Fly Fishing in Rockies - What I Carry.

• Backpack: I put all my stuffs in a medium size backpack because I usually hike several miles to get to fishing spot. My backpack is designed for fisherman with a rod holder in the left side. It has four side pockets to hold lots of gadgets and small necessaries. Easy accessing of small things is always very helpful. Its size makes me to carry a wader if I want (I prefer a hipper in mountains). It has a waist belt which puts weight on my waist, not on my shoulder, to reduce my fatigue.

  

• Rods and Reels: Because of miles of hiking, I carry only multi-piece rods, at least 4-pieces. I prefer 2-wt 5-piece 7'9" Winston rod for a small stream fishing. Fish in high mountain stream are not really big so fishing with 2-wt rod is enough and very fun. Even a 8" trout gives a great feeling. For this small rod, I am using Ross Colorado 0 reel with 2 wt DT line because of its light weight. My arm never get tired with this combination. For lake fishing where I usually face some wind, I use 6-wt 4-piece 9' St. Croix Ultra Legend rod. This can provide me some distance that I can cast from the shore even against a gust. Orvis Rocky Mountain Cassette reel is convenient to carry multiple lines for lake fishing and also very economical. I am carrying mainly 6 wt FW line and 6 wt fast sinking line. I am also carrying 4-wt 4-piece 8'6" St. Croix Avid rod. When the wind is cooperating, this rod is a wonderful dry fly rod. My two St. Croix rods are custom made by Steve Moran with unique beautiful hardwood (Burl Maple) handles and special scrimshaw on the reel seat. He also put his drawings of my choice of flies on both side of the rods, flying ant and parachute adams. Another reason for carrying two rods is because I may break my rod with a high chance due to rough terrain. See below for my beautiful rods.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Flies: I carry lots of flies but my favorite flies in Rockies are black flying ant, bead head olive scud, and parachute adams. During summer, black flying ant has been giving me most success in many situations. It never let me down. Big alpine lake cutthroats almost always aggressively bite olive scud. In general, I always feel comfortable in casting parachute adams to rising trout. When large trout get selective, a really tiny midge pattern could be helpful. I mean really small ones such as size 28. But, well then, hooking is one thing and lending is totally another.

• Clothes: Mountain weather always changes so quickly at any time without any notice. Thus, I usually carry warm clothes including a breathable rain jacket. I also carry a small poncho in case of a heavy rain. In Rocky mountains, afternoon shower is almost always guaranteed especially in Summer season. During summer, one extra long sleeve shirt is OK but fleece shirt is a must during spring and fall. Snow storm is not uncommon even in September. I wear mid height sturdy GoreTex hiking shoes to hop across boulders or to cross a shallow stream without getting wet. Sometimes I carry a light hip wader but I seldom use it.

• Other Fishing Accessories: I carry some accessories as other fishermen do. Because I don't like fishing vest, I put them in a chest pack which I can hold on my neck.

• Other Essentials: polarized sun glasses, small digital camera, tiny tripod, first-aid box, sun block lotion, sun gloves, multi-tool, small light, hat, extra socks, bandana, water purifier, compass, maps, bug repellent, water bottle, energy bars, etc...

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