Recommended Fly Gear: Expanded Version
This is the full article, which is double the length and goes into much more detail on each product with my experience and tips added.
As a fly fishing guide, I get asked about the best fly fishing gear and what gear I use all the time. So I made this page for my clients so that they could come back and reference it anytime they need to. I cover all the essential and non-essential fly fishing gear and I update it annually.
The right fly fishing gear will help you catch more fish and will make your fly fishing experience better.
There is essential fly fishing gear, which is the gear you absolutely need to fly fish and to catch fish, and there is non-essential gear, which is the gear you don’t really need; however, it can help you catch more fish and stay comfortable and safe.
Essential Fly Fishing Gear Includes:
- Fly Rod and Reel
- Fly line
- Fly leader
- Flies
No Essential Fly fishing Gear Includes:
- Waders: Waders allow me to get into a better position to present my fly to the fish, as well as enable me to cross the river, stay warm, dry, and comfortable, and waders protect your legs.
- Fishing Jacket: Stay warm and dry with a good wading jacket with plenty of extra pockets for gear.
- Pack or Vests: Keep all your gear on your body where you need it.
- Wading Net: An important tool, especially when dealing with bigger fish.
- Tippet: An assortment of tippet sizes is very helpful for many reasons.
- Tools: Nippers, forceps, a thermometer, and fish handling glove.
- Polarized sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the sun and from stray hooks. I guarantee I would catch a lot less fish without them!
- Clothing: Proper clothes and a hat are important.
everything from the rod and reel, the line, the leader, the tippet, and the flies. Gear for fly fishing also includes all the release gear and the gear that you wear.
Fly Rods 101 – Essential Fly Fishing Gear
The fly rod is one of the most important pieces of fly fishing gear that every fly angler needs.
With some fly rods under $60.00 and some over $1000.00 dollars it’s hard to know which one you really need.
I have taught thousands of anglers how to fly fish using fly rods that sell for under $200.00, so if you are new to fly fishing, you will be happy to hear that a $200 rod is plenty.
Just be careful that you don’t go too cheap on your fly rod.
When considering buying a fly rod, the important thing to know is that fly rods come in different sizes so you need to have the right-sized fly rod for the type of fishing or the type of fish that you want to fish for.
| Fly Rod Weight | Type Of Fish | Fly Rod Length | Type Of River | Fly Fishing Method |
| 1 to 3 Weight | small trout, panfish | 8.5 to 9 foot rod – all pupose rod, -under 8 feet for small creeks. | small creaks to rivers up to 30 feet wide | Dry Fly, Nymphing, Wet Fly |
| 3 to 5 weight rod 4 weight – my favorite all purpose trout rod. | Best rod size range for most trout fishing | – 8.5 to 9 foot for general purpose. -10 to 11 foot 3-weight for euro Nymphing | small creaks or rivers up to 50 feet wide | Dry Fly, Nymphing, Wet Fly, Light Streamer Fishing. |
| 6 weight rod | larger trout, bass, pike, | 9 foot – all purpose rod 10 foot for nymphing | best on rivers 20 to 70 feet wide | Nymphing with big indicators, Wet Fly, Good streamer fishing rod |
| 7 to 8 weight | Steelhead, bass, pike, carp, great lakes salmon, larger species | 9 foor for general purpose and casting, 10 foot for steelhead and salmon nymphing. | best on rivers 30 to 90 feet wide | Nymphing with big indicators for steelhead and salmon, Good streamer fishing rod for large fish |
| 9 to 10 weight | Musky, Salmon, West coast steelhead | 9 foor for general purpose and casting, 10 foot for nymphing | best on big rivers of 30 to 120 feet wide | Nymphing with big indicators for steelhead and salmon, Good streamer fishing rod for large fish and far casts. |
Best Fly Rod Combo Under $170.00
Orvis Encounter Combo – This is a great fly rod combo suitable for beginner and intermediate anglers. The 8’6 foot or the 9 foot 5 weight is great for most trout rivers. The 10 foot 7 weight would be a good choice for bigger rivers, big trout and steelhead.
Best Rod Under $140.00
Redington Path II,
Another great rod by the well known Redington Fly Company
A number of good sized and lengths available.
Best Rod Under $250.00
The Orvis Clear Water rod get great reviews and is a great choice for a rod around $230.00
Best Mid-Priced Rod under $500.00
Douglas DXF Fly Rod – This rod has received great reviews and is a great choice for a rod around $400.00
If you are still not sure what the best rod is for what you want to do I discuss fly rods in detail on my Best Fly Rods Page Check out this fly rod sizing cart.
| Fly Rod Weight | Type Of Fish | Fly Rod Length | Type Of River | Fly Fishing Method |
| 1 to 3 Weight | small trout, panfish | 8.5 to 9 foot rod – all pupose rod, -under 8 feet for small creeks. | small creaks to rivers up to 30 feet wide | Dry Fly, Nymphing, Wet Fly |
| 3 to 5 weight rod 4 weight – my favorite all purpose trout rod. | Best rod size range for most trout fishing | – 8.5 to 9 foot for general purpose. -10 to 11 foot 3-weight for euro Nymphing | small creaks or rivers up to 50 feet wide | Dry Fly, Nymphing, Wet Fly, Light Streamer Fishing. |
| 6 weight rod | larger trout, bass, pike, | 9 foot – all purpose rod 10 foot for nymphing | best on rivers 20 to 70 feet wide | Nymphing with big indicators, Wet Fly, Good streamer fishing rod |
| 7 to 8 weight | Steelhead, bass, pike, carp, great lakes salmon, larger species | 9 foor for general purpose and casting, 10 foot for steelhead and salmon nymphing. | best on rivers 30 to 90 feet wide | Nymphing with big indicators for steelhead and salmon, Good streamer fishing rod for large fish |
| 9 to 10 weight | Musky, Salmon, West coast steelhead | 9 foor for general purpose and casting, 10 foot for nymphing | best on big rivers of 30 to 120 feet wide | Nymphing with big indicators for steelhead and salmon, Good streamer fishing rod for large fish and far casts. |
My suggestion for all my clients and beginner fly fishing anglers is to find a fly rod that is in your budget and one that fits the type of fish or the type of fishing that you want to do and then buy it.
The fly rod is your first step at getting set up with what you need to fly fish.
Fly Reels 101 – Essential Fly Fishing Gear
Some anglers will tell you that the reel is nothing but a line holder. Some anglers will even say the reel doesn’t matter for trout so just get a cheap one.
I disagree and I think that the fly reel is an important part of your essential fly fishing gear.
I have sadly watched beginner fly fishing anglers hook into big fish and then lose it simply because the store sold them the wrong reel.
Just like fly rods, you won’t need to spend $500 to $1000 dollars on a fly reel. I have a couple of $100 dollar fly reels that are great.
I have had a bunch of cheap fly reels break within a year or 2 and I have had mid-priced fly reels last 20 years.
With the cheap fly reels, I’ve had the handles fall off or wear off or become loose, or the drag stops working, or the drag button seizes up so you can’t adjust it. On some of my cheap fly reels, I have had the drag nob fall off and get lost.
I’m not saying this will always happen with a cheap fly reel because I’ve had some fly reel under $60 last a long time and work great. I’m also not saying that it can’t happen on higher-end fly reels either.
A higher-end fly reel will offer a better and smoother drag, they weigh less relative to their size, and they usually last much longer than your average cheaper fly reel.
Because of this, I’d rather buy a $120 dollar fly reel that’s nicer to use and does a better job and that will last me 20 years than a $60 dollar fly reel that doesn’t have a great drag, that might only last 2 to 5 years.
The key thing with any fly reel is that you want a good smooth drag and that the reel size matches the rod weight.
In other words, you want to make sure your fly rod and fly reel is balanced. You don’t want some jumbo-sized fly reel on your lightweight fly rod.
Most fly rods and fly reels are size rated and they should say right the box what they are rated for. You will want to match a 5 weight fly reel with a 5 weight fly rod.
There are a lot of good reels over $100 dollars but these are some tested and proven reels to consider.
- Redington Zero Fly Reel – Best Under $100.00 – Get It at FishUSA.com
- Waterworks Lamson Liquid Fly Reel – Best Reel Under $130.00 – Get It at FishUSA.com
- Orvis Battenkill Disc Drag Fly Reel – Best fly reel around $200.00 – Get It at FishUSA.com or
Keep in mind that you are going to need a different type of fly reel if you want to fly fish for big steelhead and salmon and I discuss the right fly rods and reels fot then at those links.
Fly Lines Are An Important Part Of Fly Fishing Gear
You can’t fly fishing without a fly line so I would consider a fly line to be an essential piece of your fly gear. A general-purpose weight forward floating fly line is a great line for any fly angler.
There are a few types of fly lines to choose from and this is what you need to know.
Weight forward lines are lines that have a bulkier or heavier section near the head or the front part of the line that is closest to the fly. This helps you cast easier and further.
The weight-forward line is probably the best line for most anglers and for most river fishing situations.
Make sure you get the right size and type of line when you are ready to buy. You will need to match the line to the rod and reel. A 5 weight fly line will go on a 5 weight fly reel which goes on your 5 weight rod.
When you are ready to buy your line you will see a number code like WF5F. This means the line is a weight forward line (WF) and that it is a size 5 line, which should be matched up to a size 5 reel and a size 4 or 5 fly rod. It’s also a floating fly line as indicated by the last F.
There is also a line called a double taper line which has the bulkier section that is more evenly dispersed from the front of the line to the back of the line (the middle section) with no heavy section at the front.
The double taper line is a good line if you plan to do a lot of roll casting on rivers and ponds with smaller flies and not much weight. I rarely use a double taper line when river fishing. You may see this code when ordering your line DT5F which indicates that the line is a Double Taper, and is a size 5 weight line, and that it floats.
The two above lines are both floating lines but there are also sinking lines or partial sinking lines.
Sinking lines are best used in lakes or ponds or when using streamers on large rivers but I do not recommend sinking lines for 90% of river fishing methods. even nymphing is best done with floating lines. A sinking line code may look like WF5S which indicates this is a weight forward size 5 line that sinks.
Then there are species-specific lines and lines that are made for specific applications, like nymphing, dry fly fishing, streamer fishing, etc. Honestly, I believe that in most cases a good general-purpose line will work just fine for all freshwater species and all freshwater river methods.
I also believe that many of these specialty lines are only marginally better at doing the job they are intended for and are just a good way for the fly line companies to sell you more fly lines. Don’t bother with these specialty lines until you are an advanced angler looking for more performance.
Just don’t go too cheap on fly lines. Very cheap lines may not float or perform as well and that can cause problems which is why I always recommend getting a medium to a high-end fly line.
I really like the trout fly lines from the Airflo brand and most of my fly reels have Airflo lines on them. They fish well, they float well and unlike many lines, they are made from a material that doesn’t break down when using bug spray with DEET.
I also find the Airflo lines to be less sticky in hot weather which allows for longer casts and they really excel when using streamers. I also use them in freezing temperatures with no problems. You can get the Airflo trout lines that I use at Trident Fly Fishing.
Other great fly lines that you can’t go wrong with are:
- Scientific Anglers Mastery Trout Fly Line – I found the best price at FishUSA.com or try Bass Pro Shops or at Amazon at these links.
- RIO Premier Gold Fly Line – Get it at FishUSA.com or at Amazon at these links.
GUIDE TIP – DO NOT cut into the tip of the fly line when putting on the leader. If your fly line does not come with a built-in loop to do a loop to loop connection you will need to tie your leader onto the fly line using a nail knot.
To change your leader many anglers will cut the leader off and retie onto the fly line again which is bad if you keep doing this.
The end of a fly line has a 3-foot to 5-foot section that is thinner than the rest of the line. This thin section is there so the line casts better and lands softer on the water. If you keep cutting into the fly line it will get thicker and thicker and your casts and presentation will suffer.
Instead, tie on your leader once using a nail knot and try not to cut more than an inch of the fly line. If you need to change your leader, simply cut the leader ( not the fly line) about 12 to 16 inches down from the fly line and connect the new leader to the old leader using a blood knot.
Once you have a leader attached to the fly line or when you need to add a new leader to the old leader coat the knot with Loon Outdoors UV Knot Sense and form a smooth football shape over the knot. I hope to have a video of this coming soon.
Also, there are different fly lines that I use when fishing bigger water for steelhead and salmon and you can check that out at The Best Fly Lines For Steelhead and Fly Line For Salmon.
Backing Line First
Fly Lines are only 90 to 110 feet long and because of this, you need to add a line called a backing line to the reel which then attaches to the fly line.
This is like a backup line which is important in case you hook into a large fish that can pull out more than 90 feet of line.
The backing also fills up the fly reel spool a bit so that the reel will be full which is better when reeling in the line.
Always use a backing line and a good choice for most fly reel would be a 20 pound, 50-yard spool of backing like the Rio Dacron Fly-Line Backing. Check the prices or buy it at FishUSA.com, or at Amazon at these links.
Do You Need A Floating Fly Line Or A Sinking Fly Line?
A floating line is preferred for almost all river fishing but if you need the line to temporarily sink for some reason, like maybe when streamer fishing or with wet fly fishing then I would add a polyleader. A polyleader is like an added line tip section that sinks the line.
You attach your tippet to the poly leader. There are polyleaders made for trout and polyleaders for Steelhead.
If you are only fishing in lakes where your primary purpose is to get your fly down, then a sinking line might be best, otherwise, a poly leader allows your line to sink when needed and float when needed.
For all dry fly fishing, nymphing, and most of my streamer fishing on rivers I use a general-purpose floating fly line with split shots or sink tips.
How To Put On Fly Line
There are lots of videos on how to put the fly line on. Just make sure you put it on the right way and for the right hand.
If you are right-handed you should be casting, setting the hook, and then fighting the fish with your right hand so it’s best to set your reel up for a left hand retrieve. Watch this YouTube video on how to put the line on.
Fly Line Cleaners and Floatants
Although not an essential part of your gear, you will want a fly line cleaner and a floatant/dressing.
Your fly line can accumulate dirt and scum from the river over time which can start to sink your floating lines and make casting and mending more difficult. This means you will need a fly line cleaner.
Your fly line can also dry out and crack from the oils on your hands, solvents, and bug spray so it’s a good idea to wash the line off with a good fly line cleaner and then add a dressing to protect the line, make it slicker for better casting and to help it float better.
Some fly line dressings need to be applied and then left to dry before being wiped off which takes time and is not ideal when you are on the river. This is why I use the Scientific Anglers Fly Line Dressing and application pad which cleans and dresses and floats your line all-in-one shot. Check the prices or buy it at FishUSA.com, or at Amazon at these links.
Fly Line To Leader Connections
Most good quality fly lines come with a built-in loop and most good leaders also come pre-tied with a loop so that you can easily do a loop to loop connection. However, maybe I’m old school, but as much as these fly line companies brag about how good their welded loops are I still hate them.
These loop to loop knot is a bulky knot and a bulky knot can and will get stuck in the guides and if that happens when a big trout decides to take off fast on a light tippet it can result in a broken-off fish.
Leaders For Fly Fishing
You can fish without a tapered leader for some methods of fly fishing, but a tapered leader will make things way easier which is why I suggest that you always have a few different sizes of leaders on you.
The tapered leader is thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom near the fly and it acts as a clear extension of your fly line which makes casting and mending far easier.
For most river fishing you will need a 9-foot tapered leader. I use the 9-foot RIO Powerflex Trout Tapered Leaders. You can get them at FishUSA, and Amazon at these links.
7.5 foot leaders are also good to use for beginners because a shorter leader casts easier. I mostly use a 9 foot 4x leader and then attach a 5x or 6x tippet for most nymphing and dry fly fishing for trout.
For streamer fishing I will use a 7.5″ foot 1x tapered leader with a 2x tippet.
For steelhead nymphing I will use a 7 foot 1x leader and then I will add about 5 feet of 2 x or 3x tippet.
Be sure to check out my page Fly Fishing Leaders: A Complete Guide.
Tippets For Fly Fishing
A tippet is a piece of line that is all the same diameter that attaches to the end of a fly leader. Most fly anglers have multiple spools of tippet
The reason we use a tippet is that it allows the angler to cut and retie many flies onto the line without cutting into the tapered leader.
If the end of your leader is 6 pounds, your tipper should be the same diameter or slightly less.
A full 9-foot leader + tippet should be around 11 feet long. If that is too long just cut off a 1 or 2-foot section of your leader and add your tippet to make the total length around 9 or 10 feet long or by a 7.5-foot leader.
I use fluorocarbon tippet when I fish with nymphs or any subsurface fly. My favorite tippet for light line application is the Rio FluoroFlex + Tippet.
For dry fly fishing I will use a copolymer tippet like the RIO Powerflex Tippet.
GUIDE TIP: Your leader and tippets are only as good as your knots. Are you using good knots? Check Out: 4 Best Knots Used By River Guides
Swivels Or Tippet Rings Versus Knots
Swivels and Tippet rings are not an essential but can come in handy and they can preserve your tapered leader.
Micro swivels like the Ravens XXSM Swivels can be used to connect the leader and tippet when nymphing, streamer fishing, and wet fly fishing but should be avoided when dry fly fishing because the swivel can sink the line which you do not want when dry fly fishing.
A tippet ring is a round enclosed ring that is much lighter than a swivel and can be used for all fly fishing including dry fly fishing.
Using a tippet ring makes for easy removal and changing of an old tippet to a new tippet without cutting into your leader. This can make your leader last for many years.
The picture makes tippet ring look huge but they are only about 1/8″ across which is very small and light.
The other option is to use a Triple Surgeon’s Knot, a double uni knot, or a blood knot for all your line-to-line connections (those links will take you to YouTube). I prefer knots over tippet rings and swivels unless I am using heavy leaders and tippets for steelhead or salmon or maybe for streamer fishing.
Indicators And Sighters
Indicators are like little mini-bobbers meant for fly fishing are a great addition to your setup if you nymph fish.
If you are nymphing you should be using an indicator or you should be using a sighter to help you detect fish bites, speed, depth, and angles.
Controlling your speed and depth is a critical part of your presentation and will greatly improve your catch rate.
I like the Thill Ice ‘n Fly Special Indicator Or the Lightning Strike Indicators the best and are the ones I use to teach proper indicator nymph fishing. I like the 7/8″ for most trout fishing and the 1.5″ for steelhead fishing.
Check for the best prices or buy them at TridentFlyfishing.com, or at Amazon at these links.
A sighter is a piece of line that is placed above your flies and it helps you in detecting strikes like an indicator does except that it’s not always floating on the water like an indicator.
The Sighter also helps you gauge and adjust your depth and your speed.
A sighter is often used by competition fly anglers using European or competition Nymphing methods.
I tend to use a sighter more than I use an indicator simply because if you do it right and in the right types of water, a sighter can be much more effective at catching trout and steelhead. I use 2x or 3x for most trout fishing and 2x or 1x for steelhead fishing.
My Favorite sighter is the RIO Two-Tone Indicator Tippet. Check the prices on Rio Indicator Tippets or buy them FishUSA.com, or at Amazon at these links.
For more information on using a sighter check out my article Euro Nymphing.
Weights
If you are nymphing you will need to add some weights called split shots or tungsten putty to your gear.
I use BB or AB sized split shot placed strategically on the line to help get my flies down to the fish.
During the warmer months, I prefer to use tungsten putty weights instead. Tungsten putty isn’t as popular yet but is something you should consider.
Not all weights are good for fly fishing or river fishing, some split shots suck, and some tungsten putty that I have tried was not very good which is why I recommend that you check out my page Fly Fishing With Weights for all the best weights and how to rig them properly for more trout and steelhead.
Flies For Fly Fishing
You are going to need good flies if you want to maximize your success on the rivers.
Flies for dry fly fishing, nymphing, streamer fishing, and wet fly fishing will be discussed on these pages:
Check out my page on the Best Flies For Steelhead and my page on 29 Best Trout Flies: Modern Flies Used By River Guides.
The Best Fly Boxes
You will need a good fly box to put your flies into and there are all kinds to choose from.
I have tested dozens of boxes over the years and some fly boxes are great and some are not so great.
A good fly box should be waterproof, have a solid latch, and separate slots for each fly, and should allow you to organize and view your flies easily.
There are two fly boxes that meet my criteria for a good box.
The Orvis Double-Sided Fly Box is a great waterproof box with a solid latch and the best types of fly slots that are good for both nymphs, dry flies, and small steamers.
The FishUSA Dual Sided Fly & Jig Box is just like the Orvis box but is not a see-through box. See-through boxes are great if you have multiple boxes and if you want to see what’s in them at a quick glance. But if you only have one box then a see-through is not a requirement.
The Cliff Bugger Box is great for all your streamer flies.
Check out my article, The 12 Best Fly Boxes For All Methods.
Fly Floatants Or Sinkets
If you will be dry fly fishing, you will need a good dry fly floatant.
A floatant prevents the fly from absorbing water which will keep your fly floating longer and that means more fish and less time fussing with your dry fly.
I use a three step process for keeping my flies floating longer.
First, I apply a good gel type floatant like Loon Outdoors Aquel Floatant Gel to my dry fly right after I tie the fly on. Then I start fishing. This gel will keep my fly floating longer.
Once my fly starts to sink I will use a powder floatant desiccant to dry off my fly completely. The powder will absorb all the water from the fly. Once the fly is dry again I will reapply a very light coating of gel. The combination of the powder and the gel seam to work the best and will keep the fly up the longest.
The Loon Outdoors Aquel Floatant Gel repels water and helps your fly float. This gel has been proven to be one of the best gels in tests, and I have used it for years so I know it works. You can get this at FishUSA.com – HERE or at Amazon – HERE
For a great powder floatant the Tiemco Shimazaki Dry-Shake Fly Fishing Floatant is a great choice. This dry fly powder came out as the best powder floatant in tests and is one that I use regularly. You can get this powder at Bass Pro Shops or at Amazon.
Another great one that I use and it gets great reviews is the Loon Top Ride.
Pro-Tip: I will often pre-tread my dry flies at the tying table before storing them, this helps them float longer and higher, and I find a higher float fly tends to catch more fish.
You can see my 11 favorite fly treatments and fly floatants and how i use them together to get the best results on my page Best Fly Floatants: Tested
Sinkets or sinking gels are supposed to help your flies or your tippet sink. Occasionally I will add some sink gel like the Loon Outdoors Henry’s Sinket to the 6 inches of tippet right by the fly.
The reason I will do this is that a tippet that is floating on the surface creates an indent in the surface which can be seen by weary trout especially on slow moving flies on flat water. If a trout sees your tippet they may refuse your fly.
Where as, a tippet that is below the surface is less visible to the fish which means fish are less likely to refuse your fly.
Fly Fishing Gear From Head To Toe
This is all the fly fishing gear you might need to wear or have in your vest or pack.
Hats – An Important Part Of Fly Fishing Gear
I wear a hat every time I go fishing and I consider them an important part of my gear for two good reasons.
Hats protect your head from the sun and rain but a good hat with a large brim all around also blocks out some of the light and the glare on the water which allows you to see deeper into the water.
Seeing into the water allows you to read the water better and find potential fish holding spots.
Baseball cap style hats are great but the primary disadvantage to them is that they still expose your ears and neck and therefore you risk sunburn there. I have heard of pro anglers getting severe skin cancer on the tops of their ears from overexposure to the sun over many years of being outside fishing.
Cowboy style or Tilly hats as seen in the picture above are a better choice for full head and neck protection and they also block out more light so you can see into the water better. Check out this Airflo Tilly hat for anglers which you can get at Bass Pro Shops.
Or, If you want to protect yourself from mosquitos, check out the SIMMS BugStopper Hat.
Glasses – An Invaluable Fly Fishing Gear Must-Have Product
I could not do my job as a guide without the help of polarized fishing glasses and because of this I would consider fishing glasses an essential part of fly fishing.
Polarized fishing glasses help me see into the water better by cutting the surface glare.
Seeing into the water allows me to see deeper spots, bottom contours, and other hiding spots that fish might like to hold in.
Good fishing glasses will also enable me to see structure like logs and rocks that I or my clients might snag on. These same logs and rocks could also be key spots for holding fish so I want to be able to see them and glasses really help.
Polarized fishing glasses help me occasionally spot big fish, fish feeding, and fish that are moving or holding. Fishing glasses also help me see the bugs on and under the surface better as well as improve my ability to see my indicators and my flies on the surface.
I prefer fishing glasses that sit close to my face and block out as much light as possible the like the wrap around type. The more light that stays out the better the fishing glasses will work.
I have used expensive $200 fishing glasses and cheap 20 fishing glasses that worked well. Because I’m on the water over 200 days a year and because I’m so hard on my fishing glasses I prefer fishing glasses that aren’t too expensive to replace. Most of my fishing glasses are in the $50 to $100 range.
I buy most of my fishing glasses from Bass Pro Shops.
Hooded Sun Shirt
For the same reason I wear a hat, to protect me from the sun I also wear a hooded fishing sun shirt almost all year long.
These fishing sun shirts are great in the summer months when you want to wear a lightweight long sleeve shirt that still keeps you cool and dry and can protect you from the sun.
I like the Willit Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hoodie Shirt or the Roadbox Men’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Long Sleeve Hoodie because it’s green and blends into the background along the river.
The Columbia Terminal Deflector Zero Long-Sleeve Hoodie is designed for summer fishing. You can also get it at Cabelas.
SIMMS also has a really cool Simms Men’s BugStopper Hoody that I like when the bugs are out in full force in the springtime.
Gaiters And Buffs
I call them buffs, but they are also known as face guards or gaiters and I wear them to help protect my face from sun exposure.
I like the Fish Monkey Flare Performance Face Guard because it has good features like the ventilated mouth area that prevents your breath from fogging up sunglasses.
Like all my river fishing gear I try to make sure my buffs are a color that blends into the background so I’m less likely to be spotted by the fish.
Wading Jacket
Good wading jackets will be waterproof, breathable, have a hood, and they will have plenty of pockets to store our year and fly boxes.
Most wading jackets are not insulated for winter wading because they are meant for all seasons. A wading jacket is not a must have item but they sure are nice to have.
Wading jackets are not great on very hot days so a vest or a pack is a better idea unless it’s going to rain.
I’m currently using the Simms G3 Jacket and it’s the best wading jacket I have ever owned.
Click this link for all my tips on winter fishing and for layering under your wading jacket and how guides like me stay warm and dry.
Vests
Fly anglers don’t carry around a tackle box because it’s better to have everything you need on your body.
If you are standing waist-deep in a river there is no where to put your tackle box and lugging a tackle box through the bush is not fun.
With a good fly fishing vest you can be standing out in the middle of the river and all your gear is in your fishing vest and it’s all there when you need it when you need it.
Back when I started fishing rivers anglers wore fishing vests but today anglers have other options.
Fishing vests are still a great way to carry all your gear year-round and keep it organized.
The fishing vest can be lightweight for summer fishing and should be big enough to go over your jacket in the winter.
Fishing vests can range from $20 dollars to over $200.00 dollars.
Fishing vests like the Simms Men’s Freestone fishing vest are all you really need. Check out pricing on the Freestone Vest and other fly fishing vests.
Fishing Packs
Essential fly fishing equipment either includes a pack or a vest to carry your gear.
I prefer a fishing vest over a fishing pack because the fishing vests allows me spread out and organize everything better but I find that a fishing vest full of stuff can be hard on your shoulders and back after a long day on the river.
This is why I now only use waist packs or sling packs. The sling pack still puts weight on your shoulder but the waist or the hip packs take all the weight off your shoulders and your back.
Some fishing packs like the Fishpond Blue River Chest/Lumbar Pack can be used as a waist pack or as a chest pack.
Some the best fishing packs either come from the FishPond brand or from the SIMMS brand.
Gloves For Warmth and Sun Protection
I use fishing gloves in the winter to keep my hands warms but I also wear sun gloves to protect the tops of my hands.
I know professional guides and professional tournament anglers that have had to remove skin cancer off the top of their hands from too many days in the sun.
I also wear sun gloves because I find sunblock sometimes makes my hands slippery when holding my fly rod and can make a mess on your fly rod cork. If you want to try sun gloves consider the Simms Sun Gloves which I have been wearing for about 6 years.
Not all winter gloves are good when fishing. In fact, most winter gloves make fishing very difficult, but there are some gloves designed for winter fishing that you should consider as part of your fly fishing equipment if you fish in cold weather.
If you want to know the best gloves for winter fishing. I discuss the best winter fishing gloves on my page Fishing In The Winter – Stay Warm With These 10 Tips
Layering To Keep You Warm
If you are fishing in cooler weather there is special undershirts and long underpants that can help you stay warmer and dryer.
I consider these under layers an essential part of my fly fishing clothing when I fish in cold weather. I discuss the best layering systems and gear on my page Fishing In The Winter – Stay Warm With These 10 Tips
Waders – Essential Fly Fishing Gear
I practically live in waders and I consider waders an essential part of your fly fishing equipment.
I’ve been in a pair of waders for 7 to 12 hours a day, for over 5 days straight and sometimes over 250 days a year. That’s a lot of time in a pair of waders.
I wear waders in freezing temperatures and in hot beach weather.
I don’t just wear waders so I can walk in the water and not get wet. I also wear waders to protect me from poisonous plants, insects, ticks, and sharp objects.
I wear SIMMS G3 Guide Waders but these are expensive and not for everyone. I have used many other bands so even less expensive waders like these Frogg Toggs Hellbender PRO Stockingfoot Chest Waders for under $200.00.
Some waders are better than others. Some waders come with the boots built onto the waders which are known as boot-foot waders and others without the boots are called stocking foot waders. There are also breathable waders which I highly recommend and there are also neoprene waders.
Some waders are great in the winter in very cold water too and some waders are better in the summer. I prefer waders that will work well in both summer and winter which I discuss on my Winter Fishing Page.
Wading Boots 101
Wading boots are essential fly fishing equipment that you will need with stocking foot waders.
Good wading boots will act like hiking boots and protect your ankles and feet.
I have been using mostly Korkers wading boots for me and my clients for over 10 years.
These wading boots have interchangeable soles so I can use studs on rivers that have slippery rocks, mud, or ice, or I can switch them to felt or rubber when needed.
The boots that I wear now and have been wearing for about 3 years are the Korkers Devils Canyon Wading Boots which are the black ones in the picture above.
I have all my clients that require boots in the Korkers Buckskin Wading Boots and they have been solid boots for under $100.00
Wading Socks
Not an essential piece of equipment because just about any sock will do but good wading socks are designed to wick away moisture better than other socks and that’s always a good thing on the river especially in cold water.
Wading Staff
A wading staff is another non-essential piece of fly fishing safety gear but they can be good for the right person. They are a good tool to help keep you safe if you are not sturdy on the rocks and in the faster current.
They are good because a wading staff will improve your balance and stability and might just save your butt from falling in.
They can also be bad because most wading staffs have a metal end and that metal banging against the rock on the bottom just lets those big wise trout know that you’re coming which is a bad thing.
The best wading staffs are over $100.00 but they are the best. For the best staff look at the SIMMS wading staff or the Orvis Ripcord Wading Staff.
For a less expensive staff under $50.00 consider the Hairline Collapsible Aluminum Wading Staff.
Wading Nets Are A Must Have Items
Wading nets are a must-have tool for river guides, but they are also very important for all river anglers and should be a part of your fly fishing setup.
Some wading nets can be $20 dollars while other wading nets will be over $200 dollars.
There are right ways to attach the wading net and also the right sizes.
I discuss the best wading nets and the ones that I use and recommend and tips on how to attach them at 5 Best Trout Nets And A Guides Advice On How To Attach Them.
Release Gear And Terminal Tackle
Terminal tackle is all the little things a river angler might need to make their time on the water easier. The terminal tackle listed below is fly fishing equipment that you should consider.
Forceps
Forceps allow you to get deep hooks out of the fish’s throat and are a must-have fly fishing release gear tool.
There are times when the hook is so deep there is no way that you can do it with your fingers alone. You could use needle nose pliers but forceps are better.
The forceps your buy should be skinny enough to get deep into small 6 inch trout. They should also be light and not oversized.
I like forceps with scissors built-in like the Orvis Scissor Forceps, because I can and will use them to cut tippets, leaders, and even to trim off excess material from my flies.
If you have forceps with scissors you won’t need a separate pair of scissors.
Nippers
These are like nail clippers but for your line and are another great fly fishing tool that can make your day easier.
Some nippers are cheap and can be under $10.00 but I find the cheaper ones don’t cut well or last long.
Some nippers can be over $75 dollars and if you have the money these are great nippers. I prefer wider nippers like the ones in the picture and find that they cut better.
Most of the nippers that I use are in the $15 to $30 range and they work great. Check out this $15 dollar Montana Fly Company River Steel Wide Body Tungsten Carbide Nippers at Bass Pro Shops.
Retractors and Zingers
Retractors or zingers are little gadgets that I use for my forceps and for my nippers or other small tools so they are easily accessible without putting them in my pocket, vest, or pack.
They are either a spring-type cord like the SIMMS Retractor which is the one you see in the picture or they are a retractable wire that goes in and out of small housing.
These are other fly tools that you should consider for your nippers and forceps.
Another good retractor is the Fishpond Cord Retractor which some anglers prefer.
I prefer the FishPond Swivel Cord Retractor version because they seem to hold up better than the wire ones.
Clip-on Magnifiers
My clients ask me about the clip-on magnifying glasses on my hat all the time.
These are great if your vision prevents you from tying on small hooks with thin tippet.
The ones that I use and the ones all my clients ask me about are the Hat Flip Focals and are another great tool that can make your day easier.
Stream Thermometer
A stream thermometer is another useful tool to add.
I use a stream thermometer mostly during the summer months to make sure that I’m fishing water that is too warm.
Once the water temps reach about 68f the trout will shut down and stop feeding.
Anything over 68f is also stressful on the trout and you can kill them during a long fight.
If I find that the temperature gets over 68f it lets me know that I’m wasting my time and that I’m better off either going and finding a colder section of the river, going to a colder river, or just going home.
There are all kinds of good stream thermometers and I have tested mine up against many of my client’s more expensive ones and mine is always bang-on perfect. The one in the picture is mine and you can get it at Bass Pro Shop HERE.
If you want a higher-end stream thermometer you should check out the Orvis Enclosed Stream Thermometer.
Tippet Holder
A tippet holder is a nice easy-access tool that attaches to your fishing vest or your fishing pack and is another tool that you should consider.
The tippet holder organizes your tippets better than just putting them all in your pocket and it makes grabbing your next piece of tippet easy.
The Rio Tippet Holder is a good choice.
Got A Question About Fly Fishing Gear
If you have a question about fly fishing gear or there is something that you like to use that I don’t have listed here let me know in the comments section below.
Tight Lines,
Graham
