I’m a minimalist is nearly all forms of outdoor pursuits. With fishing, however, the amount of gear I carry depends upon the quarry and location. Most of the time, I’ll go afield with items that can stuff into small hip pack or my pockets: 1 box of flies, tippet material, couple of leaders, a multi-tool, a cigar – that’s about it.

But other times - say a day-long float trip for trout on a big river – I feel I have to take more. The day may involve chucking streamers with a heavy sink tip line, throwing hoppers to the bank in a heavy wind, or matching a Baetis hatch by rigging a size 18 Adams – all in the same day.

I bring the whole kitchen sink when fishing. For bass fishing, bring a large tacklebox with all of my hardbaits in it, as well as a soft tackle bag with all of my softplastics and hooks/rigging equipment in it. I also bring 3 or more rods usually. For tuna fishing i also bring the kitchen sink....probably 5 large tackle boxes and 4 bags of lures and whatnot. I dont like to be without the right lure.

when you fish with kids, you have to bring it all. but i love it.

Sorry Tim, but no help here on the minimilazation front. Better to have it and not need it that to need it and not have it. At least when I fly fish. My chestpack is always slammed full. My buddies give me a hard time sometimes, but someday they are going to need something and man will it cost 'em. The funny thing is, it never really happens on purpose, per se. I just add this, or that, then one these, and oh yeah, there was that time I needed an extra hemostats, and before you know it, kitchen sink. I actually envy those folks who can minimize. The difference is they know what they are doing, so they pretty much know what they are going to need or not. I don't (know what I'm doing) so I need to bring everything due to a lack of knowledge as to what's going to happen!! I like to plead the "Boy Scout Motto" case, it makes me feel better than I am completely clueless.

I took on a bet, only use one rod for fishing freshwater this year. So I chose a 4' 5/6/7 wt Fiberglass fly rod I built, and decided on the minimal route, I carry the Rapala forcep and needlenose pliers, a fly box with the center page double sided to take the place of 4 of my traditional fly boxes, some lead shot, and some pre made leaders and tippet. The shot, fly box, and leaders will fit in the pocket of my shirt, the pliers on my belt or clipped to my waders. Anything else would be in the glove compartment of the truck, extra leader and tippets, extra forceps, spare reels and spools of line.

As for the other stuff, most of it fit into a day pack, other than the rods, so worse case I can bring it along for the ride behind the seat of the truck with the waders.

I found that 95% of the time I only use 3 or 4 flies and probably 1 or 2 leaders (depending on how beat up they are) Just keep the rod rigged with your search and destroy fly and you'll be set for probably 80% of the fishing you've been doing, and ready to fish a heck of a lot faster than the guy who's still stringing up the rod and tying a fly on.

just carrie little fuzz balls of flies in different colors and sizes. Mostly red and yellow. Total of 10 flies. its all you need.

TR,
Don't take anything to the river with you. Need a fly? Find the closest tree branch. Need tippet? Find a tree branch. Need a weight? Tree branch. I figure any respectable river will have about $200 worth of flies every mile.

Feel free to consider this your "tip of the day".

River-x or stream-x can be done very minimalistically(is that even a word). But when it comes to lake-x, everything from the size 22 midges to the 2/0 rainbow trout streamer pattern are in effect......Being a stillwater guy, it's usually the whole kitchen sink including bass lure boxes to hold the 5"+ streamers....

i try to bring less allthough it depends if it's a day of river wading with my supervisior from work or my little brother. i mainly use inline spinners for river fishing so a regular tray case fits right into my backpack with a hydration bladder.

and if i am on my boat i just bring it all just because i'm not to sure on what is going to bite.