The Fly Shop800·669·3474

GPS Coordinates: 51°37’07.89″N   124°08’58.56″W

Trip Questionnaire: Please click on the link below. This will take you an electronic questionnaire form that we ask you to complete and submit to The Fly Shop®. Please be sure to click the “Submit” button at the end of the form. The information provided will help us — and the outfitter best coordinate your trip.

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Important: Entry/Exit Requirements

Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law. Please see the CBSA’s website for details. Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card (see below) satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.

Please Note: Anyone with a criminal record (including misdemeanors or alcohol-related driving offenses) may not be able to enter Canada without first obtaining a special waiver well in advance of any planned travel. To determine whether you may be inadmissible and how to overcome this finding, please refer to the Canadian citizenship and immigration website.

If a U.S. citizen traveling to Canada does not have a passport, passport card, or approved alternate document such as a NEXUS card, they must show a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport. Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship. (Please see below for important information concerning re-entry into the United States.)

U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid U.S. passport.

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Driver’s License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document.

You must claim your luggage on your first point of entry into Canada and clear immigrations and customs.  Failure to claim your luggage will result in your luggage not showing up at your end destination.

Contact Information

If you have any problems during your trip with missed connections, or want to leave an emergency number for family members or office:

Tsylos Park Lodge
(800) 487-9567 | (250) 483-4368 |  tsylos@tsylos.com | karen@tsylos.com

Communication at the lodge:
There is no cell coverage. There is a landline at the lodge – phone number (250) 483-4368. The lodge’s tag line is “disconnect to reconnect”!

The Fly Shop®
(800) 669-3474 | (530) 222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com

U.S. Consulate General
1095 West Pender Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
(604) 685-4311 | Facsimile: (604) 685-7175

Sky Service FBO
5360 Airport RoadSouth Richmond, BC V7B 1B4 Canada
(604) 270-2222 | csr_yvr@skyservice.com

General Travel Information

The McLean family will arrange and reserve a spot on their charter plane from Vancouver, British Columbia to Chilko Lake for you.

The charter flight leaves from:
Sky Service FBO
5360 Airport Road S Richmond, BC V7B 1B4 Canada
(604) 270-2222 | csr_yvr@skyservice.com

Please proceed to the counter, tell them your name and let them know you are going Ts’yl-os Park Lodge. Your name will be on a passenger list. A ticket is not necessary.  The plane departs at 9:30 a.m. You should check in by 8:45 am; the pilot arrives at 9:00 am and will start to load luggage for the 9:30 departure.

Getting to the Sky Service Building:
The easiest way is to take a cab.  Just let the driver know to go to the Sky Service Building.  If the taxi driver takes you to the South Terminal, you are in the wrong building. The Sky Service Building is about 300 yards from the South Terminal. The Sky Service building is approx. 5-10 minutes driving time from the Main Terminal.  Most airport hotels have a shuttle bus that can take you directly there – just make sure you indicate this to your driver when you enter the bus.

Baggage Requirements – Total baggage is limited to 35 lbs. per person in soft stuff-able luggage.

Chilko Lake Airstrip:
We operate our own airstrip at Chilko Lake. Fly your own plane and land at our 3200′ well packed and maintained graveled airstrip (18/36). Intercom 122.8. Tie downs and run-up pads are available.

Where Should We Stay?
Reservations at a Vancouver, British Columbia hotel are not included in your package and should be made by you or your travel agent when you book your airline reservations:

Pacific Gateway Hotel: http://www.pacificgatewayhotel.com
3500 Cessna Drive
Richmond, BC Canada V7B 1C7 (only 5 minutes from the airport)
Phone: (604) 278-1241 | Email: info@pacificgatewayhotel.com
Reservations: Phone: (866) 382-3474 | Email: res@pacificgatewayhotel.com

Fairmont Vancouver Airport 4-star hotel
Located in: Vancouver International Airport
Address: 3111 Grant McConachie Way
Richmond, BC V7B 0A6, Canada
Phone: (604) 207-5200 | Toll Free (Room Reservations only): (866) 540-4441
vancouverairport@fairmont.com

Where should we eat?
There are many great restaurants in Vancouver, British Columbia. You can also check out Vancouver Restaurant Guide for a complete restaurant review in the city.

Restaurants Near the Airport:
Flying Beaver Bar & Grill
3460 Moncton Street
Steveston, BC
(604) 271-7555

Cactus Club Café
5500 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC.
(604) 244-9969

Pajo’s Fish & Chips
3460 Moncton Street
Richmond, BC.
(604) 271-7555

General Information

Wi-Fi:
The lodge does not have Wi-Fi. Owner/operator, Karen McLean, does have internet via satellite on her personal computer and a VOIP phone if guests need to check in with home on arrival.

Gratuities:
Tipping is at an individual’s discretion. A general guideline is ten to fifteen percent of the package price, depending upon performance. The lodge manager will be happy to distribute the gratuities. The Gratuities are split evenly amongst all of the crew. A good guideline for gratuities is 10 – 15 percent of the package rate.

Fly Shop:
The lodge has a mini fly shop with the “hottest Chilko flies”, as well as any needed items while on your trip.

Liquor:
Tsylos Park Lodge offers a fully-stocked bar of a variety of beers, bottled wines, and spirits. If you have a preference for a particular brand of spirit, please let the lodge know the week before so they can have it in stock.

Tsylos Park Lodge Elevation:
3,800 feet

Recommended Equipment

Fly Rods & Reels:
A 5 to 6 weight rod in any comfortable length will be fine for the fishing on the Chilko River. A 6-weight 9 foot rod is the most common.  Choose a reliable single action reel with plenty of backing.  Keep two spools, one with a weight forward floating line and one with a 15-foot fast sinking sink-tip fly line.

Leaders & Tippet:
Leaders should be 7.5 to 9 feet long and tapered to a 2X – 4X tippet.  Each angler should bring about 6 leaders and a spool of 3x and 4x tippet.

Clothing:
The weather in British Columbia is constantly changing. One afternoon it may be 70° (+) and sunny, down right hot; then only a few hours later it may be rainy, damp, windy and in the low 50°s or cooler. It is not uncommon to have morning temperatures in the mid to low thirties, especially when clear weather prevails, warming to a balmy 50° or 60° degrees by the end of the day. Clothing strategies should be based on the “layering system.” By using the “layering system,” anglers can adapt to whatever Mother Nature dishes out. The whole idea behind layering is to trap heated air (generated by your body and stored between the different layers of insulation), thus keeping you warm.

Here is the formula preferred by the staff at The Fly Shop®:

Base Layer: Start off with a synthetic type fabric next to your skin. This often is a pair of thermal underwear (tops and bottoms) and they usually come in three weights: light, mid and expedition.  According to your individual metabolism, pick what is best for you. Synthetic (non-cotton) materials retain little moisture and “wick” moisture away from your skin. This is very important when you are walking in waders or when outside temperatures heat up.

Thermal Layer: Your second layer of insulation should match the weather and conditions you are going to be fishing in. Lightweight insulation for cool weather, mid-weight for colder conditions and heavy weight for really frigid days.  Fleece is an outstanding choice here in either tops and bottoms or overalls.  Merino Wool is also a good choice as it stays warm when damp, though dries very slowly.

Outer Shell (Rain jacket & Waders):  Your final layer should be a breathable rain jacket and waders.

Rain Jacket:
High quality Gore-Tex® type products are the best. Your rain jacket should be 100% waterproof and breathable. Rain jackets must be seam sealed, multi-layered, of QUALITY construction and from a recognized outdoor clothing company. Skwala, Simms and Patagonia have excellent choices in fine breathable raingear. Jackets specifically designed for fly fishermen are the best.

Wading Equipment:
Stockingfoot, breathable waders are the only way to go. Neoprene waders are antiquated, do not permit moisture to escape, are heavy and cumbersome and only appropriate for sedentary fishing (float tubing) where insulation is the only concern. Gore-Tex® “Breathable” waders have totally revolutionized wading equipment. You will experience little or no moisture build-up inside the waders, even after a long hike; they wear like iron, and are comfortable to be in all day. Lastly, Gore-Tex® “Breathable” waders take up a fraction of the space neoprene waders take-up when packed in your duffel bag. All waders should be worn with synthetic fiber under-wader wear for maximum comfort, minimum moisture retention, and warmth.  For safety we strongly recommend wearing a wading belt at all times. Simms, Patagonia and Skwala are great choices.

Socks:
Anglers should bring enough socks to alternate on a daily basis. For a week’s fishing trip, three pairs should be fine.  Do not wear the same socks every day, but alternate, leaving one pair to dry and air while wearing the other set. Wool, polypro or a combination of both are the best choices in sock material. Try on your socks with your waders and wading boots before you leave for your trip to ensure that you have plenty of room to move your toes. Being unable to move your toes and cramping of your feet in your wading boots are the biggest reasons for numb toes and cold feet. We’ve experienced great success with the disposable air-activated heating pads available at many outdoor stores. Removal from the cellophane wrapper activates them and they then simply stick to the outside of socks for hours of cozy warmth.

• 3 pairs of Wading Socks

Wading Boots:
Felt soled wading boots are highly recommended as they offer superior ankle support and are exceptional for hiking to and from waters. Simms, Korkers, and Patagonia make some good models to consider. Cleats or studs are not needed, and are tough on boats.  No studs.

Wool or Polypropylene Gloves:
Fingerless gloves are great for cold, rainy days. Neoprene gloves are fine, but retain a lot of water when wet. We have had the best success with synthetic or wool gloves.

Fishing Vest or Tackle/Vest Pack:
For vests, we like a high quality product, in a ‘shorty’ model.  Choose one that has room for a rain jacket, or camera in the back. Brands we like are Fishpond, Simms and Patagonia. If you prefer a tackle pack, take a good look at Fishpond and Patagonia.

Small Day Pack:
This can be an important article to include while packing. We like a waterproof, top-loader day pack that can hold extra gear, clothes, flies, camera, snacks, etc.

Boat Bag:
A waterproof boat “dry bag” can be extremely handy for storing extra clothes, tackle and camera equipment while on a raft. The whitewater type “dry bags” are the best.

Fishing Hat:
Look for a hat that is comfortable, relatively waterproof, and that has a good size brim to shade your eyes and face.

Line Clippers, Pliers, Hemostats, & Hook File:
These are essential to any fisherman and should not be left behind.

Polarized Sunglasses:
Fly fishing in remote British Columbia Canada is a very visual experience. Spotting the fish is part of the excitement, and part of the challenge.  Good quality polarized sunglasses are a must. Polarized sunglasses not only let you spot fish more effectively but protect your eyes from the intense sunlight experienced in Patagonia, as well as hooks.  Smith and Costa del Mar make some of the best in the industry.

Headlamp:
Our favorites are headlamp models with LED bulb(s) and rechargeable.

Sun Protection:
The summer weather in British Columbia is generally pleasant with average temperatures ranging between the low 50’s and mid 80′; sun protection is needed. Wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and frequent use of sun block (SPF 30+) UVA, UVB and waterproof are highly recommended. Sun gloves will save the backs of your hands.

Bug Repellent:
Although bugs are usually not too big a problem in this part of Central British Columbia, a bottle of bug dope with active ingredient DEET is not a bad idea to include in your tackle bag.

Camp Shoes:
After a long day of fishing, it’s nice to get out of your waders and slip into a comfortable pair of shoes to wear around the lodge. We suggest moccasins, duck boots, or your favorite tennis shoes — something comfortable.

Wading Staff:
If you use a wading staff on your home waters, then bring it to B.C., it will come in handy.

About Our Tackle & Equipment Recommendations

This tackle and equipment planner is a guideline to help anglers assemble a reasonable collection of flies and the necessary equipment. It’s not necessary you have all these flies and assorted equipment, just a good cross section. You are by no means required to purchase all of this equipment. The suggested tackle and clothing are what we have found to work best for most fishing conditions. Some of the flies and tackle selections we recommend are items The Fly Shop® does not stock or sell. In this case it may be necessary to tie your own flies, or purchase from another retailer.

Although selling fly fishing tackle and flies is part of what The Fly Shop® does, it is not our main concern. Our main concern is that people have a great trip. Period. We feel that properly outfitted and prepared anglers have the best chance of having a trip of a lifetime. If you have any questions concerning tackle and equipment recommendations, please feel free to call us toll-free at (800) 669-3474. Thank you.

Note: Guides normally have a complete selection on hand in case you don’t have the right fly for the situation.

Special Gear Restriction on the Chilko River:
Split shot and strike indicators are illegal to use on the Chilko River. Dry/dropper rigs are fine.

*Barbless Flies ONLY Please*