Essential Gear?

[iCatchpHish]

I'm pretty new to the whole river fishing thing. My fly fishing experience includes fishing ponds for brim and small bass, stocked ponds/lakes for trout, but no river fishing. Being at a pond there was no real reason to have much stuff other than a few flies and maybe some pliers/clippers. I'm guessing there is alot more than that that I will need if i'm going to take this whole thing seriously. I know that i obviously need to invest in a pair of waders and a vest, but what little do dads will i need? Will i need a net? ( I know trout are very delicate and can die with too much handling.)
Another thing about the waders. Since i'm new to this should I try to get a nice pair of simms or patagonia waders or should i start out smaller and upgrade? Any ideas as to what this is going to cost me? I really need to find something to do in the late spring-early winter months (when im not involved in lacrosse or squash) and this seems like something worth getting into.
Thanks

[Tom]

...going to a full service flyshop, such as Unicoi Outfitters in Helen, trying on waders and boots and assuring that they fit. You don't have to buy the most expensive ones in the shop, but don't go cheap! If you are going to wade in the winter, make sure you can wear wool socks inside your waders and into the wading boot. If you are buying breathable waders, and not neoprenes, you will need an undergarment like Polartec pants. In short, spend some time getting this stuff because there isn't much fun in Hyperthermia.
You don't have to have a Patagonia fishing vest. You are probably going to go through a couple, finding that perfect one, so don't go over board. I suggest pockets that open from the top and not side loaders...lots of fly boxes lost out of those side loading pockets. Also, a back pocket that you can store your rainjacket and streamside lunch in.
I carry a landing net most of the time and use it frequently. Most of the time, I try to slip the fly from the fishes mouth while he is still in the water. If for whatever reason I want to really look over the trout, I net him and let him rest in the water while I look.
Join your local Trout Unlimited chapter. The members will help you any way they can.
You will now receive a lot of additional advice and opinion from this board. It will be helpful.

[Bob M]

TU is a good suggestion.

It is very easy to overspend. Most of us become 'nutters for kit', but it is not out of need. A pair of waders and a wading belt is all you 'need'. A fishing vest is advisable. Nets are ok, I haven't used one in years and generally release fish without ever touching them. I'd call a hook sharpener an essential if you will be bouncing flies along the bottom. None of these have to cost a bunch of money.

Unless you have a lot of discretionary cash to spend, I'd suggest that you don't shell out a lot of money just yet. You'll still use an old set of Red Ball waders, even after you have moved on to high-dollar Simms G3 waders. One day they'll spring a leak and you will choose correctly between 1.) fix the Simms or 2.) go fish with the Red Balls and worry about the Sims later.

Given a chopice between Simms and Patagonia, I'd choose Simms every time. The Simms guys specialize and they are very very good at it.

[JOHNKIES]

Depends. You can buy Red Balls now and then in the fall buy the Simms .............. or you can just buy the Simms now and skip the Red Ball extra cost .......... : - ))

Someone said go to a good fly shop and that advice is dead on. Bottom of these pages are links to Unicoi Outfitters and the Fish Hawk in beautiful downtown Buckhead. These are good folks who will steer you straight and fit you right with equipment you need, not just what they want to sell. Be up front and tell them you are new to the sport and need to economically ease into it. You see, The Fish Hawk and Unicoi want you as a customer for a long time: Not just one sale.

As for waders, Red Ball jokes aside, my advice is to put your money into really good wading boots. The waders you can go cheap on knowing that you will have to replace them in a year or two. But good boots are essential to long days walking around on gravel, silt and greased bowling balls (just below Buford dam). You need to avoid slipping and you need good ankle support. With good boots, you only have to upgrade the wader part and when the weather warms, you can wet wade in them.

As for a vest, you can start inexpensive and see if you really enjoy the river fishing. Higher priced vests, say about $75 to $125, are made using better quality materials, better velcro/zippers/snaps, and are better designed to spread the weight out for more comfort. Inexpensive vests can be purchased for maybe $35, but for my money, I would put that into one of the new little chest packs or even a good fanny pack for toting the basics.

You didn't mention a rod and since you have been fishing I will assume you have one. Briefly, a rod suitable for bluegills in a pond is just fine for trout. And the rod is the second area (boots being the first) where you don't want to go bargin basement. There is good reason rods cost $30 and cost $300. The fly shops will explain that to you and demonstrate.

Finally, by going this route you are performing a service for your friends and family! When it's time to buy you a gift, just send them to your fly shop!

[Trout8myfly]

Look for waders with built-in gravel guards, or get some add-ons. Wading kicks up gravel which washes into your boots. The gravel guards save wear and tear on the feet of the waders, your wading boots, and your feet.

Even quality waders might not have gravel guards - I have some nice but basic Orvis breathables and had to buy guards.

George S.

[iCatchpHish]

I've already got the rod and reel covered. I have a sage 3wt and a bauer reel. So simms is the way to go? Patagonia is no good? Which model would you guys suggest?...other than the g3 because those are crazy expensive. Im also positive that I have a orvis vest and i think i have a patagonia one sitting around somewhere. Are the patagonia boots any good or should i go for a diffrent brand. I've just always been really satisfied with patagonia stuff as it has always lasted a long time and been of good quality...but who knows, their fishing gear might be crap.
I guess going to the fish hawk is the best idea, but it can be kind of intimidating.

[Fish Gazer]

Phish

All the advice above is great. I have a pair of Sims, going on year 4, and have not had a leak yet and I fish a lot. The price though, is, well, if you are outside the fly fishing community unbelievable. I wonder about the higher end Cabelas or LL Bean stuff. I would think either of those, Chotas, or the Orvis brands would also be great to start with. I went through the Hodgemans and Remmingtons several times, and returned (with them being replaced) several times each. The Sims have been great, but at some point they all leak. I just got tired of getting a surprise, when its 25 degrees and I didnt want to call it quits yet while out on the water. My Choata boots have been great, but the model I have are pretty heavy. Its funny you mention that going to the Fish Hawk is intimidating. I feel the same way. I have purchased a lot of stuff there, rods, reels, waders, tying supplies, and they have always been great, but somehow, I just feel stupid going in there. Some of those guys who work there look pretty young to me, but they do seem to really know a lot and have been very helpful. I make the trip maybe every 3-4 months, I am sure they dont recognize me, so I have no idea why I feel that way. I wonder that maybe its because I know they help some pretty top notch fisher dudes, and wealthy ones at that. A friend said he saw Ted Turner in there once. (some are probably going uugh at that) I dont think I normally am affected by that, I used to work (15 years) in an upscale area near Disney and regularly met well known athletes, politicians, and actors from all over the world. Meeting all those folks was a lot of fun. I guess its because this fly fishing really is, at least to me pretty darn complicated. The thing is, even the best guides out there will tell you, that they are learning every time they go out there, just like a novice, or any other fisher dude. Anyhow, I love the Sims, but $400 for waders is a lot of money. Isnt there a pair for 150-200? :)


Jeff

[iCatchpHish]

Yeah fly fishing being so darn complicated is one of the reasons I feel stupid going in there..."Uh i need tippet...no wait...uh yeah thats what it is right?" Lmao. Also all the stuff is very expensive and I feel minute compared to the multi -millionaires in there...oh well. Oh yeah, I'm also quite young so...yeah.
I'm going to keep searching ebay and such for the waders...anyone know any good discount sites? Hopefully I can work something out...400 is alot, but i figure i know i love fishing so why would fishing the river be any diffrent so why not go all out and get the best there is?

[NickelCigar]

Poke around here:http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/dept_id.L2~2248/qx/prod_list_display.htm

[SlckTrck]

a decent wading staff is nice to have on any stream. Something that will compact for easy carry.

[fishnpreacher]

Might I add about the vest. Get one with a padded collar if you fish in t-shirts. The cheaper vests have a cloth collar that will chafe your neck, specially if you carry much stuff in the front of your vest
No nets required
Hemostat, nippers, good boots, thermometer ?, waders, extra tippet, leaders
sandwich, jerky, candybar, trail mix, coke, ;)

[hook]

This is a great sport that can become a bottomless pit. You'll always find someone that has that extra peice of gear that seems so right. If you can afford it, buy it; if not, (as they say up north) forgetaboutit!

My advice:

Buy a decent (not the best) rod and flyline - notice I did say flyline not reel. Tom's suggestion to go to a real fly shop is top drawer; get something that will cast well but don't spend a fortune. The reel for most trout that you catch locally should be an afterthoght. There are big trout in Georgia but you do not need an expensive reel while your finding out if your serious.
A vest is great if you have someting to put in it. If you are just getting started you dont own anything. Use a day pack and your pockets until you're addicted. Until you buy a vest, you'll look like a cool minamalist and old-timer in your pack.
Stay dry. If you are going to fish the Hooch or other big water get chest waders. If you are going to fish mountain streams, save some money and but hippers. You can always rationalize chest waders after you're addicted. I own top-of-the-line Simms Guide waders and would buy another pair but would not recommend someone exploring the sport spend several hudered dollars to buy them.
Get involved with a local Triut Unlimited Chapter.
Go FISH! The stream is your best teacher.
Don't make this harder than it is. Keep your line wet and try to stay dry. If you get wet keep your line wet.

Tightlines,

hook

[Jah Live!]

The absolute BEST fishermen I've seen are the ones that don't need all the expensive gear to catch fish. Nice gear is a luxury, not a necessity, to enjoy this sport. Except, of course, a quality pair of polarized sunglasses! ;)


Jah Live!

[huntfish]

The absolute BEST fishermen I've seen are the ones that don't need all the expensive gear to catch fish. Nice gear is a luxury, not a necessity, to enjoy this sport. Except, of course, a quality pair of polarized sunglasses! ;)


Jah Live!

Don't skimp on the glasses! Get some Costas.

[THE EG]

Some of us "thrifty" folks even wait until those are discounted.:rolleyes:

I second the good boots recommendation. I aggrevated my achilles heel because of walking so much in cheap wading boots in Yellowstone and there was nothing to do but tough it out( or whine about it as I may have;)).