Fly-fishing gear: What's essential, what's optional?
Here are the four pieces of gear you really need to get started fly-fishing
Like many fly anglers, I have GAS. And I have it bad.
No, not the gas station food pyramid kind.
I'm talking Gear Acquisition Syndrome.
I'm always willing to throw a few dollars at whatever impulse purchase item that a fly shop may have near the register, resulting in a bin of dusty bits and bobs that just don't get used.
Don't repeat my gear acquisition mistakes
Fly anglers often describe bait fishermen as "gear" anglers. But there's no lack of flashy fly fishing gear available.
Getting started on your fly-fishing journey is exciting, but figuring out what gear you need can be overwhelming.
You don't need all of it. And, a lot of it can be stuff with other uses that's repurposed.
Take, for instance, your first pair of nippers. They can be the nail clippers in your medicine cabinet. Keep those around until you really need a pair with a straight jaw and a hole for a zinger clip. Then, maybe upgrade to the cheapest kind you find at the fly shop.
The sky's the limit: you can spend $320 on nippers. I am not joking. Or you can use the ones you already have. Choose wisely.
There are really only four things you need. The rest you can add gradually.
