What do you need to start flyfishing?
You can get a wader, rod, reed, and other fishing equipment within budget.
For beginners, your gear is an essential part of flyfishing; it can make the difference between an adventurous or frustrating experience for you. However, quality equipment that remains durable in and out of season doesn’t cost a fortune. It’s all up to you and the budget you have to start. The most important thing is to get started, which is what the list below is all about. It contains everything you need to get started. You’ll even have some change left to pay casting lesson fees.
1. Simms Tributary Waders
Simms has a reputation as the makers of the best waders globally. The high-end models from this maker are recommended by all fishing guides, but they are pricey. Simms also has an entry-level angler called the Tributary Wader that costs less than $200. It’s a lightweight wader with features like stocking-foot, a hand-warmer pocket lined with wool, and a big front pocket. The best part is that the product is backed with the same warranty as to the topline models.
Tributaries offer you ample room to place clothes at the base when the water is cold. They won’t cause any issue in hot heathers either. Unlike other models with inseams between the legs, Tributary seams are located at the front, so why won’t they wear out when your legs rub against each other. Suppose you eventually buy a topline model along the line. These would serve as an excellent backup; you can even use them for duck hunts in the warm weather.
2. Simms Freestone Boots
We recommend the mid-tier Simms Freestone Boots, which cost more but worth the extra dollar you’ll pay for it. Since you will be walking on slippery rocks, the risk of twisting your ankle is high. The Freestone is a lightweight boot that won’t weigh you down but provides strong support for your foothold. You can even install screw-in studs for extra grip. Simms offers a felt sole option, but we’ll recommend a rubber sole since felt soles are prohibited in some streams. You should but a slightly bigger size to give your sole toes some breathing space.
3. Fenwick Aetos Fly Rod
If you want a durable, general-purpose rod, the Fenwick Aetos is an excellent option. It features a crisp, fast action. It also has a solid fit-and-finish. You can line up the guides easily using the white lines and dots etched at the joint of the four rods intersections. We recommend you but a 9ft, 5wt, you can conveniently handle various freshwater fishes, from the bluegill to the brown trout.
4. Waterworks-Lamson Liquid Reel
Most brands of good reels are priced between $100-$200 these days. It’s a great idea to visit a fly shop to check out the brands that you like. For starters, the Lamson Liquid is a great model that is adjustable, with an anodized finish and a completely sealed conical drag system. The brand offers the reel by itself and the option of a kit containing three spools, allowing you to preload spools with different lines, depending on where you are fishing. The reel is die-cast ( some anglers don’t like this), but the cast is done abroad but machined and assembled in Boise with the same standard used for high-end models.
5. Creative Angler Fly Fishing Net
While the net is not compulsory, it can be helpful when you caught a big fish. You don’t have to be picky with nets, they all serve the same purpose, but some brands can be lighter than others. The most important thing is to get a fish basket, which is more comfortable for the fish. The creative Angler Fly Fishing net works excellent here. You can anchor it to a wader belt or drag it across your shoulder with a shock cord so it won’t float away while you’re focused on fishing.
6. Orvis Premium Fly-Tying Starter Kit
A single fly is inexpensive, but get ready to dish out some cash when you’re buying them in boxes. While the fly-tying kit is not a must for starters, it can help you save money. Moreover, the experience of catching fish on a fly anchored to yourself is incredible. It’s an experience you’ll want to have off-season. With the Ovis brand, you’ll get enough materials and hooks for 160 flies and an instructional DVD too. The kit contains every tool a beginner needs, and each material is labeled for a specific pattern.
7. Suncloud Rambler Sunglasses
You need polarized sunglasses to reduce the glare from the water to see fishes easily and protect your eyes from the hooks. The fly can travel up to 600ft/s when you cast it. A sloppy back cast or contrary wind can redirect the sharp hook straight to your eyes. You can choose to buy the high-end polarized glasses for hundreds of dollars or choose a moderately priced Suncloud. The brand offers lots of stylish, lightweight models that cost less than $60 (their reading glasses cost more.) With Suncloud’s injection-molded polycarbonate lens, polarization is as good as the high-end brands.
8. Barnsley Fly Co. Fly Box + 100 Flies
We recommend that you buy your flies at a local shop. They can recommend the ones that will work excellently for your locality. And of course, you should support your local businesses. In case you do not have a sly shop nearby, you can buy the Barnsley Fly Company; they offer a 100-flu package metal box containing quality dry patterns, nymphs, and streamers. Even if you lost the content to tree branches and underwater rocks, you can still keep the box! The kit contains multiple-sized flies. This is helpful because a fish that won’t bait a fly will fall for a different
9. Gink
The gink and other types of flotant help resolve the challenge of dry flies sinking under the surface when they get waterlogged. You can use a little of the gink around the dry flies to get them floating lick corks. That is how to keep them floating on the water longer. That is how to catch more fishes. Some anglers prefer to use hydrophobic powder that will keep the flies afloat. However, the gink floatants are easy to use and suitable for starters.
10. Redington Clark Fork Vest
At this point, you’ve already bought lots of stuff, and you’ll need a bag to carry everything. We recommend getting the lightweight, breathable, and affordable bag from Redington. It’s made with mesh all around; you can even wear it during the hot weather too. With the numerous pockets and many features, you can get your stuff organized quickly and minimize confusion when in the water. The retail price of the Clark Fork ranges from $20 to $40, depending on where you buy it.
11. Booms Flyfishing Vest Tool Kit
You don’t have to cut lines with your teeth or use fingers to remove the hook from a fish’s mouth. Simply get a set of hemostats to do these common tasks while fishing in the water. The line clipper also allows you to cut knots anywhere you like. With this set of Booms, you get both items with a retraceable zinger! You can simply pin it to your fishing vest, so it’s easily reachable when you need it,
Here are the essential lists for a beginner. You may end up getting additional tools, but these are absolutely necessary.