Trading Silver: Nova Scotia to British Columbia

A New First

Certain moments in an angler’s journey linger in memory, far beyond a well-placed cast or the thrill of a big fish taking the fly. There’s a special kind of achievement in experiencing a “first.” Casting for the first time, catching your first fish, or tying your first fly; these milestones elevate us, shape our journey, and deepen our passion. For many, myself included, it’s a big reason we fall in love with fly fishing.

Recently, I’ve realised that angling always offers opportunities for a new “first.” All it takes is an open mind and a willingness to pursue new experiences. My husband, Scotty, and I have often talked about the allure of steelheading; the curious paradox of pursuing an anadromous species that feels unfamiliar, yet oddly recognisable. There’s nothing quite like checking a new experience off your bucket list.

The opportunity to trade the last week of our Nova Scotian Atlantic salmon season for a trip to the Skeena River in Terrace, British Columbia was one such instance. The anticipation leading up to these journeys is often marked by restless nights, internet research, and the desire to consume, in this case, any and all “steelhead” content produced in the last decade, in a wild attempt at preparation for the still unknown.

The Magnetic Pull of the West

There was something magnetic about heading west: a quiet pull to new waters, a fresh rhythm. As Atlantic salmon anglers, it’s inevitable to draw comparisons between a steelhead and a salmon.

Conversations with those who have encountered wild steelhead often veer to questions like, “Does the take feel like a salmon? Do they jump?” We’ve guided friends from the Pacific Northwest who arrived on the East Coast with fly boxes full of steelhead patterns, poring over them riverside, concluding, “There’s no reason a salmon wouldn’t take that.”

There’s a poetic irony in rifling through your salmon flies, wondering – will a steelhead eat this? Our aim was not to chase what we already knew, but to discover our own answers to the questions we had asked others, and those we hadn’t yet thought of.

Perhaps it was the promise of rain after a drought year on the East Coast, or the desire to experience the unique personality of the Pacific Northwestern rivers: wilder, wider, and seemingly older somehow. We packed our rods, gear, and layers for every forecast, and set out for Terrace to fish with Nicholas Dean Outdoors.

First Impressions: Arrival to a New Coast

The Skeena did not disappoint. Its sheer size was overwhelming. At first glance, Scotty and I concluded that more water likely flows through the Skeena at any given moment than all the rivers in Nova Scotia combined. The views were visceral and seemed to project our imagined ideas of wild steelhead through the landscape; rugged snowcapped mountains protruding through the fog, coming to rest at a mighty river.

Somewhere downriver, the echo of a train reminded us of our smallness, yet in the most wonderful way. Though distant from our home waters, it felt familiar, like a proper home for wild fish. For two Atlantic salmon anglers, it was like crossing the country to meet a distant relative.

A New Kind of Familiar

Steelhead, though different, evoke a known feeling. As anglers, we notice an implicit cadence in rivers: searching for seams, shadows, and structure. Even thousands of kilometres from home, on a river winding through coastal rainforest, there was a sense of recognition. Steelheading, as we discovered, requires the same patience and, largely, the same gear as our beloved Atlantic salmon. As newcomers to steelhead angling, we’ll leave the tips to the professionals but offer observations through a different lens.

We packed a variety of our favourite rods for the conditions – 7130 7X, 7124 Z1, 7132 Z1, and the 7110 ZT travel – paired with either a Classic #7-9 or Opti Speedrunner reel, and matching Skagit lines. The versatility of these rods is incredible, having not often casted weighted flies due to regulations on the east coast, each of these rods made the transition almost unnoticeable. The standout for some of the skinnier water was the smaller ZT travel switch. Not only was this rod easily packed into a standard suitcase for the journey, but it was an absolute pleasure to fish, paired with an integrated SA Skagit Lite and T-11.

Even in this new landscape, amid new experiences, some things felt deeply accustomed: flies tied with marabou and rabbit, the measured patience of the swing, the quiet between casts, and the anticipation that explodes into excitement when a fish takes the fly.

A First to Remember

They say “you never forget your first,” and never has truer words been spoken. It’s certainly true in the world of Atlantic salmon. I can recall every detail; before, during, and after hooking my first Atlantic (but that story is for another day). Few species leave a feeling that lingers long after the fight, but those who know, know.

My first encounter with a steelhead was just as euphoric. A flash across the pool, my rabbit strip swinging through the tailout of one of the most stunning pools I’ve ever fished. It was unforgettable. And do steelhead jump? Absolutely. The pulse through my 7124 Z1 was electric. Once in the net, I could hardly believe my eyes. I had landed my first Steelhead, and these fish had forever gained a fan in me.

Days of Fog, Coffee, and Camaraderie

Fishing with the Nicholas Dean crew was more than a guided adventure; it was a full immersion. Days began with fog and coffee, blending seamlessly from fishing into storytelling, laughter, and silence, from mist and downpours to sunlight filtering through the trees. With these temperamental conditions, layering is key. We each had our Onka jackets, in addition to good base layers and my absolute favourite wading jacket – the Dellik.

We were joined by Willie Holmes; an Irish transplant now living in B.C. Willie is one of those people you feel like you known your whole life; an incredibly talented angler and FFI casting instructor. You learn a lot by watching people fish and watching Willie for a few days pick apart runs and talk tactics and files was the equivalent to many years of learning the hard way.

Willie is the manager at Pacific River Outfitting Company (PROC), and I strongly suggest anyone new or experienced to pick Willies brain with anything steelhead or casting related. Tyrone Buckle, a fellow East coaster and absolute deadly Atlantic salmon (and steelhead) angler balanced out the dynamic; fun, quick witted, and an absolute pleasure to spend time on the river with. Our group reinforced the truth, that who you go fishing with is often more important than the fishing itself. It’s a good day when you come off the water belly’s sore from laughter, tired, and excited to get back out there the next day.

We learned from seasoned guides who know every bend of these rivers and hold profound respect for the fish that inhabit them. We were hosted by a lodge staff whose hospitality was unmatched; from curated dinners to thoughtfully packed lunches and warm interactions.

For us, heading west wasn’t just about chasing a new species; it was about gaining perspective and checking off a new “first.” The rivers reminded us why we fish: not just for the catch, as cliché as it sounds, but for the connection to these keystone species that form the backbone of their communities.

Different Rivers, Same Heartbeat

When we left, boots still damp and gear faintly scented with rain and river, our hearts were full. We journeyed west in search of water and experience and found a new love for wild steelhead. Different river, different fish, but the same irresistible pull that draws all anglers back to the water, time and time again.