What Equipment Do I Need When I Start Fly Fishing?

Rods

The first thing to consider is the rod weight. A good rule of thumb is that it should be matched to the size fish you hope to catch: a small stream trout might require less than an ounce, while a large lake-dwelling bass could pull up over 5 ounces.

A rod's length is also important—it depends on your height and other factors such as casting distance, fishing style, and water conditions. To make sure you get one that fits best for you:

• Measure yourself from toe to fingertip with arms straight by hovering a flexible tape measure above your head. Then measure from where your body bends at its apex (i.e., where waist meets chest) down through both heels together flat on floor or ground with feet together and legs straight out behind them like Superman flying pose). Subtract this second measurement from the first one; this will give you your ideal overall height range when choosing a rod length based on personal preference/comfort level rather than one designed strictly around physical stature alone!

• Next measure each part of your arm (elbow joint included) separately using same method described above

Reels

The next component you'll need to get started fly fishing is the reel. As with rods, there are many different types of reels available on the market. Most of these are made from aluminum or plastic and come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Whether or not your fishing reel has a good drag system is important because it ensures that your line will stay tight when fighting fish, preventing them from breaking free by pulling too hard on their end of line. It also helps prevent heavy fish from being pulled out into deeper waters where you won't be able to retrieve them as easily due to their increased weight resistance against water currents—a situation that could result in lost equipment (and possibly even injury).

For those just starting out fly fishing there are several entry level reels that work well for catching small trout without breaking the bank early on in one's budgeting plan: Lamson Reels; Orvis Battenkill Reel; Pflueger Supreme XT C3 Spinning Reel; Abu Garcia Revo STX/STX Pro Saltwater Spinning Reels

Waders

Waders. These are necessary for fly fishing, as you will be wading into the water to fish. There are three kinds of waders: breathable (breathable), stocking foot (non-breathable) and neoprene (waterproof). Breathable waders will help keep you warm while in colder weather, but they also let moisture escape so that you don't get too hot. Stocking foot waders are not breathable and only come in one size—so make sure they fit well before buying them! Neoprene is a waterproof type of wader that has many different styles depending on your needs.

Wading Boots

The best wading boots will protect your feet, provide traction, and keep you comfortable all day long. They also allow you to walk easily through water up to about 18 inches deep without sinking or feeling like you're walking on a squishy mat of mud.

Wading boots are typically made from leather or synthetic materials like Gore-Tex. Leather boots are generally more durable and expensive than synthetic ones, but they tend to be heavier and less breathable—which can lead them to retain odors over time. Synthetic materials breathe better and dry faster, making them ideal for warm climates or conditions where you'll be spending a lot of time in the water (like stream fishing). Wading staffs come in handy when fighting large fish; they give you leverage so that all that weight doesn't get pulled right out of your hands by the thrashing fish! The best ones have a rubber grip at the top so it won't slip out while trying not only keep hold but also lift up an eight-pound rainbow trout!

Fly Line

Fly lines are what you will use to cast your flies. There are two main types of fly lines: weight forward and double taper.

Weight forward fly lines are the most popular, and they are much easier to cast than double taper lines. If you're just starting out, a weight forward line will probably be best for you. It's great for all-purpose fishing because it allows you to make long casts with ease without having to worry about accuracy or distance control. A good rule of thumb is that the heavier the line (higher number), the further your fly will travel when thrown from your rod tip. Double taper lines have a much more precise design that makes them perfect for making short casts at close distances where accuracy is key; however, these types of lines also require more finesse when using them due to their lack of drag resistance on account of their minimal weight distribution

Flies

You’ll need a variety of flies, and most fly fishers carry at least 50 different types in their boxes. Flies are typically made from feathers, fur, hair and other materials that imitate aquatic insects like caddisflies and mayflies. They come in all shapes and sizes to suit specific fish species. Flies are attached to your leader with a knot known as a clinch knot (see this video for how to do it).

Some people purchase pre-made flies; however, many prefer to make their own because they have more control over the size, color and style of the fly. It’s also a lot cheaper than buying pre-made flies!

Polaroid Sunglasses

Polaroid sunglasses are the best type of sunglasses to wear when fly fishing. The most important thing to consider when buying Polaroid sunglasses is that they should be brown or amber in color, not dark blue or black. This is because bright light reflects off the surface of water, so if you’re wearing dark-colored lenses you won’t be able to see what’s underneath.

Another important factor when choosing your Polaroid shades is quality—you want them to be sturdy and durable enough that they don't break easily while on the water. Make sure that they block 100% of UVA and UVB light so you're protected from harmful rays while out in the sun all day long!

You don't need the top-of-the-line gear to get started, but you do need the essentials.

When you are getting started, you don't need to go out and buy the most high-end gear on the market. However, that doesn't mean you should purchase cheap, low-quality equipment either. You want to find a balance between getting what will work for you and saving money in order to purchase more gear over time.

You can learn how to get started fly fishing with these basic items:

• A rod - You will be using this rod for all of your casting practice as well as when catching fish once they bite your fly. Having a good quality rod is crucial because it helps prevent injury while casting heavy lures or fighting large fish species such as muskie or carp. I recommend starting off with an inexpensive rod that has good reviews until you find one that works best for your needs (check out our article on choosing the right fly fishing rods here).

• Reel - This reel is what holds onto the line so that it doesn’t fall off while casting or reeling in after catching a fish! Most reels have clickers which let us know how much line we have left so we don’t accidentally catch an unexpected snag underwater (there are also other types but this is one of my favorites). We recommend getting two different types depending on where/how often do plan on fishing: freshwater vs saltwater useage since these require different materials construction wise due their varying environments' conditions e."