Explore The Untamed North Off The Alcan Highway At B.C. Adventure Lodge

The following appears in the September issue of Alaska Sporting Journal:

BY TIFFANY HERRINGTON

Perched on the jade-green shores of Muncho Lake in northern British Columbia, Northern Rockies Adventures is the gateway to one of the most remote and pristine wilderness regions in North America.

Just a short floatplane hop from the Yukon and not far from Alaska’s border, this family-owned operation is more than a lodge, as it’s a launching point for once-in-a-lifetime fishing expeditions, scenic floatplane adventures and Northern hospitality at its finest. At the helm is Daniel Schildknecht, a second-generation bush pilot, wilderness guide and co-owner of the lodge. We caught up with Daniel to learn more about their fly-in adventures, the legacy of Northern Rockies Adventures lodge (1-800-663-5269), plus what it’s like to operate on the edge of the Last Frontier.

Tiffany Herrington Northern Rockies Adventures has a rich family history. Can you tell us how it all started and how you became involved?

Daniel Schildknecht My parents, Urs and Marianne, started this adventure over 40 years ago when they immigrated to Canada from Switzerland and fell in love with the wilds of northern B.C. They started as a small floatplane operator and, over the years, purchased the floatplane base at Muncho Lake after offering day-trip flyouts and charters from the location. With the Muncho base came an old lodge and cabins on the Alaska Highway – a totally new business for my parents. Quickly they found themselves in the hospitality business, with modest success on all-inclusive fishing trips. However, the old lodge didn’t meet the standard of our guests. In 1995 they completed our lodge, and the business almost doubled in size overnight.

This was the world I grew up in – helping in the restaurant, cleaning rooms, fishing with Dad and hiking in the mountains with Mom. These days, I help lead Northern Rockies Adventures with my parents and brother. Our specialty is offering guided fly-in trips into some of the most remote and beautiful areas in British Columbia. In the winter, we have exclusive northern lights tours!

TH What was it like growing up around bush planes and the lodge? Did you always know you’d take on this role? 

DS It was a pretty incredible way to grow up – waking up to floatplanes, meeting guests from around the world and flying into remote lakes while other kids were in school. I didn’t always know I’d take this on and took it for granted at the time. I eventually realized there was nothing more meaningful than helping others experience the same wilderness I grew up in.

TH How has the lodge evolved over the years, and what has stayed the same? DS We’ve gone from a rugged highway lodge built in the 1950s to a comfortable modern lodge resort over the past 20 years, with premium accommodations and a full range of tours. What hasn’t changed is the spirit of the place. We’re still on the brink of B.C.’s great wilderness; we just don’t have to rough it anymore.

Now, with all-inclusive packages from Vancouver, our little remote slice of wilderness heaven has just gotten closer to the world, as our private flight brings guests to the lodge in utmost convenience on our now year-round trips! Yes, in addition to fishing, we now run exclusive winter trips. We have some select northern lights trip dates, with my favorite being New Year’s Eve! It’s a total blast celebrating the past and coming year at the lodge. It’s a winter wonderland, and we cap it off with gourmet meals, fireworks, a bonfire, and, with a little luck, northern lights. I can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year! Our family goal has always been to offer authentic, personal wilderness experiences in this beautiful area. There’s something timeless about this place, and it never ceases to amaze us and our guests time and time again.

TH You fly anglers into some of the most remote backcountry lakes in British Columbia. What makes these fly-in fishing trips so special?

DS It comes down to remoteness and the pristine nature of this wilderness. You know that secret fishing spot your grandfather told you about; the tremendous catches he had made? And how it got ruined by too many anglers and development? Well, our fishing trip is like stepping back into a time capsule and experiencing this phenomenal, undisturbed fishing yourself. Sometimes a lake hasn’t seen an angler in years. We rotate spots in and out throughout the season, and with over 70 locations to fly to and only 150 guests annually, the fishing is as pristine as ever.

It’s trophy fishing for wild native fish in big Rocky Mountain country, backed by my family’s over four decades of guiding experience. The floatplane ride is just the beginning of an unforgettable fishing story. Guests get to experience this all and return to the comfort of our lodge resort each day. It’s pretty magical.

TH Tell us about the “Grand Slam” fishing experience. How do you help guests target such a range of species? 

DS Our “Grand Slam” means catching four trophy species in one trip. We fish for wild native trophy rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, northern pike, and bull or lake trout. When I say trophy, I mean big and hard-fighting fish. We get anglers into waters where 24-inch rainbows and 42-inch pike are common. If numbers are your thing, we’ve got spots for that too. Want to catch 40-plus fish in a day? We’ve got spots for that, with multiple fly-out rivers and lakes. We can match guests with the right waters, depending on conditions and what they’re hoping to catch. Whether someone wants the finesse of fly fishing or the thrill of casting for big predators, we make it happen.

TH What’s one of your most memorable days in the air or on the water?
DS One that stands out is the day my wife caught her first fish here in the Rockies. She came along on a quick fly-out and had maybe 10 minutes before we had to take off again. It was her first time fishing with a fly rod, and she landed a rainbow trout on the fly within minutes. Seeing her land that fish, in that kind of place, was so memorable to me. We’ve been fly fishing together ever since.

TH You operate a full-service lodge with fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and floatplane tours. How do you and your team juggle so many moving parts in such a remote location?

DS That’s just the tip of the iceberg! Our lodge also serves the Alaska Highway; our planes are available for charter and we even have the winter northern lights tours. We handle everything in-house, from the flights to the meals and tours. This allows us to ensure quality and value for our guests. Our team knows the rhythms of this place well. It’s a lot of moving parts, but we love what we do. How can you complain, when you’re living in such a beautiful place?

TH What’s the season like for you? When do you start flying, and what are the peak times for guests?
DS We start flying June 1 and run wilderness and fishing trips through mid-September. Mid-July to August is peak for fly-in fishing. Then from late August through the winter, we offer northern lights and hot springs trips. We’re one of the few fishing lodges in the Rockies that stays open through winter. As our lodge also serves the Alaska Highway, we’re an essential service to travelers since not much else is open in the region.

TH Your lodge is located just off the Alaska Highway. Do you get many Alaskans or road-trippers coming through?
DS Definitely. A lot of our guests are on the classic Alaska Highway road trip. We see travelers from Alaska, the Yukon, and states like Texas and Montana. We also get a lot of travelers from all over the world! Some plan to stop for a night and end up staying for days. Once people discover us, they usually come back. It’s a pretty memorable place!

TH What kind of wildlife can guests expect to see while visiting or flying with you?
DS Right near the lodge, you’ll often see stone sheep. We also get plenty of moose, bison, caribou, eagles and black bears. From the air, guests get a full picture of the wilderness, often spotting wildlife in the alpine. My favorite thing while flying is pointing out mountain goats to guests. It’s fun to see them on these rugged peaks. On our trips, you’re guaranteed to see wildlife. It’s always impressive to guests.

TH As a family that’s been rooted here for decades, how do you approach conservation or sustainable tourism in such a pristine ecosystem?

DS We’ve always taken the long view to help protect our natural surroundings. Our family has been here over 40 years, and we want to preserve the wilderness for generations to come. That means running low-impact trips, educating guests and practicing responsible tourism. We’re in North America’s largest protected wilderness area – the Muskwa-Kechika – and we take conservation seriously.

TH What advice would you give someone who’s thinking of taking their first true wilderness adventure?
DS You don’t need to be a seasoned angler or experienced hiker or outdoors person; that’s what we’re here for. Just come ready to unplug and connect with nature. This kind of trip can shift your perspective. You’ll leave with memories that stay with you for life.

TH How can folks book a trip or learn more about what you offer?
DS Visit nradventures.com or reach out to me directly at daniel@nradventures .com. We’re always happy to help guests build unforgettable trips, whether it’s fly-in fishing, a nature tour or to chase the northern lights. If you’re ever driving by Muncho Lake on the Alaska Highway, stop in for a chat; we’d love to show you around this beautiful area. And be sure to stop by Liard Hot Springs. Follow the lure of the North and let us take care of the rest! ASJ