Our Top Overland Gear List to Up Your Fly Fishing Game

Our Top Overland Gear List to Up Your Fly Fishing Game

The Ultimate Fly Fishing Adventure Rig

Let's be real - some of the best fly fishing happens miles from the nearest parking lot. We're talking about those epic steelhead runs on the Deschutes, remote trout streams in the Cascades, or that secret spot on the McKenzie that requires a solid hour of driving on logging roads. If you're serious about chasing fish in the backcountry, you need more than just a good rod and a box of flies.

That's why we've partnered with our friends at Pacific Upfitters, the Pacific Northwest's go-to shop for turning your rig into an adventure-ready fishing machine. They put together this killer list of overland gear that's absolutely perfect for fly anglers who like to push into the wild places. Trust us, once you dial in your vehicle setup with this stuff, you'll wonder how you ever fished without it.

Stay Warm Without the Campfire Drama: Howl R1 & R4

Here's the thing about fishing in Oregon and Washington - fire bans are basically a summer tradition now. But those cold mornings on the water? They're still happening. Enter the Howl R1 and Howl R4 portable campfires.

These aren't your sketchy propane heaters. The Howl R4 cranks out reflected heat at over 1000 degrees, which means you can actually warm up after spending half the day waist-deep in a freezing river. Legal during burn bans, compact enough to stash in your rig, and honestly? They just look cool.

Why anglers love them:

  • Warm up between fishing sessions without breaking fire ban rules
  • Perfect for those early spring steelhead trips when it's still freezing at dawn
  • Compact design means more room for fishing gear

Coffee and Hot Meals in Minutes: Jetboil Flash & Genesis

You know that moment when you roll up to the river at 5 AM and realize you forgot to grab coffee? Yeah, we've all been there. The Jetboil Flash is basically your insurance policy against bad mornings.

This thing boils water faster than you can rig up your leader. Hot coffee before first light? Check. Rehydrating a Peak Refuel meal after a long day? Done in minutes. It's compact, efficient, and honestly one of those pieces of gear you'll use on every single trip.

For longer adventures or group trips, the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System is your move. It's a full two-burner setup that lets you cook breakfast and brew coffee at the same time. Because let's face it - when you're trying to hit that morning hatch, every minute counts.

Perfect for:

  • Quick coffee before dawn patrols
  • Rehydrating meals streamside
  • Cooking real food at camp without the hassle
  • Cold weather reliability when you need it most

Fuel Your Fishing: Peak Refuel Meals

After spending eight hours casting, wading, and scrambling over rocks, the last thing you want to do is cook an elaborate meal. Peak Refuel meals are hands-down the best-tasting freeze-dried food on the market, and we're not just saying that.

The quality is legit - these aren't your grandpa's astronaut meals. Heat water in your Jetboil, pour it in, wait 10 minutes, and you've got a genuinely good meal. High protein, real ingredients, and flavors that don't taste like cardboard. Plus, they're lightweight and packable, which means more room in your rig for the important stuff (more flies, obviously).

Why they're perfect for fishing trips:

  • Lightweight and compact - more space for tackle
  • High-quality nutrition for recovery after long days
  • Quick prep means more time fishing, less time cooking
  • Variety of options keeps meals interesting on multi-day trips

Never Carry Heavy Water Again: Grayl Titanium Purifier

This is one of those game-changing pieces of gear that makes you wonder why you didn't get it sooner. The Grayl Titanium Water Purifier isn't a filter - it's a purifier. Big difference.

Here's the genius part: carry it empty. When you need water, just scoop from the river you're fishing, press it down like a French press, and boom - purified drinking water in seconds. No more lugging heavy water bottles. No more running out of water mid-day. Just fill and drink as needed.

The 16 oz size fits perfectly in a fishing sling or chest pack, and it removes viruses, bacteria, and protozoa - not just the big stuff. Whether you're fishing the Clackamas, Sandy, or some remote creek in the middle of nowhere, you've got clean water whenever you need it.

Game-changer because:

  • Carry an empty bottle instead of heavy water
  • Fill directly from the river you're fishing
  • Purifies in seconds with a simple press
  • Compact enough for chest packs and slings

Propane Made Easy: Ignik Propane Solutions

If you've ever fumbled with those tiny green propane canisters in the dark, you know the struggle. Ignik Propane Solutions makes carrying and refilling propane stupidly simple.

Their system lets you refill those small canisters from a larger tank, which means less waste, lower cost, and you'll never run out of fuel at the worst possible moment (like when you're trying to make coffee before a dawn hatch). It's the kind of smart gear that just makes sense for anyone spending serious time in the backcountry.

Why anglers need this:

  • Refill small canisters instead of buying new ones
  • Save money on long trips
  • Multiple format options for different gear
  • Never run out of fuel for your Jetboil

Sleep Like You're Home: Hest Pillows & Mattresses

Here's the truth - if you sleep like garbage, you're going to fish like garbage. Those 5 AM wake-ups to hit the morning bite? They're a lot easier when you actually got a good night's sleep. Hest Pillows and Mattresses are legitimately the most comfortable camping sleep system on the market.

They're also incredibly packable, which is key when you're trying to fit fishing gear, camping gear, and everything else into your rig. A good night's rest isn't a luxury when you're planning to fish hard for multiple days - it's essential. Your back will thank you, and your casting will be sharper.

Essential for:

  • Multi-day fishing trips
  • Early morning starts
  • Recovery after long days on the water
  • Packable comfort that doesn't eat up space

Clean Water at Camp: Dometic Faucet & Hydration Jug

The Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet paired with their 11L Water Jug is one of those setups that seems simple but makes camp life so much better.

You've got 2.5 gallons of water storage with a battery-powered, backlit faucet. Washing hands after tying on flies with gooey trout slime? Easy. Rinsing gear? No problem. Making coffee without digging through your cooler? Done. The backlight means you can actually see what you're doing when you stumble back to camp after an evening session.

Camp convenience:

  • 2.5 gallons of clean water storage
  • Battery-powered faucet - no pumping
  • Backlit for nighttime use
  • Perfect for hand washing and gear rinsing

Organize Your Small Gear: Last US Bag Company Caddies

If you've ever spent 20 minutes digging through your truck looking for that one specific fly box or your headlamp, you need the LUSB Full Caddy and Half Caddy.

Originally designed for storing small parts on Black Hawk helicopters (so you know they're tough), these caddies are mountable, stowable, and hold way more than you'd think. Perfect for organizing leaders, tippet, fly boxes, tools, headlamps, and all the small stuff that tends to disappear into the chaos of your vehicle.

Organization wins:

  • Military-grade durability
  • Mountable to keep gear accessible
  • Deceptively large storage capacity
  • Perfect for fly boxes, leaders, and tools

Dry Your Gear Right: Stod Gear Mesh Buckets

Wet waders. Damp wading boots. That gross feeling of putting on soggy gear the next morning. The Stod Gear Mesh Buckets solve this problem beautifully.

These mesh buckets are perfect for storing, transporting, and - most importantly - drying wet gear. Toss your waders in after a day on the water, and they'll actually dry overnight instead of staying damp and funky. They're also great for keeping muddy boots separate from clean gear.

Wet gear solution:

  • Mesh design promotes airflow and drying
  • Keeps wet gear separate from dry stuff
  • Durable enough for muddy boots and waders
  • Collapsible for easy storage

Privacy and Gear Storage: Shower/Privacy Vehicle Awnings

Here's something most anglers don't think about until they need it - a private place to change. Shower/Privacy Vehicle Awnings create an instant private space attached to your rig.

Change out of wet gear without doing the towel dance in a parking lot. Hang your waders to dry and keep them out of the rain or snow. Use it as a gear closet to keep stuff organized and protected. It's one of those pieces of gear that seems like a luxury until you have it, then you can't imagine fishing without it.

Privacy and protection:

  • Private changing area anywhere
  • Hang waders and keep them dry
  • Doubles as a gear closet
  • Quick setup and takedown

Don't Forget Your Fishing Gear: Riversmith Convoy System

All this overland gear is awesome, but you still need to organize your actual fishing equipment. The Riversmith Convoy Travel Pack is purpose-built by anglers, for anglers.

Waterproof construction protects your reels and electronics. Dedicated compartments keep fly boxes organized and accessible. The modular design adapts to different trip lengths. It's the perfect complement to your Pacific Upfitters overland setup - keep your vehicle gear organized with their systems, and keep your fishing gear dialed with Riversmith.

Angler-specific organization:

  • Waterproof protection for valuable gear
  • Dedicated compartments for reels and fly boxes
  • Modular system for different adventures
  • Pairs perfectly with overland vehicle storage

Why This Partnership Makes Perfect Sense

Look, we've been outfitting Portland fly anglers for 33 years. We know what it takes to fish the best waters in the Pacific Northwest and beyond in some of the most rugged of country. Pacific Upfitters knows how to turn your vehicle into an adventure-ready basecamp. Together, we're helping you fish further, stay out longer, and do it all more comfortably.

Whether you're chasing summer steelhead on the Deschutes, exploring coastal rivers for winter fish, or hunting trout in alpine lakes, having the right vehicle setup makes everything better. You'll spend less time dealing with gear hassles and more time doing what you actually came to do - fish.

Ready to Upgrade Your Adventure Rig?

Stop by Pacific Upfitters in Troutdale (1060 NW Corporate Drive) to check out their full selection of overland gear and vehicle modifications. Then swing by Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters at 10910 NE Halsey St in Portland to get dialed in on the fishing side of things.

Pacific Upfitters

Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters

Video coming soon - watch us put this gear to the test on a real fly fishing adventure!

Back to blog

Leave a comment