PACKING LIST

Trout, Salmon and Steelhead Locations

With an upcoming January trip to Argentina for trout fishing, Michael asked if I’d put together some thoughts for packing and preparation. Since I’ve yet to make this specific trip myself, I decided to fly at a little higher altitude and share how I generally pack for fishing adventures that aren’t in tropical, warm water locales. Remember, even if you’re fishing in the “summer”—like Argentina in January—the weather can change fast and sitting in the front of a drift boat with an upriver wind is always cold, no matter if the sun is out. Here are some overall packing choices when I’m flying somewhere to chase trout, salmon or steelhead. -Al James

WADER UP

Because all these salmonids generally thrive in cold, clear, moving water, high quality waders are my number one critical piece of apparel for success. Even if you book the best guides, during the peak weeks, there are a myriad of factors you can’t control. How bad is the wind? Are the rivers running high? Are the hatches happening? Are the fish in a dour mood? Are the fish even here? So imagine the fishing is slow and challenging AND you’re soaked from the waist down due to leaky waders. This means you’re also very, very cold. All you want to do is get off the water and retire to the lodge. That’s not why you’re here.