Fly fishing is synonymous with those scenes from A River Runs Through It where Brad Pitt peacefully backcasts in a murmuring river – likely thinking about English writer, Izaak Walton’s reference to fly fishing as “the contemplative man’s recreation”.

And while men populate the sport there are currently about six million women who fly fish and are the only growing demographic in fly fishing within the United States. That demographic has helped change the way shop owners talk, the culture of their establishments, and what inventory they carry. Many shops have seen the benefit of offering fly fishing classes, taught by women.

In America alone, 49 million people participated in freshwater, saltwater, and fly fishing in 2017 making it one of the most popular outdoor recreation activities in the United States. That’s just in the U.S.! Add on Kamchatka, Patagonia, Mongolia, New Zealand, and Iceland, and you can guarantee there’s millions more that can be added to that number.

Fly Fisherman Supply

And with all those people out looking for the perfect catch, one thing’s for certain…they’re looking for some fly fishing gear.

While almost $1.5 billion is spent on rods, reels and various accessories every year, it’s evident there’s a lot of choices and opinions on gear. One thing is clear though – having the right fly fishing gear is essential to a good day on the water.

Choosing the right fly means taking into account your location, the time of year, size of bugs on the water, and what the fish are doing. Some fly fishers suggest taking a close look at the size of the bugs on the water you’re fishing and to size your fly accordingly. Some other great advice we heard…just try something and see if it works. If it doesn’t, try something else.

Let’s face it. If you’re just beginning, purchasing a fly rod may be challenging. There’s a lot of fly fishing lingo and terminology. Which rod has the best “action” and “recovery”? What size and weight do you want?

They say fly reels are the jewel of the sport, but with hundreds of choices on the market, what’s the best way to choose one? With so many variations in material, drag system, size, and price, it can be a difficult decision.

The price of a fly reel can range anywhere from $50-$1000. Depending on your needs you could pay anywhere between $150-$400 for a really good reel. Machined aluminum is probably the most common material used to make current reels and usually the most recommended. The drag system is what applies resistance and regulates the speed of the reel when a fish is taking line. With many drag systems available, some agree the simplest solution is to purchase a great reel and the drag system will also be great.

Lastly, just as it is important to know what food you’re eating to be able to find the perfect wine pairing, reels and rods are much the same. Most experts recommend never buying a reel without having your rod in hand.