So, you want to quit your job, buy a beat-up truck and a yellow lab and take up the art of fly fishing? It’s about time. The good news is that you won’t need to spend a fortune on equipment to get on the river. The bad? The sport can take a lifetime to master. You’ll need to start with the three most important elements: tying knots, casting and selecting flies. The goodies below should help you get started in all three categories.
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| The Starter Kit |
The Setup
Want a package that will get you on the water whether you’re planning to chase trout, bass or blue gills? St. Croix’s Premier Fly Fishing Outfit ($130-$160; 800-826-7042; www.stcroixrods.com) simplifies the process of selecting your first rod, reel and line. Included are a Premier moderate-fast action fly rod designed for beginner-intermediate casters (4-, 5-, 6- and 8-weights), a matching St. Croix reel, floating fly line and a leader. Best of all, the kits are reasonably priced.
Stay Dry
If you want to catch fish, you’ll eventually need to wade out into a stream. Wear Simms’ GoreTex RiverTek Stockingfoots ($280; 406-585-3557; www.simmsfishing.com). They’re convertible, so they can be worn as a hip or chest wader. Women will appreciate the fit of Simms’ new Women’s G3 Guide Stockingfoots ($400). Chota’s light, new STL Wading Shoe ($100; 865-690-1814; www.chotaoutdoorgear.com) features a waterproof leather upper that provides lateral support for walking in a rocky streambed, and drains water quickly.
Catch and Carry
William Joseph’s new Wave ($89; 800-386-7839; www.williamjoseph.net) is designed with an ergonomic shape that allows you to net fish without getting your hands wet (a big plus in December). And to carry all those flies, tippet, line and net? WJ’s Mini II Chest Pack ($59; 800-386-7839; www.williamjoseph.net), is large enough for a wading trip and light enough to be comfortable.
Tie Knots with Ease
If you suffer from add, buy a TailKnott’r ($13; www.leduncan.com), a gizmo that makes tying knots (and opening a beer) a snap. Instructions are on the packaging and Quicktime videos for several knots are on the company’s Web site. Trust us on this one, it works!
Do Your Homework
A pro can teach the fundamentals of casting in an hour. To reinforce those lessons, there’s nothing better than watching Joan Wulff’s Dynamics of Flycasting ($25; 800-328-3638, www.royalwulff.com) video or DVD. Learn from a legendary dame.
