Trout Trips: A six weight is the most commonly used rod for nymphing from a drift boat, and a five weight is the most popular for dry fly fishing and general wade fishing. We do have some small trout streams where a rod as small as a three weight can be used, but most of the trout fishing is done with four, five and six weight rods.
Steelhead fishing in California: Six through eight weight rods are great, with the seven probably being the best. Rods should be nine to ten feet in length.
Steelhead in Oregon: Sevens and eights are preferred in nine to ten foot lengths.
Steelhead with Spey Rods: Steelheading with Spey Rods: Most of our spey casting is done with seven and eight weight rods in 12.5 to 14 foot lengths. There are occasions for using lighter and heavier rods. For more details, visit the gear page on our SpeyRivers.com website.

Trout Fishing: We use floating lines most of the time. Weight Forward or Double Taper are fine. We use intermediate clear sinking lines on Fall River. Fast-sinking sinktips or full-sink lines can come in handy on Fall River, the McCloud River, and the Lower Sac.
Steelhead Fishing: When fishing with single-handed rods we almost always use floating lines.
Spey Rods: We recommend RIO Skagit Flight and Scandi shooting heads. Bring a selection of 10-15' tips in various grain weights. For more details, visit the gear page on our SpeyRivers.com website.

Breathable Waders are recommended for all of our destinations at all times of year. In the winter you can wear long underwear and fleece pants underneath to keep warm.
Neoprene Waders are great in the winter, but not very comfortable in the summer.
Wading is not always necessary! At any time of year we can set up a drift boat trip where waders are not necessary. Good fisheries for this include the Lower Sac, Fall River, and the Upper Rogue River.

Felt Soles are generally the best option. Spiked Felt Soles are helpful on the Pit River and Rogue River.