What to bring on a guided fishing trip

Your guide provides the boat, rods, reels, and tackle. You bring everything that touches your skin. Here's the exact list for half-day, full-day, and multi-day trips.

Every trip — the non-negotiables

• Polarized sunglasses. Not optional. They cut glare and let you see fish. Copper or amber lens for sight fishing and inshore flats (warmer light, more contrast in shallow water); gray or green for bright open water and offshore.
• Brimmed hat. Baseball cap minimum; a wide-brim is better for sun exposure.
• Sunscreen. Reef-safe if you're going saltwater. Put it on in the car, reapply at lunch.
• Layers. The air temp you felt in the parking lot is not the temp you'll feel on the boat at 7 am. Bring one more layer than you think you need.
• Water bottle. Yes, really.
• Cash for tip. See the tipping guide.
• Fishing license. Buy online from the state fish and wildlife department before you leave. Not included in the trip cost.

Half-day trip — add

• Light snack or granola bar
• One extra layer you can shed

Full-day trip — add

• Lunch (ask ahead — many guides provide it, many don't)
• Second water bottle or refillable with extra capacity
• Rain jacket even if forecast says clear
• Spare dry shirt (sealed in a ziplock, left in the car)

Multi-day trip — add

• Dry bag — most guides provide one, confirm ahead
• Quick-dry pants, 2 pair
• Quick-dry shirts, 2–3
• Camp clothes for the evening (anything non-fishing)
• Headlamp
• Personal medications in a waterproof bag
• Phone charging cable — battery pack if off-grid

What to leave at home

• Cotton clothing. Wet cotton stays wet all day. Bring synthetic or wool.
• Your own rod unless you know you prefer a specific setup. Guide rods are rigged for the exact conditions of the day.
• Scented lotions or bug sprays on your hands. Trout have a highly developed sense of smell, and most guides treat scented sunscreen and DEET as a contaminant that can spook fish or taint flies. Apply everything before you get to the boat and wash your hands, or bring a scent-free alternative.
• Expensive watches. Boats are wet. Accidents happen.
• New waders you've never worn. Boots that haven't been broken in will punish you.

The pre-trip checklist

Night before: pack everything above, charge your phone, put cash in your truck. Morning of: eat breakfast (the fish don't wait for lunch), fill your water bottle, apply sunscreen in the car. Arrive 15 minutes early.