I’ve been solo on the road for a week now. Pedaling away from the comfort of the company of Matt and Eric was not an easy feat. I think I underestimated just how nervous I’d be, setting out on my own.

Steelhead fishing can be hard to explain to those who aren't infatuated with it. Why would someone want to camp out in the rain forest, rise before dawn, spend hours standing in waist deep water and rarely catch a fish?

Once we neared Port Angeles on day 5, it struck me that the next 10 days would be spent fishing. I smiled and laughed out loud when I remembered this fact. 

The trip has officially begun. It started with an early morning and a tough goodbye in Cody. A snowy drive brought me to Garniner where I picked up Matt and Eric, continued on to Missoula and eventually ended up in Port Angeles, WA. 

For the past few months, I've been working on this gear list. The list has now materialized into a pile occupying the spare bedroom. Yesterday I shoved it all in my panniers and it fits!

The decision to steelhead fish my way down the Pacific coast by bike means I have to bring many things a typical bike-tourist wouldn't have. Luckily, I prefer to swing flies when fishing for steelhead, a method that doesn't require a ton of gadgets and gear.