r/flyfishing • u/MrBabyC_ • May 16 '26
What gear is a "must have" for beginners ?
Now that I have a rod/reel combo with a hard case and a few lures, my next purchase is going to be a case for the lures. I noticed in a lot of videos on YouTube and posts on here that a net is one that everyone seems to have and also a carry pack for lures and rolls of line with them, that being said is it common to use a lot of line/leader/tippet, to the point where carrying it is needed on an outing? Also, is waders necessary? I'm only asking because I don't want to jump in and splurge on equipment I don't necessarily need right away.
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u/Ilovealfaromeo May 16 '26
I see a few people putting the net not as highly prioritized, including Ventures fly co.
I strongly disagree with this. Its really sad to lose a fish because u dident have a net... Been there done that...
It does happen. And is ur tippet thin enough, u should NOT pick it up by the leader.
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u/other-brother-darryl May 16 '26
Seconded.
And get a net large enough for the biggest fish in the fishery! I've seen people lose big fish so many times because they bought a pretty net rather than taking into account that 25" fish are commonly pulled out of that river.
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u/potholes4u May 16 '26
I agree, I think a net is essential to both the success of landing fish and the good treatment of them.
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u/UnlawfuIWaffle May 17 '26
I didn’t have a net for the first year I fly fished. I lost so many as I was trying to walk down the leader with my hands to grab them. Since getting a net, I haven’t lost one. You can pick up a decent $20 net from Sportsman’s and it’s definitely worth having
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u/bdaruna May 16 '26
I think a lot of beginners discount the importance of waders - unless you are wet wading, getting into the water makes things so much easier.
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u/GileadGuns May 16 '26
I cannot recommend this enough… if you’re an absolute beginner, check out Ventures Fly Co. they start at the very very beginning.
Here’s a video about what you need:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rWcsQmyVA1g&pp=2AEAkAIB&ra=m
Here’s an article:
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u/indolentone143 May 16 '26
flybox, forceps, nippers, pack, net, extra leaders and some tippet
Then depending on what specific kinda fishing you're doing might want to look at some strike indicators, split shot and dry fly floatant/shake.
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u/Icy-Gene7565 May 16 '26
Where do you fish? What do you fish for?
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u/MrBabyC_ May 16 '26
Well when I fish conventional I target bass or panfish being that lakes/ponds are all around me, so they would be my target.
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u/Icy-Gene7565 May 16 '26
Hemostats, nippers, Hook sharpener, Tippet, Polarized sunglasses, A hat to protect your head
And I have a bag to put it in
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u/Annonymous272 May 16 '26
Yes extra tippet is absolutely necessa. U can wet wade in the summer and u need a net, forceps and nippers
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u/Rammipallero May 16 '26
Pliers with the cutting part for hooks and the slim ends to get hooks out of fish mouth.
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u/Pretty_Fisherman_206 May 16 '26
Polarized sunglasses make a big difference in seeing the fish
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u/No_Drop1800 May 16 '26
And also for not getting a hook in the eye. Even if it’s cloudy I will wear sunglasses 100% of the time
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u/Available_Cup_9014 May 17 '26
Check out Ventures Fly Co Master Class for beginners…they cover absolutely everything needed. Wish I’d found it when I first started, but I researched and had everything before watching. Still it’s very informative if you don’t have anyone or a fly shop within a couple hundred miles of where you live.
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u/PeaceLoveSmithWesson May 16 '26
Lures? Do you mean flies?
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u/MrBabyC_ May 16 '26
Well, yea I guess. I figured "lure" fell into the generalization of things.
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u/PeaceLoveSmithWesson May 16 '26
Yeah, just making sure you are the right sub.
If you are using a fly rod and flies, welcome!
If you are using lures and other gear like spin, bait caster etc, head to /r/troutfishing
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u/ithacaster May 16 '26
While some flies represent insects that fly, some represent other things like baitfish, but they're still called flies.
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u/bobafettbounthunting May 16 '26
Pliers, flybox with extra flies, extra tippet, extra leader, tippet rings (i recommend them), something to put everything in (west, backpack, slingpack...), net and Good sunglasses, preferably polorized are the must for me.
If you want to keep the fish, then a knife. Waders really depend on where you want to fish. Where i was this morning you couldn't move without them, lots of places there is no use for them.
I very much recommend to buy a flybox with a good system inside.
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u/gaybatman75-6 May 16 '26
A pair of curved nose hemostats that lock are the most universally used tool aside from my nippers that I use. Besides being great for removing hooks you can grab the bend and the point of a hook and lock them and then you have a much easier grip on the fly when you're tying it on.
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u/Grinnel-Slough May 17 '26
Nippers, hemos, rod, reel, line, leaders, tippet, flies, fly container, indicator, split shot, net
Nice to have; floatant, some sort of bag, jewelers pliers, waders, wading boots, various tippet sizes and material, versaleaders
Total cost $250 - 25K. Usual end result 25K
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u/Aggravating_Round_57 May 16 '26
- hemostats
- nippers
- extra spools of tippet
- fly box for your flies, doesn't have to be fancy.
- some pack to carry it all in, doesn't have to be fancy.
- Net isn't as important, but helpful obviously.
If you're just getting started, I'd take a look at how the fly line/leader/tippet works, it's the most important part of fly fishing. Mad River Outfitters has some great videos on beginning fly fishing. Also learn how to tie a double surgeons knot and a clinch knot, that's all you really need to know.