your rods, reels and personal gear, then hang up your waders, jacket and other layers to dry overnight in front of the gas fireplace. 

Nicholas Dean Outdoors has a variety of options available tailored to your requirements. For a detailed costing based on your needs, please CONTACT FishTravel and we will provide you with an accurate quote.

A typical week (7 night stay with 6 days fishing) would be as follows; shared guiding (2 anglers per guide), single room at the lodge, transfers to / from Terrace, meals at the lodge. Total cost including taxes would be CAD$8,450 for the 2025 season. They also offer a cheaper package named Skeena Max, which is 3 anglers per guide and on a shared room basis – please make contact for rates. Fishing licences not included and payable directly at the lodge, determined by what species and river/s you end up fishing.

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