Skeena River

SpeciesSalmon, Steelhead

Location: British Columbia

Length: 570 km

Why we chose it:

In 2012, ranked #39 in all-time hot spots

Salmon or steelhead? Take your pick on northern B.C.’s mighty Skeena. This broad, powerful river has it all: bar fishing, deep pools and pockets to dredge with lures and flies, plus summer-run steelhead up to 25 pounds. And once the chinooks arrive in the Skeena, the coho swarm the nearby Kitimat. The Canadian record king, a 92-pound monster, came from the Skeena in 1985, but biologists say even bigger ones are out there. Waiting.

In 2010, Steelhead; Boat accessible fish in the 20-pound range

When to fish: Mid-March to late May and August through to the first three weeks of November are best.

Where to fish: Focus on the lower river.

Tip: Use spoons and plugs or try bottom bouncing.

—Ryan Kohler, vice-president of Wild TV

In 2008, Steelhead; Summer-run fish weighing up to 25 pounds

When to fish: August.

Where to fish: In fast water, gravel bar pockets

Where to fish: the fish rest.

Tip: Fish small streamers down and across through the pockets.

—Don Freschi, host of Sport Fishing: On the Fly

Coho; Numerous giant fish

When to fish: September and October, after rain.

Where to fish: Pools (particularly deeper ones)

Where to fish: tributaries join the river, and Skeena tribs as well.

Tip: Fish Egg-Sucking Leeches and aggressor flies with tinsel on bottom, or drift or slowly retrieve spoons along bottom.

—Mark Krupa, host of Hooked with Mark Krupa