Outdoors Gear The Best Fly Fishing Gear of 2024 for a Complete Kit, Tested and Reviewed Everything you need for the perfect day on the water By Nathan Allen Nathan Allen Outdoor Gear Editor University of Missouri-Columbia Lindenwood University Nathan Allen is the Outdoor Gear Editor for TripSavvy. Nathan loves many outdoor activities but makes it a priority to run or bike on singletrack every day. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/13/23 We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. TripSavvy / Nathan Allen Fly fishing continues to grow in popularity. According to the most recent U.S. Fishing Industry Statistics report, a record 7 million people went fly fishing in 2019. And it's easy to see why—fly fishing gets you out into beautiful landscapes; it can provide a chance for solitude, or you can take part with friends and family, and it's a highly accessible activity. As with any hobby, there will be some start-up costs. But the minimum gear to get you started is a rod, reel, fly line, leader, and a fly. Additionally, you'll find plenty of items designed to enhance your experience. Secondhand and beginner combo rigs are budget-friendly ways to start building up supplies. We also recommend visiting your local fly shop for information and advice and exploring online resources (see recommendations below). We've researched, tested, and spoken with experts with decades of experience for their fly fishing knowledge to find the best gear out there. Behold the best fly fishing gear. The Rundown Best Rod for Beginners: Redington Classic Trout at Walmart ($279) Jump to Review Best Reel for Beginners: Redington Zero at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best Rod and Reel Combo: Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod at Orvis.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Rod: Hardy Ultralite Fly Rod at Purefishing.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Reel: Hardy Ultraclick UCL Fly Reel at Amazon ($275) Jump to Review Best Tenkara: Tenkara Rod Co. Teton Zoom at Tenkararodco.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Net: Brodin Phantom Tailwater Net at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best Waders: Orvis Ultralight Convertible Wader at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best Boots: Orvis Men's Ultralight Wading Boot at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best Bag: Filson Dry Waist Pack at Zappos (See Price) Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks FAQs Why Trust TripSavvy Best Rod for Beginners Redington Classic Trout Courtesy of Cabela's View On Walmart $279 View On Backcountry.com $150 View On Cabelas.com What We Like Great for travel and backpacking Inexpensive Available in four-piece and six-piece options What We Don't Like Slightly heavy I have a reputation among family and friends for breaking fly rods. If a rod lasts me longer than a year, it's a win. Yet I've owned the Redington Classic Trout fly rod for years now. Instead of cracking jokes at my expense, those same friends and family members now complement the action and feel of this rod. Sure, newer and fancier rods are on the market, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better one for this price. I've used multiple reels on this rod, which always lands flies with pinpoint accuracy. My favorite size is the 4-weight, 8-foot, 6-inch version. It carries enough weight to cast across most mid-sized rivers but is small enough for stalking trout in mountain meadow creeks. But the 5-weight, 9-foot is the standard rod size and also an excellent option. My favorite part about this rod is it comes in four-piece or six-piece versions, making it ideal for traveling and backpacking. It also comes with a lifetime warranty. (Fortunately, I haven't had to test said warranty yet.) TripSavvy / Nathan Allen Best Reel for Beginners Redington Zero Courtesy of Backcountry View On Amazon View On Backcountry.com View On Cabelas.com What We Like Very lightweight Good accuracy Looks good What We Don't Like Not good for larger water or fish My favorite reel as of late is Redington’s Zero reel. At just 3 ounces (or less, depending on the size of the reel), the Zero is the lightest reel of its class, thanks to the die-cast aluminum construction. It’s also one of the least expensive. The Zero still features a large arbor and spring-loaded drag system despite the humble cost. This reel suits many basic needs. It’s lightweight for travel, hiking, and backpacking. It’s accurate. And the price point is relatively inexpensive. However, if you’re hunting bigger fish, this isn’t the reel for you as it only comes in sizes 2/3 and 4/5. For a larger reel, check out the Run (view here), which has the same lightweight die-cast construction but goes up a few sizes. (Note: The Zero and Run do not come spooled, so you’ll need to add your own fly line and backing.) TripSavvy / Nathan Allen Best Rod and Reel Combo Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod orvis View On Orvis.com View On Cabelas.com View On Basspro.com What We Like Tons of sizes Great accuracy What We Don't Like May break more readily than others This combo has become my go-to for most outings. If you're looking for a mid-range, ready-to-go fly rod and reel combo, the Orvis Clearwater Combo is probably what you're looking for. You can find less expensive and more entry-level combos (more on that in a bit), but in our opinion, the Clearwater combo is worth paying up a bit. Plus, it's still much less expensive than other options on the market. We love that the combo comes in sizes ranging from two to 10. I used this rod in a small lake in the Mammoth Lakes basin and had a fantastic day of nymphing. It's worked well in Ozark rivers and streams. And while nymphing with PTs and other patterns in Colorado. The 4-weight, 10-foot combo delivered midges with accuracy upwards of two dozen feet away. If you want a more entry-level combo, check out the TFO NXT Black Label combo (view here). Commenters have lamented about the rod breaking easily; however, I haven't had that issue with my 5-weight, 9-foot combo. TripSavvy / Nathan Allen Best Rod Hardy Ultralite Fly Rod Hardy View On Purefishing.com View On Tridentflyfishing.com View On Hardyfishing.com What We Like Excellent medium fast action Incredibly lightweight and breaks down into four pieces Comes in many different sizes What We Don't Like Nothing yet Because of its price point ($895 at time of publication), we wouldn't recommend this as a beginner rod. But this is an excellent rod for anyone looking for an upgrade and willing to splurge a bit. We love the medium-fast action, which is perfect for landing dry flies with precision. As its name suggests, we found it incredibly lightweight. And since it breaks down into four pieces, transporting it is easy. We also love that it comes in lengths from 8 to 10 feet and weights 3 to 8, which makes it simple to find the rod that fits your fishing style best. TripSavvy / Nathan Allen Best Reel Hardy Ultraclick UCL Fly Reel Hardy View On Amazon $275 View On Tridentflyfishing.com View On Hardyfishing.com What We Like Excellent action and drag Super lightweight What We Don't Like Nothing yet As someone who prefers gear light enough to easily carry into the backcountry, I usually opt for ultralight rods and reels. Enter the Hardy Ultraclick UCL Fly Reel, the brand's lightest reel available. We love the all metal clicker system and the push-off spool release. It's also one of the smoothest reels we've tested. TripSavvy / Nathan Allen Best Tenkara Tenkara Rod Co. Teton Zoom Tenkara Rod Co. View On Tenkararodco.com What We Like Super lightweight and packable makes it excellent for travel Entire package comes with everything you need to start fishing Adjustable rod allows you to switch between 10.5 and 12 feet What We Don't Like Nothing yet If you prefer a minimalist version of fly fishing, we suggest adopting the tenkara style. And if you do that, we highly recommend the Teton Zoom package from Tenkara Rod Co. We love the Teton Zoom package for many reasons. First is the adjustable rod so you can fish it with a 10.5- or 12-foot rod. The package comes with everything you need to start fishing immediately. And the entire package weighs less than 4 ounces and packs down to less than two feet long, making it ideal for travel. Best Net Brodin Phantom Tailwater Net Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Jans.com What We Like Made from sustainable, plantation-grown wood PVC-free net bag What We Don't Like Expensive At first glance, the Brodin Phantom nets look like any other net. And in a lot of ways, they are. But we dig Brodin nets for their commitment to sustainability. Based in Costa Rica, Brodin distributes its nets through a third-party distributor in St. Louis. We love that Brodin makes its nets from local, plantation-grown wood. We also love that it only includes PVC-free net bags in the Phantom series. I’ve owned the Brodin for a while now and have zero complaints. TripSavvy / Nathan Allen Best Waders Orvis Ultralight Convertible Wader Amazon View On Amazon View On Backcountry.com $95 View On Orvis.com What We Like Very lightweight Durable What We Don't Like Not for those fishing in ultra-cold climates Gone are the days of clunky, dorky-looking waders. These sleek, truly ultralight waders from Orvis look and feel good. Orvis employs a modern fit with a four-layer nylon shell that is surprisingly breathable. The waders also have some nifty features like a waterproof zipper pocket, a tool dock, and a fly patch. You can find the women's sizes of the waders here. Best Boots Orvis Men's Ultralight Wading Boot Backcountry View On Amazon View On Backcountry.com View On Orvis.com What We Like Lightweight Comfortable What We Don't Like Required stretching and multiple uses for good fit Pair your waders with the Orvis Ultralight Boots, which look and wear more like hikers than wading boots. Some fishing in colder temperatures might want a more hearty or warm outfit. I prefer to layer up in colder months to wear these, making these boots a year-round option. You can find the women's version of the boots here. Best Bag Filson Dry Waist Pack Courtesy of Filson View On Zappos View On Filson.com View On Moosejaw.com What We Like Rugged Waterproof Fits smaller waists What We Don't Like Expensive Zippers need breaking in An important piece to any fly fishing kit is storing and organizing your smaller gear items and flies. For that, we recommend the Filson Dry Waist Pack. Filson uses a rugged 840-denier nylon tarpaulin material with a TPU coating. To test the waterproofness, I packed it with all my fly fishing gear, tossed it in a pool, and left it overnight; the next day, the contents inside were still dry. The zippers are tough to move. While that contributes to its superior waterproofing, it would be preferable to have more easily accessible pockets or the option to clip gear to the outside of the pack. For those looking for a less expensive (but not waterproof) option, the Umpqua Ledges ZS2 Waist Pack (view here) has excellent organizational potential, including pockets on the actual waist straps, perfect for holding a water bottle. However, that pack doesn't cinch down to fit my waist size, so I have to use the over-the-shoulder sling. TripSavvy / Nathan Allen Best Carrying Case Orvis Carry-It-All Orvis View On Orvis.com View On Cabelas.com What We Like Carries up to three rods, reels, and gear Shoulder strap and handle for multiple carrying options Very protective What We Don't Like Can't carry it on a plane Living in Southern California, I'm at least a pretty solid drive away from most decent fly-fishing. And I often plan fly-fishing trips requiring air travel. The Orvis Carry-It-All bag has quickly become one of the most important pieces of gear I own. It fits up to three rods inside their own hard carrying cases. Some super-padded Velcro straps help secure the rods. There are pockets to separate things like reels, sunglasses, and other gear. And a shoulder strap and handle for multiple carrying options. I've flown with this case about a dozen times with zero issues. That's especially impressive, considering this bag is too long to check, so it's always under the care of luggage handlers. TripSavvy / Nathan Allen The Best From Our Tests: A Review of YETI's LoadOut GoBox Best Sunglasses Bajío Calda Sunglasses Bajio View On Moosejaw.com View On Tackledirect.com $259 View On Bajiosunglasses.com Our Ratings Fit 5/5 Performance 5/5 Quality 4/5 Appearance 5/5 Value 5/5 What We Like Plant-based Good polarization Stylish What We Don't Like Expensive Launched about a year ago, Bajío is one of the newest high-end sunglasses companies geared toward fishing. It's also one of the most sustainable and environmentally focused. (The company boasts that it's 100 percent carbon neutral.) Bajío also employs plant-based frames and eco-friendly shipping. Earth consciousness aside, these are just some impeccable sunnies. They check all the boxes—with medium frames, the Calda shades fit a diversity of face shapes; they're comfortable to wear for extended amounts of time; and the patent-pending proprietary polarizing technology works incredibly well on the water. I've already been able to use these sunnies on mountain lakes, streams, and beaches on the Pacific, and they hold up in many conditions and settings. Best for Sipping Athletic Brewing Company Run Wild Non-Alcoholic IPA Amazon View On Amazon $30 View On Drizly $9 View On Gopuff.com Sometimes there's nothing like sitting down, reflecting on the day, and sharing fish stories with friends and family and a delicious beverage. If you're fishing early in the morning (and aren't quite ready for a stiff drink), Athletic Brewing Company's non-alcoholic Run Wild IPA is a craft-brewed IPA that tastes almost like the alcoholic version. Brewed with a blend of five Northwest hops, what Athletic Brewing does with high-end non-alcoholic suds like the Run Wild IPA is pretty incredible. Best for Slow Sipping Stillhouse Whiskey Stillhouse View On ReserveBar View On Totalwine.com View On Drizly $23 What We Like Tin cans are perfect for the river Good flavor and inexpensive What We Don't Like Nothing Every drink whiskey from a tin can? Now you can with Stillhouse. The Florida-based spirits company makes a bourbon, vodka, and various flavors of whiskey. They're all great, but we've been particularly fond of the peach tea and apple crisp flavors for post-fly-fishing sipping. FAQs What’s the minimum gear I need to get on the water? Baseline, you’ll need a rod, reel, fly line, leader, and a fly. (Technically, you could get by without the reel if you’re Tenkara fishing.) But beyond that, there are some basics that will make a good day on the water more enjoyable. “I always take my ‘fly bag’ which includes dry flies, nymphs, and streamers,” says Katie Cahn, a North Carolina-based fly fishing guide. “Forceps for safely removing the fly from a fish's mouth. Tippet, nippers, and extra leaders. I always have extra strike indicators in my bag. And, of course, a rod and reel. And always, always a net.” Alex Kim, who is the founder and outdoor guide of HereMT, an organization geared toward making the outdoors more accessible to BIPOC communities in Montana says to remember your fishing license, a knife, camera, and extra layers. April Vokey, a fly fishing guide and host of the Anchored Outdoors podcast recommends always having some SPF chapstick and a “confidence fly.” What’s the best way to learn how to cast? There are many resources online. YouTube has some. We also like Orvis’s Fly Fishing Center, which has a ton of helpful content. Kim recommends watching videos online and then practicing or finding local clinics. “Most fly shops offer a fly fishing 101 class for free,” Cahn adds. “This will help a lot, and then you can go on to using YouTube for help with casting form and advanced knot tying. There is a wealth of knowledge about fly fishing on the internet.” Gabaccia Moreno, an outdoor activist, and enthusiast says checking out both internet videos and books—along with practice—can help. “United Women on The Fly also has a great library of resources I recommend checking out,” Moreno says. “Granted, watching a video without practicing is not ideal. I suggest folks find a local park with a nice lawn where they can practice their cast. There are also plenty of books out there for those who like to learn by reading. Last but not least, don't overestimate your local fly fishing workshops. I've been able to get a great fishing class for $50—beginner fly fishing classes do not happen on the water, so they are not as expensive as many people think. In addition, there may be a local nonprofit or meet-up group where you could learn too.” TripSavvy / Nathan Allen How can I save money on fly fishing gear? Fly fishing—like many outdoor activities—can be expensive to get into. While there are less expensive gear options and opportunities to buy secondhand, it’s still going to cost at least a couple of hundred dollars to get the right gear when starting out. Kim suggests starting with a beginner combo rig. Cahn recommends borrowing or renting gear and starting with the minimum gear items necessary. How do I know what flies to use? The flies to keep in your quiver will depend on where and when you fish, so do some research on your destination first. Check out the streams, rivers, and lakes on which you’ll be fishing and see what bugs hatch there and when they hatch. Another option is to ask around; stop by the local fly shop and ask them. “I always say ask around in your community. There might be someone that already fly fishes and will be happy to teach you and let you use their gear,” Moreno advises. “'Expensive’ means different things to different people, but if you can [spend] $100, you can get a setup of the cheapest available gear—possibly at a nearby Walmart—and enough flies to get started." What size of rod and reel should I get? Like the flies you pick, this is dependent on what sort of fish you’ll be going after and the type of water. A general good size rod to get is a 5-weight, 9-foot rod with a 5-weight reel. That will cast both nymphs and dry flies and will work for most trout, bass, panfish, and smaller ocean fish. It will also work across both lakes and rivers. If you know you’ll only be fishing small mountain streams or hiking and backpacking with your fly rod to high alpine lakes and streams, a smaller setup might be better. I’ve had a ton of fun landing 10-inch Brookies on a 3-weight, 7.5-foot rod. But a rig of that size will limit you to smaller trout on smaller water. If you’re going to be fishing bigger water, or need a bigger cast, consider going up to a 6- or 7-weight rod that’s in the 9-foot to 10-foot range. A good idea is to ask your local fly shop or local fly fishing resources what is the ideal combo for your local fisheries. TripSavvy / Nathan Allen Why Trust TripSavvy Nathan Allen is the Outdoor Gear Editor for TripSavvy. While he has fished and fly fished for pretty much his entire life, Nathan has primarily fly fished for the past five or more years. He regularly logs dozens of days on the water each year, fishing from Missouri’s spring-fed rivers to Colorado’s South Platte River to the lakes and streams around Mammoth Lakes, California. Nathan has used every piece of gear mentioned in this article, some of which he’s used for years. We also spoke to four fishing and outdoors experts to discuss what to look for when selecting fly fishing equipment. The experts we spoke to included: Katie Cahn, a North Carolina-based fly fishing guide Alex Kim, the founder and outdoor guide at HereMT April Vokey, a fly fishing guide and host of the Anchored Outdoors podcast Gabaccia Moreno, an outdoor activist, and enthusiast Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 14 below. Continue to 9 of 14 below. Continue to 13 of 14 below.