The Blackwater River of British Columbia's north central Cariboo Region is located in a divide separating the Ilgachuz and Itcha mountain ranges, where the headwaters of the Dean, Nechako, and Blackwater rivers begin their journeys.
The Dean flows directly to the Pacific Ocean north of Bella Coola, the Blackwater and Nechako northeast to the Fraser system.
The Blackwater basin drains roughly 8,000 square kilometres of wilderness through her lakes and tributaries, beginning with Eliguk Lake and then Tsacha, Kluskus, Euchiniko and Kluskoil Lakes and their tributaries flowing from the west.
The Batnuni Lakes and branches of the Euchiniko River drain into her from the northwest, joined by the Nazko and Baezaeko Rivers and their lakes and tributaries from the south. The Blackwater eventually empties into the mighty Fraser River just north of Quesnel.
The Blackwater is a lonely river that receives only limited fishing pressure. There are only three bridge crossing access points to the entire 320-kilometres
length of the system, and a few more rough trail accesses suitable only for a short-wheel-based 4 x 4, all-terrain vehicle, or horse.
The Blackwater River system has heritage in Canadian history, in that the Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail, an ancient Carrier Indian trading route and the first passage in Canadian history followed to the Pacific Ocean by Alexander Mackenzie in 1793, tracks its length from the river's mouth at the Fraser through to the Blackwater headwaters and on to Bella Coola on the Pacific Ocean.
As the crow flies, the Chilcotin Village of Anahim Lake is 75 kilometres south of the headwaters over the 2,500-metre Itcha Mountain range. Quesnel, to the east, and Prince George to the north, are each about 70 kilometres by good gravel road from the Blackwater canyon at the lower bridge.
Road access is very good for the reachable access points to the rivers lower half, but rough for the upper half.
Thus, if fly fishing in solitude and rugged wilderness is what you crave as a fly fisher, the Blackwater will more than satisfy your desires.
The Blackwater River is accessed from Prince George by the Blackwater Road one kilometre west of Haldi.
There are Forest Service campsites at the three bridge access points: a well-developed one at the Blackwater Canyon, a rough campsite at Batnuni Bridge, km 94 of the Batnuni Road, and finally a developed site at Nazko Bridge on the Nazko Road.
Superb dry fly fishing for rainbows is the lure of the Blackwater - not large trout, but wild, feisty and strong fish of 30 to 45 centimetres are plentiful. They love their meals large, bushy and floating high, so don't worry about being too technical - best patterns during open-water season from June 15 to Oct. 31 are stoneflies, caddis flies and hoppers.
The river is classified water requiring a CW license, fly fishing only and a one-trout limit.
If you plan on drifting the Blackwater, it has class-four rated (expert) canyon water and should be navigated with care and a companion who knows the river.
It's a wonderful river - ours to enjoy.
