Fly Fishing Gear Checklist
Thorough, Detailed, Prepared!
The question of what fly fishing equipment to take on a backpacking trip is an interesting one. For us serious fly fisherman, the last thing we want is to be caught without a crucial piece of equipment. On the other hand, taking unnecessary equipment is to be avoided because of its weight and having to pack it around with you throughout the trip. Somehow as fly anglers we need to strike the correct balance between the two.
I choose to error on the side of making sure I’ll have all the equipment I’ll need. After all, for me, fly fishing is the primary activity. I try to think through each scenario. For example, will I be fishing stillwaters or streams? Will I need sinking line as well as floating? Do I have a backup plan if a rod breaks? Will I be away from camp all day and need to carry additional gear? What flies will I need? How can I save weight by condensing flies, which weigh next to nothing, into only a few fly boxes. I save a few pounds by using DIY fly rod cases instead of manufacturer cases.
Below is a list of the specific fly fishing equipment I’ve settled on in over forty years of wilderness fishing trips. Look for future posts reviewing each of these items. I’ll discuss what I like and what I don’t like about each of them, as well as which other manufacturers I considered. As I mentioned in my backpacking gear checklist post, I save weight with other equipment choices so that I can take all the fly fishing gear I may need.
Fly Rods – I always take two rods with me on backcountry fishing trips. The type of rods that I take depends on the trip destination. When packing into alpine lakes I take a heavier 6-weight rod that is more effective on lakes as well as a lighter 3- or 4-weight rod for smaller headwater streams. High lakes are known for their wind and having a rod that can push through wind is helpful. They are also more effective casting weighted lines and heavy streamers. On backcountry river trips a 3- or 4-weight as well as a 5-weight rod is a good combination, depending on the size of the river and the expected size of the fish.
3 wt. – Sage VT2
4 wt. – Hardy Shadow
5 wt. – Hardy Zephrus
6 wt. – Fenwick Aetos
Fly Rod Case (Backpacking) – DIY rod case using fluorescent tube guard T12 (4 oz)
Fly Rod Case (Truck Camping) – Manufacturer provided rod case (15-19 oz depending on case)
Reels – As you can see, I prefer click & pawl reels.
3 wt. – Hardy Marquis 5
4 wt. – Hardy Narrow Spool Perfect
5 wt. – Hardy 1939 Bougle
6 wt. – Hardy 100th Anniversary Flyweight
Line – Picking fly lines has gotten complicated, to say the least. I prefer Triangle Taper for casting dry flies, which I usually am with lighter rods. As the rods get heavier, and I begin casting more streamers and weighted flies, with wind, I prefer a more all-purpose line.
3 wt. – Royal Wulff Triangle Taper
4 wt. – Royal Wulff Triangle Taper
5 wt. – Airflo Super Dry River & Stream
6 wt. – Scientific Angler MPX
6 wt. Sinking Line (If backpacking to alpine lakes) – Rio Avid Trout
Wet Wading Pants – REI Sahara Convertible Pants
Wet Wading Shoes (If day hiking expected) – Salomon Techamphibian 5
Wet Wading Shoes (If minimal day hiking expected) – Simms Pursuit Shoe
Waders and Boots (Rarely taken backpacking) – Frogg Togg waders, Orvis boots. My boots and waders are so old I don’t even remember the specific product name of either. They’ve lasted 10+ years because I almost always wet wade. I do intend to buy new waders and boots soon, and will update this post when I do.
Vest (Alpine Lake Trips) – Master Sportsman
Hip/Waist Pack (Backcountry River Trips) – Fishpond Switchback 2.0
Net – Wooden Signature Concepts catch & release
Water Filter Bottle –Katadyn BeFree
Polarized Glasses – Oakley prescription
Hat – Various baseball hats
Flies – Various
Ancillary Items – Nippers, floatant, leader packs, tippet, indicators, split shot, forceps