Lightweight Fly Fishing gear for the mountains of the East

[Jeremy W]

I was inspired by the article  https://backpackinglight.com/gear-list-tenkara-fly-fishing-in-the-northern-rockies/ to create a small gear list, for a conventional lightweight fly fishing kit for the mountains of the east.  I live in the mid-Atlantic and frequently fish the mountain streams at my home waters but also in neighboring states.

This gear list will be relevant for fishing for mountain trout from Georgia to Maine, as the environmental conditions are relatively similar for the things a fly fisher cares about.

If you aren’t familiar with the mountains in the East, there is almost always tight tree cover, varying gradients, many places that can be challenging to cast and may require something like a bow and arrow cast, or drifting a fly for long distance that is more easily accomplished with an adjustable fly line.

This kit weights about as much as the aforementioned Tenkara kit for the Rockies, but adds the flexibility of a reel and line.

Here’s a look at the gear:

* Douglas Upstream 3wt – 7’3” rod with sock @ 2.9oz

* Galvan Brookie 2/3 reel (20yds backing, Cortland’s 444 Sylk line cut in half) – @ 3.2oz

* Floatant, Leaders, Nippers, and fly puck @ 1.6oz

So you’re looking at 7.7oz for the kit for fishing dries well in these areas. This is one of the lightest fly rods that I’ve found, it is slow-moderate action and great for people that fish dries within 35ft. The rod and sock snuggle in nicely on my Durston Gear Kakwa 40 side pocket. The accessories fit nicely into my hip pocket on this pack.

Photos:

[DAN-Y]

I would go with a 10′ tenkara, no reel. I use a 10′ length of line….works great for me. Excellent for tight tree cover.

[Jeremy W]

It’s not only the tree cover… I have used my Sage ESN euro rod on some of the same waters and also catch fish with a 10’6″ rod.  You could use a 10′ tenkara rod, and set up a Euro rig and do o.k.  The point is, what is optimal for all the forest conditions… which a 10+ foot rod is not.

[DAN-Y]

Ok, I’ll take your word for it. Enjoy your catch.

[Axel J]

As a side note, you could ditch the cloth rod protector and replace it with this.

Cut length to fit the rod. Rigid and light.

 

[DAN-Y]

Great idea. I have 2 eight foot pcs with end caps.

[David Sugeno]

Thanks for sharing this, Jeremy.  Looks like a sweet setup!  I have something that is probably comparable, an Orvis Superfine 7 1/2 foot 3-weight with a Battenkill reel.  Slowish action trout rod, perfect for tight quarters.  Also works fine on larger waters.

My wife, who prefers a faster action, has a Sage Dart, which she loves.  I bought her a Galvan Brookie, which pairs with it perfectly.  It is a thing of beauty.  Tight lines!

[Jeremy W]

yes, david your setup is probably all around better.  I recently got a epic 370 glass rod, and it is powerful for a 3wt amazing for doing a bow and arrow cast 15-20 ft.  I like them both alot, if I was out west I would take a glass rod for that little extra power.  However the douglas upstream is still my fav for Shenandoah national park.

[Brian H]

That is a great gear list and fish photos!  I admire the patience of hikers who fish, especially with gear selection.  I used to be all into that stuff but over the past 10-15 years I just use the cheapest and lightest tenkara rod from amazon and have a blast.  Believe me, I’m a gear queer with everything else, but fishing isn’t one of them.  Enjoy!

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