Late summer winds down pretty fast around this part of the country. In fact, it seems as though sometimes a light switch is flipped, and the entire region takes a sharp turn into the winter months, completely missing fall except for a few glorious autumn days. For many fly fishermen who love to satiate their desire chasing Cutthroat and Rainbows on freestone streams, this signals that it’s time to clean the waders and boots, condition the fly line, and lay the 5 Weights to rest until the snow melts. However, for some of us, a wilder hair pricks up… our first thought is swinging flies for chrome. This change in season indicates it’s time to dust off the 8 Weight two-handed Spey Rod, the burly wool socks, and get to practicing our Snap-T or Snake Roll spey cast.

The stories of lore are all true. These coastal to inland thoroughfares, sprawling hundreds of miles, are the arteries through which the most elusive anadromous fish travel to find their spawning grounds. And make no mistake, more often than not, these rivers and conditions are no place for the weary. And if you wish to brave the often-frigid waters, inclement rain, snow, sleet, and whatever else Mother Nature might throw at you, proper preparation is paramount.

Being comfortable on the water might be the second biggest consideration when fishing Steelhead, fly selection being the first (just trust your gut); but fear not, packing can be easy! Most people have a tough time with picking the essentials versus non-essentials. Obviously fishing gear is a must, but you also have to consider idle or downtime in freezing temperatures! But after a few trips, you’ll have it dialed in, and you’ll find that if your packing is accurate, organized, and consistent, you will become so efficient you might be able to throw together a last-minute adventure in 30 minutes or less. Here are a few essential items I never leave home without.

HotHands Toe Warmers

From mid-October until the end of the season in late winter, these are crucial not only to your angling success, but to your ability to tolerate oftentimes near freezing water long enough to find success. These are simply awesome, indispensable, and the recipe hasn’t changed in years for a reason.

I buy the adhesive version and slap one on top of each foot over my thin sock liner and under my thick wool sock. These feel great on the bottom of your foot, but I find them terribly uncomfortable to walk on. And trust me… they are even worse to strip off and remove mid-day. 8 hours of warmth is not a stretch, and if you’re really hurting post wade, it wouldn’t be frowned upon to wear a new set home or around camp.

Simms Guide Windbloc Half Finger Gloves

Some anglers like to rock full gloves while swinging, for obvious reasons. But I have found those simply don’t work for me. I gave these gloves a try and instantly fell in love. Although I am exposing my fingertips to the cold air and water, it is infinitely easier to pinch your running line during a cast with the exposed bare skin. On the flip side, these gloves are incredibly warm and wind/weather resistant. They are fleece-lined on the back of the hand, with a stretchy polyester type material on the palm that makes gripping a cold rod very easy. Bonus points for putting a Hot Hands hand warmer in the built-in compartment - being toasty on the water is the best!

Jet Boil Camping Stove

Although I am always car camping in the winter and lugging my Coleman Two burner, I usually eat very light for breakfast and/or lunch - typically coffee and oatmeal or a soup. There is no quicker or better way to set the tone for a day than to get your core temperature up pre-dawn by lighting the Jet Boil and getting warm liquid into your system. Having boiling water in a matter of minutes is amazing but do your best to keep the fuel canister warm as the cold temperatures do affect its heating efficacy.

Not only do I bring along a caffeinated green tea blend, I also include some Kuju Coffee single serve pour over packets and get one rolling each morning. Great coffee in the middle of nowhere doesn’t have to be a mythical creature. After that, another round of boiling water for a quick instant oatmeal, such as Nature’s Path Oatmeal Cup Maple Pecan flavor. There are other stoves on the market, for example, you could splurge for a higher end MSR Stove. But I have found for my needs, typically serving one to two people max, with minimal wear and tear, the Jet Boil has performed incredibly well.

A functional water-proof pack

I think a pack is highly underrated. Some folks don’t love the idea of the extra weight on their person throughout the day, especially considering the downright awful conditions you might already be dealing with. On the other hand, I love to overpack mine. I bring an older Fishpond Thunderhead, which is burly and watertight for those rainy days and deep wades. Not only do I include a few snacks and my water bottle (and flask), but I will always bring a few different spools of 8lb, 10lb, and 12lb Maxima (read: big fish tippet), an extra Skagit Head and the corresponding tips and at least one extra fly box or misc. tackle. I can also shove my gloves, extra hand warmers, and maybe a spare cap in there. It will prove clutch to have these items on the river with you, instead of in the car or in the boat. Packs usually have a lash point for your net as well, which is super functional to have. Utilizing a pack will reduce back and forth trips and keep your fly in the water longer, and we all know that is the recipe for success!

Multiple functional layers

This is a huge category to pay attention to! As if layering hasn’t been drilled in enough already, I haven’t found another endeavor where critical thinking on layers is more important. Swinging for Steelhead is not only a winter activity, but rather sedentary in practice. This usually involves standing idly in cold waters for hours on end just casually watching your swing, anticipating a tug. Not to mention, because one slippery rock can spell disaster, an accidental plunge will soak everything you are wearing. I touched on the toe warmers earlier, don’t forget those!

I also wear a light Merino base layer (any well-fitting, ethically-sourced brand will do) under my Orvis Under-Wader Fleece Pant. These are a trim fit, moisture-wicking pant designed with a silhouette that will fit comfortably under waders – total game changer. Cotton sweats will never cut it, and any denim or canvas pant is begging to rub a leak in your waders. The Orvis Under-Waders are also great all-around pants as they have a rear zippered pocket, two side pockets, and a drawstring waist. I almost always find myself sleeping in them as well.

From the torso up, my motto is throw it on or bring it, because it can always be taken off or leant to a chilly buddy. Again, a quality Merino base layer, followed by a quarter zip, such as the Patagonia R1 shirt, which is a legendary performer. I follow that with a wind-stopping vest, such as Simms’ Rogue Fleece Vest, which is breathable while maintaining warmth, has room for layers underneath, and is incredibly durable.

Of course, weather dependent, a good down jacket and a waterproof bomber wading coat. If you skip the wading coat but still need the warmth of down, you may want to consider a down alternative to alleviate any moisture problems. Down vs. Synthetic could be discussed for days, so do a little research here.

Play around with some of these and bring all your layers! You may run hot or cold, or you might get wet, but at least you’ll have options on the water!

If you have any questions on finding the right gear for your next Steelhead fishing adventure, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or one of my fellow experts at Curated.