My first suggestion is to book a fly

fishing trip with a professional guide

that fits “your” personality.

•There are a lot of guides out there and let’s be honest. Not all guides are created equal. Don’t let a bad guide ruin what could be a lifetime hobby full of amazing adventures.

I went on a guided trip and I loved it! Now what kind of equipment should I purchase for fly

fishing??

• Fly Rod• Fly Reel• Fly Line• Backing• Leaders• Tippet• Knot tying book• Flies• Something to carry

everything.• Net• Camera• Polarized Sunglasses• Wading boots• Waders• Accessories

Fly Rod Selection• When picking out a fly rod it’s important to

know what kind of rivers or creeks you will be fishing.

• Once you determine this, now it’s time to talk budget. Rods go from $120 all the way to $1,000.

• I would suggest going to a local fly shop in your area and talking to an expert. They will know what kind of fishing to expect in the area you’ll be fishing.

• They will help you choose the correct length of rod for the situation you’ll be fishing most.

• The type of fishing you like to do most will determine what kind of rod you will need.

• Also the correct weight rod. That way you can have enough rod to handle that big fish and not too much rod, for little fish in creeks.

• You always start with one rod but pretty quickly you will have 2 then 3 then 10. It’s just what happens.

• Biggest thing you want to make sure when you choose your rod. Is make sure it feels good in your hand. Nothing worse than having a rod that just feels un natural.

How to pick out a reel for your fly rod• My personal feeling is a good reel

with a superb drag is far more important, than an extremely nice rod, when going for big fish. I have lost more fish on a drag system that is jerky than one that is smooth. Big fish get big for a reason.

•Fly reels come in all different sizes to fit your specific fly rod, your going to fish with. So you will want to go with the correct size. Look at the specs on the reel box. It should say 4-6, 5-7, 8-9 etc. Those numbers are letting you know, that reel is built for that certain weight rod, or somewhere between those numbers.

•Second thing to choose is either a mid arbor reel or a large arbor reel. For my rods I usually choose the large arbor. They reel in line faster and have room for more backing.Sometimes I will choose a mid arbor if I want a smaller reel on my set up. I like mid arbors for areas I know I won’t need a huge amount of backing.

•Next is to choose what kind of drag system you want. I personally like sealed drags. Sealed drags don’t let debris get into the working parts of the drag. They are more costly but are amazing. I would suggest going into your local fly shop and finding one that fits your budget and also one that supports the kind of fish you are targeting.

•Just remember, nobody ever thinks about their drag until that fish bites, then you will question buying that $50 dollar reel, that is seizing up on you with Moby Dick on the other side of your line.

Fly Line Selection• Fly line selection really depends on what kind

of fishing you plan on doing. • There are all sorts of different lines. • Lake lines, river lines, ocean lines and they

all do something different. • Some float, some sink, sink slowly, sink

heavily, and some are for specific species. For example small mouth bass lines.

• There are a lot of different brands out there to choose from. I personally like Rio Products.

• The most important thing about picking out your fly line, is to pick a line, that matches your fly rod. If you don’t have the two matched up correctly, you’re not going to like how your cast feel and also looks.

• I would suggest going to your local fly shop and finding one that matches your rod weight and reel. You can often demo the fly line before you purchase it.

Backing • Backing is what you put on your reel

before your fly line. • It comes in all different types and

weights. • Sometimes you will hear people say

“that fish took me to my backing.” This is something you should strive to feel someday.

• There are lots of different backings to choose from.

• I personally like the 68lb gel spun backing from Hatch. You can put a lot of gel spun backing on a large arbor reel. Which means that fish won’t be getting away….. Hopefully ;)

• You don’t need that kind of backing most likely. I do a lot of saltwater fishing so that’s why I have such a heavy backing.

• For trout you can use the 15lb or 20lb gel spun or regular backing.

Leaders• Leaders are what attaches to the fly

line. They are either monofilament or fluorocarbon.

• They are clear and come in all different sizes depending on how spooky the fish are in the area you are fishing.

• So here is the deal with leaders. You can get them in all different tapers and sizes. The most common you see is the 9 foot leaders but there are also 12 foot, 7 foot and so on. All leaders are tapered down to a diameter for the type of fish you are going for.

• The different sizes you will see are 0x, 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, and etc. The larger the number. For example: 6x will have a much smaller and finer diameter for those spring creeks and spooky fish. 0x will have a much thicker diameter for your bigger fish that aren’t leader shy.

• You can also purchase leaders for different types of waters. Saltwater leaders, steelhead leaders, salmon leaders and trout leaders.

Tippet

• Leaders can be pricey and often times break off. This is where tippet comes into play along with the ability to adding a second fly to your set ups.

• You can rebuild your leader with Tippet and also add a second or third fly to your set up. (Check your local regulations)

• I have a wide arrange of tippet in my arsenal. I use all guide spools of tippet. but for the occasional fisherman, I would suggest using the 30 yard set up.

• You will want either fluorocarbon tippet or monofilament tippet depending on what leaders you have.

• I have a set of both and I have a reason for it. I use mono when I’m dry fly fishing because

Fluoro tends to sink.

• I use fluorocarbon tippet when I am doing anything subsurface. Nymphs, wet flies, and streamers.

• I use a tippet holder to organize all my different tippet.

• I use one tippet holder to hold my mono and another to hold my fluoro

• I have in my set up 2x,3x,4x,5x and sometimes 6x. I will add 0x,1x, and 7x on only certain occasions when I am fishing a river that demands that fine tuning of tippet.

• I sometimes use tippet rings but that is something I will touch on at a later time.

Knot Tying Books and Apps

• When I first got into fly fishing I luckily had my dad to teach me about knots.

• Even with him teaching me the basic concept of knots, it was still the one thing that scared me, to go out fishing by myself.

• So I have some great books and apps, I would love to suggest to you, that will help you with this.

• These are things you can take with you on the river and it will ease your mind about all the things you might need to tie up.

•First let me go over some apps that have helped me the most.

•Get the app Animated knots by Grog. It goes through some of the most basic to some really technical ones.

•Also the Orvis Fly Fishing App is great as well.

•My two favorite books to bring with me is The Little Red Fishing Knot Book by Harry Nilsson and Pocket Guides Guide to Fly Fishing Knots by Pocket Guides.

•The knots that you will use most in fly fishing and you should practice the most are: The perfection loop, blood knot, double surgeon knot, double improved clinch knot, and the rapala knot for streamers or any fly you want to add more action to.

•There are a lot more I use but these are some of the best to get you out there and fishing.

Flies• So picking out flies is not the easiest of things to

do, especially in the beginning of your fly fishing journey.

• First pick out the piece of water you are going to fish, for that day or for your trip.

• Then go on the internet and find local fly shops in that area. They usually have fly fishing reports, that go over what’s been working, and the hot bugs that week.

• I would suggest purchasing your flies from those fly shops. They depend on your business to survive and it’s always awesome talking to people that live there and love that particular river.

• I am also a huge fan of looking on the internet and finding out what hatches are happening for that certain type of year.

• You can also pick up rocks and look underneath them. It is fun to see the natural insects and try to find something in your box to mimic what you are finding.

• The most important thing I believe, besides having a fly that is prevalent in the area you are fishing, is to have a great presentation. Meaning a drag free drift and finding the correct water column the fish are holding in.

How do I carry all my fly fishing gear with me on the water?

• So one of the biggest advantages to great fly fisherman is their organizational skills.

• Let’s face it, if you’re not organized, how are you going to know what you have and where it is.

• There are several bags I recommend and several companies I recommend.

• I suggest bags from Simms, Fishpond and Patagonia. All these companies provide exceptional products to carry your essential fly fishing items in.

• So let me show you my favorite products on the market right now in no specific order. Then you will have some fun picking one out that suites you.

• Patagonia’s Stealth Atom Sling

•Fishpond’s westwater guide lumbar pack.

•Simm’s Headwaters guide hip pack

•Remember there are plenty more to choose from but these ones are pretty amazing.

•A simpler way to carry the bare necessities is a guide necklace

•Dr. Slick Elastic Necklace

•Just make sure you find a system that best fits your fishing style.

Choosing the right net or nets• Choosing a net really depends on what kind

of fishing you do most. That is why I have several nets.

• When your fishing from the boat it’s nice to have a net with a long shaft and a big bucket.

• Any net you get, should be a rubber lining net. It’s better for the fish and doesn’t get your flies all tangled in it.

• If you’re mostly wading I would suggest a smaller net that can attach to your waders or fly fishing bag

• I am in love with the nomad nets right now from fishpond.

• Here are your different choices.• My favorite boat net is the Nomad Boat Net• My favorite wading net is the

Nomad Hand Net• A great accessory to your wading net is a

wading magnetic net release + 5 lbs of pull• No matter what pick out a net with a rubber

lining and you will be more than happy.

Choosing the right Camera• It takes a lot of time and energy to catch fish and it’s really nice having a great camera to capture that fish

you just caught or that beautiful scenery. • So let me go over some things that might help you in choosing the right camera for you. • Okay, so first option and one that is the most convenient. Most Cell phones now a days actually capture

really good images. There is only one problem! We usually use our camera in places with water and lots of it. So first thing is to purchase a life proof camera case! It’s waterproof and doesn’t effect the images.

• Second option is a water proof camera. You wouldn’t believe the amount of options you have now a days. Click this for a list of the top 10: Top 10 waterproof cameras for 2014

• It’s way more expensive but I love using my wife’s canon 5d mark iii. I then attach several of my favorite lenses on it. Like the macro lense for close ups of the fish and then the 24-70 for a little of everything.

• Also, I would highly suggest the canon g15. It is small and compact and the pictures are outstanding.

Polorized Sunglasses • Polarized glasses in my opinion are the most important thing you

can purchase. • First and most important, it protects your eyes from hooks.• Second, it saves your eyes from harmful sun rays• Third, it let’s you see fish in the river, by taking the glare off the

water.• Make sure you get some that fit your face correctly. Your glasses

should be very comfortable and make sure to wear some type of croakies! It’s never fun losing your glasses in the river when you bend down!

•There are a lot of different companies that make great polarized sunglasses.

• I would suggest going to your local fly shop or going somewhere that carries lots of options for you to try on.

•Here are some of my favorite brands and styles

•Smith Optics and the Dockside style

•Maui Jim’s and the canoe’s

•Oakley’s and the crankshaft

•Costa Del Mar and the Cut

•Here are just a couple that I really like but remember to get ones that fit your head and that are comfortable.

Wading Boots• Wading boots come in all different styles and prices.• Just remember you’ll need bigger boots than your normal

size when wearing waders with your boots. • Check your local regulations and see what kind of soles

you can have. There are some areas that don’t allow felt.• There are normal lace up style boots and a new system

called the boa system, which is my favorite.• Go to your local fly shop and make sure to try on boots

before you purchase them. All boots feel a little different and you want to make sure you get the right size.

•Here is a list of my favorite boots made by different companies.

•Simms G4 Boa Boot

•Korkers Devils Canyon

•Patagonia’s ultra light wading boot sticky

•For Saltwater neoprene flats booties

•Remember with your boots get a good pair of socks.

•I prefer anything with merino wool.

Waders

• Good waders will be your best friend. • This is something you shouldn’t go too

cheap on. There is nothing worse on a fishing day then being cold and wet.

• There are so many choices for waders now a days.

• There are specific ones for men, women and even kids.

• Choose the style you like and go fishing!

•Here is a list of my favorite guy waders in no particular order

•Patagonia’s Men’s Rio Gallegos Zip-Front Waders

•Simms Waders and I love the G4Z stocking foot

•Orvis Silver Sonic Waders

•Redington Waders and my favorite are sonicdryfly

•Here is a list of the women’s wader in no particular order

•Simms G3 guide stock foot

•Patagonia’s women’s spring river waders

•Redington Siren wader

•Orvis women’s silver sonic waders

Accessories • There are so many accessories for your fly fishing experience but I will list my favorites.

•Loon floatant. It keeps your flies up and floating good.

•Loon Henry’s sinket This gets your fies down and fast

•Loon nipper. Any nipper will do but this is my favorite.

•Forceps. This is to pinch down barbs, get hooks out of fish and smash weights.

•Dual Zingers. These are tools to put your forceps, nippers and other accessories on.

•Tippet Stack. You will need something to stack all of your tippet on and this is perfect.

•Tippet holder. This is another tool to help with your tippet

•Leader Wallet. This is great to carry all your different size leaders.

•Titan Rod Vaults. This is to carry your rod from one place to another without having to break them down.

•ThingamaBobber. This is a great indicator to use when nymping.

•Weights. Fly fishing weights are crucial in finding the correct water column the fish are feeding in that particular day. Bring all different sizes.

•Knife. A knife is always a must on the river.

•A sweet hat and a buff to protect you from the sun.

I sure hope this helps you out and thanks for all the support and love I get everyday from all of you.

I love helping out in anyway possible and if you have any questions please contact me anytime. Happy fishing and remember to help someone else out on the river someday!