Basic Fly Fishing Equipment

What you need to get started

So here you are.  You have finally decided you really like fly fishing and are going to pursue it.

As a beginning fly fisherman you have several fly fishing equipment options:

  1. invest in some basic fly fishing equipment
  2. find a fly fishing shop that will rent you equipment
  3. take a guided flyfishing trip.  Guides services will generally offer flyfishing equipment rental.

Shops that offer guided trips may also offer equipment rental.  At the end of the season, many shops will discount the rental fly fishing equipment for quick sale.  If you stay in touch with your fly shop or guide service, you may be able to outfit yourself considerably cheaper than with all new flyfishing equipment.  You should also check around for fly tackle shops that offer fly fishing equipment rental.

Here is a suggested list of what you need to get started.

Equipment Description Cost More Information
Fly Rod is the first piece of equipment
A good way to get Started is to look at
a rod, reel and line combo  Combos are
the most reasonable cost to get started		 $150 to $700
for individual rods 		fly-rods
How to choose a fly rod
Fly Fishing Reel -- to carry your line.  Cost can be anywhere from $50 to $500 plus.  Starting out, the Ross Flywater Reel for $100 is extremely good. Ross Flywater
$100		  
Fly Line and Backing -- This is a crucial piece of equipment.  It is the only  thing that actually moves your fly to the fish.  Scientific Angler Mastery or Rio are your best choices. The cost shown may include the backing if you purchase from your local fly shop. $40 to $60 The $60 lines
are a good investment.		  
Fishing Vest -- should have about 20 to 25 pockets to hold your gear.  You can get a mesh back for summer or a removable back with mesh underneath for summer.  Vest is not absolutely necessary but makes life a lot easier.  Choosing Fly Fishing Vests

Here is the Fly Vest we gave away in our annual gear contest.   Orvis Super Tac L Pac  

$50 to about $150 depending on quality  
Chest Pack and / or Fanny Pack Combo.  A well arranged fanny pack will carry about the same amount of gear as a vest. It will give you more freedom of movement for casting or just moving around.  Professional Guide Janice O'Shea recommends the Orvis Safe Passage Waist and Chest Pac Combo

See all the Orvis Safe Passage Chest, Lumbar and Combos

 orvis lightweight safe passage waist and chest pack combo Orvis Safe Passage Waist and Chest Pak Combo -- $129  
Neck Lanyard -- to go with a Chest or Fanny Pak.  The lanyard can carry tippet spools, forceps, fly floatant, bug repellant, sunscreen and so on.

A variety of Lanyards on sale from $3.95 through $39.00 and other accessories

 image of a neck lanyard with accessories  
Fly Box -- If you purchase a Scientific Angler or CW Designs (same as Sci Angler), You will not need but ONE fly box.  This box contains foam rubber pages with "micro-slits" to hold the hook bend of  your flies.  Thus the foam is not torn by the hook point.  Pages for Streamers, nymphs, dries, wets, can be added.  You literally can carry hundreds of flies in one box. about $35  
Flies -- Cost can run from $1.60 for grade A flies to  60 cents for cheap flies  Talk to your local fly shop for recommendations to get you started.  2 dozen should do $30  
Waders -- either hip boots, waist or chest.  I recommend you get breathable waders in any case.  Even breathable, they get hot in 90 degree weather. Fishing Waders Breathable  $150 -- $350 depending on quality and brand  
Landing Net -- with a soft seamless bag for easy catch and release.  (Latest ones have a rubberized mesh bag which is thought to harm a trout's slime layer less than any other kind of mesh.  I find the rubberized mesh doesn't lay as flat to the back as the traditional soft mesh bag)

Make sure to get a net with a hoop opening at least about 8 inches wide by 18 inches long.  There is nothing more frustrating than hooking a 26 inch fish and having too small a landing net.

 $30 to $120 depending on brand and size.

avg = $50 for a good net

  
Magnetic Net Release -- A simple magnetic net clip to make your life easier.  $16.95  
Leaders -- in 9 foot and 7 and half foot lengths to 4X early season and 5X later season.  Easiest Way to buy these is in three packs 9ft--3pak $9.95
7and half ft -- 3pak $9.95		  
Clippers -- with pin to clean out hook eyes and untangle knots.  I use a cheap $2.00 pair of Zephyr clippers with a straight blade.  (The straight blade makes it easier to clip leaders and such) $2 to $5  
High Quality Sunglasses  -- to see fish and protect your vision harmful UV rays,  We offer Action Optics, the Wiley X JP2P, JP3P, and JP2LA series of Seal Tek glasses as seen in "Fly Fish America" , "Click goggles" (Best of 2003 Vision Expo in Las Vegas), Cocoons (fit over your prescription eyewear), Nike, Rayban, Revo, Spy, Bolle and other companies for fishing.

According to the professional guides I have spoken to, Amber or Copper are the best colors for spotting fish.  Action Optics is the brand the Colorado Guides I know recommend.
Action Optics Sunglasses

If you can wear your regular prescription glasses, Wal Mart offers a clip on type called "Shields" for about $20.

 

 Avg cost non-prescription $100

Prescription cost about $400 --Depending on prescription.

  
Total assuming a beginning combo is purchased -- $750  
Total assuming individual rod, reel and line are purchased. $850  

A fly rod, reel and line combo can save you hundreds of dollars over purchasing individual components.

While the cost is significant, a good rod will last well over ten years with reasonable care, a set of waders about 5 seasons, a fly line about 4 seasons, sunglasses -- 5 years at least.  So when the cost usage is spread over some years, the total is not so intimidating.