Guest post written by Postfly ambassador and fly fishing guide Stephanie Winter (@stephanierwinter) of Big Hole Lodge in Montana (@bigholelodge).
As we approach the middle of winter, it’s time to mentally escape to warmer days and the adventures we’re going on the moment we don’t have to shovel out the driveway. When it comes to mental vacationing, there’s almost no better fantasy than imagining yourself floating down a river, surrounded by nature, looking for rising fish. Once you’ve determined that a float trip is your destiny, it’s time to gather the crew and convince them to forego modern conveniences and come on a multiday excursion with you.
Whether you are going out for just an overnight float or a multiweek excursion, planning is the key to a fun, successful trip. A few things you should think about before you start planning:
- Make sure you have enough boats for all the people and equipment you’re bringing. If you have too many people or too much stuff, consider renting or scrounging up another boat.
- If you can row, you can go: you need at least one experienced rower per boat. A multiday float trip is not the time for a beginner to man their own boat as adverse weather conditions, hazards in the water, and fatigue can all lead to potentially dangerous situations.
- The group you assemble should all get along together and be willing to help cook, clean, and handle gear.
If you think you have these figured out, let’s get down to the nitty gritty prep work.
One Year – Three Months Out
It seems rather excessive to start planning a float trip a year out, but for floats in other countries, floats that require permits, or extra safety training, getting a head start on planning never hurts. First, you need to determine where you want to float. Once you’ve made your decision, see if that body of water requires a permit and apply as soon as possible. Sometimes rivers will have a permit lottery system so it’s a good idea to have a backup float in mind in case you don’t pull a permit.
Next, determine you have the right amount of people per boat and there’s enough room for the required equipment. An overnight float requires almost as much equipment as a weeklong float, so don’t assume you’ll need less gear.
If you are buying new or borrowing equipment from someone else, test the equipment to confirm it’s working properly and you understand how to use it (trust me, realizing you have a faulty propane regulator on the first night of a four-day Smith river float is not ideal). Make sure you have the right number of tents, sleeping bags/pads, lifejackets, etc. for everyone going.
Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of the float. Some rivers require you use bear proof, lockable coolers. Others have a strict policy on packing out human waste and garbage. Knowing the rules in advance reduces scrambling, and hopefully helps avoid buying an expensive cooler the night before you launch.
Three Months – One Week Out
If your crew needs to fly or drive in from other locations for the float, book travel in advance. Factor in a day or two to adjust to altitude, climate and get gear in order.
Look at what campsites are available on the float. Take advantage if you can book them in advance. Choose campsites spaced at appropriate intervals so you don’t float two miles one day and 20 the next. If you can’t reserve campsites in advance, determine a backup campsite in case your first choice is full.
Assign cook crews each day. Each cook crew is responsible for buying, packing, and cooking meals as well as clean up on their assigned days. This takes the stress out of deciding who cooks and cleans each night and forces everyone to take responsibility some of the time.
Confirm everyone knows what they need to bring, especially if they’re bringing shared equipment such as a camping stove or a hatchet. Understand the potential weather conditions and ensure everyone brings appropriate clothing and gear. Someone failing to bring the right clothing becomes a burden on everyone during the trip.
Waterproofing your gear is another factor in the planning process. Ensure you have enough dry bags for your equipment and ways to strap down any loose items in the boat.
Week Of The Trip – Day Before
As your trip approaches, start looking up river flows (cfs), current weather conditions and potential hazards in the water such as fallen trees. Keep an eye on these factors as they can change from day to day.
Telling at least one friend or family member where you are going and when they should expect to hear from you is very important. Give them instructions on what to do in case they don’t hear from you by a certain time.
Try to do as much as possible the day before you launch to decrease “day of” stress. Give your clothing and equipment one last check. Pack your gear in dry bags. If possible camp at the boat launch the night before making travel one less thing to do on your launch date.
Lastly, planning this type of trip can seem overwhelming and tedious, but a successful float trip is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Remember, the more planning you do ensures a better time for you and your crew. As you leave the boat launch, enjoy the fruits of your labor and settle in for whatever lies ahead.
Tired of not being prepared and not having the right flies on hand before a trip? Sign up for Postfly now and get the best flies and gear sent right to your door every month.
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