Beginner Fly Fishing Gear
Besides having you fly fishing rod, fly fishing reel, and fly fishing line, there are other beginner fly fishing gear that you should get before you can start fly fishing. This guide describes the essential fly fishing gear and tools required for the beginner angler.
Fly Fishing Flies
An essential part of fly fishing – you won’t catch any fish with the wrong fly fishing flies. You need to match the types of flies that you buy to the species of fish you want to catch. When starting out, a fly selection package is a cost-effective way of building up your fly collection. A fly selection package is a selection of flies packaged for a specific region or fish species. A fly box is essential to keep all your fly fishing flies safe and sound. A fly box consists of various compartments so that you can organize you fly collection.
Leader and Tippet Spool
The leader is nylon line that sits between the tippet and the fly line, and leader line in normally tapered. A leader separates the fly line from the fly, and does not create a disturbance in the water near the fly when the fly line is cast. As the leader is made from clear see-through material, it is invisible to the fish. Leader line normally tapers, and you tie the thick end of the leader to your fly fishing line. Leaders come in different break strengths and lengths (normally between 7 to 9 feet), and you normally buy a specific leader to match the type of fish you intend to catch.
A tippet is tied onto the leader, and is used so that whenever you replace a fly on your line, you don’t have to cut your leader line down. Tippet line is available in different breaking strengths and different diameters to match the size and species of fish you intend to catch. You tie your fly to the end of your tippet, and your tippet is normally one to three feet in length. Your tippet line must match the tippet (thin end) diameter of your leader. For example, you will need a 5X tippet line if your leader has a 5x tippet diameter.
Fly Fishing Waders
Waders are waterproof gear that allow anglers to stand in deep water without getting wet. According to the depth of water you plan to go fishing in, you get hip-height, waist-height, and chest-height waders. Waders are not essential when fishing in warm climates where you don’t mind getting wet, but in colder climates waders are essential. Fly fishing waders come in two main categories - stockingfoot or bootfoot. Bootfoot waders come with the boot built into the wader, and stockingfoot will require that you buy separate wading boots or sandals. The Gore-Tex Simms waders are reputed to be the best waders available today.
Fly Fishing Accessories
There are essential fly fishing accessories that all anglers should have. Its also essential that you have a pair of clippers to cut your fishing line - a pair of nail clippers can be used. A pair of fishing pliers, or a hemostat, which is used to get the hook out of a fish’s mouth or to mash down the barbs on hooks. Another useful item is a hook file, which is used to keep your hooks sharp.
Sun Protection
You will be in the sun for extended periods, so its essential to wear a hat and sunglasses to reduce the glare you get off the water. Polarized sunglasses will help you see what is happening above and below the water.
Fly Fishing Vest
A fly fishing vest is recommended, and is extremely useful to keep all your fly fishing accessories and tools organized without losing items. Vests can also be used to keep you warm and dry. Here is a guide to help you choose the best fly fishing vest to suit your requirements.
That covers the essential beginner fly fishing gear that you will require in order to get started with fly fishing.
For more information about the sport of fly fishing, take a look at the Fly Fishing Elite news feed at Feedest.com.
This entry was posted on Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 2:32 am and is filed under Fishing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.