The Kitimat River – a mid-sized coastal river that enters the Pacific Ocean near the town of Kitimat – is an extremely productive river that has abundant enhanced runs of Steelhead, Chinook, Coho, Chum, and Pink Salmon. The Kitimat is a dynamic river that changes frequently from year to year, owing to a bottom substrate that’s predominantly gravel and smaller cobble, and features well over 20 km of prime Steelhead and Salmon holding water. Kitimat River Steelhead, which enter the river in March, April and May, are typically in the 10 to 15 lb range, but consistently reach 20 lbs and larger. Its Chinook Salmon – which average 15 to 25 lbs but are routinely over 30 lbs and can reach 50 – are very aggressive and, given the short proximity to the Ocean, are exceptionally strong fighters, all of which makes the Kitimat River an ideal place to target them on the fly. In July, it is the perfect river to take novice anglers to hone their skills on the unbelievably abundant Chum and Pink salmon.
We drift the Kitimat using rafts and drift boats, fishing many of its long, broad runs in its lower reaches, and smaller pools and slots in its middle and upper reaches.
Check out our Spring Steelhead, Chinook Fly Fishing, and Summer programs, when we fish the Kitimat.
