SFR Camping in the rain

Depends on the type of rain. When I lived in Tacoma during the early 1970s the rain was often but quite light and did not stop us from fishing. I remember playing Air Force football on the McChord team with most practices and most games under a steady rain. Bleachers had the same amount of spectators rain or shine.

When I lived in PA prior to Tacoma, all hell broke loose, and the creeks turned chocolate in a hurry with no fishing to be had.
 
Porter2 said:
Dude the only thing you need a tip on is what color of fly line for your orvis 7weight?

How’s that been treating you? Good sinker/leech rod?
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Love it. The perfect rod for throwing non-weighted, articulated streamers. I actually bought the 5 weight for a salmon fly/hopper stick. That rod is also a lot of fun.

Back to camp, I kind of feel sorry for ole boy next door. He's trying to light a fire but his wood is soaked. I think he's used an entire gallon of gas.

I would offer to help but I'm warming my feet by my heater and not really motivated to step out..
 
Remind yourself every 5 or ten minutes why you went. Read the book you brought by headlamp light in your sleeping bag in your luxury tent. I have a several battery powered lights i can hang from the tent peak and if alcohol has kicked in it almost looks like a chandelier.
 
swimmy said:
My hat goes off to you wet siders. I don't see how you guys do it.

I'm up on the river and it is pouring. Heck I'm even in a camper watching tv, playing on the internet, having hot tea...and this is still brutal.

Any tips you can share to survive in the wet? This could get serious....I might have to turn up the heat and take a hot shower.
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Put your jacket and waders on and get in the river. It’s steelheading weather.
 
I always have a vise and materials when I travel. Go outside and pull the awning out some so it will keep you dry. Sit down with a short table in front of you. Listen to the rain. Now it is time to tie some flies outside. I would never suggest tying inside a RV.
 
Tent camped at Mora campground in Forks area last Wednesday and Thursday. Swung flies on sink tip and twitched jigs looking for springers. Didn't find any suicidal fish...
It rained most of the time I was there. I have a big enough tent so I can sleep on a cot and have a chair to drape wet stuff over. No heat, though.
I was tent bound around dusk each night. I forgot a book. My cell battery doesn't last near long enough... It was a long night in the tent. Although rain on the outside of the tent eventually lulls one to sleep.
At first light when I should have been getting up and going for 1st crack at productive runs, I could not for the life of me drag myself out of that warm sleeping bag.
That adventure affirmed previous decisions to never tent camp during steelhead season. Nothing better than a warm motel room with a TV.
 
swimmy said:
Back to camp, I kind of feel sorry for ole boy next door. He's trying to light a fire but his wood is soaked. I think he's used an entire gallon of gas.
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Old wet weather camping trick. Bring charcoal and lighter fluid - lots of lighter fluid. Dump out the whole bag, soak it with fluid, let it set for a minute (under an umbrella - confess! you thought I was joking about umbrellas didn't you!) then light and soon you'll have a nice bed of coals that will dry out your wood as you put it on them.

Try not to build your fire in a puddle. But if you do, I hear that magnesium will burn under water if you can get it lit.
 
Great tips WW! Bet that dude would've appreciated your help last night. He never got a fire going and eventually said fuck it and just sat in his truck.

Meahwhile, I survived the evening. Watched tv until about 9:15 and then dozed off. I did have to put another blanket on but managed to make it through.

Up early this morning to try and catch the sunrise.

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Gonna take your advice, brave these harsh conditions today, and go stick one.
 
swimmy said:
Great tips WW! Bet that dude would've appreciated your help last night. He never got a fire going and eventually said fuck it and just sat in his truck.

Meahwhile, I survived the evening. Watched tv until about 9:15 and then dozed off. I did have to put another blanket on but managed to make it through.

Up early this morning to try and catch the sunrise.

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Gonna take your advice, brave these harsh conditions today, and go stick one.
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Now we're talkin'! Bringing an extra blanket is always a good idea when visiting the mountains in the spring and fall. That and an ice scraper come in handy. And there were a few times a tow chain helped get me home in time for dinner.
 
1. Plastic tarps are your friend. Both under the tent floor, and to cover the rain fly
2. Don't pitch tent in a depression in the ground
3. Fishing in the rain is often good as the fish don't care if they get wet
4. Kindle devices work in tents, but download your books BEFORE you leave.
 
swimmy said:
Wow. That's core.
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Our philosophies are probably similar. I go ultra basic because I get tired of making camp and breaking camp. All that stuff just slows me down. You have your travel trailer for the same reason. You want to maximize your time fishing and not messing around at camp.

Now that I have a toddler, we bring so much stuff on a camping road trip it is ridiculous. When it inevitably comes to making and breaking camp it is a multi hour process. Now I understand why fathers hide in a closet and stare at a wall for hours. Doing nothing is such a luxury. Sleeping on the a soft mossy ground under a big tree in the rain is nothing compared to making and breaking camp with a toddler.
 
I always carry a large tarp with a hole strategically located where I like to stand :rolleyes: If I can cover a large area and have a nice fire going, I am good to go. Nothing better than a quiet rainy day steelheading. When the sun comes out and starts warming up the streamside rock around midday, I often find myself wishing for a rain shower to cool things off. Suck it up Swim, get out there

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