Gray Fishing

For tiny, brush-lined mountain streams where you’re dapping dries, an ultralight 0–3wt rod is easiest to cast and keeps line out of the trees. For most backcountry lake and stream work, a 3–5wt rod with a floating line handles a wider range of fish and conditions.

For wet, cold backcountry days look for waterproof-breathable waders and jackets with sealed cuffs and adjustable fits so you can layer base layers underneath. Insulated versions are better for low temperatures, while uninsulated pieces stay lighter and pack down smaller for milder weather.

An ultralight backpacking setup usually runs with a small reel spooled to about 6 lb line, like the GoReel River Kit that’s built for multi-sport versatility. Simple click-and-pawl fly reels keep weight and complexity low, helping you hit that 8–10 oz total kit target for multi-day trips.

In high alpine lakes, attractor flies such as Chubby Chernobyl or Hippie Stomper in sizes 14–24 and small Kastmaster spoons (1/16–1/8 oz) are great for drawing strikes. Narrow creeks often favor micro jigs (1/32–1/16 oz) or 1–2 inch soft plastics that cast accurately without spooking small fish.

Choose a fishing pack or vest that balances storage and low weight, with purpose-built pockets for tackle and reinforced construction for rugged use. A good rule is to keep total pack weight under roughly 30% of your body weight so the load stays comfortable on long approaches.