Introduction to Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is a growing sport that is highly accessible to most people worldwide due to the abundance of fishing locales, whether it be saltwater, lakes, lagoons, or rivers there is always a body of water close by to throw a line. A common misconception concerning fly fishing is that you can only fly fish for trout. Some of the most enjoyable species to target on a fly rod are warm water species such as bass, bluegill, and pike or ocean-going species like redfish, bonefish, tarpon, and permit. Even the common carp will pull harder than any trout you will find. Fly fishing is everywhere but it takes proper gear to get the most out of your time on the water.
Necessities for Any Beginner Fly Angler
There are a few items that every beginner angler needs regardless of the various types of fly fishing you are doing. These items are no-brainers when thinking of things to throw in your backpack. Fly fishing doesn’t require a fancy sling pack, expensive net, or half a dozen different boxes of flies. Your fly fishing journey may eventually lead you in that direction but for starters the basics are plenty. Of course, certain items may be necessary for the particular type of fly fishing you plan on doing so due your due diligence and visit a fly shop for any specific information.
Nippers
When cutting monofilament it is important to have a sharp pair of nippers to get
through thick leader material. Also, they are much better than using your teeth.
Forceps/pliers
Removing hooks, pinching barbs, or pinching on split shot, forceps are a necessary tool on the
water.
Fly Storage
Anglers need a container to put their flies whether it is the plastic puck you placed your flies in at
the fly shop or a water-tight fly box.
Sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses make a world of difference when fly fishing. So much of the fun in fly fishing is
the visual queues that clue us into the world under the water. Make sure you have a pair of decent
glasses to spot cruising or rising fish.
Rod and Reel
There are plenty of great options that won’t break the bank when purchasing your first rod and reel combo. Reddington, Orvis, Echo, and the most well-known fly rod manufacturers produce beginner-priced rods that can serve you well for years to come. One thing to remember is that expensive rods don’t necessarily catch more fish than their entry-level counterparts, but if you do see yourself investing in the sport there is no harm in buying a higher-quality right off the bat. Higher-quality rods offer better responsiveness, tip recovery, and more durable materials which your more experienced future self will appreciate.
Also, reputable fly rod companies usually offer a warranty, even with their entry-level priced rods, which is important because fly rods break. It may take 5 minutes or 5 years, but eventually, a mishap will happen: a car door slamming on the rod, a rod tip into a ceiling fan, or a fall on the bank of the river. Whatever it may be, the last thing you want is your investment into a new sport going in the trash too soon. Resist the temptation to buy a slightly cheaper outfit elsewhere and instead buy from brands that can guarantee a replacement at little cost to yourself.
Another thing to note is that beginner setups concerning the weight of the rod, line, and size of the reel will vary widely based on target species, stream size, and size of fish. I will cover a few general setups that will point you in the right direction depending on the species and size of the water.
Trout Fly Fishing Gear for Beginners
Rods
For many scenarios, a 9 foot 5 weight will function as a perfectly adequate general-purpose fly rod. It is the jack of all trades when it comes to trout fishing and can throw dries, nymphs, and small streamers reasonably well. But it is also dependent on the size of the streams you will be fishing. If you plan on fishing bigger rivers a 5wt or 6wt rod will be better. A 6wt will help give you extra power to throw larger and heavier flies, as well as punch through the wind. It will not have the same finesse when throwing small dries to rising fish, but in my experience, it will be acceptable.
Additionally, if you look around your local area and find that there are no larger rivers and most of the streams are medium to small in size then it may be beneficial to go with a lighter-weight rod. Normally, you are not throwing extremely large and heavy flies in smaller water and there is no need for a heavier rod. A 3wt or 4wt may be more applicable in this scenario. Smaller streams often require a lighter presentation and the 3-4wt rod provides a thinner diameter fly line and softer tips for protecting light tippet. On average, smaller fish inhabit these streams and the lighter-weight rods will not overpower them on the hookset. But as always, consult a local fly shop if you are unsure of which rod to choose.
Another variable to consider is whether you plan on fishing lakes or streams. I highly suggest buying a longer rod than a 9-footer if you are primarily fishing lakes. The added length will give you more reach when casting from shore, boat, or intertube. The extra length will not hamper its performance on rivers in my opinion. On larger rivers ways it could be a great benefit when making long drifts while nymphing or throwing dry droppers. 9’6”-10’ rods make great lake rods.
As you can see, I am interested in specialty gear for beginners right out of the gate. People point out that a 9’ 5wt is the most versatile because you can fish it anywhere and everywhere but it is also not optimized for most conditions. It is a rod that people can grow out of very easily. I rarely use my 9’ 5 wt anymore because my 4wt casts small dries better and my 6wt is better for indicator rigs in my bigger tailwaters. In some cases, the 9’ 5wt will be the best option for your rivers or lakes but it helps to examine the water you fish and pick the best tools to help you in your area.
Reels
Reels are a fairly easy choice when trout fishing because they mainly function as line holders. I don’t catch too many fish that force me to put them on the reel unless I am dealing with a large fish on a light tippet. In that case, I will opt to trust my rod tip and smooth drag to apply even pressure to the fish. There are many great options out there that will not break the bank but supply a great drag for the price. There is no need for sealed drags when freshwater fishing either. Simply find a reel that is appropriately sized for your line and rod.
Warmwater Species Gear for Beginners
Rods
When chasing smallmouth bass, pike, and largemouth bass, it is important to have a rod that can throw large flies with ease. These particular fish are not leader shy so there is no need to use light tippet but due to the nature of the flies used for bass and pike, larger more powerful rods are needed that can shoot extremely air-resistant flies to their target.
If you plan to target a variety of species such as bass and pike then I suggest a 9’ 8wt fast action fly rod. It provides the needed power to turn over large bass flies but will still supply ample bend in the rod when encountering bigger fish. Going down to a 7wt is also a great option but it will struggle to throw the bigger side of streamers. Also, analyze the size of the water you will be fishing. If you plan to fish large rivers and lakes from a boat or the shore the heavier rod will help turn over long casts towards the bank or structure, but if you plan to wade smaller ponds and streams a 6wt rod may be more fun and playful for shorter casts with smaller flies. In my opinion, it is better to be a little overweighted therefore you won’t have any problem switching to big poppers and streamers. The 8wt is a great gateway rod into pike and bass fishing that leaves the angler with plenty of options to attack their lakes and rivers.
Reels
When it comes to reels you want them to have the same qualities as you would for trout. There needs to be a smooth drag system but oftentimes times you will find that there is no need to put fish on the reel and simply stripping them in will work. But when you encounter that particularly feisty fish it can pay to have a nice drag that can stop a fish in its tracks. This also applies if you are interested in fishing saltwater with the same setup. A quality sealed drag system is a necessity for fishing in saltwater as it is extremely corrosive.
Fly Line
The fly line is an underrated and oftentimes overlooked part of the ensemble. For beginners, a floating fly line is the best option. In order to effectively cast a fly rod you need a fly line that pairs nicely with the action of the rod and the desired outcome of the cast. If you want to cast large hoppers with a heavy dropper on your 5wt you need a line that can accommodate that presentation. Otherwise, you will wear out your casting arm trying to force a less-than-optimal line to perform the task.
Well, what makes one fly line different from the other? It comes down to the taper of the line. Lines specifically meant for dry fly purposes are going to have longer tapers that are gradual. They are made for carrying the line and placing it delicately on the water. Whereas lines for nymphing are going to be heavier towards the end of the line and are designed to turn over heavy flies with an indicator and split shot. Getting a well-rounded fly line meant for multi-purpose use will serve you best as a beginner. If your rod is particularly stiff and has a fast action then consider buying a line that is a half size heavier than the listed weight of the rod. This can make casting easier, especially for a beginner. A slightly heavier line will load the rod easier. Try and pair your rod with the line and it will make a noticeable difference in how it performs on the water.
When it comes to fly lines for pike and bass a floating line is the most versatile and easiest to manage for a beginner. Find one that can easily turn over streamers and poppers. Go to your local fly shop and talk to local experts about your area for the best info. But you want an aggressive taper that can handle those heavy flies. These lines are also usually at least a half-size heavy.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the basic gear for trout and warmwater fly fishing it’s time to hit the river and build your skills. Remember, gear is only one piece of the puzzle and it takes days on the water to strengthen your knowledge and get consistent results. Tight lines.
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