There’s no shortage of gear out there and this is far from an extensive list. In this article, I’ll discuss the gear I use and have experience with and provide insight on how they may be useful for you too!
Brands I Trust
Fly Fishing Gear
Boat Bag
An essential piece of gear for me is my boat bag. I carry everything I need for a day on the water in my boat bag. If my boat is my office, my boat bag is my briefcase, it’s as simple as that. It’s a tool I use every day and it must hold up to the day in, day out rigors of guiding.
The Simms Dry Creek Boat Bag is my briefcase of choice. The one pictured above has been with me for 2 full seasons, which includes over 100 days in the Gunnison Gorge.
This bag has adjustable compartments and has plenty of room for my dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. Even when the fishing is tough and I have more than normal in this bag, I still have room for some personal items such as hydration sticks, snacks, sunscreen, and small hand towel.
But perhaps, my favorite feature is the overhanging compression molded lid. This lid prevents water from splashing into your bag, if it’s raining or you’re going through rapids. This lid works as advertised, simply put!
Fly Rods
Who doesn’t love talking about fly rods?
Conversations around fly rods can lead to some fun debates, that’s for sure. These days there are numerous companies making high quality rods. I’m a firm believer that your casting technique will, in large part, determine which rods you prefer.
I would highly recommend that you cast a rod before you purchase. Every fly shop that I have ever been in was happy to let me cast a couple of rods.
I’ll be the first to admit, I have not casted every single fly rod on the market. However, I have had the privilege of casting and fishing with a variety of rods. The rods I mention below are a few of the ones that stand out
Scott Sector (8wt)
I love this rod for chasing red fish on the Texas Coast but also for chasing pike in the reservoirs of Western Colorado.
Scott Centric
Man, I love this rod. My 6wt Centric is my go-to rod on the rivers of Colorado’s western slope. I’ll nymph with this rod, throw dries and dry-dropper. The feel on this rod is unmatched. My top choice for chasing carp is a 7wt Centric
TFO Pro III
I think that this is probably the best “bang for your buck” rod out there. I’ve utilized the Pro II as my guide sticks for the past couple of years. These rods have done everything that I’ve asked them to. I don’t think you can find a better rod at this price point.
Sage Maverick
This was the first rod I bought for my fishing the Texas flats. It’s a good, stiff rod that requires a more aggressive cast. These days the Maverick serves as a great pike fishing rod. This rod really shines throwing the bigger pike flies on the resorvoirs.
Reels
In the trout world, your fly reel mostly serves as a line holder. There’s no real need to have an expensive reel with a technical drag system. The number of trout that I’ve needed to get on the reel have been far and few between. Truth be told, there aren’t many fish in the freshwater game that you’ll need to rely on the drag for.
By all means, if you want to invest in a nice reel, go right ahead. As a guide, I prioritize durability and functionality and the reels I recommend below are the ones I use with my clients and my own personal fishing.
In the saltwater game, fly reels are more important. A solid drag system is a must if your chasing bigger, stronger fish. The bigger red fish that I’ve landed have made long runs and have put the drag system to work. If fishing for tarpon, jacks, or permit, you’ll want to really be sure you can count on your drag system. The following reels are ones that I’ve used, and I know fellow guides use on the water.
Saltwater Reels
Fly Line
One of the most overlooked components to the fly rod system is the fly line. I find that the fly line is one of the most important pieces of gear that there is. Nothing can affect your casting more than the line you choose to put on your reel and through the guides of your rod.
SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (Fresh Water)
This line is on all of my guide sticks. This a versatile line that you can use for dry flies or nymphing. This is a workhorse line. There’s nothing fancy about it. It shows up and goes to work for you. Reliable and dependable.
SA Sonar Titan Intermediate (Fresh Water)
This line is my go to streamer line. The intermediate is versatile to fishing shallow banks with structure and slower, deeper pools.
SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (Salt Water)
The overlined nature of this line is money. It makes loading the rod easier and quicker, which is important when needing to put a cast on a fish immediately. This is on my reel when I’m fishing the shallow water flats of the Texas Coast.
Fly Boxes
There’s no shortage of fly box options out there. The ones below are the ones that I’ve used and enjoy.
Fulling Mill Hopper Box
I utilize this box for my adult stone fly patterns, chubbies, and even smaller dry flies (i.e. caddis, adams, etc.). The clear front allows me to see what’s in there before I open it. It’s deep enough to not smoosh the dry flies down, which keeps the flies in good condition. The depth also allows me to label the top end, so I know what box is what is while it’s sitting upright in my boat bag.
Fulling Mill Stealth Box
I utilize these boxes for my nymphs. I like the clear front as it allows me to see what’s in the box before I open it. I like the slim profiles of these boxes; they fit well alongside my hopper boxes.
Fishpond Tacky Original
This box has double the space of the Stealth due to slots being on both sides of the leaf. If space is an issue, this is a great option for storing flies. Small, compact and great for nymph storage.
Luggage
At some point in your fly fishing career, you’re going to want to travel with all your gear and fish a destination far from home. Having good quality luggage can help keep you organized and ensure that all your gear arrives in the proper condition.
Nets
I have a variety of nets and use each one based on my need for the day.
Fishpond Boat Net
In my drift boat or raft, this is my net of choice. I enjoy the long handle that gives me the ability to net the fish sooner and helps
Simms Daymaker Net – Medium
This rod is with me if I’m on foot. I still like the long handle, as it gives me more leverage to land fish if I’m fishing solo.
Simms Daymaker Net – Small
This is the smaller version of the Daymaker with a shorter handle. This net may make your life a bit easier when walk / wading, especially if having to hike in forest. This net is also a good option if you’d like to travel with your net as this net will fit in your larger suitcases.
It may be a good idea to grab an extra net bag. After a lot of wear and tear, the net bags will eventually get some holes in them. I think it’s a good idea to have an extra bag handy in case you have a catastrophic blow out to your net.
There is no shortage of options out there when it comes to dialing in your fly fishing gear. This article is far from an extensive list of gear. Rather, it’s intended to provide you a starting point when shopping for yourself or loved ones this holiday season.
If you have any questions about what gear in particular to purchase for your specific fishing needs, don’t hesitate to reach out and I’d be happy to assist you on a more personal basis. You can email me at the address below:
Disclaimer: links in this article are affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we will see a little kick back from that. There is no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are a great way for us to make a little money by recommending products we use and enjoy on a daily basis. We’re confident you’ll enjoy our recommendations as much as we do!
