Essential Fly Fishing Gear:  More Stuff You REALLY Need!

We went over a couple of the important things that you really, really need to keep with you whenever you’re going fly fishing, but there is even more essential fly fishing gear – stuff you should not leave the house without!  So here’s the lowdown on what you should be stuffing into the back of your car or into your duffel bags for a road trip.  You won’t regret it, we promise.

Fly Box

Okay, so maybe this isn't absolutely essential, but it'll keep you from a lot of frustration (and not to mention pain!) later.  Keeping your stuff organized is always a good idea.  Keeping your flies and hooks and other smaller, easily lost pieces of equipment in a box is a way to keep them in good shape.  And for Pete's sake, don't EVER put your flies in your pants pockets.  Hooks are meant for sliding into the skin of a fish's mouth and staying there, so they can certainly do some damage to your butt or other unmentionables if you should sit down on them.  Even if you're into wacky piercings, you probably won't like these at all!

First Aid Kit

On that note, even if you don’t think it’s a really big deal, a first aid kit should be packed whenever you’re going fly fishing.  This can be tucked into your fly box or stuck in your back pack.  Why is it such an essential piece of equipment?  Even the experienced angler can have accidents.  We know this and we accept it.  If, say, you decided to actually stick one of those hooks in a pocket, you might end up with a pretty nasty puncture wound – and if the hook’s been in the mouth of a fish, or in river water that’s less than pristine, you may have the problem of infection if you’re not careful.  So, be sure to tuck some gauze, band-aids, an anti-bacterial, and some surgical tape in that first aid kit.  Safety out on the water is not something to sneeze at!

Dress Appropriately!

We know that your mom has probably said that to you a million times in the past in one way or another.  Well, much as we might hate to admit it, she was right, and she didn't just mean for snowstorms.  We're not suggesting that you put on a snow suit that won't let you put your arms down in order to go fly fishing, but you sure don't want to (literally) freeze your butt (or a lot of other things) off.  That said, here's what you need to wear.

Waders

Those things that look like rubber overalls are what we mean, and considering that if you're going to be fly fishing in a stream you're probably not going to be doing it from shore, these are definitely essential to your comfort and safety.  Not only will they keep your pants mostly dry, but they'll insulate you against the water.  The body loses heat faster in water than in air, anyway.  A wading belt is probably a good idea along with these, so you’re not swept away with the current.

Wading Boots

And of course, with wading pants you're going to want wading boots too.  It wouldn't make much sense to wear your good shoes if all they're going to do is get ruined!

That’s good to start for the very, very essentials.  Next, you should probably think of equipment that will be convenient and make your life a lot easier.