What to Pack for a Summertime Trip to Bear Trail Lodge: The Alaska Fishing Gear I’d Pack Again

After four July and August trips to Bear Trail Lodge, I’m still tempted to overpack. I know that the temperatures can range from the 40s overnight up over 70 during the day, and I want to be prepared. If I’m uncomfortable during a single minute of fishing, then I’ve potentially undermined the main purpose of the trip.

At the same time, I don’t need to look like the Clampett family heading west. We’ve always stayed there 4-7 days, which doesn’t require a full wardrobe. Besides, they do your laundry every day.

While I may never make it with just carry-on luggage, I’m going to endeavor to pack lighter on future summertime trips. I find that about half of what I bring never leaves my luggage. I can’t tell you yet what you need for a colder-season trip, but if you’re headed to Bristol Bay for a summer fishing trip, I’ve got a pretty good idea of what works -- and what doesn’t --after four visits.

What Bear Trail Lodge Provides

This is the first thing to understand before you start filling your suitcase: you don’t need to bring your fishing arsenal to Bear Trail Lodge.

The lodge provides the rods, reels, lines, leaders, flies and lures you’ll need for the fishing. That’s very different from our freshwater trips to places like Mexico and Argentina, where we effectively have to bring everything we might need.

In fact, I have a tube full of rods and 50-plus pounds of tackle essentials in the storage area at Anglers Inn El Salto, and I still bring loads of gear down every time just in case. Alaska is different.

I don’t own any fly gear, and while I’ve seen other guests bring their own, I’ve never felt any need to go shopping for fly-fishing equipment between Alaska trips. Bear Trail’s gear has always been first-class and well-maintained.

Perhaps just as importantly, the lodge provides waders and wading boots from companies such as Patagonia and Simms. Even if you own your own, this is a substantial benefit because waders and boots are bulky, heavy and awkward to pack.

Just make sure everything fits before you head out fishing. This year, Hanna discovered that the first pair of boots she was given rubbed her shins. The staff quickly found her a different pair that worked much better. That kind of thing is much easier to solve at the lodge than after you've already packed your own gear halfway around the world.

The lodge also gives each angler a branded baseball hat and matching neck gaiter. If you prefer a hat with a larger brim, bring your own. I prefer baseball hats, but I never travel with fewer than two. They can get misplaced—or irretrievably blown off during a boat ride.

What I WOULD Pack for a Summer Bear Trail Trip

The one thing I would spend money on: rain gear

Even if it’s not terribly cold, being wet, especially when you’re exposed to wind in a boat, can be miserable. It can actually feel much colder than frigid temperatures when it’s dry. Make sure it’s not only waterproof but also breathable and fishable – the latter for me requires a form-fitting hood and Velcro closures on the cuffs (even better if they have a neoprene cuff inside of the main cuff for double-protection).

I own more rainsuits than any human being can wear in a lifetime and on this trip I brought AFTCO’s mid-level Hydro jacket and it served me well. One thing to think about is jacket length. I tend to wear my heavier jackets over my waders. If you wear them inside of your waders and they extend too far they’ll bunch up in the midsection and make you uncomfortable. Even if you wear them outside of your waders, a jacket that hangs down will get wet quickly. I suppose that’s why so many fly anglers wear “wading length” jackets which come down to the waist. Next time I may bring my Grundens Vector Wading Jacket if I expect to do more deeper wading.

And a quick admission: I brought two rain jackets on this trip, not just the every-day one, but also a highly-compressible, lightweight model, the Free Fly Headwind Jacket. It’s not one I’d wear in a downpour, but the one lesson I’ve learned in decades of fishing is to never go anywhere without raingear. On flyouts when there’s a minimal or “zero” chance of rain, I fold this one up, stuff it in the back of my waders, and fly out assured that I’ll have some coverage if the forecasters are wrong.

Layers beat one giant jacket

Every time we’ve been to Bear Trail in the summer, the weather has consistently reached 60 and has occasionally surpassed 70. On those days, particularly if it’s sunny and you’ll be doing a lot of hiking, it goes from 45 to HOT in a hurry. I strongly suggest that if you don’t already have them you invest in several technical layers – starting with an SPF long-sleeve shirt (button-down, crew or hoodie) with a lightweight fleece or puffer jacket. They’ll be there when you need them and as you shed them won’t weigh you down or take up too much space.

The small stuff that makes a huge difference

Quality polarized sunglasses are also non-negotiable. They help you see fish and underwater targets, limit fatigue and prevent injuries from errant flies. Find some from a quality brand that provide substantial peripheral coverage. I bring two pairs in case one goes missing or gets sat upon. Someone always seems to forget theirs, too.

Despite the fact that it may be chilly, bring sunblock. I bring a larger bottle on every trip and apply as soon as I wake up. Then I carry a smaller stick or tube in my waders and try to remember to reapply during the day.

And come up with solutions to keep things dry. In a boat, when you’re wading and during travel in general, water has a tendency to seep in anywhere it can get, often ruining your valuable gear.

Gear I’ve packed but never used – your mileage may vary

There are a few items that you might use, but that I’ve brought multiple times and never unpacked:

• Bathing Suit – It’s too cold for warm-blooded creatures like me to take a dip in the Naknek, but the lodge has a hot tub. I’ve never used it. I’ve never seen anyone use it. Typically we get back in time to shower, have dinner and go to bed to get ready for the next day of awesome fishing.

• Hat and Gloves – I’ve brought a wool hat and light gloves for each trip and never used them. On the other hand, Hanna has done the same and repeatedly wears them, particularly in the boat. They’re small and light which probably weighs in favor of bringing them.

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Summer Bear Trail Lodge Trip Packing List

Clothing

• 3–4 long sleeve shirts – either button down or SPF hoodies

• 2 base layers – t-shirts or crew neck sunshirts, ideally anti-microbial and SPF (in case it gets hot and you strip down to this level).

• 2 pairs of long pants – I brought the AFTCO All-Day pants and some heavy-duty VERTX Ruck Pants.

• 1 pair fleece pants or tech sweatpants – great insulating layer under waders which also excels when you’re sneaking into the kitchen for a midnight cookie

• 1 hooded fleece or sweatshirt – I really like the AFTCO Coastal Layer Hoodiewhich is butter-soft and insulates well

• 1 lightweight puffer jacket – I brought the AFTCO Crosswind. Packs down to almost nothing, insulates extremely well, can be used as a pillow on the plane.

• 4–5 pairs socks – At least calf-length to help prevent blisters from your wading boots. This is one place where people tend to skimp. That six-pack from Walmart isn't what I'd want on long days of hiking and wading. Bring moisture-wicking technical socks in different weights so you can adjust to changing conditions.

• 4-5 pairs underwear – Remember, your skivvies will be way down under waders and pants, so you may have trouble adjusting them during the day. Men, get comfortable antimicrobial boxer briefs. Ladies, if you don’t regularly wear butt floss bring it at your own risk.

• 1 hat – The lodge will give you another

• 1 buff or neck gaiter – The lodge will give you another. Also great for protection against insects or for covering your eyes to sleep during float plane rides (yes, you’ll want to see the terrain, but trust me you’ll be tired)

• 2 pairs of shoes – You’ll be in wading boots all day so you technically don’t need anything specific. I usually wear a pair of lightweight waterproof trail shoes on the way up and bring some light slip-ons to wear from the cabin to the lodge (note: shoes are not allowed past the entry room to the lodge).

Personal Items

• Toiletries

• Medications

• Sunscreen

• Insect Repellent

• Lip balm

• Necessary chargers

• I also bring my trusty CPAP – unlike some remote lodges, Bear Trail has electricity 24/7 so this is never an issue.

Fishing Gear

• Fishing License

• Polarized sunglasses

• Camera and/or Go-Pro if you must – I increasingly use my iPhone. A larger camera is great in the boat, but it’s a virtual anchor if you’re wading.

• Ziploc bags – I leave my wallet at home during flyouts but bring my fishing license and of course my phone. I put them in Ziplocs unless and until they’re needed, just in case of an ill-timed spill.

• Waterproof bag – take it in the boat with all of your important items that need to remain dry.

• Personal tackle - If you simply can't resist bringing something of your own, go ahead. Just remember that Bear Trail already has the fishing gear you need.

Things to leave at home

• Forty-seven pounds of tackle that you won’t need

• Drone – pain in the ass to bring on flyouts and your range may be limited, especially in King Salmon since we’re near the airport

• Aggravation from work

• Games to play during traffic backups – there aren’t any

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If you happen to forget anything, the lodge has a gift shop with loads of monogrammed gear from companies like Simms and Patagonia. Hanna and our friend Lisa have amassed lovely wardrobes from there that they wear year-round. There are also other items like sunglasses, hats and art if you forget something or want to take home a gift for someone who missed the trip.

If you're thinking about your first Bear Trail trip, packing is actually the easy part – especially in the summertime. The harder question is deciding when to go.

Thinking about a Bear Trail Lodge trip? We've been there four times, and we're returning again. If you're trying to decide when to go, what the fishing is like, or what you really need to bring, we're happy to share what we've learned.