You can catch fish with virtually any and all gear.
That being said, there are certain kinds of gear that are especially suited for specific scenarios. Small stream trout fishing is no exception. Beyond what kind of gear you bring, how you carry it is particularly important.
In this episode I discuss some of the packing/carrying techniques that I have adopted that make my time fly fishing small streams more efficient and effective.
Listen below or in your favorite podcast app:
I mentioned I have really nice nippers in the podcast. This is what I was talking about.
Episode Recommendation: Fly Trap Fly Holder  – Pick one up at your local fly shop, or from the good people at Feather-Craft.
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Good stuff! I was keeping a mental list while listening of stuff that I wanted to add but you pretty much touched all the bases! I completely agree about the backpack when fishing small mountain streams, I have used a sling pack and just found it to be the wrong kind of bag for the situation. 3 things I would add, a whistle. I pick up the little flat plastic ones whenever I see them for free, If you ever fish with someone on a small mountain stream and try to shout to them, you will find out how much the water drowns out your voice, just imagine breaking a leg or worse and trying to shout to someone a half mile away! I keep mine on a shoulder strap so I don’t have to remove my pack or move my body much to get a hold of it, safety first after all. Second is a set of two way radios if you like to fish with a partner, as stated before, trying to shout over a stream is not very much fun. Lastly is a small stove, they are so small and light these days and combined with a little stainless mug (like $5 at wallyworld), you can drop it in the bottom of your pack and pretty much forget about it. Sometimes a stream-side cup of coffee/tea or some Ramen can really get you going for the afternoon (granola bars just don’t warm you up). If fires are allowed where you are fishing, all the better! Hard to beat a little campfire to heat you up on a cold day, just gotta be mindful of rock scarring and other negative remnants of an open fire.
Thanks for the great podcast, keep them coming!
Yes! I always have a whistle, as there is one molded into the buckle of my pack.
And I totally blanked on mentioning a small stove. I agree that having a stream-side coffee is divine.
Thanks!
Hey Matthew more good stuff as always. I use a combo fishing vest / pack from LL Bean that has seem to have served me well. Lots of pockets which I like and a sewn in day pack on the back for your lunch, rain jacket, etc.
Used it to hike up into alpine lakes outside of Gunnison and also at Rocky Mountain National Park so pretty decent efforts and had no issues.
Not pushing there stuff but here’s a link if anyone is interested – this one is actually a newer model of what I have.
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/76464?page=kennebec-switch-pack&bc=29-507923-512608&feat=512608-GN1&csp=f&attrValue_1=Regular&attrValue_0=Dark%20Olive
Tight lines,
S
I am starting to listen to your podcasts, so far I have enjoyed them all. Thank you for sharing your stories and ideas. This one was really spot on. My 17 year old son is all about the daypack and has started to get me to shift that way more and more. I currently use the FishPond Waterdance Guide Pack, but I use the shoulder strap option and carry it like an old wicker creel. Great for short trips on a nice day and limits me on what I haul along in a good way. But it becomes an issue for me on stuff for certain days where I want to take a larger lunch, an extra layer of clothing and/or another goodies. I do see myself using daypacks more and more in the future on stream day trips. Thanks for putting that back on the radar along with a few support ideas. Whistle, simple great idea, I have one on my life jacket for kayaking and canoeing, but overlooked it as an on-stream item.
Thanks, Wayne!
Versatility is the key, in my opinion, to really get a little bit more out of each day.
You forgot to mention your Ty-Rite!!😂😂 I know this podcast is before our paths crossed. I’m driving to Colorado for the 2019 IFTD Show/Expo & catching up on your early podcasts, great stuff! I hope you & your family had a great summer & I hope to see you’all at The Fly Fishing Show 2020. Keep up the great work Mathew!
Of course! All my apologies.
Have a great trip and I’ll see you this January.