Apparel
- Spot Pack Flyfishing
SPOT PACK FLY FISHING: RIDING HORSES
An excerpt from the book Spot Pack Fly fishing
Horses add a whole new dimension to the backcountry experience making it feel like a true adventure. Riding allows you to look around and soak in the beauty on your way to your destination while the horse does all the work.
Imagine yourself putting one foot into a stirrup, pushing on that leg while swinging your other over the back of a horse. Your horse starts to shift around while you settle in and try to get comfortable. The wrangler is the real deal, with a cowboy hat, flannel shirt, blue jeans, chaps, boots, and perhaps even a revolver. He or she is helping you, making sure the horse you’re riding for the next four or five hours will be a good match for you. The wrangler will make sure your stirrups are set at the correct length and the cinch is tightened properly. Next, he or she will show you how to hold the reigns and to direct the horse if you’re not familiar with riding. As your horse continues to shift around and chew on its bit, you realize you’re now sitting on a living, breathing, animal that’s about to carry you deep into the wilderness. Now that you’re on your horse, you watch as all the other members of your party get onto theirs. You’re all in this together and you realize this is something special. There is a sense of thrill and anticipation of what will follow and the country you’re about to see.
The wrangler leads off, followed by a couple of packhorses trailing on a lead rope. Finally, it’s your close friends, or perhaps your father, son, or daughter, trailing behind in single file. The wrangler leads the group through a shallow stream, then begins to switchback up a mountain on the other side. You begin to thank the Good Lord that you have a horse carrying you up the trail instead of trudging up the mountain yourself. The trail is like this for quite a while as you gain about 2,500 feet in elevation. Finally, you break out of the trees as you ascend above timberline. The scene is classic, like something out of Hollywood western, as you see the wrangler leading the group in single file over the tundra with a backdrop of vertical mountains pocketed with glaciers. It’s an image you’ll never forget. You may even begin to daydream a little, having fun imagining that you’re Clint Eastwood, wearing a poncho, squinting, with a cigar in your mouth, as you take in the classic western scene. Those of you over the age of forty know what I’m talking about.
All right, back to reality. The horses are breathing heavily, so the wrangler advises the group to hop down and walk for a few minutes. This gives the members of your party the chance to stretch their legs, which will help to not be too sore later. The horses also have a chance to catch their breath from the climb. The top of the pass is near, and you can feel the wind picking up as you get closer and closer to the top. Once there, your group comes to a halt, and you stop for a photo. In the distance, on the other side of the pass, you can see a valley still five or six miles away holding a string of glacier-fed lakes. You realize that’s your destination, the goal of all your planning. The excitement is building, but it’s a time to be quiet and to take in the scenery. It’s humbling as you realize how small you actually are in comparison to the vast wilderness that is spread out before you.
After a quick lunch you and your group hop back on the horses and begin your descent down the other side of the pass. The trail gets steep as you re-enter the trees and the wrangler tells the group to lean back and stand up in the stirrups. Meanwhile, you’re thinking to yourself that in five days you’ll be hiking up and over this on your way out. Maybe even questioning if you made the right choice to hike out on your own rather than having the outfitter pack you out. The group will be able to do it though, after the hard work and training that they put in over the last six months. It will be a great challenge and a physical test.
After another hour you enter the drainage where you’ll be camping and fishing for the next four days. The stream emptying the higher alpine lakes is now running alongside the trail and you begin to scout it. Now the excitement really begins to build as you see pocket after pocket, run after run, that you know will hold fish. This deep into the backcountry fish are, in general, everywhere they’re supposed to be. One last climb and you top out into a basin with the lake you’ll be camping on. As it comes into view, you’re tired from the ride but ready to walk and stretch your legs. You’re also overflowing with excitement because you’ve finally arrived. You realize with clarity that the horses were worth it because you’re physically still fresh. A little sore, but not ready to drop like you would have been if you hiked up and over the pass carrying your own pack. You’re ready to get your fly rod out and fish!
The wrangler begins to take your gear off the packhorses and your group begins to scout for where to set up tents. After firmly shaking the wrangler’s hand you nonchalantly give the wrangler his tip, and part ways with a friendly wave. The riding part of the trip is now complete.
Spot Pack Fly Fishing is made up of four parts, its Table of Contents listed below:
Part I
Adventure Awaits in the Backcountry
Chapter 1: What is Spot Pack Fly Fishing
Chapter 2: The Appeal
Chapter 3: Riding Horses
Chapter 4: Outfitters and Cost
Chapter 5: Wilderness Adventure and Risks
Part II
Fly Fishing the Remote Backcountry
Chapter 6: Go Far Away
Chapter 7: Multiple Options
Chapter 8: Fly Fishing Equipment List
Chapter 9: Fly Fishing High Mountain Lakes
Chapter 10: High Mountain Lake Techniques and Strategies
Chapter 11: Fly Fishing Headwater Streams
Chapter 12: Recommended Fly Patterns
Part III
Strategically Ultralight Backpacking
Chapter 13: Strategically Ultralight
Chapter 14: Backpack Equipment List
Chapter 15: Food Ideas and Recommendations
Chapter 16: Backcountry Safety
Chapter 17: Etiquette and Leave No Trace
Part IV
Step-by-Step Timeline of Preparation
Chapter 18: 9-12 Months Out
Chapter 19: 6-9 Months Out
Chapter 20: 1 Month Out
Chapter 21: 1-2 Weeks Out
Chapter 22: 1-2 Days Out
- Backpacking Apparel Checklist
Comfortable, Functional, Dependable, Ultralight!
Those are the four traits I’m looking for when deciding what apparel to take with me on a backpack fly fishing trip. Shoes need to protect your feet while remaining comfortable. Rain apparel needs to actually keep the rain out, while still being able to breath. Jackets and pullovers need to retain body heat in cold weather. Short sleeve T’s and long sleeve sun shirts need to breath so you remain cool, yet still protect from the sun’s harmful rays. All while being ultralight.
Strategic planning of backpacking apparel is important to reach your pack weight goals. One of the best ways to lighten the weight of a pack is to take less clothing. Most first-time backpackers take more than they actually need. Take layers of non-cotton clothing, items that can be worn one on top of another. If cold, add layers. If warm, take layers off. Always keep one set of clothing dry. It’s important in the event you get soaked, and the temperature outside begins to drop. Choose clothing that is odor and moisture resistant, like merino wool, so that you don’t need multiple outfits of clothing. Wearing the same shirt and pants each day will save weight.
Below is my backpacking apparel checklist, including the manufacturer of each item. Look for future posts reviewing each of these specific items. There are a lot of ultralight options in jackets and clothing that are available. As you will see, I am a big fan of Outdoor Vitals apparel. I have found it to be very well designed and not overpriced. It is lightweight and functional, doing exactly what it is designed to do. If you decide to purchase something from Outdoor Vitals, I recommend becoming a member to receive the member discount and free shipping.
Trail Running Shoes (Most trips, except extremely rocky terrain) – Solomon Super Cross trail running shoes
Hiking Boots (For high alpine, extremely rocky terrain) – Solomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-Tex
Quick Dry Pants with Zipper for Shorts – REI Sahara Convertible Pants (pictured above)
UL Rain Pants – Marmot PreCip Eco Pant
Hiking Shorts – Outdoor Vitals Skyline Trail Shorts (Option to only bring the REI pants/shorts saves the weight of bringing a separate pair of shorts)
Ultralight (UL) Merino Wool Short Sleeve Shirt (2)– Outdoor Vitals Marino Wool Tee (pictured above)
UL Long Sleeve Sun – Outdoor Vitals Tern UL Marino Wool Hoodie or Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie
UL Prima Loft Pullover – Outdoor Vitals Ventus Active Hoodie
UL Jacket (colder trips / shoulder season only) – Outdoor Vitals Novaul Mens Jacket
UL Rain Jacket – Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket
UL Gloves – Smartwool Marino Sport Fleece Wind Mittens/Gloves
Three Pairs Wool Socks – Darn Tough ¼ Lightweight Hiking Sock
Base Layer Top – Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer
Base Layer Bottom – Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer or Outdoor Vitals Highline Thermal Leggings
UL Booties – Enlightened Equipment Torrid Booties
UL Balaclava hood – Outdoor Vitals Lofttek Hybrid Balaclava/Hood
Two Underwear – Personal preference