Recommended Clothing
- Light to heavy layers (No Cotton). Your lightest thermal tops and bottoms are most commonly worn early in the season. Basically, if you booked the last 2 weeks in September or the 1st week in October, lighter layers will work great. If you booked the last 3 weeks of October, bring heavier layers in addition to the lighter layers to cover all of your bases. You will also need a light/mid layer jacket (fleece, Primaloft, synthetic down, wool, etc…) as well as a heavier mid layer jacket (down, synthetic down, wool, etc…). Your clothing is important and you know yourself and the elements you can handle, so use your best judgment when packing. The dates are only guidelines, it can sometimes be cooler in the first weeks as well.
- A good rain jacket is a must, so make sure your current jacket doesn’t leak.
- Waders and Boots. NO FELT SOLES (They have been banned in AK). Also, if you buy new boots make sure you break them in because we do some hiking on the small rivers. If you have new boots make sure to bring moleskin in case of blisters. ALSO, NO STUDS ON BOOTS THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED. You will be in a boat part of the time, and cannot wear studs in a boat. If you are concerned about stability while wading, there are boots with removable soles. We recommend Korkers with Alumnatrax or something similar for wading stability and Sticky rubber for boat. It is imperative that you have waders that don’t leak. If you have been or are having problems with your current waders… you will need to buy a new pair or make very sure that your current ones are not leaking.
- A pair of boots to wear around the lodge/cabins and a pair of slippers is always nice too. We all wear Bogs or Muck boots but they tend to be overkill for the lodge and cabins the majority of the time.
- Billed Hat for sun and eye protection.
- A stocking cap as well as gloves to be safe. Again, you know yourself. Bring fingerless gloves if you tend to fish in gloves when it is cold.
- Comfortable pants to wear under your waders.
- Medium to thick socks are preferred.
- Polarized Sunglasses. If you have low light sunglasses in addition to your everyday pair, bring both.
Personal Items
- Medications
- Ibuprofen, pain meds, etc…
- Toiletries
- Camera, battery charger, computer or SD card so you are able to take more pics than you normally would. GoPro if you have one and cord to recharge.
- Cell phone, charger and a water proof case if you have one
- Hand sanitizer and wipes for mother natures restroom
- Headlamp or flashlight.
- Sunscreen
- Cash for gratuities for your guides and chef
Gear
- Small Backpack or big waist or sling pack (waterproof to keep layers dry)
- Water Bottle
- Basic Fishing Tools. Hemostats, nippers, split shot (BB – 3/0)
- Fluorocarbon line: 10lb, 12lb, 15lb and 20lb. We prefer Super FC Sniper or P-line. Tippet you would use for Trout is not the proper fluorocarbon material needed for Steelhead because it needs to be stiffer and more abrasion resistant. (optional)
- 9ft 0x, 1x and 2x Salmon Steelhead leaders. 2 of each is plenty. (optional)
- Large and XL Thingamabobbers in 3 packs. (optional)
- Standard Spey flies for swinging in Pink, Purple, Black, Orange as well as your favorite Black & Olive Trout streamers for the smaller rivers (optional)
- Size 10, 12 and 14 mil Trout Beads in Tangerine and Light Roe (optional)
- Owner hooks in size 4 and 6 (optional)
- 9-10ft 7 or 8 weight Single Handed rods with reels and floating line to match. (optional)
- 11ft 7 or 8 weight Switch rods with reels and floating line (RIO Switch line ONLY) to match. (optional)
- 12’6 – 13’6 7 or 8 weight Spey rods with reels and line (Skagit or Scandi preferably) to match. (optional)
- An assortment of sinking tips (5 is typically how they are sold). We use very light tips so make sure you have an intermediate tip and heavier from there. (optional)
