When trout season stretches into fall, and the roads get quieter, I start to chase solitude and open space. The goal is simple: find campsites that back up to moving water, lakes high enough for small dry flies, and trails that feel like they’re just for you. But as temperatures begin to drop, packing with a purpose becomes a necessity.
Over the past few seasons, I’ve dialed in a kit that’s equal parts overland utility and fly-fishing simplicity. These pieces of gear are crucial to my shoulder-season fishing kit, allowing me to fish and camp comfortably in remote areas.
Why Fish During Shoulder Season
Shoulder season in Colorado is the time of year when summer tourism falls off, before skiing tourism picks up. Crowds drop, the rivers are devoid of other anglers, and the fishing starts to pick up. Generally speaking, September, October, and November are excellent shoulder season fishing months.
During this time of year, the big fish start packing on winter weight and aggressively take streamers. In addition, several fall dry fly hatches can be incredibly productive. With open rivers, you have the opportunity to take your time, look for noses, and work a rising fish with rushing. This is the perfect time of year for those looking for solitude, along with some eager trout.
Tips for Fly Fishing During Shoulder Season
1. Optimize Your Camping Quarters
Oftentimes, the best fishing is off the beaten path. To find these hidden gems, camping is an essential piece of the puzzle. Unfortunately, Colorado’s cold fall and winter weather doesn’t always lend itself to the best camping conditions. To combat the unpredictable weather, proper sleeping quarters are a must. This is the setup I’ve come to rely on.
Super Pacific Camper
At the foundation of my shoulder-season kit is the Super Pacific X1 Camper. This truck bed/camper setup is the perfect mix of form and function. In just 10 minutes, I can set up the wedge tent and be ready to go wherever I decide to camp. In addition, the integrated truck cap serves as gear storage for waders, rods, a cooler, and my camera gear without sacrificing space for comfortable sleeping quarters. I also opted for the heater and insulation kit, allowing me to extend my camping season well into the winter.
The best part about opting for a truck camper is the mobility you gain. During shoulder season, I often find myself covering a lot of ground, checking out new spots, and seeking solitude. With the Super Pacific, I’m able to break down camp quickly and hit the road, rather than wrestling with a tent in the cold.
2. Make the Most Out of Your Storage and Organization
A crucial part of any mobile fly fishing setup is organization. Knowing where your gear is when you need it means the difference between more time on the water and scrambling through your truck. With that, I’ve carefully curated a four-part storage solution to outfit my truck and stay organized throughout the year.
DECKED Drawer System
The basis of my storage starts in the bed of my truck with a DECKED Drawer System. This innovative storage system consists of two drawers that slide out, enabling anglers to organize their fishing essentials. I like to keep one drawer loaded with terminal gear such as extra rod tubes, reels, tippet, and fly boxes. The other drawer is perfect for waders, boots, and my pack. Together, I know where my fishing gear is at all times, and the drawers lock, so I can fish worry-free.
Riversmith River Quiver 4-Banger
For full rods, there’s no better storage solution than the Riversmith River Quiver. This roof-mounted rod holder comes in two and four-rod configurations. Personally, I prefer the four rod version to carry a variety of technique-specific rods. During shoulder season, this is especially important, as you never know what type of fishing you may come across. You can mount these rod racks to any car roof rack system. In addition, if your truck camper has a roof rack, you can mount it on top of the camper.
Front Runner Slimline Roof Rack
If you’re not running a truck camper and are looking for extra storage, consider the Front Runner Slimline Roof Rack. This is a great addition for mounting extra water jugs, traction boards, or solar panels on top of any vehicle.
ROAM Adventure Co. Rugged Cases
The last piece of my storage puzzle is the ROAM Adventure Co. Rugged Cases. I keep these durable boxes in the bed of my truck camper for added dry storage. They can also be mounted to a roof rack like the one from Front Runner. These boxes are great for extra tackle, apparel, camp kitchen essentials, and tools.
3. Prioritize Sleep and Comfort
Spending multiple days on the road chasing trout can be taxing. Without a good night’s rest, your decision-making and focus can begin to diminish. When the moment counts, you want to be ready, especially if there’s a big brown at the end of your line. This brings us to one of my most important tips: prioritizing your sleep with a comfortable setup.
HEST Foamy Mattress and Pillows
The biggest single upgrade to my truck-camping setup is the HEST Foamy Mattress and Pillows. It fits perfectly inside the Super Pacific and delivers real back support and warmth. I run two of them clipped together for a full-width setup, paired with HEST’s medium pillows, down comforter, and their fitted sheets and pillowcases. It’s the kind of comfort that makes a remote campsite feel like a five-star hotel. I’m the guy who can’t sleep if a pillow isn’t right, and the HEST lineup simply gets it right every time.
Additional Gear To Consider
While the above is my go-to for my truck camping setup, my tent camping setup looks slightly different. Over the years, I’ve come to rely on a mix of the Rumpl Down Blanket, Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow, Nemo Fillo King Pillow, and the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topper. All of these products are packable to help save space and can be set up with relative ease.
4. Dial in Your Mobile Kitchen and Camp Gear
Cooking and eating well on the road doesn’t have to be complicated. That said, packing the proper camp kitchen essentials will keep your body fueled on the road and save you trips into town for food. My setup changes depending on the trip length, but these pieces rarely leave the truck.
Cooking Setup
- Pecos Table – The foundation of any camp kitchen is a solid table. For that, I like the Pecos Table. This table is made in the USA, can slide into the bed of my truck, and is the sturdiest table on the market.
- Gozney Tread Oven (Koda 16) – While not a necessity, the Gozney Tread Oven is a great addition for shoulder season. It’s perfect for group trips or when you want to surprise your buddies with a backcountry gourmet pizza. You can also get creative and experiment with other dishes in this portable oven.
- Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove – The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove rounds out my camp kitchen setup. It’s a collapsible two-burner system with a pot and a pan. Whether I’m making a basic stir-fry or a morning pot of coffee, this system does it all and takes up a minimal amount of space.
Camp Gear
- Howl Campfire – The best solution for mobile and safe campfires is the Howl Campfire. This propane-fueled fire pit is designed to produce actual heat, unlike many others. In addition, it’s a safe alternative for when fire bans are in place.
- YETI Trailhead Chairs – Comfortable chairs are important on any camping trip. The YETI Trailhead Chairs are durable, supportive, and easy to fold.
- Dometic CFX3 45 Fridge + PLB40 Battery – Rather than packing a cooler, opt for a fridge you can trust, and a battery that’s perfect for short trips. The Dometic CFX3 is a portable fridge/freezer that keeps your food cold and maximizes space, as you don’t need ice.
- Barebones Lanterns – Rechargeable lighting that looks good and lasts.
- Petzl Actik Core Headlamp – Bright, rechargeable, and dependable.
5. Pack a Versatile Fishing Kit
When I’m camping off-grid, especially during shoulder season, I carry a flexible fly fishing kit that can handle just about anything. You never know what you’ll come across, and a trip home is not an option. These fishing essentials will cover all your bases.
Small Creek and Technical Dry Fly Fishing
I never leave home without a 3-4 weight rod setup. While I may not need it on every water body, it’s perfect for alpine lakes, small creeks, and technical dry-fly fishing.
Do-it-All Setup
The foundation for most Colorado trout fishing is a 5-6 weight rod setup. This is perfect for larger rivers, windy days, and any technique you can think of. If you were to bring just one setup, this would be the one.
Streamer Fishing
Fall fishing is the perfect time to throw big streamers in search of trophy trout. For that reason, I always pack a 7-weight setup paired with a sinking streamer line. This allows me to throw big flies in lakes or rivers and get the fly into the strike zone to maximize my chances at crossing paths with a big brown.
Additional Fishing Gear
- Simms Flyweight Waders and Boots – Lightweight, packable, and durable.
- Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Backpack – Keeps camera gear and spare layers bone-dry.
- Orvis Ultralight Hip Pack – Perfect for quick strikes away from camp.
- Costa Sunglasses – Polarized lenses that handle glare in high alpine light.
- Scientific Anglers Trout Taper Lines – A solid all-around line for backcountry trips.
- Tacky Fly Boxes – Keep flies organized and visible.
Additional Shoulder Season Fishing Tips
Fall is the sweet spot: crisp air, clear water, and fewer crowds. But it also means unpredictable weather and shorter days, so preparation matters. These additional tips will help you prepare for anything you may encounter along the way.
Tips Before You Roll Out
- Always top off your gas tank before heading into remote areas.
- Bring extra water — I carry at least 10 gallons on multi-day trips.
- Pack extra headlamps and lanterns,
- Always bring a portable jump starter.
- Keep Plan B and C campsites pinned offline in Gaia or OnX. Download maps prior to leaving.
- Restock your snacks and dry goods before leaving pavement — gas stations in small towns rarely have what you want.
- Carry a small tool kit (socket set, tape, zip ties, multi-tool). Extra lighters also.
- For weather swings, pack a lightweight puffy and rain shell, even in early fall.
Final Thoughts
Shoulder season can offer some of the best fishing of the year. But unpredictable weather and off-grid camping could leave you high-tailing it back to civilization if you’re not prepared. These tips for mobile truck camping will keep you comfortable all fall. These tips and gear have made the pursuit of solitude more enjoyable, freeing up more focus for what really matters: the water, the fish, and the miles in between.
