Fly-Fishing Gear You Will Need For Beginners Just Getting Started Fly Fishing for Trout in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
For the last few years I have heard the same story over and over from those that do not fly fish. It is generally accepted that fly-fishing is an expensive sport. It is not. In fact, if you consider all the other fishing options, it’s one of the least expensive sports.
Lets compare it to bass fishing. You would need a $30,000.00 to 48,000.00 boat to start and then a few reels that cost a few hundred each. If you use anything less you will be laughed at by most serious bass anglers. Serious walleye fishing is about the same cost.
If you take up Inshore Saltwater Fishing then your going to need even more money. If you take up Offshore Saltwater Fishing (on your own boat or if you frequently charter), then you are going to need several times the amount of cash you would for bass or walleye fishing. Boats start out at about $100,000.00 but that is a small 26 foot boat with outboard engines for power. If you want to take up Big Game Fishing and you don’t have a few million dollars to spend, forget it. You can charter for about $1600.00 per day but then you will be more of a tourist than marlin fisherman.
I forgot about the cost of fuel. My 25 foot boat with twin 250 HP engines burned about $400-$600 of gas per day.
You can fly fish for trout from a boat but not in the Smoky Mountains National Park thank goodness. Facts are, with the exception of sitting on the bank with a cane pole, about the most affordable fishing sport is Fly-fishing. I think much of the misconception about the cost of fly-fishing comes from the retailers and manufacturers themselves. It is such a small sport that prices for gear gets completely out of hand. Making a few things one at a time cost lots of money. Colorful brochures and fly-fishing magazine ads that cost thousands, apparently necessary in order to sell a few of anything, greatly increases the cost of many fly-fishing products.
Because of this misconception in the cost of fly-fishing and the request of several readers, we have decided to post a list of items that one should have with them when they are just getting started fly fishing. Although this is specifically for fly-fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it well applies to those fly-fishing any of the freestone streams in the Eastern United States.
Gear You Will Need:
Fly Rod:
You do not need to cast a hundred feet. If you do, you want catch anything. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money for a fly rod, especially if you are just getting started. You do not need an expensive fly rod. What is expensive? Well I will put it this way. If money means anything to you and you spend more than $100.00 on your first fly rod, you have just screwed up. For example, a highly respected fly-fishing gear manufacturer (especially when you consider their fly lines) as recently as last year sold the nation’s larger retailer fly rods that retailed for $19.95. They were 5 – 6 weight, graphite, 9 foot medium action fly rods. They had the correct number and spacing of guides, nice cork handles, reel seats, etc. They were nice looking rods that cast much farther than you will ever need to cast in the Smokies.
I first purchased one just for experiential purposes. Then I bought six (6) of them to give away to help others get started fly-fishing. I used the first one for several days in the Smokies and Yellowstone National Park and caught well over a hundred trout on the rod. It was made in China, of course – a fact I do not like at all but also a fact I can do little about.
I can no longer find them in the nations largest retail store. They have replaced the rod with a kit consisting of a fly rod, reel, line, leader, etc. that retails for $79.95 if I remember correctly. I purchased one of the kits for experimental purposes. It did not have a rod as good as the $19.95 rod but otherwise cast well and worked just fine. My guess is they took the $19.95 rod off the market because of pressure from the fly-fishing industry as well as the fact that everyone involved was aware that they could get more money for an even cheaper rod.
Several manufacturers make fly-fishing kits (for lack of a better word) that have fly rods, reels, line and even a leader and tippet that are pre-rigged. Several large retailers such as Walmart, Outdoor World, Cabelas, Dick’s Sporting Goods, L.L. Bean, Gander Mountain and many others sell these kits. If you get a pre-rigged outfit you can avoid having to learn to tie a couple of knots for the time being.
Recommended Fly Rod: (if you are just starting)
Purchase a 5 weight, 8 to 9 foot long, 2 piece graphite fly rod that cost less than $100.00.
Option:
Purchase a 5 weight fly rod kit with reel, line, etc. that cost less than $100.00.
Option #2:
Borrow your friends $700.00 fly rod. After all, he has probably paid for another one already so if you break it, his guarantee will cover it.
Option #3:
Borrow your friends $3000.00 bamboo fly rod. It want cast as well as the cheap graphite rods, but you will impress every angler you run into. Just kidding Bamboo Lovers. I like them too!
Fly Reel:
The Fly reel’s main function is to store your fly line. You can land any fish in the Smokies stripping in the fly line with your hand. This is usually the best way. Occasionally you may hook a nice brown trout and a good drag may come in handy. For that reason, I would purchase a fly reel with a decent drag. Clicker drags are not as good as disc drags but some models are okay. Just don’t buy the cheapest one available. I would suggest you spend less than $30.00 for your first fly reel.
Fly Line:
I recently purchased a 5 weight fly line that retails for $99.96 made by the same company that makes the $19.95 fly rod. It cast about the same as several other fly lines I have except It shoots line better than most fly lines. However, I rarely “shoot” fly line fishing for trout. They also have a weight forward fly line that is sold in the nations largest retail stores (or at least did in the past) that retails for $9.95. I used one of them on their $19.95 rod and it cast and performed just fine.
Recommended Fly Line: (if you are just starting)
There are several other weight forward fly lines on the market for $20.00 to $30.00 that will work just fine. If you do not purchase a kit, you will want a 5 weight, weight forward (WF) floating fly line.
Backing, Leader and Tippet:
No, you do not need a fluorocarbon leader or tippet. Purchase two or three, 5X preformed, tapered, mono leaders, two or three 4X preformed, tapered leaders, one spool of 5X tippet and one spool of 4X tippet. Fly line backing should be put on the fly reel. This shouldn’t cost more than $35.00 total.
Flies:
You only need a few flies. The particular flies you need will depend on the time you are going to fish the Smokies. It would be impossible to select the flies that would best meet your needs without knowing the time. The best way if for you to call our Perfect Fly Company Toll Free (800-594-4726) in advance of your trip and in time for use to deliver (free of cost to you) the flies before you depart on your trip. You can also order the Smoky Mountains DVD, leaders, tippet and other items at the same time. We suggest at least a week but we can arrange quicker delivery. We will select the best flies for the particular time you are going to fish. All of this (10 flies and a fly box) will come to a total cost of less than $45.00.
Waders:
Any time you get in the water you are going to spook trout. If you are not experienced, you may spook them all and not catch any trout. If is perfectly fine and best to fish from the bank provided you can do so. You do not need waders to fly fish the Smokies. You can start out without waders. During the warm summer months you can wet wade or wear shorts and wading boots only. Unfortunately, most places that you will want to fish, you will not be able to cast from the bank. Eventually, and probably sooner than latter, you will want to purchase waders. The following is my experience with waders. A few years ago, I stopped by a local fly shop near the park. Angie and I had been on a month long trip out West, from there to Michigan and had stopped to fish a day or two in the Smokies before heading home (at the time) in Florida. We had only been fly-fishing on an almost full time basis for a couple of years. I had completely worn out a pair of the top of the line name brand waders. Prior to purchasing the “top line” $350.00 waders, I had borrowed my brother’s cheap $150 waders. In fact, I had used them longer than I used the top of the line, name brand waders. At the same time, Angie had a pair of $200.00 breathable “Box Store” waders that had outlasted both pairs of waders I had used. My top of the line name brand waders, full of patches, failed beyond repair just about the time we arrived at the Smokies. I asked the store owner if they sold the lower priced brand of waders that I had previously borrowed from my brother. He replied that he did not sell “cheap” waders, only quality gear. No big deal, I thought and proceeded to purchase another pair of the same top of the line, name brand waders for around $375.00 if I remember correctly. By the way, I often wonder if the store owner really meant that he did not sell low priced waders (for the resulting low dollar profit) when he could sell high priced waders (with a resulting higher dollar profit) just a well. It worked in my case – not only in his store but several others.
At the end of the following year (our third year of fly-fishing for trout) I had to replace both Angie’s Big Box Store waders and my one year old, top of the line, name brand waders. I proceeded to purchase my third pair of waders costing even more than the previous pair and another top of the line, name brand pair from the same manufacturer for Angie. That was eight or nine years ago. Recently, I purchased Angie her fourth pair of the same top of the line, name brand waders in West Yellowstone and my sixth pair of the same top of the line, name brand waders from a large on-line fly shop. One brand new pair I purchased leaked and had to be repaired with the kit that came with them the first day of use. In other words, I have spent well over $3500.00 for what is tabbed as “the best waders you can buy” and I have yet to have a pair outlast the first pair of “cheap” waders my brother loaned me. I am not counting the two years my brother had already used them. Now, don’t take this wrong. I am not pushing cheap waders or cheap anything. I have never bought a pair of low priced waders. My next pair will be made by the next in line, named brand, top of the line, waders. Not because I think they will be better. They probably won’t and neither will I save any money. Also keep in mind that I do not “baby” waders. I use them to get where ever I want to go and however I want to get there, even if it is on my knees or bottom. However, that said, I do not abuse them.
Wading Boots:
For some reason, I guess because there are a lot more shoes in this world than fishing waders, wading shoes seem to perform well and last a fairly long time. I have only gone through three pair of wading shoes. A good pair cost less than $80.00. Angie, hasn’t gone through a single pair yet but only because she has several pairs to match various outfits.
Wading Belt:
If you wade, a wading belt will be the best investment you will ever make. Don’t wade without one. Don’t wade without one tight against your waist. If you fall in and your waders fill with water, you may not be able to get up out of the water unless you are Charles Atlas. Dang, I’m telling my age. Ten bucks will get you the finest wading belt made.
Landing Net:
Landing trout is a lot more fun if you do not use a net. I rarely use one and then only for special circumstances not involving the Smokies. I have purchased three beautiful top of the line wooden nets (starting at $69.95) for Angie and she has managed to loose all three of them. If you prefer to use a net, I would suggest a budget of $15.00. This is not to knock the top of the line nets. They are fine, beautifully made nets.
Fly Vest:
Spend $30.00 on one if you desire but most fishing shirts have a lot more pockets than you will actually need.
Clothes:
Go to your favorite outdoor store and purchase a camouflaged shirt and matching pair of pants. Get a hat that matches. If it is cold, get a camouflaged jacket. You can get all of this for less than $100.00. You will want the camouflaged outfit to match the season. – winter, spring, summer or fall. This is the best possible outfit you can wear to catch trout. You can purchase shirts that approach $100 each, pants and jackets that are more expensive but they are not necessary and they will not outperform the camouflaged outfit I suggest. No, I do not wear a camouflaged outfit. I must wear the bug free, sun free expensive models or otherwise Angie will not fish with me. Make sure that whatever you use is a subdued color that match the forest background for the season or you will spook a lot more trout than those wearing a camouflaged outfit.
Polarized Sunglasses:
The ugly kind that wrap around the side of your eyes will block the side glare and work better than designer glasses. A $25 pair will work just fine.
Dry Fly Floatant:
Dry fly floatant in the paste or powder form will help keep your dry fly floating better in the fast water. You will want it. It cost about $5.00 or so.
Line Clippers:
Fingernail clippers work just fine. Save your teeth by cutting your tippet, leader, etc. with them. $2.00 is enough to spend for this.
Raincoat:
If you get caught in a rain storm a raincoat would be considered a necessity. However, I’m calling it optional. You can stay near your vehicle at least until you get “hooked on fly-fishing”. You can get a decent raincoat for less than $50.00.
Small Pliers:
You will need to be able to crunch your split shot on the tippet when you fish the Hares Ear Nymphs. You can get a small pair of pliers for less than $5.00.
Map of the Park: Free at Park Headquarters
Fly Fishing the Great Smoky Mountain National Park DVD: You can save days of experimenting, thousands of wasted cast and hundreds of questions you will need to ask by viewing this DVD a couple of times. Four hours of instructions from yours truly for $49.95.
Summary of Gear you will need to get started fishing the Smokies:
Fly Rod – 100
Fly Reel – 30
Fly Line – 30
Fly Rod Kit (Optional) – (100)
Backing, Leaders and Tippets – 35
Flies – 25
Fly Box – 20
Fly Vest – 30
Clothes – 100
Waders: (Optional at first) – (175)
Wading Boots – (80)
Wading Belt: (If Waders are used) – 10
Sunglasses – 25
Floatant – 5
Clippers – 2
Raincoat: (Optional) – (50)
Pliers – 5
Map – free
Fly Fishing the GSMNP 4 hr. Training DVD – 50
Total (if fly rod kit used) – $417
Total (if rod, reel, line purchased separately) $477
Total (if you wade and use kit) – $672
Total (if you wade and separate rod, reel) – $732
Fishing license are not included.
Copyright 2011 James Marsh