Rods:
• 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.
• Steelheading in Oregon: Sevens and eights are preferred in nine to ten foot lengths.
• 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.
Fly Lines:
• 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 and Windcutter interchangeable tip lines. Bring a selection of fifteen foot sinktips in various grain weights. For recommendations on matching lines to various rods, please visit our Spey Page.
Waders:
• 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.
Boots:
• Felt Soles are generally the best option.
• Spiked Felt Soles are helpful on the Pit River and Rogue River.
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