Poking skyward from the sea off the northern British Columbia coast is an archipelago offering one of the most unique venues in the short list of high-profile steelhead flyfishing destinations. Known from colonial days as the Queen Charlotte Islands, and formally renamed in 2010 to represent its native people, Haida Gwaii harbors in its ancient, moss-draped forests an array of streams home to runs of large, wild winter steelhead—fish every bit as impressive as their cousin summer-runs born across Hecate Strait in the famous Skeena watershed.

There are mother-ships and then there are Mother-Ships. There are adventures and then there are Adventures. We all have a bucket list. More often than not, the destinations on it rarely live up to our expectations once we get there. But, there are exceptions to every rule. If time and money are of little concern, then the Nomads should definitely be at the top of your list.

Like vampires, it’s been said. The giant sea trout of Tierra del Fuego are like vampires. During daylight hours they lie in a hibernative state. Then, as light wanes and the horizon blazes in austral sunset, they come alive. And once the beast has shed its torpor, beware.

I’m convinced the more carefully you plan a fishing trip or, in this case a film shoot, the closer you are to failure. This is particularly true when you plans involve other living things and have many moving parts such as fish, guides, flats boats, lodge management, travel arrangements, customs and, of course, the weather.