Fly Fishing Tackle

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If you’ve never bought fly fishing tackle before, there are a few things you need to know. The hook or fly is not the only important piece of fishing tackle you’ll need. I hope that my experience can help you get started off on the right foot because fly fishing alone is a delicate art form.

A fishing fly is basically a hook decorated with material to look like a winged insect or grub.  But basically anything that a fish would normally eat in the environment is simulated around this tiny hook. Some use feathers and string, while others use fabrics, fur, and googlely eyes from the craft store. There are millions of different patterns to choose from and all will range in price from a few cents to 10’s of dollars. However, if you have extra time and ambition, you can buy the tools required to make your own flies. This in itself is considered an art. The fly is only a small part of your fishing tackle arsenal as the presentation on the water comes just above it.

When we think of fly fishing, we most often think about a man with hip waders in a shallow river, casting his line all over and reeling in beautiful trout. It almost looks picture perfect for the most part. But in fact, there are many different types of fish in which the fly fishing technique is used. Everything from salmon in the Arctic to saltwater fish in the flats, are sought after. Let’s look at some important pieces of equipment you will need no matter if you are on shore, a boat, or chest deep in the water.

1.    Fishing Vest - A good fishing vest is essential for many reasons. It a lot of pockets for your knife, scissors, fly boxes, first aid, pliers, and other gear all at an easy reach. In many ways the vest is a fly fishing tackle box that you wear. It is a good idea to pick up one of quality. It will be a bit expensive, $100+, but it will be worth it in the long run. It is important to make sure it is safe to become wet or exposed to the sun for long periods of time. If your vest becomes wet you don’t want the stitching loosening up. If you’re under the sun, a similar process can happen and even cause the fabric to tear easily.

2.    Breathable Hip Waders - Hip waders allow you to be in the water for extended periods of time. But because they are made out of plastics and vinyl, they can quickly become a hot sauna despite being surrounded in cold water. The term Hip wader is usually used for both hip waders, and chest waders which protect you up to your chest. When you buy a pair of waders, be sure to pick up a repair kit as well. Even one small hole will quickly ruin the purpose of them.

<- Hip Wader  <- Chest Wader

You might want to wear short in your waders to help against sweating but sometimes the linings of the waders are sharp. To help combat this I suggest you line the seams with duct tape where ever they cause discomfort.

3.    Fly Rods - Depending on what you’re catching, will determine the strength of your rod. Typically, Salt water fishing will use must longer rods to give you the ability of casting much further. Fishing for large fish like salmon require an extremely flexible and strong rod rip. Salmon are amazing fighters and you need to have a rod to support it. Even catching something as small as a fresh water perch on a fly rod will show you how different it is than using a spin cast rod.

4.    Fly reel - Fly reels are important because they will help get line out and in many cases, control the drag with a long fighting fish. You can spend thousands of dollars on a good reel, so I suggest you purchase a good second hand model that you can gain experience with.

5.    Flies - Of course to complete your fly fishing tackle needs, you will need some flies. It is important to know which fish you are targeting, where, when, and how. Fly fishing is quite technical when it comes to presenting baits to fish. A lot of the fish you will be going after are in shallow water and will spook easily. I recommend that you have a variety of flies and quite a few duplicates. The pounding flies take from being whipped around in the air can sometimes damage them. Not only that but hooking a fish can and usually will destroy the flies’ perfect look. I wasn’t going to add this but, if you’re like me, sometimes the trees can have their way too.

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on fly fishing tackle, but you do need to spend a lot of time perfecting the techniques and understandings of the sport.