So, now you've been through the list of tools needed, let's look at the fly tying materials you'll need to get started. Again, just as with the tools, this is not an all-inclusive list of all the materials you'll ever need. This is simply a very basic list of materials that will get you started […]
Ok, it's time to jump right in and learn about the fly tying tools you'll need to have in order to get started tying flies. This is not an all-inclusive list of all the fly tying tools you'll ever need. This is simply a list of tools that will get you started and will allow […]
An experienced fly fisherman is art in motion. It is so awesome to watch a seasoned fly fisherman on the stream. I remember early on in my fly fishing watching a mentor of mine on his local waters. No matter what surrounded him, he could cast his fly anywhere he wanted and land it so […]
Fly Tying Terms A Abdomen - the segmented rear section of an insect's body. Adult - the winged stage of aquatic insects; reproductive stage. Amphidromous fish - fish that regularly migrate between freshwater and saltwater Antron - a synthetic yarn material made of long sparkly fibers used for many aspects of fly tying including wrapped […]
There are lots of good reasons to give flies a chance on your spinning rod. You may be traveling and only have room for one rod. You might not have mastered the art of fly casting--or might not care to! It may be that you have a nagging shoulder injury that makes fly casting torture. […]
Fly Fishing small streams and creeks can offer explosive excitement, and you’ll often find me working a local river that’s about two rod-lengths across at its widest points. The trout can be thick as thieves there on the best days, but they’re as wary as a cat at a dog park! If you’re having trouble […]
For those of us that love the water the way a dog loves its favorite spot on a couch, there’s no dragging us away from fishing. And whether we choose to return to the same spot, year after year, or hunt for new honey holes, it’s to the water that we always return. But when […]
Fishing can be a game of details. The finer points are often what can make or break a day on the water. This couldn’t be any more relevant than when fishing for trout. Add fly fishing into that mix, and those little details suddenly become more prominent than ever before. As someone who began fly […]
Panfish are a fly-angling opportunity not to be missed, especially if clear, cold streams are in short supply where you live. Species like crappie or bluegill are more aggressive than your typical trout - and decidedly less wary. As any experienced angler can attest, trout can be particular about which fly pattern they’ll take, turning […]
Wading belts have long been sold as accessories to hip and chest waders, allegedly as a safety device to prevent water from filling your waders and dragging you under. As far as we can tell, that’s a complete myth that’s been debunked time and time again. But wading belts are excellent for two things. They […]
Walking across slime-covered pebbles can feel like balancing on marbles, and good wading boots quickly prove their value. Rather than slipping and sliding your way across the stream, when you’re able to actually creep and cast, you know you’ve made the right choice! Offering excellent grip, plenty of foot protection, and all-day comfort, a good […]
When you’re wading in search of brook trout, you don’t have the luxury of a tackle bag. Instead, you’ve got to carry all the equipment you might need with you, and that means a good fly fishing vest. An essential buy for fly anglers, a good vest has space for your flies, leader, tippet, pliers, […]
While rods take the top seat in the fly fishing world, a good fly reel should enhance your angling prowess, helping you to achieve long, ultra-precise casts and fight aggressive fish with confidence. But with the wealth of reels on offer from major manufacturers, it can be tough to know which one is best for […]
Developed on the trout streams of inland Japan, tenkara fishing is gaining popularity in the West, especially among high-altitude backpackers and hikers. In part, this is due to the clean aesthetic and simplicity of tenkara: rod, line, and fly--the three components of fishing stripped of any excess. But the rising profile of tenkara is also […]
Euro nymphing is easily the hottest technique in the fly fishing world. The reason is as clear as the water you fish: tight-line, subsurface tactics have proven themselves to be remarkably effective. And while euro nymphing is possible with any fly rod, longer, purpose-built rods are definitely the best choices for long-distance tight lining. If […]
When you’re lofting flies to big fish, nothing beats a streamer. Designed to imitate small bait fish and attract reaction strikes, streamers are a fantastic option when you’re chasing large species like pike, salmon, steelhead, or even just monster brown trout. Streamers can work a lot of water quickly, too, allowing you to find active […]
Great fishing sunglasses aren’t a luxury; they’re essential fly-angling gear. The right sunglasses cut through glare, help you spot trout you’d miss with your naked eyes, and give you a break from the dazzling sun. They’ll also shield your eyes from branches, flying insects, and the occasional errant fly or rod tip. But my advice […]
Nippers are an essential fly fishing tool. Ideal for cutting tippet, leader, and line, nippers are easy to take for granted until you realize you don’t have them. And while nail clippers can be had for just pennies, well-made nippers are far more effective, by design. If you’re looking for the best fly-fishing nippers to […]
Some anglers can tie flies in the dark. I’m not one of them. I need a lot of light to see what I’m doing, and I either like that light to be gentle and diffuse or focused and moveable, depending on precisely what I’m trying to do. I’ve experimented with a few different lighting systems […]
A well-crafted fly is truly a thing of beauty, and if you’ve tried your hand at following a trout’s senses, you know how important precision really is. A good bobbin is a fly-tying essential, allowing you to craft clean, neat flies by providing perfect tension and a continuous, consistent feed of thread. And as simple […]
Tying your own flies is a fantastic idea. Not only can you customize your flies and adjust the weight of nymphs perfectly, but you’ll also come to know the special satisfaction of catching fish on flies you’ve crafted yourself. Tying flies takes a lot of practice, and the true masters have worked for years - […]
If you’re new to fly fishing or an experienced veteran of everything from brookies to steelhead, it always pays to research the fly rod market. With recent improvements in blank tech, fly rods are getting better and better, easily exceeding the performance of top choices from just a decade ago. If you’re looking for an […]
Maybe you’re new to fly fishing, and you’re searching for a rod and reel combo that can help you learn the art while simplifying an often overwhelming selection process. Or maybe you’re a fly-fishing die-hard looking for a backup rod and reel for the trip of a lifetime. In either case, and potentially dozens of […]
A four-piece fly rod seems plenty packable until you give it a try in real life. On one memorable fish trip, I first flew to Madrid for a week, continuing on to my final destination after spending time in the capital. To keep costs down, I was traveling with cabin baggage only, and space was […]
I’m blessed to live pretty close to some of the best trout fishing in the world, and I’ve been tempted a time or two to hit the water without wading socks. On a bright, hot day, I went barefoot with sandals, and even with the sun baking my back, I couldn’t feel anything below my […]
One challenge every fly angler faces is storage. While you're wading in a stream, returning to the bank to change flies, re-spool, or re-tie is a waste of precious time, as well as an unnecessary hassle. Instead, you want to keep your supplies - hemostats, fly storage boxes, spare spools, floatant, etc. - ready to […]
Fly anglers in the market for an excellent 5 wt rod are spoiled for choices. Often considered “all-arounders,” 5 wt rods are a great option for minimalists as well as anyone who wants a rod that’s capable in the vast majority of situations. Trout, panfish, smallmouth bass, and even largemouth and other similarly-sized species can […]
There’s a beautiful simplicity to fly fishing, a pure connection to nature that can’t be matched by conventional tackle. When you’re knee-deep in a gurgling stream, feeling your rod load on the back cast, and watching your fly sail through the air to land on the water, life is nothing short of magical. But getting […]
From icy mountain streams in Colorado to lazy rivers in Arkansas, trout anglers take to the water with waders and fly tackle, looking to land a big one. But to access the water, nothing is as effective as the best wader. Brush-busting, waterproof, and goat-footed on slippery rocks, good waders are essential fly angling gear. […]
Traditionally, fly angling meant wading into cold water with a good pair of insulated hip waders. But now, a new breed of angling kayak designed with fly fishing in mind has changed the game. No longer limited to a short stretch of a river or bank, with the tight ‘yak, fly anglers have a lot […]
A good wading net is as important as your fly rod. Not only does one make landing a struggling fish much, much easier, but the best fly fishing nets also provide gentle protection to delicate fish, preserving their all-important scales and slime. Unfortunately, many of the nets suggested for fly anglers are offered by reviewers […]
Fly tying isn’t just a way to beat the cost of buying pre-tied flies: it’s an art in itself. But it can be a tough transition from buying those beautifully crafted nymphs to creating your own, and where to start can be confusing. We’re here to help, and if you want to get started tying […]
A fly line is another crucial component of any fly fishing outfit. The wrong type of fly line can lead to poor fishing and very unpleasant casting. Any fly line you use should match up in weight perfectly with both the fly reel and the fly rod. Why is the best fly line so important? In […]
The beginning fly tyer can really sink some serious money into fly tying hooks if they are not careful. So that you don't spend a lot of money foolishly on hooks you'll never use, let's spend just a minute determining the hooks you should start out with. The first step is to determine which flies […]
