Navigating the world of fly fishing gear can be difficult for beginners. The sheer number of options of rods, reels, lines, and accessories is overwhelming to say the least. Here at Trident, we remember that feeling, and we want to make it easier for you to get started in this amazing sport. We're bona fide gear junkies and we always do our best to make sure you get products that will work for you on the water. We’ve put together this of essential fly fishing gear for beginner anglers to point you in the right direction, and make the process simple! Keep reading to learn what you need to begin your fly fishing journey.

Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. We spend a lot of time testing gear and writing reviews to give you all of the tools to make your next trip a success.  We are not a blog or a review site. 100% of our funding comes from your gear purchases, so if this blog post helps you on your next fly fishing adventure, please support us by buying your gear from us.

Fly Rod

Perhaps the most essential tool in fly fishing is the fly rod itself.

Fly fishing for Trout? Typically a 9’ 5wt, like the Greys Lance, is your best option. If you’re targeting larger fish or throwing bigger flies, you may need a heavier rod. The Orvis Recon 9’ 8wt, for example, is a great mid-priced rod for saltwater fishing or powerful freshwater fish like Pike or Largemouth Bass. Like nearly every piece of gear in fly fishing, it’s important to match the fly rod to your specific fishing.

Fly Reel

Without a fly reel, a fly rod is useless (unless you’re Tenkara fishing… but that’s a different blog post).

A Fly reel holds your fly line and allows you to fight a fish using the drag. Reels come in various arbor sizes, weights, and drag types. Furthermore, there are loads of unique designs available so you can get a reel that fits your style and ergonomic preferences. The Lamson Liquid is a favorite Trout reel here at Trident, but many other reel manufactures also make entry-level reels that are affordable and functional.

Fly Line

A weighted fly line is what propels a fly cast. This is a major difference from conventional fishing, where the weight of the lure propels the cast.

In fly fishing, the rod and the fly line work together to deliver the fly to a fish. Selecting the right fly line to work with your rod is imperative, and is one of the most overlooked decisions by beginner anglers. Rio and Scientific Anglers make a variety of lines for every budget and fishing scenario. Think about your specific scenario, and that will lead you to the correct fly line. Will you be fishing for trout or bass? Will the water be cold or warm? Will the flies be large or small? The answers to these questions will help you pick the right line. If you're unsure, don't worry! Our team can help you answer those questions and pick the perfect line for your fishing applications.

Leader

A leader connects the fly line to the fly.

A leader is a piece of fluorocarbon or nylon line, usually 7-12 feet in length, that connects your fly line to your fly. This clear section of line helps disguise the fly and fly line from the fish. Many leaders are tapered, going from thickest where the leader attaches to the fly line, to thinner material where the fly is attached. This taper allows for a proper transfer of energy from the cast to the fly. For example, a lightweight dry fly will necessitate a longer, more gradual taper so that it will land delicately on the water. Conversely, a heavily-weighted streamer will require a short, aggressive taper to have enough energy to deliver the fly. Like fly lines, leaders are designed with specific attributes, and should be chosen based on what type of fishing you plan to do. In Trout fishing, 7.5' or 9' leaders in sizes 2x through 5x generally work well.

Tippet

Tippet is useful for adding length to your leader, or adding multiple flies to your rig.

To prolong the life of your leader and add additional length, attach tippet before tying on your fly. Tippet is measured in an 'X' system, where the larger the 'X' number, the finer diameter of the material. For example, 2x is going to be much thicker than 6x. A general practice when adding tippet is to continue the taper of your leader. If you’re fishing a 3x Trout leader, add a few feet of 4x tippet to the end of the leader, then tie your fly to the end of the tippet. Rio and Scientific Anglers make high-quality tippet and leader.

Flies

You’re not going to fool a fish without a fly!

Fly selection can be difficult, but breaking it down into categories makes it a lot easier to understand. In trout fishing, for example, there are three main categories of flies: nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. Nymphs are fished subsurface and imitate the immature life-stages of aquatic insects. Dry flies are fished on the surface of the water and imitate mature aquatic insects as they hatch, or sometimes terrestrials like grasshoppers and beetles. Streamers typically imitate small baitfish or even juvenile trout. Local knowledge is invaluable when choosing flies, but it always helps to have a thorough fly selection.

Fly Box

You'll want a fly box to keep your fly selection organized and safe from the elements.

Fly boxes are used to organize and transport flies safely. Umpqua makes some great boxes with silicone inserts to keep flies from getting mixed up during transport. If you’re looking to store larger flies, Cliff makes the Bugger Beast Fly Box that’s a solid suitcase for flies like streamers and terrestrials. We also have our own affordable line of fly boxes here at Trident!

Pack/Vest

Days on the river usually require carrying a water bottle, a fly box, accessories like hemostats and nippers, and perhaps other tackle like floatant, split shot, leaders, and tippet. A fly fishing pack or vest makes carrying gear easy and efficient.

Packs and vests come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. If you’re planning on day-tripping, a smaller pack like the Fishpond Elkhorn Lumbar Pack has enough room to store the daily necessities. If you’re likely to camp or spend multiple days on the water, a larger backpack is probably a better option.

Hat

A hat will protect you from the elements, but it will also allow you to see fish better by shading your eyes.

Hats are an angler’s best friend. Trucker hats are popular among fly anglers for their simplicity and vast array of styles and fits. If you’re fishing in the tropics, a lightweight sun hat like the Simms Superlight Solar Sombrero will provide maximum shelter from the sun while remaining breathable and cool.

Polarized Sunglasses

Whether you’re fishing a small trout stream or wading the saltwater flats, polarized sunglasses help cut down glare and increase your chances of seeing fish.

Sunglasses serve two purposes: they function as fish sighting tools and they provide eye protection from hooks. It’s important to be able to see fish, but it’s arguably more important to protect your eyes from a momentary lapse in your casting stroke.

Footwear

Angling often involves wading, so proper footwear goes a long way when fly fishing.

From wading boots to durable sandals, footwear should be chosen wisely. If you’re wet-wading (wading without waders), the Simms Pursuit Shoe is a great option. If you’re angling in colder water and wearing waders, wading boots like Korkers or Simms provide support, grip, and versatility on the water.

Our recommended gear could go on and on, but this list of the essentials should get you started. Did we leave something out? Let us know in the comments. If you’re new to fly fishing, give us a call at the shop and we’ll answer any and all gear questions to get you out on the water as quickly as possible. Tight lines and happy angling!

Questions about gear? Call us directly at (888) 413-5211 or email us at [email protected].