The fishing gear and tackle we use in Patagonia is similar to what anglers normally use in the Northwest United States, so if you are an avid trout angler you probably have most of the gear we use in Patagonia.
SUGGESTED GEAR LIST
Fly Fishing in Patagonia
Clothing, Accessories and Personal Items
- Polarized sunglasses – As in every other style of fishing, sunglasses are critical. Take three pair; a backup for your backup. Wear croakies to keep them from falling off and floating down river. Make sure your main pair are superior polarized lenses to cut the glare and allow you to see the bottom as well as the fish. Your backups can be lesser and there are some great less expensive fishing glasses out there.
- High-quality breathable raincoat in good condition
- High-quality breathable waders in good condition, with repair kit
- Stout, felt soled wading boots with good ankle support.
- Studded boots are optional but not needed.
- Headgear, i.e. hat with a brim, and a beanie for cooler weather.
- Long sleeved shirt
- Lightweight and fleece long underwear
- Fleece sweater or jacket
- Fishing Packs – Fly-fishing packs are the best way to carry what you need for a day in the Alaskan wilderness. Waterproof packs are even better. Essentially you want a larger pack to carry extra layers and then a fishing pack such as a sling pack or a hip pack to carry flies, leaders, and other accessories. This can actually be transported to the river inside the larger pack and you are not going to need every accessory and every box of flies you own. Your guide will tell you what you need and generally you will be fishing the same species during the course of the day. Take what you need in the smaller pack, and pack what you think you need in the larger pack, which can stay on the shore, in the boat, or on the plane.
- Casual clothing for wearing around the lodge.
- Swimsuit for the hot tub (if there is one at the lodge), or the river if you like!
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof boat bag
- Water bottle
- Camera (bring extra film or cards, batteries, chargers)
- Video cameras (bring extra discs, tapes, batteries, chargers, there are plugs in the rooms for chargers)
- Binoculars for eco-trips and sightseeing
- Basic toiletries
- Passport
Fly Fishing Gear
- Flies (ask for fly list depending on time of the year) At most fishing lodges, they have a large selection of the best used flies for our rivers and lakes for around $1 to $2 dollars.
- Rod, reel and lines
- 2 fast action 5-6wt 9 foot rods with floating line and a 150-250 grain sinking tip for streamer fishing
- 9 foot 2,3,4x leaders for dry fishing and 7.5 foot 0-2x leaders for streamer fishing
- 0-4.5x tippets
- Breathable waders and felt wading boots
- Wading belt
- Good rain jacket
- Wading stick
- Polarized sunglasses
- 50+ factor sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Flashlight
