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Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Steelhead Fishing the Sustut River in 2024 by Jonny Ng

By Lost Coast Outfitters

November 18^th, 2024

This October, I had the pleasure of hosting eight LCO anglers on a trip to the legendary Sustut River in British Columbia–where George caught the steelhead of his dreams in 2019. For us, too, it was one of those bucket-list experiences–massive fish, breathtaking scenery and the kind of camaraderie you can only find on the water. Surrounded by vibrant golds and the ambers of autumn, we spent the week immersed in the wild glow of the season.

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Remote Steelhead Haven - Where Every Detail Counts

Accessible only by air, with the nearest road over 100 miles away, the Sustut offers a sense of unmatched seclusion. Touching down in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, dense forests and rugged wilderness, I knew this wasn’t just any fishing trip. To add to the adventure, we even had to do a quick flyby to check for bears on the runway. Nothing says “Welcome to the wild,” quite like a bear getting in the way of your landing!

But, it’s not just the remoteness that makes this place special. Known for some of the largest steelhead in the world–these fish can weigh up to 30 pounds–the overriding motivation to travel such distances is just to know you are standing in the same water where these magnificent creatures swim.

Our home for the week was the cozy Suskeena Lodge, perched along the river’s edge within the 18 miles of fishable water upstream from the Skeena confluence. The lodge blends rustic charm with just enough modern touches. Each cabin sports a log-burning fireplace to dry your soggy clothes, and, to my surprise, even decent WiFi to facetime my two-year-old daughter. Not bad for a place this remote, right?

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Going with the Flow and an Unexpected Win

As any seasoned traveler knows, things don’t always go as planned - like when your checked bag, packed with your cold-weather gear, flies, and waders, doesn’t make it with you. It’s one of those scenarios you dread, especially in a place as remote as this. Fortunately, I had essentials in my carry-ons, and the lodge had backup gear on hand. Still, there’s nothing quite like having your own equipment and I’d written my bag off as a lost cause.

To my amazement, on day two, I returned to my cabin to find my checked bag waiting for me - almost like landing a 20 pounder! It was an unexpected surprise and I couldn’t have been more grateful to Kara Knight, our travel coordinator, and Brent Gill, the lodge manager, for their above-and-beyond efforts. Getting a lost airline bag to a place this remote is nothing short of a miracle!

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

The Fishing: It’s Not a Numbers Game

“The biggest difference in quantity is going from zero to one.”

Swinging barbless flies for steelhead has never been a numbers game, it’s about savoring every moment nature gives you. The real magic lies in those rare, unforgettable encounters with wild fish on their own terms. Sometimes, all it takes is one fish to make the entire trip.

We were lucky to experience those moments daily. On the first day, two members of our group landed beautiful bucks around 20 pounds each, a milestone for any angler. But, the highlight of the week came on day three, when a member of our team, brand-new to steelheading, hooked the fish of the season. Measuring 39 inches by 21 inches and estimated at 24 pounds, it was a fish that will be talked about for years to come - a testament to the Sustut’s reputation as a world-class steelhead destination.

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Heart-Stopping Takes on Skated Dry Flies

One of the most exhilarating aspects of the Sustut is that its steelhead are known to take skated dry flies. For anglers used to blind casting, the anticipation of watching your fly move across the surface - and thrill of seeing a fish rise to crush it - is nothing short of transformative. These are the types of moments that leave a flutter in your heart forever.

Even when the fish doesn’t connect, the pursuit is just as exciting. These are the moments that make dry fly fishing for steelhead so special - because, sometimes, the take is more memorable than the fight.

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

A Trip to Remember

This trip gave us everything we hoped for: massive fish, breathtaking wilderness and moments we’ll never forget. The Sustut River in autumn offers more than just incredible fishing, it’s a chance to chase some of the largest steelhead in the world, surrounded by unspoiled beauty.

But let’s be real, steelheading isn’t just about landing fish (though it’s a big part!), it’s about the entire experience. The camaraderie we shared - encouraging each other when things didn’t go as planned, celebrating each victory and laughing together around the fire - defined the heart of this adventure. At the end of the day, it’s the memories, both on and off the water, that will stay with us long after the last cast.

Until next time, tight lines and happy fishing!

– Jonny

Gear used:

Rod: 7126 and 7130 Sage R8 Spey

Lines: Rio Sagit Max 550 Grain and Rage 480gr

Flies: We caught them on everything–weighted and unweighted flies in black and blue, black and purple, pink and orange, pink on hot pink, natural colored Muddlers, foam tan Pom skaters. Fish the fly you want to fish!

Tips: 10ft T-11, 5ft float/5 ft T14, 10ft full float

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

Autumn Giants and Unexpected Wins

© 2026 Lost Coast Outfitters

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