The River at the Suskeena Lodge
The Sustut is truly a jewel that is for the most part largely unknown except among a core group of fanatics that fish the river on an annual basis hoping to crack the magic 30 pound mark for steelhead. On that note, there are few rivers where it is even possible. On the Skeena these include the Babine, Kispiox or the Sustut. The Sustut is in our estimation the finest of these large race steelhead waters. It has several advantages, no crowds, clear water (it is generally the last river to blow out) and its fish are huge…built for a long cold winter.
Due to its remote nature, it is too expensive for weekend warriors or adventurers to visit. When they weigh the costs of getting in, it is simply easier and cheaper to fish with a lodge. There is little angling pressure and much of the water remains unfished throughout a season. The fish are all wild, large on average and numerous. They are not as some would say too far from the ocean. They run on average twenty miles a day during their migration to their spawning grounds. They reach the Sustut less than a week after they arrive on the Bulkley, Babine, Kispiox etc.. Keep in mind that the fish will be in the river for 6-8 months.
The river and valley are simply stunning. The views are constant and overwhelming. Each bend of the river brings giant cottonwoods and low lying alder in all their fall splendour. The backdrop is almost always a high and frosted peak. The contrast is unbelievable. And through it all…a gin clear steelhead river with fish to well over 30 pounds. Wild indeed.
