Items to Carry on All Overnight Fishing Trips

__Cold gear– it gets cold even during the summer

__Wide hat– keep the sun off your ears and flies off your neck

__Gloves– for warmth and sun protection

__Warm hat– for when it gets cold

__Extra shoes– your fishing shoes may get wet

__Extra clothes– for going out to eat

__Wet Gear– it can rain- consider rain pants as well as a rain coat

__ Boots– to keep your feet warm & dry.  Make sure they will not mark-up boats

__ Wool socks– wool stays warm even when wet

__ Mosquito net– to beat the swarms of insects that can make life miserable

__ Hand warmers– ideal for cold mornings on cold streams or rivers

__ Passport– necessary if you are going out of the country

__ Checkbook– to pay for your boat and guide (use cash for tips)

__ Dry bag– keep your important papers, keys and electronics in this floating bag

__ Sunglasses– Amber gives good definition.  Polarization cuts the glare

__ Bug spray– to keep bad bugs away

__ Cash– for tips for your guides

__ Pliers– just because it is always good to have pliers

__ Chargers for electronic equipment– Dead phones can’t talk

__ Knife– just because.  Put it in checked luggage if you have to fly

__ Prescription medications– No explanation needed

__ Sleep apnea equipment– we don’t need you snoring or to stop breathing

__ Extra batteries– there are no stores on the water.

__ Fishing license(s)– appropriate license(s) for your location and intended prey

__ Adult beverage– we want you to be happy

__ Toiletries- we want to be able to stand being in the same car and boat with you

__ Extra pair of glasses– in case you break your regular glasses

__ Copy of hotel reservation– just in case there is a mix-up or misunderstanding

__ Appropriate rods and reels– or let the guides know you want to borrow their gear

Rods and Reels Are Site Specific

 Bristol, TN- float fishing for trout– 5-and 6-wt rods with floating line.  Have a back up rod.

Tippets– on float trips, the guides supply the leaders and tippets

Flies– on float trips, the guides supply the flies ordinarily

Fishing license– Tennessee license with trout

Bristol, TN- wading for trout– 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-wt rods with floating line.  Have a back-up rod.

Tippets– I assume the guides will supply.  Bring a good selection if not using a guide

Flies- bring flies you think will work in case the guide doesn’t supply.  No guide- bring your own

Fishing license– Tennessee, North Carolina or Virginia license with trout, depending on where you fish

Wading gear– waders, wading stick, net, nippers, forceps, zingers, floatants and pack or vest

Galax, VA- floating for smallmouth bass 5-, 6-, 7- even 8-wt rods with floating line.  7- & 8- are best

Tippets– guides will supply

Flies– the guides will supply but bring your favorite smallmouth flies to try

Fishing license– Virginia license- no trout “stamp” needed

Note: If you plan on going to Bristol twice, check to see if buying an annual license will save you $$$.