What is the Lodge at Chilko Lake?

The Lodge is an upscale private residence located in BC’s historic ranch country overlooking the river valley and mountains at the head of the Chilko River. The main lodge is a formidable log structure manufactured from local trees and is the focal point for meals, cocktails and most socializing. It has wireless Internet, a big screen television (if you must), as well as comfortable lounge chairs and the main dining room. The upper level is a luxurious suite with impressive king bedroom, sitting area and grand bathroom complete with double headed showers. The ground floor has a bar, games room and access to the popular fire pit area.

The surrounding cabins are a mixture of one and two bedroom log and timber frame structures carefully positioned for privacy and view. The cabins are unique but equally breathtaking featuring fine craftsmanship, comfortable furnishings and a magnificent collection of antiques and collectibles. Each unit is self-contained and has comfortable living rooms, private bathrooms and kitchenettes. 

The ranch is perched closely to Ts’yl-os Provincial Park, the prize jewel of the British Columbia park system.  It’s meticulous construction falls more into an art-form category than traditional building.

What activities are available?

-Hiking: We have numerous hiking trials into Tsylos Provincial Park. The Mount Tullin route covers almost 4000 vertical feet and would be described as challenging. The Green Lake route is a lovely meander up the lake. The Lodge also has 2 cabin cruisers that we utilize to travel down the 55-mile lake to access some incredible hikes

-Heli-Hiking: 

What's on the menu?

Delicious meals are carefully prepared by our chef utilizing fresh vegetables, meats, and seafood. The ranch has its own greenhouse for herbs and vegetables. Local and regional organic and whole foods are sourced out as well  Special dietary considerations may be accommodated with advance notice. Throughout your stay and in part because we only deal with 12 guests at a time, you will have the thoughtful attention and service that you deserve.

What is the Terrain like?

Our trip begins at the north end of Ts’yl-os Provincial Park. Established in 1994, Ts’yl-os (pronounced sigh loss) is 233,240 hectares in the Chilcotin Ranges of the Coast Mountains. Although Chilko Lake is the centerpiece of the park, it is just one of many incredible natural features. Though there is much to explore in the region, it is rugged and unserviced leaving its visitors up to their own devices. This is where we fit in.

The Chilcotin River flows near Nazko Lakes Provincial Park and Stum Lake Provincial Park. Both were recently expanded to protect wildlife habitat and BC’s only colony of nesting white pelicans, respectively. Upstream from the confluence of the Chilcotin and Big Creek, lies the new 660 hectares of rolling grassy plateau protected in Big Creek Provincial Park

What is the River like? 

Participants are continually overwhelmed by the excitement and beauty of this natural corridor. The Chilko River drains Chilko Lake making this free flowing waterway perfect to raft from May through October. When compared to busy rivers south of the border, this circuitous system is considered a wilderness waterway. The Chilko is one of North America’s best rafting rivers and boasts miles of roller coaster rapids that will keep you grinning from start to finish. Obviously the Province of British Columbia agrees with us, as it has established more than 17 new parks in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region.

What can we expect of the area's Wildlife and Flora?

The Chilcotin is home to the largest herd of California bighorn sheep in the world. During the rut, the big spiral-horned rams will charge at combined speeds of 50 miles per hour and butt heads 30-40 times a day, an exhausting, and often fatal fight for sexual supremacy. Another fleet-footed hunter in the region is the cougar. Like other predators, cougars will prey on the weak or young. But in the Chilcotin, three quarters of all the sheep killed are adult rams. Biologists believe the large horns used in the rut, impede the rams’ peripheral and rear vision. More times than not, however, cougars are harassed to leave their kill because of the persistent coyotes. Some coyotes become the cougar’s lunch, but the big cats are more likely to look to other sheep, moose, or deer. Fortunately for the cougars, all are in abundance.

This area is also the home of black bear, grizzly, and wolf. Bear populations slurp down the abundant rose hips and berries in the aspen groves. August and September departures are virtually guaranteed sightings because the bears are feeding on the plentiful salmon runs. Beaver, river otter, and mink can also be seen along the riverbank. We have counted over 30 species of birds on this trip. They include bald and golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and many species of hawks. Canada geese, great blue herons, sage grouse, Lewis woodpeckers, and many varieties of songbirds are also present. This diverse environment is also home to seven different bat species such as the western-footed Myotis and Townsend’s big-eared bats.

The upper Chilko is covered with lodgepole pine and Douglas fir. As we drop in elevation the trees become sparse. Large open grasslands interspersed with cottonwood and ponderosa pine is dominant in this dry climate. Sagebrush and prickly pear cactus cover parts of the desert on the lower Chilcotin and the canyons of the Fraser. In the desert, insects are comparatively rare. A few mosquitoes may be present, but they will be of little concern. The largest airborne bugs are butterflies, more than 40 species. Each is associated with a specific plant, and many have exotic names like painted lady, aster checkerspot, woodland skipper, and white admiral.

How's the Fishing?

For the fly fisherman, the Chilko is truly world class. This prime location where sockeye salmon and rainbow trout are found together produces some of the best fishing in British Columbia. The Chilko River is big and fast, pouring out of spectacularly beautiful Chilko Lake. Most of the rivers depth is over four feet and some of its pools exceed 20 feet. The glaciers surrounding the lake provide the river a constant supply of cold water while the suspended glacial solids tint the water a lovely cerulean blue. The upper 8 miles of the river are most often fished as they feature a smooth even current and provide some of the best fishing for large trout and bull trout found anywhere. The river is one of B.C.’s best fisheries and has a special classification because of it. The lodge is equipped with nice fishing gear that you can use but if you plan on fishing a lot, you may want to bring your favorite 4 to 6-weight rod with case. An assortment of appropriate dry and wet flies are available at the lodge.

More than 2 million sockeye salmon return annually in August-September, with spawning completed by mid-October. The Chilko River has the third largest sockeye salmon run in the world, and is a spawning ground for spring and coho salmon as well as steelhead. For this reason, it is not uncommon for fisherman to be joined streamside by bears also looking for a catch. With advanced notice, and for an additional fee, we can organize a fishing guide. Having said this, fishing the Chilko River is straightforward. One can fish from shore, in waders, belly boats or by motorboat using drift techniques. One should expect to catch 18-29 inch rainbow trout. 

A Canadian fishing license is required to fish either the lake or the river. You will need an additional daily sticker to fish the river. The river is fly-fishing only (catch and release) while some fish caught in the lake may be kept. You are allowed to use spin-casting equipment on the main lake—which can also be very productive.  All licenses may be purchased in Vancouver or at the Lodge.