---

Let’s begin with the elephant in the room.

Fly fishing is not limited to the wealthy, financially free-wheeling, yuppie groups that may have been at the helm of popular fly fishing media for the majority of the sport’s existence. Most of the people pioneering the sport were everyday people, making do with what they had, trying to find the patterns that caught them big fish and kept their guide services in business.

Forget the expensive gear—unless you’re really into that. I’m sure many people would buy top of the line brands if it were in their price range. But, that’s not what this sport was built on, so don’t shell out the money for things you don’t need.

There are plenty of ways to be mindful about building your fly fishing kit. Here, we’re going to walk through some basic advice on keeping your expenditure low without sacrificing catches. 

But first, the unfortunate truth.

Buying In

I expect anglers all agree that the most frustrating aspect of fly fishing is the fact that you do have to “buy in” to a certain extent. Even a price-conscious approach will run you a few hundred dollars for basic equipment. 

A reasonable rod, reel, and fly line combo is going to cost around $200. Throw in a net, leaders, indicators, flies, hemostats and other tools, and you’re looking at another $100 easy. Once you decide this is the sport for you, you’ll probably look for waders and wading boots—say goodbye to $400.

And just wait until you break your first rod tip. That’s a rite of passage.

Know that you must spend money on some of these things, but others are luxuries. I’ll now differentiate between the two.

Where to Spend	Where to Save
Rod	Reel
Line	Net
Leaders	Bags
Boots*	Waders
Flies*

* = An asterisk denotes an item that you can save money on, if necessary.

Let’s start with what you should spend your money on when you’re getting started in fly fishing.

What to Spend On

First things first, you need a good rod. I wouldn’t advocate for anything above $300, however, and I don’t actually fish with anything over $200. There’s undoubtedly some great rods that will run you $500, but they’re not for me. Honestly, I would advise you to get nothing more than what you need.

I caught my first trout on a cheap rod from Bass Pro Shops. Just don’t expect it to last more than a year.

I currently use a Cortland Guide Series rod that has done everything I could ask for and more with the diverse conditions of the Middle Fork. It handles a variety of large flies with precision and can handle a tussle with the meanest of smallies.

On the other hand, the fly line is not something to skimp on. Don’t go purchase a $150 line unless you know you need it, but I would recommend something in the $80 range from Scientific Anglers or Cortland. Higher quality lines will perform better on the water, and that’s the difference maker between catching and missing a fish.

A quality leader is equally if not more important. A poorly presented fly will catch far less than a carefully presented one. 

Plenty of fly fishing icons have talked about their leader setups, so deep dive on YouTube for these. I personally tie my own leaders with Maxima Clear in this order: 30lb butt-section, 20lb test, and 10lb tippet. How long these sections will be depends on what you’re fishing.

There’s nothing more I can say about it that hasn’t already been said in this video, which is how I learned what worked for me. Read and watch as many videos as you can and learn the rest on the water.

I know many budget anglers will say to save money on flies, but I disagree. It’s tempting to go to the big box stores for flies, especially since they might be cheaper, but I can guarantee you they’re not that much cheaper, and they’re not going to be tied anywhere near as well as a reputable fly shop.

Support local shops by ordering supplies from them. I’ve purchased most of mine through Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio, and have only received quality from them. Other big box shops, whether online or in person, have occasionally fallen apart without ever lipping a fish. 

Go local when buying flies. It will pay off in the long run. This is especially true for larger patterns that smallmouth can’t get enough of, like Schultz’s Swingin’ D, Boogle Bug-style poppers and, my favorite fly to fish, Ol’ Mr. Wigglys. 

Smalljaws absolutely crush flies, so it pays off if they can withstand some wear and tear. 

But, if the price of flies really is a dealbreaker, then flies are also the first thing I recommend you save money on. There’s nothing wrong with a visit to discountflies.com or Sportsman’s Warehouse. 

Finally, if you’re wading, I would recommend you get a good pair of wading boots (and neoprene wading socks) to protect your feet, though this obviously isn’t required. I don’t play around when it comes to protecting my feet. I figure if I spend my whole life on them, it’s best to take care of them. Orvis Clearwater Boots ($200) have been great for me, and they look as good as the day I bought them. 

What to Save On

You would think you need to spend money on a reel, but take a moment to consider its function. 

Unlike traditional fishing setups, the fly reel is little more than a line holder. I almost always have a small pile of line floating near me or bundled in my hand. I either feed line or strip line back in with my hands, never touching the reel. Others might fish differently, but I don’t think there’s much reason to empty your wallet for something that doesn’t increase the chance of you catching a fish.

There’s a price window as to which net is worth the money. I’d say you should pay for a rubber netting, which will be a little bit more expensive, but it’s worth it for the durability and the fact that it doesn’t retain a fishy smell. You don’t need to spend $200 on a personal net. You could land a fish in a mesh bag if you had to—but please don’t. Get a good, sturdy net and move on. 

Similarly, it’s nice to have a well-constructed bag for carrying your supplies on the water. I’m often hiking out to spots and need my gear up and out of the brush/water, so I use a chest pack. I like to spend a bit more for the convenience of having my gear organized and easily accessible, but you could just as well keep it all in a small backpack, as long as it’s not dipping into the water. 

Like purchasing a net, decide what your situation requires and move on from there with a responsible purchase. I still use a $20 chest pack from Bass Pro Shops. Apply this same logic to any fly boxes you need for holding flies.

Waders are important pieces of equipment for an angler, though this especially depends on the environment someone fishes. In the Rocky Mountains, you’ll probably wear your waders to the stream more often than you won’t, so it would be wise to purchase a pair that will survive harsh temperatures. 

If you’re expecting to float or wade warmer waters, as you would in the southeast, then a full set of premium waders isn’t a worthwhile investment. My most controversial opinion about gear is that paying top dollar for waders just isn’t realistic for the average angler. 

Some people make a living off of fly fishing. These people need quality waders. 

Heading out once or twice a week, like I do, is not going to justify a $300-$500 pair of waders when the other alternative is just grabbing a pair of quick-dry pants. The waters of central Illinois are warm enough to wet-wade well into the early-to-mid fall.

It’s tempting, but save money by getting waders that are just good enough. I’ve used Paramount Outdoor Waders for a year now, and they have served me just fine. There are undoubtedly better waders on the market, but not at Paramount’s price point. 

The Fly Fishing Look

Above all else, remember that fly fishing is whatever you want it to be.

You don’t need all the fancy gear. You don’t need a clear mountain stream. You don’t need the legacy brand. What you need is a rod & reel and some flies. Having these tools in your possession gives you nearly the same chance as the angler who took out a small loan before hitting the water. 

Practice your techniques. Study the water. Know yourself. 

And don’t forget to treat yourself every once in a while. I’m sure you did something to deserve that $15 Chartreuse Game Changer.