Tick & Snake Bite Protection for Fly Fishers | NWFFO Safety Guide

Stay Safe While Fly Fishing With These Tips

Fly fishing takes us to some of the most beautiful and remote places in the Pacific Northwest — dense riparian corridors, tall grass meadows, and sun-warmed rocky banks. But these same wild environments are home to ticks and snakes. Knowing how to protect yourself before you head out, and what to do if something goes wrong, is just as important as knowing your mend from your reach cast.

Tick Awareness for Anglers

Where and When Ticks Are Most Active

In Oregon and Washington, ticks are most active from early spring through early summer, though they can be present year-round in lower elevations. They thrive in tall grass, brush, and wooded areas along riverbanks — exactly where you're likely to be hiking to your favorite run.

How to Prevent Tick Bites

• Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin before your trip. It remains effective through multiple washes and is safe once dry.
• Apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET (20–30%) or picaridin to exposed skin.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck your pants into your wading socks or boot cuffs when hiking through brush.  We really love using the various sun hoodies we sell like Orvis or Simms as a buffer between our skin and this pesky insect.
• Stick to the center of trails when possible and avoid brushing against vegetation.
• Do a full-body tick check after every outing — pay close attention to the scalp, behind the ears, armpits, groin, and behind the knees.
• Tuck your hair into your hat or use a bugstopper sun gaiter as those with longer hair or more susceptible to picking ticks up as they walk through brush.

How to Remove a Tick Safely

If you find an attached tick, don't panic. Use fine tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk. Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Never use petroleum jelly, heat, or nail polish to remove a tick — these methods can cause the tick to release fluids into the wound.

When to See a Doctor

Monitor the bite site for 30 days. See a doctor if you develop a rash (especially a bullseye-shaped rash), fever, chills, fatigue, or muscle aches — these can be signs of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses. Early treatment is highly effective.

Snake Safety for Fly Fishers

Snakes You May Encounter in the Pacific Northwest

The Western Rattlesnake (also called the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake) is the only venomous snake native to Oregon and Washington. They are commonly found in dry, rocky terrain and sunny riverbanks east of the Cascades, but can also appear in western Oregon during warm months. Non-venomous species like garter snakes and gopher snakes are far more common and completely harmless.

How to Avoid Snake Encounters

• Watch where you step and place your hands, especially when climbing over rocks or logs near the water's edge.
• Wear sturdy wading boots that cover your ankles — they provide meaningful protection against a strike to the lower leg.
• Use your wading staff to probe ahead in tall grass or brush before stepping through.
• Be especially cautious in warm weather — snakes are cold-blooded and most active when temperatures are between 70–90°F.
• Give snakes space. Most bites occur when people accidentally step on a snake or attempt to handle one. If you see a rattlesnake, back away slowly and give it a wide berth.

What to Do If You're Bitten

A rattlesnake bite is a medical emergency. Follow these steps immediately:

• Stay calm and keep the bitten limb below heart level.
• Call 911 or get to an emergency room as fast as possible. Antivenom is the only effective treatment.
• Remove tight clothing, watches, or rings near the bite site in case of swelling.
• Do not cut the wound, attempt to suck out venom, apply a tourniquet, or apply ice. These methods are ineffective and can cause additional harm.
• Note the time of the bite and try to remember the snake's appearance to assist medical personnel.

Build a Field Safety Kit

Before your next outing, consider adding these items to your pack or vest:

• Fine-tipped tweezers (for tick removal)
• Antiseptic wipes or small bottle of rubbing alcohol
• Permethrin spray (treat clothing at home, not on your body)
• DEET or picaridin-based insect repellent
• A charged cell phone or satellite communicator for remote areas
• Basic first aid kit with bandages and medical tape

Final Thoughts

The rivers and wild places we fish are worth protecting — and so are we. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping you safe so you can focus on what matters: the water, the hatch, and the fish. Tight lines and stay safe out there.

Have questions about gear, guided trips, or upcoming classes? Contact the NWFFO team — we're always happy to help.