The Gear

With bushwhacks and sections of terribly tight cover, the Wild Trout waters can be tough on gear and demand a niche setup. Shorter rods perform better. Many of these streams are well suited for a small Tenkara setup as long casts with complex drifts or big fish taking a reel full of line are rare in these environments. I use a 6-foot 2-weight rod from St. Croix and a 5-foot Tenkara rod from Tiny Tenkara.

Bow and arrow casts are par for the course. Consider yourself lucky to have room for false casting. A quality fly-floatant is essential. 

Less is more. Don't get fancy and no need to get complex. Rod, reel, a spool of 5x tippet, amadou patch, floatant, clippers, forceps, and a small box of tried-and-true classic flies are all you'll need.

Stimulators, Parachute Adams, Royal Wulffs, hi-viz foam terrestrials like ants and beetles, and generic caddis patterns work well on the surface, while assorted bead-head nymphs such as princes, copper johns, pheasant tails, and hares ears all work well below the surface. A dry-dropper setup can work well for most situations.  Most creeks, most days, I'm casting a size 14 Stimulator.