There are many items that should be taken with you in order for you to maximize your trip. Prior to your trip, we will send you a useful checklist that you can print and use while packing.
CLOTHING & SUNBURN I have seen many anglers (myself included) forget important items on trips, that is why we will take the time to help you. FACT: you will forget something, don't worry about it. If you bring essential items, you will be fine. Starting with clothing, the most important part of your body is your feet. If you damage your feet on day 1, day 2-7 will be agonizing. If you can't buy wading booties, at least bring quality, velcro style sandles. Your feet will begin to ache by day 4 or so no matter what, so wear something that supports the shape of your foot. Stay away from buckles as they will attract loose fly line like white on rice. Your skin is number 2 on the list, protect yourself from sunburn at all cost. Longsleeve shirts, bandanas, caps, pants, gloves and of course, sunblock. New manufacturers offer clothing with built in SPF protection. I have not used them, but I have heard that they work great. If purchasing clothing, it may be worth the extra $10 bucks for SPF protection. I like to wear longsleeve casting shirts, with a bandana on my neck. Halfway through the day, I will open the bandana and fill it with ice, and this provides me with a lot of relief from the heat. Burning can occur within 10 minutes if adequate protection is not given.
Wading packs will come in handy when you are away from the boat
LUGGAGE & PHOTOGRAPHY Quality luggage not only protects your gear, but is easier to manuever around the airport. Although there are direct flights, chances are you will be connecting with another plane on your trip, and loose luggage is a pain in the neck. Duct tape can be your friend in a pinch, but you don't want to be looking like the tinman in the airport. Good photography is as important as a graphite fly rod on any trip. A quality digital camera with extra batteries and digital memory is always nice to have. Digital photography allows you to shoot your catch from many different angles and decide which one to keep, but combined with the heat, can drain batteries quickly. Do not have this happen to you. I once guided a client to a 40 pound permit on the last day of his trip, only to find his camera battery was dead.
Polarized sunglasses with quality glass lenses are more durable
MISCELLANEOUS STUFF Sunglasses are key to any sight fishing, and some are better than others. A quality, glass lens will perform better than polycarbonate. Tints vary, but a brown or copper tint usally is adequate. Bring an extra pair and strap with you in case one is lost or broken. A waterproof wading pack is my favorite flats equipment out here. I like to through it on when I step off the boat and know my camera and other stuff stay dry. The Simms dry creek series packs are nice. I like to fill my pack with leader, tippet, hemostats, nippers and a fly box.
Although rare, rain can pop up at any time. When it does, it can be a short burst or a prolonged event. A light rain jacket will keep you dry if this happens. I have seen unprepared anglers get mild hypothermia on the water here. This is usually a combination of dehydration and sudden drop in temperature. Be prepared and you will be fine.
