Steelhead, in many ways, are a mystery—returning to the same streams they were born in to spawn, leaving the ocean to travel hundreds of miles upriver, and eating flies that really don’t imitate much of anything. Just as steelhead are mysterious, so are steelheaders, the anglers who obsess over these fish—battling frigid temps, swining flies for days on end, and covering thousands of miles chasing these fish. In the obsession to catch steelhead, a new type of angler has emerged: the mobile steelhead angler. What was once referred to as a fish bum, those anglers living out of their car and chasing fish, has morphed into sophisticated off-grid anglers thanks to modern rigs and overlanding gear.
What is a Mobile Steelhead Camp?
Mobile steelhead camps arose out of necessity in the PNW. The nature of targeting migrating fish requires staying on the move. Steelhead, in particular, are highly migratory, traveling as far inland as Idaho in the PNW. They also do so at a moment’s notice—weather events like storms can spike water flow, sending new fish into the system and pushing existing fish farther upstream. Mobile steelhead camps consist of a vehicle and some sort of camping setup, allowing anglers to follow these fish and adjust accordingly. If one stretch of river isn’t fishing well, you can pivot and find a stretch of river that has fish, compared to anglers who fish out of a central home base.
Mobile steelhead camps also serve an important purpose once you find the fish. With steelhead rivers seemingly as crowded as ever, getting a spot can be half the battle. With a mobile steelhead camp, you can stay riverside, be first on the water every morning, and ensure you have the best spot. When a stretch of river does become overcrowded, a mobile camp can be quickly broken down and moved to another section. The right rig and camping setup also keep you organized and require minimal effort to set up or break down. Compared to traditional tent camping, this can save you hours, time you can best spend fishing.
“Steel on Wheels” Camp
Every mobile steelhead camp starts with a vehicle. In rugged country, most prefer some sort of off-road capable vehicle like a truck. From there, anglers can outfit the truck in a number of ways to maximize storage and provide some form of shelter from the elements. Our “basecamp” consists of a Toyota Tacoma paired with a Super Pacific X1 Camper. This camper shell served us two-fold. For starters, the pop-up tent gives us a place to sleep, but secondly, the shell adds an incredible amount of storage for fly tackle and camping supplies. This all-in-one solution offers quick setup and a sturdy platform compared to traditional tents. It also allows us to still trailer boats, something off the table for those who opt for a small camping trailer.
The Super Pacific X1 Camper sets up in minutes by unlatching and popping open the clamshell-style roof tent. Once the tent is open, the camper shell becomes a mobile living room, acting as a place to relax or store extra gear. This also doubles as a way to escape the elements, especially during the cold, wet PNW winters. To ensure your mobile steelhead rig is comfortable, Super Pacific also offers a built-in propane heater, as well as an insulation kit. At night, you can run this combo to dry out and stay warm. For gear that’s thoroughly soaked from fishing, store it in the tent while you’re sleeping. Between your body heat and the propane heater, your gear will be dry come morning.
The last, and one of the most important reasons for the Super Pacific X1 Camper is secure gear storage. Constantly jumping between rivers and sections of different systems requires a wide range of fly rod setups. Add to that waders, boots, flies, and whatever other fishing gear we hit the road with, and cab space dwindles fast. The cap system of the X1 doubles usable storage, allowing anglers to get creative with how they store their gear. You can even add drawer systems like those from Decked for additional organization. The ample storage also works great for camping gear such as a small stove, camp chairs, and even a table. But with all that gear, it’s important to make sure it’s secured. The locking doors of the X1 do just that, and with no windows, no one can look inside your camper shell.
More Camp Favorites
In addition to the Super Pacific X1 Camper and vehicle combo, several other pieces of gear have become favorites for mobile steelhead camp. These gear recommendations make the overall camping experience more enjoyable and more comfortable. Here are the things we won’t leave home without.
Camp Kitchen
Every camp needs some way of cooking food to stay truly mobile. For this, we rely on a simple camp stove like the Camp Chef Everest 2X. The two-burner design allows you to cook multiple things or swap out the top for a griddle. Pair this with a table like the Pecos and a couple of camp chairs for a full kitchen and table combo wherever you are. When it comes to food storage, we’ve recently added the Dometic CFX3, which is a cooler-sized fridge/freezer. It can run off your vehicle or a portable battery for extended use.
Another great addition to any camp kitchen is a HOWL Campfires R1. This portable propane stove puts out some serious heat for its size and is easy to mount on any rig. The intuitive design also works great in the rain, something all too common in the PNW. In addition, because it’s propane-powered, you can run it during fire bans.
Sleeping Essentials
When you’re steelhead fishing, you may only get a single grab, so why sacrifice your focus with poor sleep? The X1 Camper comes with the Exped Megamat Duo LW+ Mattress. This sleeping pad-style mattress allows you to adjust the firmness to your ideal level. Depending on where you’re camping and how cold it gets, you may need a sleeping bag or a blanket. For shoulder seasons, a blanket setup with the heater and insulation kit is all you need. In winter, however, a quality mummy-style sleeping bag and a comfortable pillow go a long way.
Fly Gear
When it comes to fly fishing for steelhead, having the right gear for various rivers is key to staying mobile. Generally, this consists of multiple switch and spey rods of different lengths and weights. The shorter switch rods are great for swining flies in smaller rivers, while full-sized spey rods excel on big water. Also pack a variety of shooting heads and sink tips to ensure your fly gets in front of the fish. On any multi-day trip, it’s wise to also pack a small fly-tying kit. Steelhead can be picky, and if you find the fly they want, you don’t want to run out. A mobile tying kit and a headlamp let you tie and restock your boxes after a day on the water.
Outside of fly tackle, the necessities for steelhead anglers are a good pair of waders, boots, and a rain jacket. For waders, opt for anything that’s durable and fits your budget needs. The durability is key here, as there’s a good chance you’ll be bushwacking to spots. Waders with reinforced knees fare much better against sticker bushes and sharp rocks. In terms of boots, choose a pair that offers ankle support and plenty of traction. Many PNW steelhead rivers are slick, so adding studs to a boot is essential for safe wading. Lastly, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter rain in the PNW. Pair your boots and waders with a quality rain or wading jacket to stay comfortable and dry on the water.
Is a Mobile Steelhead Rig Right for You?
Catching steelhead is no easy task. They’re finicky fish by nature and are constantly on the move. If you want to maximize the amount of time you spend in “fishy” water, a mobile steelhead camp is the best option. These camps allow you to be a dynamic angler, changing locations at a moment’s notice and staying with the fish. While there are many ways to get creative and chase steelhead, the Super Pacific X1 Camper is by far the most comfortable and capable option for us. Our gear stays organized, we can still tow a boat, and above all, we can fish and camp in comfort.
