Fly Fishing Gear Reviews

Because of modern day technology, I believe there is very little difference between middle of the road fly reels and top end reels.  Fly fishing reels will run you from $15 to $1,000.  If you find a reel for under $50 (and a fly rod, for that matter) it will probably catch fish, but generally it will be most effective as a decoration.

Today I took a long hard look at the fly line on my 4 weight rod, my go-to fly rod on the waters I usually fish.  I finally had to admit that the fly line had lost most of its functionality and needed to be replaced.

Unless you are just going to be walking along the banks of a river or stream, you are going to need to purchase some wading gear at some point.  If you don’t get yourself some waders and wading boots, eventually you're going to find yourself getting wet either fighting a huge trout, or just losing your footing.  Personally, I like to be in the water.  Here in California, I’ll wet wade while flyfishing as early in the summer to as late in the fall as I can.  Basically, I have a dark bathing suit and some Simms felt soled river sandals made by Keen.  The water can get a little chilly, but the eastern sierras get pretty warm, so I dry quickly once I step out.

Ok, so, you’re on your first big fly fishing trip and you are fishing on one of the blue ribbon trout rivers where the baby trout are pushing 20 inches.  On your first cast a leviathan strikes with such force that you squeal like a girl (If you are a girl, this probably wont seem strange).  He’s hooked well and not too happy about it.  He turns on the jets and heads downstream trying to shake that fly out the whole time.