Equipment Lists for and Camp-outs And Day Trips
If you fish with us, we want to keep you safe. Please bring protective eye-wear. Your Polarized Glasses should be at the top of your list.
Much of your comfort and fishing success will be determined by your advance planning. You want to have enough gear for maximum enjoyment, but you don't want to pack more than you need. Your pre-travel check list is your equipment list and much more. It is part of your preparation plan.
You must have an Oregon Fishing License and Steelhead Tag.
Daily licenses include this tag. Annual licenses do not.
The Fly Fishing Shop sells Oregon fishing licenses if you stop in before your trip. They can also be purchased online here.
If you are boating the Deschutes River you also will need a Deschutes Boater's Pass. If you are fishing with us, the boater's pass is included in the price of your trip, but Boater Passes may have to purchased months before your trip. Some dates are limited entry, and the boater's pass can not be in the guide's name. You will need to furnish personal information to your guide so he can purchase your boater pass for you. Late season steelhead floating trips may need an Indian Reservation Fishing Permit as well, which can also be purchased at The Fly Fishing Shop.
Pre-Travel Check List for Multi Day Camp Out Trips
Clothing (for 3-5 day camp out trip)
Avoid cotton fabric except in blends. 100% cotton fabrics are hard to dry in the field. Synthetic clothing is much more comfortable.
( ) 2pr. lightweight fleece under wear pants
( ) 1 long sleeve, fleece under wear shirt
( ) 1pr. wool/synthetic blend socks for each day
( ) 2 long sleeve shirts
( ) 1 swim suit
( ) 2 white hankies in zip-lock bags (for wiping glasses, etc.)
( ) 1pr. camp shoes
( ) 1 fleece jacket for lounging around camp
( ) 1 hat with bill (might bring a spare)
( ) 1 waterproof wading jacket
Toilet Items
( ) comb
( ) soap
( ) tooth brush
( ) tooth paste
( ) shampoo
( ) conditioner
( ) nail clipper
( ) nail file
( ) razor
( ) shaving cream
Survival Items
( ) 35 SPF sun block
( ) 15 SPF sun block
( ) insect repellent (optional - few biting bugs on the Deschutes)
( ) sewing kit (optional)
( ) flash light
Sunglasses
( ) 2pr. sunglasses (in case you lose one pair)
( ) glasses cleaning fluid and wipe cloth in zip lock bag
Bedding
( ) 1 sleeping bag (2.5 - 3 pound for July-Sept) (4 - 4.5 pound for October)
( ) 1 pillow
( ) 1 bath towel
In case it rains during transportation from the boat ramp to camp, bring your bedding
in a waterproof roll-top bag. Nothing is worse than a soggy sleeping bag or pillow. Please do not use garbage bags. Garbage bags are too fragile for transporting gear. Nothing denotes a tenderfoot more than showing up with your gear in a garbage bag.
Entertainment Items
( ) digital camera
( ) batteries
( ) charger/cables
( ) magazines/books
( ) binoculars
( ) munchies
Pre-Travel Check List for Day Trips
Change of Clothing (in case you get wet)
Avoid cotton fabric except in blends. 100% cotton fabrics are hard to dry in the field. Synthetic clothing is much more comfortable. Wear one set and bring an extra set in roll-top waterproof bag. Add an extra layer October-April.
( ) 1pr. lightweight wool under wear pants
( ) 1 long sleeve, lightweight wool under wear shirt
( ) 1pr. midweight fleece under wear pants
( ) 1 long sleeve, midweight fleece under wear shirt
( ) 1pr. wool/synthetic blend socks
( ) 1 long sleeve shirt
( ) 1 white hankies in zip-lock bags (for wiping glasses, etc.)
( ) 1 fleece jacket
( ) 1 hat with bill
Survival Items
( ) 35 SPF sun block
( ) insect repellent
( ) head lamp
Sunglasses
( ) 2pr. sunglasses (in case you lose one pair)
( ) glasses cleaning fluid and wipe cloth in zip lock bag
Entertainment Items
( ) digital camera
( ) memory cards
( ) batteries
( ) charger/cables
Waders
Nothing is more important to your steelhead fishing success than your wading equipment. It is safe to say that no other equipment item has ruined more steelhead trips than leaky waders. The very
best waders available are none too good for the environment that steelhead live in. Steelhead rivers and steelhead fishing trips beat up waders. All waders eventually will leak with prolonged use on steelhead rivers. Some brands are more reliable than others.
During colder weather, we recommend that you bring an extra pair of waders.
Wading Shoes
Steelhead rivers are often very large and require that fishing is done while wading. Wading in most steelhead rivers is challenging, and although our guides will keep you in water that you can handle,
the most skilled waders have access to more and often better water.
Steelhead live where stream bed rocks are large and slippery. Wading Shoes used for steelhead fishing should be equipped with traction devices.
No, this ain't Montana where anglers fish while floating, and guides are worried about the floors of their cute little drift boats. This is Oregon where anglers wade for steelhead. We know the terrain and we want you to be safe and our boats are equipped to be "stud friendly." No one knows more about the installation of traction devices than we do. We are walking on traction devices nearly every day. Have our seasoned technicians install your studs.
For any trip you will do with us, you will want to bring.
( ) 1 waders, chest high
( ) 1 wading shoes with studded soles.
( ) 1 wading belt
( ) 1 wading staff
Wading Gear is Equally Important for Trout Trips
Steelhead Tackle
Rods & Reels
Your selection of gear will depend on whether you are fishing in winter or summer. Most Deschutes River anglers use Spey shooting head type lines. Several heads may be interchanged with a reel equipped a shooting line. The following rod/reel combinations are offered as a check list:
( ) 6 Weight Outfit
( ) 7 Weight Outfit
( ) 8 Weight Outfit
FishingAccessories
( ) Hook File
( ) Nail Knot Tyer
( ) Leader Clipper
( ) Fly Line Cleaner & Pads
Leader Tippet for Camp Out trips
Leaders will vary with fishing depth:
( ) 4- 12' 01X knotless tapered leaders
( ) 4- 4' 01X knotless tapered leaders
( ) 01X tippet
Leader & Tippet for Day trips (we highly recommend Maxima)
( ) 2- 9' 0X knotless tapered leaders (summer only)
( ) 1- #25 Maxima Ultra Green tippet spool
( ) 1- #15 Maxima Ultra Green tippet spool
( ) 1- #10 Maxima Ultra Green tippet spool
( ) 1- #12 0X Fluorocarbon tippet spool
Flies
Flies will vary with trip timing, your destination, and your prey.
The guides that book through The Fly Fishing Shop are liberal with the newest, hottest patterns, but in order to retain a measure of independence, you may want to have a fly selection of your own.