Okay, now that I live in the area, I need to start accumulating the gear I need to start fishing. Please post the basics assuming I have nothing so I can make some local retailer happy this holiday season...

This would be my first purchase.

http://www.gradywhite.com/209/

DiverX:

Buy some nice breathable waders.... boots with felt...

Then go for a curado with a certified pro or two, all of the terminal tackle to go with it, and you'll be ready to go!



If you really want to go crazy, go and buy one of these:


THE BEST DRIFT BOATS

I'll assume by your post you may be new to salmon and steelhead fishing, correct? What type of fishing do you want to do, salt or freshwater?Before spending a ton of money on gear you may not need, why not treat yourself to a few guided fishing trips? You'll learn different techiques and how to fish using them. After a few trips, you can determine what type of fishing you like best and buy the correct gear for that.
Brian

Take all your money and go give it to the fine folks at Sportco...

I see you are coming to the seminar tomorrow. We will give you lots of ideas about gear to buy. Plus I just learned that we have arranged for free jigs for all who attend. (I think there will be enough for everyone.) And we have two rods and reels to give away.

Between that seminar and a guided trip or two, you can learn as much in a couple days as you might in a couple years. Plus, if you go with Bob, you can endlessly terrorize him with further questions on here.

'free jigs' I assume you mean a fishing tool and not the Irish type.

Them yeller poles make great gifts :p

Clothes are perhaps the most important piece of gear to start with. It's tough to catch fish if you are wet/frozen to the boat.

I am old school. Heavy wool pants, wool turtle neck sweater, Rain coat. With a good cotton layer underneath, I am good in just about any weather (except maybe 34 and raining, that has got to be the worst)

Fishing through the freezing level is truly a miserable experience. I highly recommend it.

It'd help to know what you plan to fish for before anyone can give specifics on gear.

So far breathable waders and felt-sole boots are the best suggestions posted. I am not old-school so I'd like to get some opinions on Goretex jackets, thinsulate undergarments, and neoprene gloves.

Dave,

Yes, I am attending the seminar. I declined a round of frisbee golf to attend. Oh if the two were only compatible!

Later.

I still prefer 5 mil neoprene waders for winter use. The breathable's are just too nippy this time of year. Felt sole boots are a must.

As for clothing I start with wool socks over a thin pair of liner socks. Polypropoline long underwear, tops and bottoms, make up the base layer. Then a layer of fleece followed by a goretex jacket. Finally a pair of fleece fingerless gloves and a wool stocking cap. Don't forget a pair of polorized sun glasses.

On the fishing side I would stick with floats exclusevely for a year or so as it's easy and efficient. Dave will explain all that at the seminar and three rivers is a good place to spend $$$.

One of my favorite clothing items is my Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero rain hat. I feel claustrophobic with a hood over my head... don't like covering up my ears. And I recently switched from Neoprene to breathable waders. I want my clothing to be lightweight so I don't get worn out from the simple act of moving around all day.

I second the idea of the breathable waders. Even in the cold. I received a pair of breathable waders & felt sole boots last year for Christmas and I will probably never go back to neoprene waders. When its really cold out, I start with a base layer of expedition weight MTS thermals from REI on the top and bottom, then over that goes my Polartec 300 weight fleece pants & top. Never been cold with that combination.

One added note, cotton is about the worst thing you can wear in cold wet conditions, polypro or Polartec fleece all the way. It will keep you warm even when wet & it dries very fast. Cotton will stay wet all day and suck every ounce of heat from your body. (In My Humble Opinion) 10 years of guiding whitewater trips getting hammered with ice cold waves from spring runoff in the rivers have taught me some valuable lessons about keeping warm.

Rafterman