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Fly
Fishing Float Trips: Checklist
River Float Check List :
Some items are obviously optional, some
are absolutely essential in our view (
those bolded). On our river trips we
generally bring along both fly and
spinning gear (sorry to all you
purists out there). A long trip can
be tiring if one is fly casting all day.
The person running the
boat will find it far easier to spin
cast while operating the craft. The
craft operator only has a few precious
seconds (if any) to fire a cast at a
prime target - missed or overlooked by
the bowman. This is jar easier to
accomplish with spinning gear. You then
have time to quickly reel up and grab
the paddle to steer. Often times the
stern and bow will switch periodically,
if possible.
At times, fish will hit
sub-surface hardware, plugs, and
subsurface Flies better during the early
and middle portions of the day. The
surface Flies take over late in the day
- into the evening. We think it prudent
to “save your arm” for the 2-3
hours in the late afternoon when the
fish start ”looking up”!
Items presented in no
particular order of importance, items
bolded are considered essential:
- Registered water craft
- Fishing license
- Map
- Oars, paddles, (motor-gas?)
- Rods and Reels - (Include
Spinning?)
- Flies
- Poppers
- Sliders
- Divers
- Streamers
- Nymphs
- Other tackle
- Leader and tippet material
- Extra leaders
- Spin Fishing
- In-line spinners
- Small spinner baits
- Buzz baits
- Plugs – shallow running
- Jigs and
plastic/synthetic bodies
- Snaps, swivels, lead
weight sinkers
- Bobbers (if you must)
- Flotation devices: wearable
and throwable (check local
regulations)
- Seat cushions - The small ones
can strap on and some have backrest
built in.
- Back rests optional but very
important on a longer trip!
- Anchor – five to ten pound
(store bought) or mesh bag to fill
with river rocks.
- Anchor rope - duh?
- Tie down rope – used to connect
everything in the boat to the boat
or canoe
- Fish stringer – can double
as a connector rope, esp., the
plastic “clip- type” stringer. We
usually use them as the later since
they provide a convenient way to
attach odds and ends to the boat.
- Waterproof stuff bag or gear
bag
- Small cooler – with food,
beverages, etc.- in sealable plastic
bags.
- Measuring devices – tape measure
or scale inscribed somewhere on the
craft for quick measurement; also,
handheld weight scale.
- Camera in waterproof
container/bag
- Bug repellent
- Pliers or hook-out device
- Hemostat – straight or curved (I
love the curved ones!)
- Cutting devices – a small
metal cutter will double as a line
cutter and can save the day if a
hook lands in the wrong spot! Again,
we’re speaking from experience!
- Line cutter
- Metal cutter –
- pliers style or snipper
style. Small ones like this work
great and are less bulky than
the larger size. (Buy several
cutters cheap at the hardware
store discount bin)
- Filet knife
- Plastic Ziploc-type bags
- Head net (seasonal)
- Rain gear
- Finger-less wool gloves
(seasonal)
- Foot wear
- Warm water – wading sandals,
tennis shoes, flats booties,
etc.
- Cold water – Hip boots,
wading boots with neoprene
inner, chest waders with waist
belt, etc.
- Polarized sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Medications:
- Aspirin and/or ibuprofen or
other painkiller
- OTC indigestion medication
(eg., Pepsid AC, Zantac,
etc)
- Prescription medications
such as heart meds, etc.
- Toilet paper
- Cell phone (on silent mode,
please)
- Lighter or matches - never know
when you need fire
- Banjo
Tips:
- Tie/clip everything to the craft
you don’t want to lose.
- Anchors are extremely useful on
a river or stream.
- Metal cutters can turn a
disaster into a slight
inconvenience.
- Pain and indigestion medication
can really save the day.
- Long pants and long sleeved
shirt will protect you from bugs (in
light colors).
- Learn “Dueling Banjos” to
entertain locals along the way.
Printable Version
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