Why Us

We are often asked what makes the Rivers Inlet Sportsman’s Club the best lodge in the world to come on a fishing trip for trophy salmon, halibut, lingcod & other bottom fish? What makes us such a special place to spend your valuable time & money? What sets us apart from all the other places to fish in the world, other lodges & all the other vacations you could possibly go on?

Here is a summary of some of the main features about the fishing & our lodge experience that makes us stand out as your ultimate destination trophy fishing location.

Trophy Sized Fish

The salmon returning to our waters each summer to spawn are from a unique gene pool which  results in the salmon growing bigger & fatter than those in any other watershed in the world. Records are made & broken each summer & this is why most people who fish for salmon have heard of Rivers Inlet.

Lots of Fish

Rivers Inlet is a destination for tens of thousands of salmon specifically returning every summer to the 9 major river systems in our huge watershed. We are also a funnelling point for feeding salmon migrating down the Pacific west coast to the hundreds of rivers systems as far away as California. This combination of returning & migrating runs makes for the most consistent salmon fishing anywhere in the world.

No Roads, No Crowds

There is no road access to Rivers Inlet so there are no crowds.  Rivers Inlet is unique because access is by floatplane only & that pretty much eliminates everyone except you at our lodge fishing in un-crowded waters.

Close to Fishing

The Sportsman’s Club is only minutes away from some of the most productive fishing grounds in Rivers Inlet where some of the world’s largest Chinook/King & coho/silver salmon are caught. At other lodges there can be a long boat ride to the fishing grounds & then you are out for the day. At our lodge you can come & go throughout the day for hot meals, re-provisioning, re-grouping etc. & get then you can fish after dinner until dark.

Well Equipped Boats

Our standard boats are 17 ft. with new 40 HP Yamaha motors, radios, GPS/sounders, electric bilge pumps & downriggers. Our fleet has good speed & range allowing you to fish anywhere in our 35 mile inlet. This area includes Calvert Island off-shore from the mouth of Rivers Inlet, all the way up to the head of the Inlet. However you rarely need to travel far as the best fishing is usually only minutes from the lodge.

Tackle Options

We have many different types of tackle option & combinations. You can do everything from “old school” top-water drift mooching with light tackle & bait (herring), or downriggers & hardware when the fish go deeper. We also have all the gear for bottom fishing for halibut & lingcod (& a variety of tasty bottom dwellers) as well as spin-casters & fly-rods for that ultra-light tackle experience. All bait & tackle is included in your trip package. We have everything, you bring nothing.

Guides Available

Our basic package is self-guided. On arrival & multiple times/day we offer informative complimentary fishing & safety clinics. However, we also have Transport Canada qualified guides available at extra cost (guides are pre-booked). The 2 of you can fish with a guide in our regular fleet of 17 ft. boats or for an additional cost you can upgrade to one of our larger Boston Whalers that holds up to 3 & 4 people. Guiding can be booked for 1 day or every day of your trip (except the last day) but needs to be pre-booked as they typically sell out.

Custom Fish Processing

Our professional guides personally cut up your catch while you watch from the nearby lounge. Guests instruct the guides as to filleting & portioning etc. The fish are vacuum packaged & flash frozen in our brand new state of the art blast freezer. Packaging for travel home is in an airline approved insulated waxed fish box. We also offer the services of St Jean’s Cannery . For an additional cost, you can for have all or part of your catch custom processed in a variety of ways.

Years in Business

Family owned & operated for over 40+ years. The Kelly Family established the lodge in 1984. Being owner/operated affords our customers a very high level of service. Our attention to all the little details is what makes for a fabulous fishing adventure. We really care & it shows in every aspect of our operation.

Amazing Staff

Each summer almost all our staff return for another season. Their knowledge, experience & sincere level of care is what allows us to deliver such a high level of customer service.

Direct Flights

We fly directly from Vancouver in sleek, modern, & fast Cessna Caravan seaplanes. This first-class trip takes only 90 minutes & you land right at the lodge with typically no delays or plane changes.

Private fishing lodge

We are a private facility catering only to our guests. There is no public access to our facilities. We are not a marina, we are an exclusive high end lodge.

Free Wi-Fi

We recommend that you try & disconnect from the outside world during your stay, but it is right there at your finger tips if you want/need to stay in touch.

Spacious Accommodations

Double occupancy rooms with a private entrance to a cedar-lined room with en-suite bathrooms & very comfortable double beds (single or triple rooms may be available on booking your trip).

Hearty Meals

All chef prepared hearty meals are included as well as a hot late-night snack.

Intimate Dining

Set times for dining in our cozy private dining room where the round tables allow for great conversations (arrangements may be made for packed lunches or dining at other times). We are not a public restaurant/pub with random people coming & going.

Inexpensive Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages available at liquor store prices. There is hidden savings in our wholesale bottle “self-service” alcohol purchasing system. Complimentary wine with dinner.

Participation in the DFO Experimental Recreational Halibut Program

Our guests are able to retain their halibut over 70 lbs. & the lodge pays for this, not our guests.

Fishing Licenses

We prepare fishing licenses from guest pre-registration forms & they are ready for you in a pouch when you arrive at the lodge (no need to go online ahead of your trip).

BOATsafe

We have an arrangement with Transport Canada to provide a Renter’s Checklist for guests to read & sign on arrival at the fishing lodge so that the BoatSafe Card is not needed to operate a marine vessel.

Book a trip with us & experience the excellence  & spirit of the Rivers Inlet Sportsman’s Club.
We are truly a trip that you will judge all others by!