Well, let’s put it straight: fly fishing is expensive. Seeing the bamboo rods and fancy vests, one might come up with a conclusion that one requires a huge bank account in order to get equipped. This is nothing but a myth created to keep the riffraff from fly fishing. It is absolutely possible to equip oneself properly in such a way that one would be able to use the same kit through their twenties and thirties.
The most overestimated item in the gear is definitely a reel. There are no fighting fishes like bass angler catches; all fish are caught in one way or another. The reel is a container used to store the trout. One should invest in die-cast aluminum reels such as Redington Behemoth and Lamson Liquid, which are impossible to jam even in the sand – the most important thing about them.
With modern rod technology, one is now able to buy “a forever stick” for about three hundred dollars. One can consider buying Orvis Clearwater or Fenwick Aetos. The rods are easy to load and to cast. One should avoid the cheap combo kits available in big box stores because those rods tend to break even when one looks at them wrong. Average rod should feel like an extension of one’s arm rather than like a pool noodle.
It is the time to stop being miserly. One should get a good weight forward floating line. Scientific Anglers Frequency or Rio Gold would serve for the purpose perfectly fine. Good line casts itself, thus saving one’s shoulder and ego. If one skips this step, one will surely hate the whole experience and leave fishing after an hour or so.
One’s waders will inevitably leak, and this is the sad truth about the material and stitching. However, one still can get Simms Freestone or Patagonia Swiftcurrents providing maximum durability for a fair price. Properly taken care of, one’s waders would last for several years. Get a pair of Korkers wading boots because one is always able to change the soles for felt or rubber depending on the river regulations.
One does not require any fancy vest making one look like a safari photographer. One would need only the chest or the sling pack from Fishpond because one needs only to store a few boxes of flies, some tippet spools and nippers. Everything else is extra baggage.
“Buy once, cry once” principle works here. Additional investment during purchasing hurts one’s budget. However, in this case, one is spared from buying trash and breaking it, and then buying better trash. One should visit the local shop, try to cast a few rods, and begin assembling the kit, which will grow together with one. One will thank themselves when reaching the age of thirty-five.