I am planning a trip down the Devils River in April or May of next year.
Does anybody have any input on what I should pack other than necessities? Stuff you wish you would have packed on overnight trips that might not be so obvious?

Cody, not knowing how organized a person is my suggestion would be to have a detail checklist for the trip. I use checklist on my iPad and iPhone. I have a couple of checklist I created depending on the trip and if I am taking one yak or two yaks. I have seen several good youtube videos on packing a kayak for an overnight trip and for an extended trip. Some things for certain were be a first aid kit, snake bite kit and some rain gear. Be familiar with how to remove a fish hook. Hope you have a great time and I look forward to seeing some pictures of your adventure!

I like to think I am pretty organized. We have a google spreadsheet shared out and everybody that is going and what they are responsible for bringing for the group. All of the things you mentioned are already on "the list".

I have looked around at several videos, but was looking for random things that make life easier that you don't really think of until you need it.

As far as hook removal??? After a $700 ER visit (and that's with Insurance) back in May I now know how to remove a hook! That is a lot of tackle and new rod/reels!!!!

How many days are you going for? I did a 5 night trip with some buddies down the Buffalo in July and here are a few things that arent necessities but I was VERY happy to have them.

1. MIO, Crystal Light, Gatorade or other drink mixes... We had to rely on using filters to pump water and after about day 3 of drinking fairly warm, filtered, river water you really appreciate being able to change the taste and add some sugar/energy while you're at it. They dont take up very much pack space either as opposed to bringing the premade versions.

2. Salt - Not sure how you're planning to do your food (I didnt do MRE's but I would think they have plenty of salt) but I premade meals and froze them. It was nice to add some salt to the food. You lose a lot of salt while sweating and it improves the taste.

3. Dry shoes for camp - Wearing the water shoes all day long and you start to get wrinkle foot. Need to have something dry to put on for while you are at the actual camp. Flip flops at a minimum but preferable something with more support and protection for gathering firewood, exploring, etc.

I am sure I will think of more but these are just some that came to me as not being essential but definitely making life easier.

I agree with everything Chad said. Especially dry socks and shoes. You have no idea how comfortable it is to have dry feet when you go to sleep until you have wet feet all day. Also a spare paddle per two people.

If you have dry skin take some lotion. On our trip down the devils my skin dried out fast. It took me 3 days of constantly putting on lotion to rehydrate it after we were off the river. Other than being dry, my skin was so tight from lack of moisture it hurt to make a fist at time.

If there is anything you over pack, make it food. You burn lots of energy on a river and you will feel lack of proper nutrition after a couple days.

A back up source to gather drinkable water. You never know when a pump or filter will fail.

One last piece of advice. Leave any treble hook baits at home. You have a higher probability of hooking yourself with one of those than a single hook. To me river camping trips are simple, fun relaxation.

Make sure you have good shoes or wading boots. The rocks are like coral so if u scrape your ankles on them it will bug you the entire trip.

Don't take your good rods. You will most likely damage/lose a rod on your first trip.

Floating tackle boxes.... I know from experience. I lost all of my terminal tackle the first hour of day one on my first trip. Good thing I had jigs.
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Take some warmth for the nights.

I agree with the mio for water.

I would make sure you are ready for the camping part (on rock). The most important partfor us was sleep. I learned how much I depend on a pillow when I didn't have one.

All of these suggestions have been added to my list. Thank you everybody for your input so far and I look forward to more!

I know this is an old post. But how did your trip go? anything you took that you did not need or that you didn't take and needed? Our trip is in a few weeks, doing 5 days.

I would take several tubes of JB WaterWeld in case you punch a hole in kayak on the rocks, insect repellent, extra paddle, extra large lawn trash bag to change clothes in if you go in the water and its raining . you're clothes in dry bag could be soaked before you get them on otherwise. A way to communicate without cell service if someone gets hurt.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/gadgets-for-backcountry-communication-4066040

Thanks! I got a garmin inreach for Xmas. Going to bring it on this trip.

Backup eyeglasses and sunglasses ( free ones that the optometrist gives out are better than nothing and don't take not much space or weight). Also a lightweight and compact 6in umbrella works for sun and rain if it isn't too windy ( consider a search under hiking umbrellas).

You probably already carry this on the yak but if not a spare paddle and leash could be a life saver. I carry a spare in my yak at all times.

less...

Poncho, extra heavy duty leaf bags and duct tape.

A "truth detector."