Everything you need for the perfect day on the water
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Fly fishing continues to grow in popularity. According to the most recent U.S. Fishing Industry Statistics report, a record 7 million people went fly fishing in 2019. And it's easy to see why—fly fishing gets you out into beautiful landscapes; it can provide a chance for solitude, or you can take part with friends and family, and it's a highly accessible activity.
As with any hobby, there will be some start-up costs. But the minimum gear to get you started is a rod, reel, fly line, leader, and a fly. Additionally, you'll find plenty of items designed to enhance your experience. Secondhand and beginner combo rigs are budget-friendly ways to start building up supplies. We also recommend visiting your local fly shop for information and advice and exploring online resources (see recommendations below). We've researched, tested, and spoken with experts with decades of experience for their fly fishing knowledge to find the best gear out there.
Behold the best fly fishing gear.
Great for travel and backpacking
Available in four-piece and six-piece options
I have a reputation among family and friends for breaking fly rods. If a rod lasts me longer than a year, it's a win. Yet I've owned the Redington Classic Trout fly rod for years now. Instead of cracking jokes at my expense, those same friends and family members now complement the action and feel of this rod.
Sure, newer and fancier rods are on the market, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better one for this price. I've used multiple reels on this rod, which always lands flies with pinpoint accuracy. My favorite size is the 4-weight, 8-foot, 6-inch version. It carries enough weight to cast across most mid-sized rivers but is small enough for stalking trout in mountain meadow creeks. But the 5-weight, 9-foot is the standard rod size and also an excellent option.
My favorite part about this rod is it comes in four-piece or six-piece versions, making it ideal for traveling and backpacking. It also comes with a lifetime warranty. (Fortunately, I haven't had to test said warranty yet.)
Not good for larger water or fish
My favorite reel as of late is Redington’s Zero reel. At just 3 ounces (or less, depending on the size of the reel), the Zero is the lightest reel of its class, thanks to the die-cast aluminum construction. It’s also one of the least expensive. The Zero still features a large arbor and spring-loaded drag system despite the humble cost.
This reel suits many basic needs. It’s lightweight for travel, hiking, and backpacking. It’s accurate. And the price point is relatively inexpensive. However, if you’re hunting bigger fish, this isn’t the reel for you as it only comes in sizes 2/3 and 4/5. For a larger reel, check out the Run (view here), which has the same lightweight die-cast construction but goes up a few sizes. (Note: The Zero and Run do not come spooled, so you’ll need to add your own fly line and backing.)
May break more readily than others
This combo has become my go-to for most outings. If you're looking for a mid-range, ready-to-go fly rod and reel combo, the Orvis Clearwater Combo is probably what you're looking for. You can find less expensive and more entry-level combos (more on that in a bit), but in our opinion, the Clearwater combo is worth paying up a bit. Plus, it's still much less expensive than other options on the market.
We love that the combo comes in sizes ranging from two to 10. I used this rod in a small lake in the Mammoth Lakes basin and had a fantastic day of nymphing. It's worked well in Ozark rivers and streams. And while nymphing with PTs and other patterns in Colorado. The 4-weight, 10-foot combo delivered midges with accuracy upwards of two dozen feet away. If you want a more entry-level combo, check out the TFO NXT Black Label combo (view here). Commenters have lamented about the rod breaking easily; however, I haven't had that issue with my 5-weight, 9-foot combo.
Incredibly lightweight and breaks down into four pieces
Comes in many different sizes
Because of its price point ($895 at time of publication), we wouldn't recommend this as a beginner rod. But this is an excellent rod for anyone looking for an upgrade and willing to splurge a bit. We love the medium-fast action, which is perfect for landing dry flies with precision. As its name suggests, we found it incredibly lightweight. And since it breaks down into four pieces, transporting it is easy. We also love that it comes in lengths from 8 to 10 feet and weights 3 to 8, which makes it simple to find the rod that fits your fishing style best.
As someone who prefers gear light enough to easily carry into the backcountry, I usually opt for ultralight rods and reels. Enter the Hardy Ultraclick UCL Fly Reel, the brand's lightest reel available. We love the all metal clicker system and the push-off spool release. It's also one of the smoothest reels we've tested.
Super lightweight and packable makes it excellent for travel
Entire package comes with everything you need to start fishing
Adjustable rod allows you to switch between 10.5 and 12 feet
If you prefer a minimalist version of fly fishing, we suggest adopting the tenkara style. And if you do that, we highly recommend the Teton Zoom package from Tenkara Rod Co. We love the Teton Zoom package for many reasons. First is the adjustable rod so you can fish it with a 10.5- or 12-foot rod. The package comes with everything you need to start fishing immediately. And the entire package weighs less than 4 ounces and packs down to less than two feet long, making it ideal for travel.
Made from sustainable, plantation-grown wood
At first glance, the Brodin Phantom nets look like any other net. And in a lot of ways, they are. But we dig Brodin nets for their commitment to sustainability. Based in Costa Rica, Brodin distributes its nets through a third-party distributor in St. Louis. We love that Brodin makes its nets from local, plantation-grown wood. We also love that it only includes PVC-free net bags in the Phantom series. I’ve owned the Brodin for a while now and have zero complaints.
Not for those fishing in ultra-cold climates
Gone are the days of clunky, dorky-looking waders. These sleek, truly ultralight waders from Orvis look and feel good. Orvis employs a modern fit with a four-layer nylon shell that is surprisingly breathable. The waders also have some nifty features like a waterproof zipper pocket, a tool dock, and a fly patch. You can find the women's sizes of the waders here.
Required stretching and multiple uses for good fit
Pair your waders with the Orvis Ultralight Boots, which look and wear more like hikers than wading boots. Some fishing in colder temperatures might want a more hearty or warm outfit. I prefer to layer up in colder months to wear these, making these boots a year-round option. You can find the women's version of the boots here.
An important piece to any fly fishing kit is storing and organizing your smaller gear items and flies. For that, we recommend the Filson Dry Waist Pack. Filson uses a rugged 840-denier nylon tarpaulin material with a TPU coating. To test the waterproofness, I packed it with all my fly fishing gear, tossed it in a pool, and left it overnight; the next day, the contents inside were still dry.
The zippers are tough to move. While that contributes to its superior waterproofing, it would be preferable to have more easily accessible pockets or the option to clip gear to the outside of the pack. For those looking for a less expensive (but not waterproof) option, the Umpqua Ledges ZS2 Waist Pack (view here) has excellent organizational potential, including pockets on the actual waist straps, perfect for holding a water bottle. However, that pack doesn't cinch down to fit my waist size, so I have to use the over-the-shoulder sling.
Carries up to three rods, reels, and gear
Shoulder strap and handle for multiple carrying options
Can't carry it on a plane
Living in Southern California, I'm at least a pretty solid drive away from most decent fly-fishing. And I often plan fly-fishing trips requiring air travel. The Orvis Carry-It-All bag has quickly become one of the most important pieces of gear I own. It fits up to three rods inside their own hard carrying cases. Some super-padded Velcro straps help secure the rods. There are pockets to separate things like reels, sunglasses, and other gear. And a shoulder strap and handle for multiple carrying options. I've flown with this case about a dozen times with zero issues. That's especially impressive, considering this bag is too long to check, so it's always under the care of luggage handlers.
Launched about a year ago, Bajío is one of the newest high-end sunglasses companies geared toward fishing. It's also one of the most sustainable and environmentally focused. (The company boasts that it's 100 percent carbon neutral.) Bajío also employs plant-based frames and eco-friendly shipping.
Earth consciousness aside, these are just some impeccable sunnies. They check all the boxes—with medium frames, the Calda shades fit a diversity of face shapes; they're comfortable to wear for extended amounts of time; and the patent-pending proprietary polarizing technology works incredibly well on the water. I've already been able to use these sunnies on mountain lakes, streams, and beaches on the Pacific, and they hold up in many conditions and settings.
Sometimes there's nothing like sitting down, reflecting on the day, and sharing fish stories with friends and family and a delicious beverage. If you're fishing early in the morning (and aren't quite ready for a stiff drink), Athletic Brewing Company's non-alcoholic Run Wild IPA is a craft-brewed IPA that tastes almost like the alcoholic version. Brewed with a blend of five Northwest hops, what Athletic Brewing does with high-end non-alcoholic suds like the Run Wild IPA is pretty incredible.
Tin cans are perfect for the river
Every drink whiskey from a tin can? Now you can with Stillhouse. The Florida-based spirits company makes a bourbon, vodka, and various flavors of whiskey. They're all great, but we've been particularly fond of the peach tea and apple crisp flavors for post-fly-fishing sipping.
Baseline, you’ll need a rod, reel, fly line, leader, and a fly. (Technically, you could get by without the reel if you’re Tenkara fishing.) But beyond that, there are some basics that will make a good day on the water more enjoyable.
“I always take my ‘fly bag’ which includes dry flies, nymphs, and streamers,” says Katie Cahn, a North Carolina-based fly fishing guide. “Forceps for safely removing the fly from a fish's mouth. Tippet, nippers, and extra leaders. I always have extra strike indicators in my bag. And, of course, a rod and reel. And always, always a net.”
Alex Kim, who is the founder and outdoor guide of HereMT, an organization geared toward making the outdoors more accessible to BIPOC communities in Montana says to remember your fishing license, a knife, camera, and extra layers. April Vokey, a fly fishing guide and host of the Anchored Outdoors podcast recommends always having some SPF chapstick and a “confidence fly.”
There are many resources online. YouTube has some. We also like Orvis’s Fly Fishing Center, which has a ton of helpful content. Kim recommends watching videos online and then practicing or finding local clinics. “Most fly shops offer a fly fishing 101 class for free,” Cahn adds. “This will help a lot, and then you can go on to using YouTube for help with casting form and advanced knot tying. There is a wealth of knowledge about fly fishing on the internet.”
Gabaccia Moreno, an outdoor activist, and enthusiast says checking out both internet videos and books—along with practice—can help. “United Women on The Fly also has a great library of resources I recommend checking out,” Moreno says. “Granted, watching a video without practicing is not ideal. I suggest folks find a local park with a nice lawn where they can practice their cast. There are also plenty of books out there for those who like to learn by reading. Last but not least, don't overestimate your local fly fishing workshops. I've been able to get a great fishing class for $50—beginner fly fishing classes do not happen on the water, so they are not as expensive as many people think. In addition, there may be a local nonprofit or meet-up group where you could learn too.”
Fly fishing—like many outdoor activities—can be expensive to get into. While there are less expensive gear options and opportunities to buy secondhand, it’s still going to cost at least a couple of hundred dollars to get the right gear when starting out. Kim suggests starting with a beginner combo rig. Cahn recommends borrowing or renting gear and starting with the minimum gear items necessary.
The flies to keep in your quiver will depend on where and when you fish, so do some research on your destination first. Check out the streams, rivers, and lakes on which you’ll be fishing and see what bugs hatch there and when they hatch. Another option is to ask around; stop by the local fly shop and ask them.
“I always say ask around in your community. There might be someone that already fly fishes and will be happy to teach you and let you use their gear,” Moreno advises. “'Expensive’ means different things to different people, but if you can [spend] $100, you can get a setup of the cheapest available gear—possibly at a nearby Walmart—and enough flies to get started."
Like the flies you pick, this is dependent on what sort of fish you’ll be going after and the type of water. A general good size rod to get is a 5-weight, 9-foot rod with a 5-weight reel. That will cast both nymphs and dry flies and will work for most trout, bass, panfish, and smaller ocean fish. It will also work across both lakes and rivers.
If you know you’ll only be fishing small mountain streams or hiking and backpacking with your fly rod to high alpine lakes and streams, a smaller setup might be better. I’ve had a ton of fun landing 10-inch Brookies on a 3-weight, 7.5-foot rod. But a rig of that size will limit you to smaller trout on smaller water. If you’re going to be fishing bigger water, or need a bigger cast, consider going up to a 6- or 7-weight rod that’s in the 9-foot to 10-foot range.
A good idea is to ask your local fly shop or local fly fishing resources what is the ideal combo for your local fisheries.
Nathan Allen is the Outdoor Gear Editor for TripSavvy. While he has fished and fly fished for pretty much his entire life, Nathan has primarily fly fished for the past five or more years. He regularly logs dozens of days on the water each year, fishing from Missouri’s spring-fed rivers to Colorado’s South Platte River to the lakes and streams around Mammoth Lakes, California. Nathan has used every piece of gear mentioned in this article, some of which he’s used for years.
We also spoke to four fishing and outdoors experts to discuss what to look for when selecting fly fishing equipment. The experts we spoke to included:
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