By Heather Moncrief-Cox and Maggie Coffey
For many of us, fieldwork is one of the best parts of being a fisheries biologist. Being deep in the woods at an isolated lake or miles from shore on a research vessel can really help us reconnect to the passions that originally brought us into the fisheries field. Yet we’ve all been there – being out in the field having a great time when something goes awry. Whether it is dirt in your eye causing you to lose a contact, a rogue rainstorm, an unfortunate injury, or the sun blazing down on an extra long day, having a well-packed field bag can really save the trip. Here are some tips and tricks we’ve gathered from our women of fisheries community to help make sure you’re ready to tackle anything nature throws at you. Details are below or checkout our PRINTABLE packing list!
Safety
Float Plan/Fieldwork Itinerary
Always inform others of your plans – including where you are traveling, what time you plan to be back in contact, and how many people are with you. You can never include too many details!
First-Aid Kit
Even if it is just a hodge-podge of items that you picked up at the dollar store thrown in a Ziploc – having bandages, alcohol swabs, an ace bandage, and Neosporin on hand is essential.
PRO TIP: Stash some vinegar for jellyfish stings!
Reflective Survival Blanket
These come tightly folded and serve the dual-purpose of keeping you warm. They can also be used as a signaling device in case of emergency.
Liquid Bandage/Super Glue
Great for quickly closing an open wound until you can get to medical care.
Whistle
Sound travels farther than visual signals, so make sure you have one close by just in case.
Bear Spray
You don’t always think of bears when you think of fish, but some of us have to go into their territories for research, so it’s best to be prepared. If you don’t have the option to carry bear spray, be sure to familiarize yourself with best practices for animal encounters to keep yourself and the wildlife safe.
Orange Vest
For those of us that have to go into the woods during hunting season, don’t forget to pack a safety vest to keep you safe!
Health
Snacks, Snacks, Snacks
A hard field day is always going to make you hungrier than you expect. Peanut butter packets, nuts, energy bars, and tuna packs are all small, easy, and filling.
Extra Water
It goes without saying, but make sure that you have plenty of water available.
Water Filter
Find a filter that works for you, and reduce the weight in your pack by not having to carry so much extra water. Even if you think you have brought enough water, situations can arise and change your plans.
Electrolyte Tablets
Keeping dehydration at bay is more than just drinking water, make sure you have a way to replace lost essential minerals, too. These are a personal favorite!
Sunscreen
Whether the sun is out or it’s a cloudy day, don’t forget your sunscreen! Reapply often, too. Check out this sunscreen guide from Women of Fisheries.
Bug Spray
Mosquitoes, ticks, and flies can make for a very itchy, uncomfortable day. Always use caution and make sure to read the application instructions – some sprays can only be applied to clothing/gear and not skin.
Toilet Paper
Keep it stored in a dry, easily accessible location for when nature calls.
Baby Wipes
Use them to clean fishy hands before eating or to wipe down equipment.
Personal Care
Extra Change of Clothes
Always great to have a back-up in case your waders get flooded or for other emergencies, like chemical spills and sickness.
Layers
The weather can change quickly in some places. High quality layers can save you from hypothermia. Look for lightweight, insulating materials that are easy to stow in your pack.
Rain Jacket/Poncho
Storms can roll in at a moment’s notice, so bring one no matter what. A light rain jacket can also give you a little extra protection from the sun without being too hot.
Bandana
One of the most versatile items to have! Wear it on your body or use it in place of other items when you get in a bind.
Extra Contacts/Glasses
Contacts can fall out, and glasses can get broken. Check with your eye doctor about an extra pair of prescription glasses to stash with your gear – even if they are the cheapest pair available.
Eye Drops
A quick fix for dry eyes on a windy day, or when you need to wash a speck of debris out of your eye.
Tampons/Pads/Menstrual Cup
Because sometimes our bodies don’t fit our schedules.
Mini Deodorant
Hot, sweaty days can make you smell worse than the fish you’re studying – travel-size deodorant is a must! Sometimes we are just in a rush in the mornings and forget to apply deodorant, too, so it helps to have a back up stashed somewhere…
PRO TIP: Deodorant is also handy for helping with chafing due to wet clothes
Chapstick
Make sure it has some SPF in it to protect those lips!
Extra Hair Ties
These bad boys know how to break at exactly the wrong time! They can also come in handy to secure items closed.
Hair Brush
Some days the wind and weather can wreak havoc on your hair.
Tools
Multi-Tool/Pocket Knife
Get a high-quality multi-tool so that you can tackle a loose screw, cut some line, or open a bottle of wine at the end of the day.
Duct Tape
Whether it is used to fix a broken rope or patch a leaky boat, duct tape can really come in handy! You can even get travel rolls so that it is easy to throw in a day pack, although a full-sized roll makes a great cup holder on a rocky boat!
PRO TIP: Wrap some duct tape around your flashlight handle if you would rather not carry an entire roll.
Headlamp/Flashlight
For long field days that turn into night or as an aid in fixing an ailing boat engine, a headlamp is always a good addition to your field kit.
Batteries
Make sure you have spares in all the sizes for the equipment you are using.
Rope
Ever seen Boondock Saints? Enough said.
Ziplocs/Reusable Storage Bags
Whether they’re used to keep essentials dry during a downpour, to hold sample specimens, or to organize supplies, Ziplocs are great to have on hand.
Extra Hardware
A small bag of miscellaneous nuts and screws can really help you out in a pinch.
Lighter
This can make all the difference when you need to start a fire or do a quick mend on a net. Look for waterproof and windproof options!
Spoon/Fork/Spork
The stainless steel utensil sets that come attached to a carabiner are great to stash in your lunch box. The two-in-ones are an even better option and take up less space!
Rite in the Rain Notebook/Data Sheets
Protect your data! It’s inevitable that your notebook or data sheets will get wet when you are working in fisheries, so having this extra line of defense from splashes and fish slime is key.
PRO TIP: Write your contact info in your notebook in case it falls out or gets left at a work site.
Zip Ties
These can be great for temporary holds or even permanent fixes. Just be sure to check for any deterioration if they’ve been on for a while.
Hand Tools
If you have the option, keep some extra tools around for when you need to make repairs or adjust equipment.
Playing cards
If you need to wait out a storm or a boat breaks down, these come in handy to pass the time.