5 Things To Do before Trout Season

Lost Coast Outfitters' guide to getting ready for Trout Season

By Lost Coast Outfitters

May 3^rd, 2018

#1 ORGANIZE YOUR GEAR.

If you are anything like us you have been out fly fishing for Steelhead, Stripers in the San Francisco Bay, Surf Perch, or maybe even heading south for some warmer weather to chase permit or bones. The transition happens quick and the frustration of packing grows. You don't want to end up with your gear looking like the back of my truck after a 2 week road trip.

Organize your fly boxes

My go to box is my "hatch matcher" box. I use a C&F Design 8-Row Fly Box with 12 Compartments to organize this assortment. I keep all of my dries and emergers in the compartments so the hackles don't get crunched. Each compartment has the name of the insect that the fly imitate. On the right/foam side I put the less fragile nymphs. For example, the first upper left compartment has PMD dries, emergers, and spinners. The first row of foam has all of my pmd nymphs. The 2nd compartment in the upper right has BWO dries, emergers, and spinners. The second row of foam has all of my BWO nymphs ect... this is my most organized and coveted fly box in my arsenal.

From there I have a number of fly boxes that house many of my other flies including insects that have much narrower hatch windows or are only found on specific streams like Green Drakes and Hexagenia. I have a box filled with my favorite nymphs and another filled with midges. I have a streamer box and grasshopper/large dry box as well.

Make sure you have a good stock of your favorite flies. After all the flies you have the most confidence in are the ones you will use the most.

There is no shortage in awesome products to organize your gear into, but here are a few of our favorites, Click on the photo for more info.

Change in and out of your waders and boots without touching the ground! This smart bag is large enough to hold waders, a pair of boots, a 4

I have spent a considerable amount of time designing the perfect assortment of fly fishing gear for every situation I come across. The strug

I love having a bunch of pouches to keep all my different gear organized and ready to rock.

All my camera gear and fishing tackle fit nicely into this waterproof and easy to access boat bag A+ on design and size.

My Current favorite for a fly fishing waist pack.

#2 CLEAN OR REPLACE YOUR FLY LINES

Life is too short to fish with a crappy or dirty fly line. Lines are the most critical component of your outfit and vary depending on your application. For example, the Rio Technical Trout is designed to fish dry flies to trout. The pale finishes and long front taper play perfectly into the presentation demands of dry fly fishing. Conversely, the Rio Extreme Indicator Fly Line has a brightly colored tip and a short front taper help to keep an eye out for strikes, kick over indicator rigs, and split shot. Then you have the “do it all” Rio Gold which has been released in several configuration to meet nearly all of your needs.

Rio Gold Fly line

Primary: Small Dry / Dry Dropper
Secondary: Big Dry / Light Indicator

Rio Gold XP Fly Line

Primary: Dry Dropper / Light Indicator
Secondary: Small Dry / Big Dry / Light Streamer

Rio Gold Max Fly Line

Primary: Heavy Indicator / Big Dry
Secondary: Streamer / Dry Dropper / Light Indicator

We are total nerds about fly lines and love designing systems to excel for specific uses. Please don't hesitate to come in as we know how complicated it can.

Interested in a new fly line check them out here.

Here is how you clean your line.

#3 Go Through Your pack and Make sure you have Everything you need

My trout pack has the following items in it.

Nipper - Key ringed to the zipper pull I hate zingers.
Forceps- I love the new Loon Quick Draw scissors ones with the carabiner. At the very least my requirement is that they have scissors in the back of the blade.
Floatant- I prefere Loon Aquel.
Dry Shake- I prefer the Loon Top Ride
Split Shot- I like to have a good assortment of Dinsmore's from 6's to SSG.
Indicators- I typically use Thingamabobers or Jaydicators
Fly Boxes- See the first to do
Leaders and tippet - These deserve more more than just blurb. See below.

While your fluorocarbon will literally last forever, nylon/mono has an expiration date. The expiration date can vary depending on how much sunlight and temperature exposure the leaders have received. I recommend that if the leader is on its way out, test it by tying a clinch knot around a key ring and pulling it with a smooth steady pull. Basically, you are just checking to see if it breaks with ease. Expired tippet will break pretty easily. A white, chalky residue will also indicate that your leader or tippet is expired. Some manufacturers will provide an expiration date, otherwise just write the month and day you bought your tippet if you don’t empty the spools quickly. Do an inventory and fill in the holes.

My Kit Includes:

#4 Inspect Your Boots and Waders

Were your waders springing a leak this steelhead season? Assuming you own Gore-tex (if you don’t… you should) you can spray rubbing alcohol on the waders to find all of the pin holes and fill them in with aquaseal. If you are contemplating new boots or waders G3’s waders and boots are impossible to beat. C'mon in and let us expertly fit you for a pair of Simms, Redington Sonic Waders, or Patagonia boots or waders. If you have Simms/Goretex waders the repair is really easy see below:

#5 Plan Your TRIPS

While it's nice to have all your gear dialed in, the most important and precious component to all this is time. Mark off your calendar, make plans with friends, book your guide, reserve your campsite, or rent your favorite cabin. The anticipation and planning of a future trip is an amazing thing and great motivator to get work done so you can enjoy yourself. If you need help with any of this we are happy to help! Check out our list of Master Guides if you are need of a guide. If you need help decided where to go please come by the shop we would love to help you figure it out.