3 Essential Tools You Need for Fly Fishing

Must have Tools Needed for Fly Fishing for Trout

FLY FISHING | TACKLE TIPS

January 5, 2021 by Phil Manning

Anglers, especially new ones, can get overwhelmed with all the different fly fishing tools and gadgets. Fly fishing is no different than any other type of fishing. There are loads of tools, accessories, and gizmos on the market. All of them have a purpose and some may even be valuable on the water depending on the type of fly fishing you are doing. However, what essential tools are needed for fly fishing for trout?

Tools such as nippers, polarized fishing glasses, and hemostats are the most important fly fishing accessories. These three tools are used more than anything else on the water beside your fly rod/reel and flies. Without them, you will have a difficult time tying on flies, removing hooked fish, and catching trout.

Most Important Fly Fishing Tools to Carry

1. Nippers
2. Polarized Fishing Glasses
3. Hemostats (forceps)

Tools You Absolutely Need in Your Fly Fishing Vest

The fly fishing tool kit can vary depending on who you ask. Local guides have their favorite trout flies or their favorite brand of fly fishing accessories. Regardless, These three fly fishing vest essentials are carried by almost all fly anglers pursuing trout.

Nippers

Nippers use pressure to force two blades together to cut. They are small and less cumbersome than scissors when cutting fishing tippet. The best nippers have sharp blades, consistent pressure, and even a hook eyelet punch pin. Nippers allow clean and precise cuts of tippet close to your fly. These features are an advantage when using tiny flies and fishing for wary trout in clear, low streams.

Polarized Fishing Glasses

The number one fly fishing accessory is polarized fishing glasses. You can get by, arguably, without nippers and hemostats for a few hours on the water but not without shades. Polarized fishing glasses break up the glare on the water so that you can see structure, fish, and your fly as you drift and cast. 

Hemostats

Many anglers simply call these pilers but they are much more. True hemostats are worth their weight in gold. Their main purpose is to remove flies from a trout's mouth. Use them to also hold flies while tying or modifying them on the water. Hemostats are even useful in pinching down the barb in areas where you want to reduce injury (or are required by local laws) to caught trout.

Beginner’s vs Pro’s: Are These 3 Fly Fishing Tools Enough?

Let's assume you already have the right fly fishing rod/reel combo, fly line, tippet, and flies. Simply focusing on tools and accessories for trout fishing, can you get it done with just these three tools? Of course, you can.

For the beginner angler, less is more. Don't get overwhelmed with all the available fly fishing tools and gadgets. Stick to the basics, which are these three tools. Visit your local fly shop (or look online) to find out exactly what flies are working and combine that with a good pair of polarized fishing glasses, quality nippers, and a pair of forceps. If you had to, all that could fit in your pocket and you are on your way to catching trout.

What if you are an experienced fly angler? Could you reduce your fly fishing tool kit down to these three items? Try it. You probably have more than several tools and accessories dangling off your fly vest. Go minimalist and put your most important tools on your vest. It is liberating to reduce your vest down to the essentials and still be able to catch trout.

The required tools for fly fishing can be reduced to three items. Every angler, beginner or pro, needs to have polarized fishing glasses, nippers for cutting line, and hemostats for releasing trout. Gather those fly fishing accessories and you will be able to fish for trout just about anywhere.