Stikine Country

The Stikine River (called the GREAT RIVER by the Tahltan people) and Telegraph Creek are located in the Northwest corner of British Columbia, Canada, approximately 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Juneau, Alaska. The traditional home country of the Tahltan people, the Stikine River is one of the most unique free flowing wilderness watersheds in all of North America.

The historic community of Telegraph Creek, the oldest community in Northwest BC, is the only town along its 640 kilometre (400 mile) length and Wrangell, Alaska is a small island community at the mouth of the River. Telegraph Creek is accessible via a 120 km, all weather gravel road from Dease Lake on the Stewart Cassiar Hwy #37. Daily jet service is available between Vancouver and Smithers or Terrace, then via Northern Thunderbird Air (1-800-663-3905), between Smithers or Terrace and Dease Lake. One would then either charter an airplane or vehicle to come in from Dease Lake.

Between mid May and the end of October, the 20,000 square miles of wilderness in Stikine Country has much to offer visitors. Located at the head of navigation, Telegraph Creek offers the following: the starting point for river travel on the lower portion of the Stikine River through the Coast Mountains to the Pacific Ocean; access to the Grand Canyon of the Stikine, approximately 95 km (60 miles) in length, one of the largest, most beautiful canyons in Canada; access to the Stikine River Provincial Park, day and overnight hiking and camping opportunities; hiking and flight access to 9,000+' Mt. Edziza, an undeveloped Provincial Park which surrounds some of Canada's most recent volcanic activity and contains many unique geological formations; and animal viewing by flight or hiking.

The Stikine River also offers a variety of fishing opportunities. All five species of Pacific Salmon spawn in the river. Spring (King/Chinook) Salmon offers excellent fishing from late June through mid July. There are Dolly Varden, Rainbow, and Cutthroat Trout as well as the occasional Grayling, Whitefish, and Ling Cod. Steelhead return to the river beginning in late August. There are also many excellent fishing lakes in the area which are easily accessible by float plane.