A Guide To Basic Fly Fishing Equipment

(photo from Javier Etcheverry Photography - awesome photos -  visit this site!)

By Bruce Wiley

Having the right equipment for fly fishing is very important, just as it is with other, more popular sports. Brace yourself because you may have to spend a lot for the different types of equipment for fly fishing, but all of it should be worth the extra expense!

Of course, you'll need a rod and reel. The tricky part would be choosing a rod that matches the type of fish you wish to catch. When purchasing fly rods, take note of their net weight capabilities (nwt). The nwt number will tell you what type of fish you will be able to catch. For example, you would need an 8 nwt rod to catch fish that weigh around 8 pounds. The larger the nwt number, the larger fish you can catch.

Some rods are multi-rated (e.g. 7-9 nwt). When compared to single rated rods, these multi-rated rods can catch more types and weight classes of fish, but wouldn't be as flexible.

Generally speaking, rods can be made of fiberglass, graphite or bamboo. Fiberglass rods are durable and less expensive. Since they are versatile enough to be used in different settings, fiberglass rods are ideal for the novice fly fisherman. The advantage of graphite rods are the fact they are lightweight, and can help you angle heavier fish much easier. Bamboo rods can be expensive, but they are extremely strong and are suited to a more laid-back casting style.

Your fly line will need to match the nwt of your rod. If you have an 8 nwt rod, you'll need to use an 8 nwt line. But if you are not able to find the exact same net weight, going one or two sizes under or above is fine - say, 9 nwt or 7 nwt for the above example. Make quality a priority when choosing a fly line. Some lines are specially designed for freshwater, saltwater, etc.

Aside from the line and the rod, you'll need a net that is durable enough for your needs. You will need to scoop fish out of the water once they're down for the count, and a net would work just fine. A good net is essential in catching fish, because once they have been caught hook, line and sinker, the next thing you will want to do is make sure they are pulled out of the water.

Having the right fly fishing equipment is important for both the beginner as well as the experienced angler. Once you find yourself improving in this wonderful sport, you will realize the importance of having the right equipment. You can always upgrade, so it's good to start out small and work your way up to the more expensive stuff. After all, your fly fishing equipment is often the determining factor when it comes to catching unusual and large fish as compared to common ones!