The temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest coast are wet. As in, really wet. Most of the time. Occasionally the rain stops, the sun breaks out and we’re treated to a warm(er) day of steelhead fishing.

When these small coastal rivers are running high, crossings can be in short supply so it means a lot of bank scrambling and bush wacking is in order to find the safe spots to cross.

But who doesn’t love a good adventure? Even if it means a long day of slogging through the brush, maybe nearly falling in the river once or twice, and hopefully connecting to a fish or two.

This is our favorite way to test DRYFT waders and gear. We load it up, and go hike and fish 8 or 9 miles of river.