This lack of essential gear often occurs due to the sheer multitude of gear a beginning angler has to remember to bring.
Everyone who’s ever gone fishing always has something to say about the type of gear you should bring.
It’s easy to get lost in a sea of information and be confused about which gear you should buy and which you should not.
Which essential gear should you pack? Which equipment is most important for the changing seasons? How do you stay warm in the cold water? These are all fundamental questions any beginner will have.
If you want to have a memorable, exciting, and enjoyable fly fishing trip, you need clear and correct answers to all of these questions, especially when you don’t know where to start.
Considering all the challenges you might face on your first fly fishing trip, we’ve compiled an essential fly fishing gear list for any situation.
To ensure you don’t lack any necessary gear, let’s first consider the four main items you need for fly fishing.
What Gear Do I Need for Fly Fishing?
When it comes down to whether you get to fly fish or not on a fishing trip, there are four main pieces of equipment you must have for the activity to even be considered fly fishing. These are:
- Fly fishing rod
- Fly fishing reel
- Fly line
- Fly itself or attractor
Leaving just one of these items out of the gear list can send you back home for the day with no fish in sight.
It’s like going spearfishing without a spear or netting fishing without a net. You simply can’t leave any of them out.
Fly Fishing Rod
The fishing rod is part of the dance of fly fishing.
Your fly fishing rod will determine your finesse when casting, the kind of fish you can handle, and if you will be able to successfully reel in a big catch.
Even though there is no hard and fast rule for the fishing rod you choose, your choice must fit you well for the best results. You will need to pay attention to the rod’s weight, length, and the material usedin its construction.
Ultimately it would be best to have a rod that gives you the most action and freedom to move and cast freely. So, pick something lightweight and appropriately balanced for you. We recommend choosing between 7 to 9 feet for length and 4 to 6 for weight. Many anglers find the 5-weight and 9 ft flying rod to be perfect.
Fly Fishing Reel
The fly fishing reel is another essential piece of equipment. It’s a small but powerful gear that holds your fishing line and allows you to reel fish in effortlessly.
You can’t fly fish without a reel. How else are you going to keep all that line spooled up uniformly or retrieve flies skillfully from the water?
The only problem you may face is the number of reels available on the market that come in many different designs and fishing types. Durability is also essential, because replacing reels all the time can quickly become costly.
Sometimes a fishing rod will come with a reel, and sometimes it won’t. However, getting the former combination will guarantee more synergy between the rod and the reel if you have trouble choosing a reel.
For good measure, make sure the reel and rod weight are the same and that you are comfortable with the drag system — this is increasingly important as fish sizes increase.
Fly Line
Now, what is fly fishing without a fly line? Remember that fly fishing is all about mimicking flies that a fish will typically encounter in its natural habitat.
And even with artificial flies, which we will get to in a bit, the fly line allows your artificial fly to fly, albeit momentarily, before landing on the water’s surface.
Lines are designed to enhance the fly fishing experience and quickly cut through the air when you cast. Still, they are strong enough to pull some big fish out of the water.
Some are tapered in variations to increase this movement through the air and make casting accurate and effective. Rio, Piscifun, and Scientific anglers all make high-performance lines that work well for beginners.
Floating fishing lines are also designed to flow with your fly on the surface for dry fly fishing, while sinking lines will sink with the fly for wet fly fishing.
The weight of the line should match the rod and reel for the best handling when casting (either front or backcasting).
Artificial Flies
Finally, we have the main attraction itself: the flies. If you are new to fly fishing, let us warn you that this rabbit hole runs deep. You are probably wondering about the types you should get, which fly box will hold them, and if you need more than a handful.
For starters, you will need a lot of flies.
This is mainly because you have to use different flies for different scenarios. You need dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, and streamers. The goal is to get moving attractors that will lure even the most suspicious fish.
8 Essential Fly Fishing Gear List for Any Fly Fishing Trip
Your fly fishing gear list is almost complete. Now, let’s go over the eight essential pieces of fly fishing gear you will need in combination with the must-have essentials.
Fly Fishing Leaders
Leaders are made from a clear monofilament used to enhance the realism of fly fishing. Most lines are colored and thick, so leaders connect the fly to the fishing line to make the fly look more natural on the surface.
Fly Box
A fly box stores all the flies you will pick up on your fly fishing journey. It makes it easy to carry a bunch of flies in your fishing vest without damaging them. Depending on the box, you can store more than 100 pieces of fly fishing bait effortlessly, including the ones you make yourself.
Fly Floatant
Artificial flies used for dry fly fishing will, over time, lose their buoyancy and start sinking. The only way you can save that fly from going in the bin is to use a fly floatant. Your flies will once again begin floating like dead bugs on the water’s surface.
Waders
If you are starting fly fishing in the middle of winter or early spring or going deep fly fishing where you are waist-deep in the water, you are going to need durable waders that can keep you warm and dry while you fish.
Durability and a good fit are the most crucial factors here, so choose wisely. You can purchase a wading staff and belt when you are confident enough to fish in fast-moving water.
Wading Boot
You will almost always need wading boots when going into the water.
Even if you don’t purchase a wader for your first fly fishing trip, wading boots will keep your feet dry and warm and make standing more comfortable. Make sure to get a fitted boot that won’t make your appendages sore after a day.
The best boots have removable soles that you can change depending on the fishing location and mechanized laces that make for easy wear and removal.
Fishing Net
Since most anglers practice catch and release, you’ll temporarily use a net to bring the fish in, unhook it, and release it back into the water before it suffocates.
You don’t need to waste time beaching the fish to remove the hook with a net. Plus, a net makes landing a larger fish easier.Amazon has a huge supply of light fishing nets to choose from.
Polarized Sunglasses
We usually recommend polarized sunglasses because they amplify the beauty of the sport of fly fishing. With polarized glasses, you can easily see into the water. You can watch how a trout responds to your dance, retrieval, and when it eventually lunges at your fly.
Fishing Vest
It’s very useful to have a specialized fishing vest that can hold all your accessories while you fish. A fly fishing vest can fit most of your essential equipment, including a fishing net, fly box, and leaders.
Optional Standard Gear to Consider
- Fishing hat (summer)
- Leader straightener
- Fishing nippers
- Tippet
- Strike indicator
- Insect repellant
- Rain jacket
Start Your Fly Fishing Trip Like a Champ
With this fly fishing gear list, you can go fishing anywhere, in any situation, and overcome any challenge you may face.
Even if you are newly getting into the sport, having the proper fly fishing gear will ensure you are completely prepared to get started on your fly fishing journey.
Your fishing trips will be memorable, enjoyable, and exciting because you have followed these recommendations and done all you can to prepare yourself for any situation.
