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#41 Fly Fishing Tools
- Gary Fiala
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 9
Fly Fishing Tools and tool time, the Must Haves
Thanks again for coming back and for letting me help you on your journey as a new Flyfisher. If you are just learning to fly fish or if you have a few seasons under your belt let’s have a quick discussion about "fly fishing tools" that you need while you are fishing. Everyone who has his or her favorite can’t live without tools that they take with them on the water almost every day. I read posts every day about which tool do I need, which tool is the best?
I though it might be helpful if I put together a list, like a school supply list, so here is your list of items that you must carry in your vest or pack if you want to have any success on the water:
Line nippers
Hemostats/forceps
Magnify glasses
Nail knot tool
Fly release tool
Tool to hold flies while you tie them on
Tool for making clinch knots
Fly drying patch
Whistle
Magnet for your net
Pocket ice chest
Pocket trash can
Tippet spool holder
Tools to hold your tools
Spare car keys for your neighbor
6-7 water bottles
Fly grease holder
2 spare reel spools
At least 4-8 fly boxes
Bear spray, (not a joke in some areas)
Pocket entomology kit
Thermometer
Cell phone leash
Ok, do you see the silliness of this list, in fact there only 2-3 must have items that I would say you should consider your basics. Believe it or not, I have friends that have most of these items on them at all times.
Here is the real list of the basics to get you started:
Nippers: you will need something to cut/trim tippet, or leaders.
Forceps because you will need a tool to reach down and remove the small flies that you caught the fish on.
Glasses are never a bad idea, when hooks are flying past your face at over 300mph. I covered safety a while back but never a bad idea to refresh safety.
This list of tools would be what I call the bare bones of a tool list. Personally, over the years I have been able to reduce my cache of tools to only a few. I have been more than pleased to cut down on the shear mass of my personal carry items. The items I carry in my pack are as follows:
Dr Slick forceps/scissor combo, ( 2 tools in one, kind of smart)
I do carry a Ketchum release tool; I rarely use a net.
I do need to flip down magnifiers, remember I’m old.
I do carry a combo nail knot tool and nippers, because I tie leaders with a nail knot.
A tippet holder holds 4 spools of tippet, not 10-15 like some people.
A holder for my fly floatant.
That’s about it for my list of items, I do carry fly boxes that are two sided which means it’s like two boxes in one, because it has a center leaf.
While I was writing this my wife came in reminded me of one more “REALLY” important thing to consider keeping with you, and that is “Emergency Paper units”. If you have ever walked home from fishing wearing only one sock, you will understand.
Personal preference:
Over time you will find out what is necessary for you and your type of fishing. The sport of fly fishing is truly wonderful in the shear magnitude of “gadgets” that people invent for use on the water. I’m not being stinky, but some of these gadgets are really useful, and others are just more “stuff” for the vest.
Words of wisdom:
In your car you would be smart to carry a spare set of forceps in the rare case yours fall off of your vest, and then you would be without, (just saying, not like I have ever done that). I will be honest there is a few items that are smart to carry with you while you are fishing. Things like thermometers are a good idea if you fish during the heat of the summer. If you are so inclined a pocket Entomology kits can be a really cool thing to use. You get to see the bugs firsthand and decide which flies would best imitate that which you find.
I hope this list will help you to figure which items will go into the hall of fame that is your own vest.
Best of luck, and as always feel free to reach out with any questions or to yell at me because I forgot something.
Cheers
Gary, aka LaMachine.
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