• Waders: (neoprene and/or Gore-tex) with felt soles and wading belt.

• Sunglasses: (polarized) & camera

• Clothing: Warm socks, polar fleece pullovers or sweaters, hat, fishing gloves, waterproof wading jacket, long underwear or fleece pants, lanyard with pliers, line clippers, etc.

• Rods, Lines, & Leaders: We have guests who prefer to fish dry lines exclusively, and do very well, but you can increase Steelhead encounters if you use sinking tip lines as well. We recommend that each angler bring at least two high quality 9 1⁄2' to 10' fly rods 7, 8, or 9 weight. One rod should have a floating line, weight forward or double taper (with 9 to 12 foot tapered leader down to 8 lb. test). The second rod with a sink tip, preferably a Teeny 200 or a Scientific Anglers IV series, 13 foot sink tip with 4 to 6 ft. tapered down to 12 lb. test. Spey rods are becoming very popular. Please bring one if you prefer it. High quality fly reels with a minimum of 125 yards of backing are a must. It is important to keep both rods rigged and ready to use.

• Flies: We have flies available for purchase at the lodge. Here are some patterns we recommend. Dry: sizes 2 to 8 - Bombers (black and natural), Waller Waker, Grease Liner, large stone flies, Muddler, Bivisable, Sofa Pillow, other deer hair patterns, etc. Damp or grease line: sizes 4 to 10 - Green Butt Skunk, Freight Train, Spade, Blue Charm, Woolly Worm, McLeod Ugly, Purple Peril, Skunk, etc.

• Wet: sizes 2 to 6 - Egg Sucking Leech, Black Leech, Blue Bruce, Boss, Woolly Bugger, black, blue, or purple Marabou or rabbit hair patterns etc.

• Purchasing fly fishing equipment: If you wish to purchase a new fly fishing rod, reel, line, waders, vest, etc. we would be glad to direct you to the right places or we can order and deliver your gear to the lodge for your arrival. We now have a well stocked retail chop as well.
Bulkley River Lodge is now a Patagonia sponsored lodge and we offer a full selection of their latest fly-fishing apparel. We also carry Sage single-handed spey rods and reels.

• Travel Arrangements: There are two flights daily from Vancouver, B.C., to Smithers airport where we will meet you . The aircraft used on these flights is a 55 passenger Dash 8. We have a travel representative who can possibly save you a considerable amount of money by booking you from your point of departure through to Smithers. If you are overnighting in Vancouver your accommodation can be arranged as well. We will have them contact you upon receipt of your deposit or if you wish to contact them in advance please call the JANS Adventure Travel desk at 1-800-745-1020 or email russ@jans.com. We recommend purchasing travel cancellation insurance.