When packing for a fly fishing trip the key is to pack light while making sure you have everything that you will need. Based on our experience, we have developed detailed packing lists for each of our destinations. When you book a trip with On The Water Fly Fishing Travel you will receive your destination specific packing list with your confirmation. Our packing lists cover fly fishing gear, recommended flies, personal items and clothing. One thing we have learned is - less is more. After you have dragged your bags through airports and down sand trails, watched them sit outside in the rain waiting to be loaded onto a plane or boat transfer, or returned home with half a bag of unused items, you have to ask - did I really need all of that stuff? Maybe but maybe not. Alan ties all of our flies and we like to make sure we have all the current 'hot, must have' flies for the destination and also flies that we want to try out. So even when we are travelling to a destination where the flies will be provided by the guide we both still carry a number of our own flies. The same goes for gear and other equipment; you have to decide if you want to use your brand new (or trusty old lucky) reel or use one of the lodges or guides reels. With regards to clothing and personal items; decide what you need and what will probably go unused. Then pack only what makes the final cut.

So, you are ready to pack your bags and head for the airport! You've collected all the gear you want to take and purchased everything that you will need. Now how do you get it all into your luggage? Here's a tip - take your packing list and get everything together, checking items off of the list as you go. Once everything is all together go through it and remove anything you probably won't need. For me this is usually some non-fishing clothes and extra sandals. Now start packing. Pack your carry-on bags first, filling empty corners with lightweight items like wading socks, remembering that items that aren't allowed in your carry-on bags all go in your checked baggage. In today's world of having to pay for each bag you check it is often tempting to take just one checked bag but remember how much you have invested in the trip overall. If you really need two bags - take two bags!

There are a few items that at first glance appear to be non-essential items. However, there are some things that we have thought 'I won't need that' and ended up sorry it wasn't with us. For starters, if you end up at your destination and it is rainy you'll most likely want two raincoats. One for fishing and a dry one (that doesn't smell salty and/or fishy) for the evenings at the lodge or walking around town. By the same token it can also be good to have a pair of light shoes for walking around in the rain. As for gear, and this especially holds true when you won't be able to borrow, rent or buy extra gear at your destination, be sure you have an extra rod, extra line and extra terminal tackle. Just in case you break something or need a replacement.