Western trout rivers and float trips go hand in hand. There is nothing better than a good day with friends floating secluded rivers. Over the years, we have become seasoned veterans on the water in our home state of Colorado. We know what rivers to float, when, and what gear is needed for a successful day on the water.
In this installment of “What We Pack,” we look at the essential gear we have learned to depend on over the years. From boat boxes to sunglasses, this guide is meant to give you a leg up on your next float. This is the essential gear we won’t leave home without.
The Purpose of this Guide:
There is no going back once you push away from the ramp in a drift boat. It’s not as simple as turning the motor on and running back to the ramp to grab something you left in the truck. You are at the mercy of the river and have to make do with what you have until you reach the take-out. This is why proper packing is essential on float trips. In this guide, we run through the gear essentials that are staples in our boats.
Float Essentials:
YETI® Loadout® GoBox:
First and foremost, a YETI® Loadout® GoBox is a pivotal piece of gear on any boat we fish. These waterproof gear cases allow us to keep essentials organized and dry in one place. This includes fly boxes, tippets, leaders, camera gear, and more. Available in three sizes–15, 30, and 60 liters–there is an option for any sized boat. To stay organized, we designate specific boxes for specific tasks. Our 15-liter GoBox has ample room for safety essentials like an air horn or whistle, a first aid kit, a spare boat plug, a throw rope, and a patch kit (for rafts).
The 30-liter GoBox is where fishing gear lives. This includes fly boxes, tippets, leaders, spare tools, floats, and anything else we reach for when fishing. No matter what boat we are fishing out of, we can bring this box and have the essentials for a day on the water.
The 60-liter GoBox is an essential piece of gear for multi-day floats. You can fit the same fishing gear you can in the 30-liter box in addition to clothing, rain gear, and more. We even store freeze-dried meals and portable stoves for riverside lunches. While every angler’s GoBox may look slightly different, having a unified gear organization system will prepare you for whatever the day brings.
Sunglasses:
As anglers, it’s hard to imagine fishing without a pair of sunglasses. They cut glare and allow us to see through the water. On floats, this allows us to spot obstacles under the surface and, when conditions are right, spot fish. Yet, not all sunglasses are created equal. Choosing the right combination of frames and lenses is crucial to getting the most out of your shades.
At Flylords, we are big fans of Costa sunglasses for their various offerings and features tailored to anglers. Whatever you choose, here is how we select a pair of glasses. Cutting glare is the biggest factor we look for in our frames. This means finding frames that fit snugly against our face and wrap around the side. The new Costa Grand Catalinas do just that, with added side shields to block extra light from entering from the sides.
They are also removable for a more stylish look around town. Now, there are several options for lenses. In general, copper or amber-colored lenses are best for river fishing. These lenses cut glare and make trout below the surface pop. Costa’s Gold Mirror lens is a new favorite, as the copper base and mirror finish do an excellent job of cutting glare. For low-light situations, lenses like Gray Silver Mirror and Sunrise Silver Mirror provide us with the heightened contrast we need. In addition to visual performance, a pair of glasses keeps our eyes protected from hooks and other debris.
Sun Protection:
Staying protected from the sun is always a priority when fishing, especially on drift boats. Shade is minimal, and more often than not, you are in direct sunlight. There are several ways to stay protected: sun hoodies, wide-brimmed hats, and long pants, but two we always have on board are Buffs and sunscreen. These two essentials give us maximum protection against harmful UV rays. The Buff provides a physical barrier against the sun while sunscreen allows us to hit all the hard-to-reach places sun clothing misses, like the tops of our ears (the number one spot for skin cancer amongst anglers). These pieces of gear go far beyond summer fishing. A Buff in the winter provides a layer from the cold and keeps the sun off your face. The sun’s rays can be surprisingly strong with snow on the ground.
Hydration:
A day floating in the elements will leave you hot and dehydrated without the right gear. We never leave home without a YETI® Rambler® Jug and Yonder™ Bottle for drift trips. The Jug serves as an insulated mothership for all the water we need to bring. We pack the one-gallon size–it never hurts to have extra. Our Yonder™ Bottles are what we drink from on the river. They are small, lightweight, and can be brought with us if we leave the boat. While Yonder™ Bottles are non-insulated, the bigger Rambler® Jug keeps water chilled until we need it.
To add to our hydration we always make sure to carry hydration packets, like Liquid IV. These packets take up next to no space, and provide us with electrolytes we are depleting throughout the day. With a Yonder™ Bottle, we add the packet with water from our jug for a refreshing and hydrating drink.
Life Jackets:
Life jackets are a must-have regardless of how experienced you are behind the oars. They will keep you above heavy currents and undertows when things go wrong, allowing you to get to safety. We prefer fishing-specific life jackets like the NRS Zander PFD. Designed specifically for anglers, these vests have pockets and tool holders to keep the gear you need on your person. When floating a river, you can quickly grab the necessary tools and flies to rerig without digging through the bottom of the boat. As an added benefit, if you leave your boat for a wading session, all your tackle will be right where it should be. Open the pockets, change your flies, and you are back to fishing.
YETI® SideKick Dry® Gear Case:
One product we never knew we would use as much as we do is the YETI® SideKick Dry® Gear Case. These waterproof pouches come in three sizes–1 liter, 3 liter, and 6 liter. While they all have their place, the 3-liter is the most used on our boat. They come ready with velcro attachment points to live on a pack, around a drift boat frame, or on a belt. The magnetic closure seals water out for rough conditions and rain storms. Small gear like phones, wallets, and other personal items can live in one protected place.
The SideKick Dry® lives up to its name as a fishing companion for exploratory wade missions. We can pack this bag with flies, tippets, leaders, floats, and tools to fish thoroughly through a good-looking stretch of river. Paired with the YETI® Sideclick™ Strap, it can be worn as a sling or waist pack for wading. Best of all, if you take a spill, your gear stays dry.
Final Thoughts:
Drift boats offer a means to escape the crowds and explore new water. That said, rowing away from the ramp means you are on your own. Having the right gear in place makes the difference between a good day of fishing and a speedy float to the take-out point. While this is not an extensive gear list, it consists of essentials we won’t leave home without. This gear keeps us organized, comfortable, and safe for a day of float fishing.
Thanks to YETI for helping make this guide possible – and for always having us covered for all our travel essentials! Be on the lookout for more of these travel guides coming soon!
