• Waders - preferably Gore-tex with felt soled wading boots. Later in the season, as the water temperature drops, boot foot waders are an option as they keep your feet warmer than stocking foot waders.

• Clothing - Dress warm and bring layers. Conditions change quickly and being able to add or subtract a layer is a benefit. Warm socks (multiple pairs), long underwear or fleece pants or better yet PUFFY PANTS (have a look at www.Patagonia.com for these must haves), puffy or fleece tops, waterproof wading jacket, ball hat for when the sun is in your eyes and a warm hat for driving in the boat. Gloves are a must – be sure to bring a really warm pair for the boat and a neoprene pair for the fishing.

• Rods, Lines and Leaders - Over the last 10 years almost all the anglers that come to fish with us have gone from using single handed rods to double handed (spey) rods. There are many advantages and very few disadvantages. We suggest 7 to 9 weight rods that are 12' to 13' in length. A reel with 200 yards of backing and a decent drag system is a must also. Suggested lines are shorter belly skagit type lines, like the lines offered by Airflow. These shorter belly lines offer the flexibility of fishing a variety of sink tips and also changing out the entire head for a floating head when dry line possibilities exist. Having a variety of sink tips to go with these lines is a necessity also. Type 3, 6 and 8 with a heavy t-14 tip for getting deep is a good place to start.  Leaders for dry lines should be a minimum of 10' in length and be at least 10lb breaking strength. Leaders are not neccessary for sink tips as we generally build a short level leader for them. Maxima leader material in 20#, 15# and 10# should be sufficient for all conditions.

• Flies - We have a large selection of flies at the lodge offered for sale. We recommend the tried and true Egg Sucking Leach (size 2-4), any number of Intruder style flies in colors ranging from black, blue, pink, hot red, orange and purple. It is best to have both unweighted and weighted versions of the same fly. If all of the flies you bring come with lead eyes you will be donating a large portion of them to the bottom of the river. Dry flies are a must earlier in the season, the Bulkley Mouse (size 2-6), Bomber and Skopper (maybe the best dry fly ever invented for Steelhead) will cover all conditions.

• Purchasing fly fishing equipment - We have a variety of rods and reels for sale at the Lodge. These rods are paired with reels that match and with lines that are properly weighted to the rod. We offer a variety of rods, from a 12'6" 6 weight that is a guide favorite, to 13' -7 and 8 weights that better suit less experienced casters. We prefer Airflow lines and have a large variety of skagit heads in weights from 450 grains to 700 grains. We also offer a large range of sink tips and leaders.

• Other things to bring:

• A sense of humor is a must, we are fishing all day for one or two fish in sometimes freezing conditions and rain, and you are paying good money for the punishment. Being in a good frame of mind on your vacation is essential.
• Polarized sunglasses
• Camera. Waterproof point and shoot cameras are great and are worry free, larger DSLR cameras are fine also, but a completely waterproof carry bag is essential.
• Go Pro POV cameras have become very popular, they offer good HD video in a small package that is water tight and shockproof. They are a great way to capture the moment.
• A large dry bag for all your extra clothing and waders. This is a great thing to have when you fall in the river first thing in the morning in a remote location.
• A change of clothes and a spare pair of waders will make it easier on the guide as you will not have to be in the boat with him all day whining about how cold and wet you are.