Level Up Your Fly Fishing Game With This Essential, Expert-Recommended Gear

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Fly-fishing is fun because it’s hard. Yes, anyone can buy some spinning gear and hurl PowerBait into a river, but to actually catch a fish, you have to pay close attention to discrete changes in bug activity, river conditions, and water temperature to hook a choosey rainbow trout or stealthy big brown. The joy lies in the struggle to master those techniques, and the art of bringing them together.

It can all hit the fan, however, if your gear falls apart or underperforms, thwarting your attempts to coax out a trout. That said, you don’t need to spend thousands to get into fly fishing—There’s plenty of beginner-oriented gear you can pick up to dip your toes into fishy waters.

You can get started with a simple rod, a reel, and a small collection of flies. As time goes on and you develop a taste for the sport, you’ll want to try bigger or colder waters, fish during the shoulder seasons, and otherwise expand your horizons. That’s when you’ll need to start buying more and better equipment.

When you’re ready, we have some suggestions for what to add or upgrade next. If a trout gets away, this reliable, performance-oriented kit won’t be to blame.

More Fishing Stories: Best Fishing Gear ● Best Fishing Gifts ● Best Lures and Bait

Best Fly Fishing Gear

What to Consider When Buying Fly-Fishing Gear

Fly fishing requires a decent amount of specialized gear to do well. With the difficulty inherent in fly fishing, having the right gear can make a big difference in your success. Well-made fishing rods cast better and further than cheap ones. Good waders and wading boots will keep you more comfortable and safe in the water. The quality of your fly can make all the difference between completely disinterested fish and easy hooks.

How We Selected The Best Fly-Fishing Gear

We’ve personally tested almost all of the gear on this list over hundreds of days on the water, either on quick trips to the local stream after work, or on mountain ponds during weeklong backpacking adventures.

For products we haven’t tested personally, we compared many products across the fly fishing space to identify the best in each category. We researched each piece of gear, and spoke with industry sources and other fishermen to find out what equipment gets high praise and what to avoid. We also regularly test new gear as it makes its way to real-world streams and lakes.

Trout LL 586-4

The Sage LL is the ideal dry-fly rod, or damn near close to it. Reviving Sage’s Light Line series from the ’90s, the medium-action LL loads smoothly at the midsection and unrolls line for über-delicate presentations.

This 5-weight, 8-foot, 6-inch version hits a versatile sweet spot: It’s long enough for bigger water, but small and light enough for experts to handle in smaller bodies. I’ve had no problem making tight, technical casts with it, or zipping flies across midsize streams.

The LL will set you back a tidy sum, especially if you pair it with Sage’s gorgeous Trout reel. Still, it’s my desert-island rod—assuming desert islands have rising trout.

The Drifter II

Over the past few years, Tennessee-based Moonshine Rod Co. has been making fans out of trout bums, and it’s easy to see why after trying The Drifter II. Handsomely built and easy on the wallet, this rod outperforms similar options that cost twice as much.

Equally impressive, The Drifter II comes with a lifetime warranty and a spare tip, which are rarities on any fly rod, so they’re downright shocking on one that costs around $200. It’s available in ten different weight-and-length combos, from a 7.5-foot 3-weight to an 11-foot 7-weight trout Spey.

We love both versions of The Drifter, but the recently redesigned Drifter II is lighter at every length. I’ve been fishing with the 3-weight recently, and I suspect I’ll start seeing more of them on the river as Moonshine earns more converts.

Path Fly Rod Combo Kit

You can legitimately catch fish with an all-in-one kit like this Reddington for about $100. The kit comes with the rod, a reel pre-loaded with line, plus a durable carrying case. All you need to pick up is some tippet and a couple flies.

Pick up the 8-foot, 6-inch, 5-weight rod—that’s the most versatile and easy to use size for beginners. You can cast it in most rivers and lakes, and it’ll handle fish up to larger trout without issue. The medium-fast action is smooth and is a great place to start for someone just learning how to make a fly cast.

Most importantly, it’s durable enough to take the beating beginners will put it through—You will snag a few trees, but that’s part of the process.

Fly Fishing - X Fly Rod

If you’re looking to catch larger species of fish, you’ll want a dual-handled “spey” rod, which is longer, heavier, and made to hold up to tougher fights with big catches.

Sage’s fast-casting X Spey line produces tons of power and speed, which makes firing line a long distance a relative cinch. The rod’s unique taper puts more power behind your cast and creates tighter loops, making longer casts more efficient.

All of this makes the X Spey an incredibly accurate rod, though it’s still forgiving enough for even a novice spey-caster to handle.

Dually Trout Spey

I don’t get why more fly-fishermen pass on trout speys. These mini two-handed rods help you rocket streamers to trout dozens of yards beyond most anglers’ reach, and given their lightweight sizes, won’t overpower your catch when you get a bite. Better yet, they require almost no backcasting space, which is a huge perk if fly-snagging trees hug the bank (and when do they not?).

The moderate-fast-action Redington Dually line features a particularly stellar and affordable trout spey. It handles extremely well when casting into the wind, but can flex to keep control of the fish you inevitably end up hooking. Even better: The reel seat is anodized aluminum, so it can handle saltwater fishing trips without breaking down.

NXT Black Label

Having a reel like the NXT when a big fish bites could be the difference between landing it or not. It offers a smooth, stacked, alternating-disk drag to keep tension on the line with the fish bolts.

The large arbor and 3.4-inch diameter accommodates 5 weight line with plenty of backing and the black aluminum finish looks good paired with any rod.

Stealth 2-Man Inflatable Fishing Boat

For many anglers, a five-figure McKenzie-style drift boat is prohibitively expensive. The inflatable Flycraft Stealth is far more affordable and easy to transport. The Base Package includes a 12-foot by 3.8-foot raft, an aluminum frame, oarlocks, seats, a pump, an anchor system, and nearly everything else you need to hit the water.

A few years ago, a buddy and I wore out smallmouth on the Raritan River in a Flycraft Stealth, then easily loaded it in the back of his pickup at the end of the float. Good luck trying that with a McKenzie.

Pro 3000

Waders are great, but you can only walk in so deep. A float tube like the Caddis Pro 3000 will allow you to paddle out into deeper lakes and ponds, saving your arms from trying to make herculean casts from shore.

The lightweight pontoon has a 250-pound load capacity and includes four pockets of varying sizes to keep your gear close. Plus, the inflatable seat and backrest give you a better view of the water than most of the floats we’ve tried.

Fly-Fishing Sling Pack

A small 11-liter pack like this one from Orvis can hold everything you need for a day of fishing. There’s plenty of room in here for a couple fly boxes and miscellaneous pieces of gear, plus some snacks and a water bottle.

It’s light enough to leave hanging high on your shoulder, so you can easily reach your stuff when you’re standing waist-deep in the stream. The dedicated tippet holder makes it especially easy to pull off some new line in those situations.

Super Day’s Worth

There’s little difference between most fly boxes, since they all more or less accomplish the basic task of keeping your flies in place. The Cliff Super Day’s Worth is a rare exception.

The 6-inch by 4-inch, triple-layer box features foam strips on the right panel to store dry flies, and an adjacent solid foam piece holds meaty streamers, both of which ensure your bait won’t get crushed when you close it.

There’s also a third panel with six magnetic-backed compartments to keep midges and other tiny flies in place. With the Super Day’s Worth, you can keep a full fly arsenal on hand in a single box.

Comfy Grip Nippers

Nippers and forceps might be the most-used tools in your fly fishing setup, so you should look for a set that is durable and easy to use. This kit from Orvis—a set of simple forceps and nippers on a retractable lanyard—is exactly what you need.

Both the forceps and nippers feature comfy rubber handles and hook-eye cleaning needles. Tools like these should be on every beginner’s shopping list, and they won’t break the bank.

Flyweight Access

The Simms Flyweight Access makes trekking to far-flung honeyholes seem a lot less daunting, thanks to its hybrid hiking-and-wading design. Each mid-cut boot has a grippy Vibram Idrogrip sole and, at 1.25 pounds, weighs far less than a typical wading boot.

I wouldn’t hike the Pacific Crest Trail in a pair, but I’ve covered multiple miles a day in Montana backcountry and could have kept going. They’re perfect for wet-wading, but also work well with waders.

Patagonia Swiftcurrent

For smaller streams where you’re less worried about going deep or getting splashed by the current, you can probably stay dry with a simple pair of wading pants. The Patagonia Swiftcurrent pants are a top of the line option, made with a durable four-layer construction and a breathable membrane that’s perfect if you’re doing a little walking to get to the fishing hole.

Throw in tough scuff-guards near the ankles and warm neoprene booties, and you’re ready to walk right into the river and cast in deep water.

Freestone Waders

I fished for years before purchasing my first pair of waders, but using them for the first time was a revelation. Wearing a pair like the Simms Freestone waders opens the door to fishing colder water, earlier in the season, and for far longer.

These are made with an ultra-tough four-layer fabric, so you don’t need to spend too much time thinking about how you’re treating them. The neoprene stocking feed stays warm and comfortable in your wading boots. There’s a zippered chest pocket with a velcro patch and, for cold days, a fleece-lined hand warmer pocket to keep your digits toasty between casts.

Clearwater Wader

Like the Simms Freestone Waders, the Orvis Clearwater comes with a tough four-layer fabric, neoprene booties, and an external storage pocket. The cuffs feature clips to keep debris from washing into your boots and the fix keeps the material closer to your legs to avoid any unnecessary pull in strong currents.

The whole garment weighs just a little over 2 pounds, so you can easily pack them up and carry them to an alpine lake.

Airshed Cap

Spare yourself the embarrassment of wearing a cliché floppy felt fishing hat like the one Brad Pitt sports in A River Runs Through It. Get a simple and effective cap instead. The Patagonia Airshed is made from a breathable recycled polyester, and effectively covers you from the sun and the wind.

Dry Sling

This bag from Filson takes something that the company does well—dry bags—and merges it with something that a lot of other companies do poorly: sling packs. Where other water-resistant models inevitably leave your fly box drenched, the 20-liter Filson Dry Sling is made from heavy-duty waterproof nylon that, coupled with a waterproof zipper, keeps the contents of your pack dry and secure. My only gripe is the lack of water bottle or fly-rod tube.

It’s a bit pricey for a backpack, especially considering that Filson’s excellent Dry Backpack goes for $210. Still, it’s certainly a well-made bag that’s perfectly suited for fly fishing.

Disclosure: J.R. Sullivan occasionally contributes to The Filson Journal.

Fly Fishing Landing Net

Don’t spend much on your fishing net. Make sure it’s big enough to accommodate the fish you’re hoping to land, easy to handle, and has a rubber mesh like this one from Fashionwu—It’s easier on the fish and prevents them from getting tangled. It has an opening big enough to make netting your fish easy, and a durable wooden handle.

Double Rod and Reel Case

A simple fly rod case like this model from Orvis will keep your rod and reel protected whether you’re packing it into the car for a weekend trip, flying it across the country, or strapping it to a backpack.

This one lets you keep the reel connected to your rod, carries up to a 10-foot, four-piece rod and is padded with 600-denier Cordura fabric.

Q+A With Expert Fisherman Ryan Wichelns

PM: Any advice for those just taking up this hobby?

RW: Don’t spend too much money right away. You can easily get started with a few affordable basics. Fly fishing, like golf or skiing, has a tendency to inflate the prices of some of its most expensive gear and over-hype its value. The cheap stuff will do just fine until you take on bigger challenges like colder water, so don’t feel like you need to go out and spend a fortune.

PM: What fly fishing accessories should I avoid buying?

RW: You could spend a lot of money on specialized clothing for fishing, including rain jackets and fishing shirts, but you really only need waders and a pair of wading boots. If you decide to go fishing when it’s raining, you can wear your regular rain jacket and you will be fine.

It might not have special pockets or velcro patches for flies, but it will keep you just as dry. The same goes for shirts and other layers. Just wear clothing that you’re comfortable moving in. A specialized fishing shirt is great too, but unnecessary.

PM: What are the biggest differences between fly fishing and spin fishing?

RW: There are a lot of differences between fly fishing and conventional spin fishing, where you spin your reel to bring the line back in. (If you’ve gone fishing once or twice, this is probably what you were doing.)

Fly fishing requires some tricky techniques that take time to master, like casting and wading, which allow you to access waters that may not be viable for spin fishing, since some fish won’t go after a moving lure. Spin fishing can also be a little bit more active, requiring you to more consistently reel in the lure, rather than allowing it to sit on or drift with the water.

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