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Steelhead Paradise

British Columbia

By Lost Coast Outfitters

February 7^th, 2020

In 2018 I was invited on a trip to remote river in BC and had to decline because I was heading to Kamchatka Russia. It was a tough call as this river had been on my bucket list for a very long time, but then again so had Russia. One can't really complain about too many steelhead trips. Fast forward a year and I got the invite again, and one of my friends and mentors John Sherman was joining too.

The stories I heard were that some of the largest fish in the world head up this tributary. I've been looking for that unequivocal 20lb fish all over the Pacific Rim, and this was my best shot. The genetic diversity between two tribs right next to each other is unlike anywhere else in the world, making it a steelheader's paradise.

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

The camp was run by the Van Velzen's – a killer family raising there little one on the banks of a truly epic river. I can't say enough good things about them.

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

After a 2-day skunk streak, I hooked a fish in the home run and decided fishing up in the water column was no longer working for me. So I looped on a 12.5ft piece of T-14 and a heavy black and blue dirty hoh and started fishing deep.

I was working a big tank when my fly stopped and without hesitation I reefed on it. I set the hook and felt the weight. I knew it was a buck by the way it was acting, but had now real idea of the size until John said, "this is a real one, don't fuck it up." When I saw it go into the net I knew immediately that it was the biggest steelhead I'd ever had contact with. We measured the fish, John snapped a few photos and I quickly let it go. Sure, we probably could have taken a few more 'epic' shots to accentuate its size, but what's the point. Above all else, I feel grateful that I was on a river with a longtime friend who was able to share in whole experience.

Steelhead Paradise

Steelhead Paradise

© 2026 Lost Coast Outfitters

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