Have Flies, You’ll Fish: The Essentials of a Fly Fishing Fan

1. Fly rod. Of course you need a fly rod. Quality fly rods and reels can be purchased at reasonable prices from many manufacturers such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, Orvis, and many cities have local fly fishing outfitters. Rod weight is determined by the fish you are looking for, talk to your local fly shop staff for help.
2. Tapered fly line.
3. A fly reel. The real thing also depends on the fish you hope to get. Most reels that are designed for trout or bass fishing are there simply to hold the fly line, not to fight the fish. Less expensive fly reels have been effective for trout and bass anglers. But for hard-hitting freshwater or saltwater species, you need a high-quality reel with an excellent drag system and plenty of backing.
4. A leader.
5. The fun stuff, some flies. You will now be known as “The Fly Guy”. The successful fly fisherman, regardless of the species he is fishing for, must learn to choose the correct fly from the point of view of the fish, not from his own point of view; shop like a hungry fish.
6. Fishing boots. Go ahead get wet. A breathable material, such as neoprene or nylon, will allow for much greater mobility. Depending on the type of water you fish in, you may want to purchase boot foot or sock foot fishing boots. (Boot waders are convenient, but waders with separate waders give you better support and allow you to be more athletic when wading.)
7. Sunscreen and insect repellent. Duh.

Now let’s add a little more, for the angler who already has the basics. Here is a list of what you must have:

1. Polarized sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses will cut through the glare on the water and allow you to follow your fly more closely. This allows you to spot hits more easily and hopefully catch more fish. Also, you look like a cool mo fo out there with some killer shades.
2. A wide-brimmed hat. A wide-brimmed hat will help keep the sun from burning your ears and seeping through the rims of your sunglasses. It will also help protect your ears and the back of your head from your fly on a misplaced pitch.
3. Fly accessories. There are so many gizmos and gizmos out there. Some of my picks are, the world’s lightest and most indestructible fly box, a hook sharpener to sharpen your flies, a float for dry flies, a selection of non-toxic small split shots or sink putty for fishing nymphs.
4. A fly fishing vest. Now they have much cooler ones than the ones your grandfather used in the past.
5. Fun things to hang and put on that vest: The possibilities are endless; On the outside of your vest or shirt pockets, you should attach a cutout and zinger so you can easily reach them. The snip is the tool you will use the most and it should be placed conveniently. You can also hang a pair of forceps on your pocket flap by clicking the handles to the second notch. Oh, and let’s not forget a network. We are fishing with the anticipation of catching.

I hope these lists have been useful to you. If you have a great product recommendation, please add it to the comment box. If you think my list is incomplete, please help a brother and add your comment. Remember, starting fly fishing is a time when getting help can go a long way: you can consult a local fly fishing shop, fly fishing club, or certified casting instructor. The services of a guide or fishing with a fly fishing expert can help speed up the learning curve most new fly anglers face. While this story has perhaps oversimplified a fascinating sport, put these basics in place and I guess you’ll be well on your way. Get ready, get out there and fly fish.