We’re in the business of hosting anglers in remote places, and the more prepared our guests can be, the better! That’s why we were thrilled when Alaska West angler and blog contributor Bill Lenehan sent us this very well thought out list of 13 things you should bring on your trip, none of which are fishing gear.
Thanks Bill!
A Baker’s Dozen: Things to Bring on Your Trip, None Found at a Fly Shop
- Copy of Deneki’s “pre-trip” list. Review it well in advance and take it seriously. During the trip mark it up with what flies worked, length and weight of the tips you used, the name of the flat where you saw the tailers, and other useful notes. When you come back years later, after your memory of the initial trip fades, this list may be an invaluable reference for a return trip. [Here are our packing lists for Alaska West, BC West and Andros South.]
- Single serve powdered Gatorade or other sports drink
. Anything to encourage hydration; it makes a huge difference at the end of the day whether on the flats in scorching heat or in the freezing cold. In a pinch, they are often passable cocktail mixers.
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear tote or stuff sack
. They are feather lite, come in multiple sizes, and are fairly water resistant. Emergency spare boat bag, laundry bag, or stuff it with a fleece and it becomes an extra pillow. Lay it flat and unpacked on the bottom of your primary duffle for extra water resistance and to eliminate punctures.
- Disposable foam ear plugs
. Basically free and take up no room. Small planes, helicopters, jet boats, snoring tent mates, etc.
- Tabasco
. Better yet, Sriracha sauce
. While Alaska West recently earned a third Michelin star, in less refined locations it doesn’t hurt to have some control over what you eat. Travel sizes and even packets are easy to securely pack.
- Leatherman tool
. Just too useful not to have one. Likely no better gift to a guide in a third world country too.
- Plastic surgical gloves
are cheap, compact, and serve a surprising number of uses (e.g. great for getting a good grip to un-stick a frozen ferrule). In really cold and wet conditions they may be the best glove liners around.
- Good luck charm. Plastic toy hyena or a holey rock found by your favorite stream. Believe.
- Universal camera memory card reader
. Inevitably the best picture of you with the 30 pound chromer will be taken with someone else’s camera, be it guide or another guest. Best time to get a copy is at camp before everyone gets back to “the real world”.
- Small Pelican case
for wallet, phone, valuables. Pelican Mini from 1020 to 1050 work well, but size to fit your preference.
- Small headlamp
. Way more functional than a flashlight, not a bad idea from a safety standpoint as well.
- Two large re-sealable freezer bags
. There is a reason that Patagonia used to include a couple heavy-duty plastic bags with their fishing vests. Useful for a quasi-waterproof bag, impromptu storage of flies, or to marinate a couple of salmon fillets.
- A USB thumb drive
is a cheap and easy way to store a bunch of photos, especially in places where the internet connection may be spotty or expensive.
Tabasco – Check, I learned this one the hard way. I was working at a mancamp job in South American located at 13,500 feet elevation. For dinner we had our choice of stew or stew made from a llama looking local critter. I prayed for some Tabasco.
My personal OMG kit includes some 550 paracord, a little dry tube full of strike anywhere matches, a Gerber multi-tool with blade, a magnesium fire starter tool and a handful zip ties (trust me those are handy items – possibly better than duct tape!).
My Alaska snow machine / ice fishing kit includes a good GPS and fresh batteries taped in the underarm region (so they don’t freeze).
Hey, that’s a good list. Can I please offer some tweaks?
HMG stuff sacks are made for ultralight backpackers. Go with something more durable. I like Sealline Nimbus, or the miliary equivalent MACS sack. Much, much tougher, but still very lightweight.
Durable Advanced Tool Design nitrile gloves instead of flimsy examination gloves you have listed. I buy them by the box at the paint store. A zillion uses around the house and in the shop, too.
Small Pelican case; Leatherman/Gerber multi-tool; and 4 (not 2) 1 gallon re-sealable plastic bags – yes, by all means.
And a thumbs-up to JK Smith’s mention of zip-ties (absolutely) and some sort of twine/cord. He likes 550 cord; I like seine twine – or sometimes a little of both.
Fishing in Belize introduced me to Marie Sharpe’s hot sauce. Comes in several heat styles, and mild is all I need – they also have mini bottles – airplain sized, and 1 bottle will do for a week unless you are a true sauce addict. I also like an Ipod with my favorite tunes – not just for on the airplane!
1. UV pen for sterilizing your water
2. Mangrove sun protection gloves
3. AyeTides App for your UNlocked AT&T iPhone (given global cell technology you ONLY want to buy an unlocked AT&T). My global yachting friend says this is the best app for charting tides globally
4. GoPRO – just use as an incredible still camera. Remember to put on the water proof back and buy an extra battery and short handle stick.
5. MOMENTlens.com wide angle lens for your iPhone. The absolute sharpest, distortion free lens I’ve seen. Doesn’t degrade your phone lens but doesn’t make your fish get bigger either.
6. Plastic carabiners for hanging stuff off your waist or backpack.
7. Patagonia Island Hopper shirt. Coolest shirt in hot weather. Wash with you in the shower, dries fast. More comfortable than the all-poly fishing shirts. Dressy enough to wear to the Ritz and not look like a yahoo.
8. Kleen Kanteen Silicone Pint Rings are water bottle loops that make it easy to hang water bottles from your carabiners.
9. Make sure your headlamp also is RED LED so you can get up in the middle of the night and not wake up everyone. Cabelas makes a hat clamp LED in green you can throw in your toilet kit.
10. NyQuil cause someone will snore
11. REI camper toilet paper