Fly Fishing Tackle and Accessories for Beginner Anglers
Like so many sports, fly fishing has its own language. The tackle, accessories, and terminology can feel overwhelming at first. We’ve all been there.
What tackle does an angler really need to get started? And what do you need to know? Let’s break down some of the basics and most asked questions…
Getting to Know Leader and Tippet
For the sake of brevity, let’s assume you already have a fly rod, reel and fly line. What’s next? For most anglers, it’s figuring out the leader and tippet.
Your leader is the tapered, monofilament line that attaches to your fly line using a loop-to-loop connection. The butt section, or the heavier end of your leader will come with a pre-tied loop. Your fly line will also come with a pre-welded loop. This loop-to-loop connection makes it very quick and easy to change leaders. Check out this video for a quick tutorial:
From the butt section, the leader tapers down to a very fine tip. This gradual taper with the heavy end attached to your fly line, helps deliver the energy of your cast and then the fly in a straight line to your target. That fine end of the leader, especially if it is brand new, is where you might attach your fly. Or, you can adjust the length of the leader with a section of tippet, and then attach your fly.
Tippet comes on a spool. Rather than being tapered like a leader, tippet is a fixed diameter. Tippet is primarily used to extend a leader or mend a damaged leader. It is also used to rig up a dropper, or two flies being fished at the same time. Tippet can be used to build a tapered leader from scratch by tying together pieces of tippet that are gradually decreasing in size. But that’s a topic for another day.
For example, when fishing in low, clear water, having a longer leader can be an advantage to avoid spooking fish. So, an angler might extend their leader by tying on a section of tippet. Many anglers immediately tie on a section of tippet every time they begin using a new leader. That way, as they are re-rigging and changing flies throughout the day, they are chipping away at that tippet, not the leader. This can help extend the life of a leader.
What does the “X” size rating mean on leaders and tippet?
The X indicates the diameter of a leader or tippet. And the higher the number, the smaller the diameter. For example, 5X is thinner than 4X. And 4X is thinner than 3X. Always remember, this refers to diameter – not break strength. A 4X spool of tippet will have a very close diameter across different brands. But the actual breaking strength might be different, depending on the chemical compounds and coatings used to make the tippet.
How do I choose the right size leader and tippet?
The lame answer, is “it depends.” There are exceptions to many rules. If you’re unsure, stop by your local fly shop and ask for help.
In general, the size of your tippet should correspond with the size of the flies you intend to fish on any given day. When fishing very small flies (sizes 20 and smaller), you’ll probably want to be fishing a 6x or 7x leader and tippet. For starters, a very fine tippet will allow the most natural drift. If you tied a piece of 2x tippet onto a size 20 fly, the tippet would be so stiff compared to the size of the fly, that it wouldn’t drift naturally. Additionally, if you’re fishing very small flies, it probably means you’re fishing to picky fish, probably in very clear water. In those situations, a very fine tippet will be an advantage.
On the other end of the spectrum, large flies require heavier leaders and tippet. For example, when fishing flies size 8 and larger, you probably want to be fishing at least 3X and up. The thicker material will support the weight and make it easier to cast heavier flies.
What about the mid-sizes, 4x and 5x? In general, those are going to be good options for your mid-sized flies, in the 18 to 10 size range.
But again, it might depend on other factors, like the finicky nature of the trout you’re targeting, the clarity and volume of water. and the size of the fly.
Another thing to remember about tippet size when adding tippet to your leader, is never tie two pieces of tippet together that are more than 2 sizes apart. For Example, if you are adding tippet to your 4X leader, you can tie on 5X or 6X but not 7X. The difference in diameter between 4X and 7X is too great to seat your knot properly.
How to determine leader length?
Leaders come in a variety of lengths. And tippet can always be added to make adjustments. When fishing small dry flies in very clear water, an angler might want to use a 10 or 12-foot leader to avoid spooking fish. But when fishing heavy streamers in bigger water, a short, 4 or 6-foot leader will aid in casting and fishing those big flies. If you find yourself fishing hoppers on a very windy day, a shorter leader will help as well. That said, 7.5 and 9-foot leaders are the most common in most trout fishing situations.
Nylon versus Fluorocarbon
If you’ve spent time perusing the options in leaders and tippet at the fly shop, you’ve probably noticed two common materials: nylon and fluorocarbon. Nylon is less expensive. And it doesn’t sink as readily as fluoro. Fluorocarbon is more expensive. But it boasts a higher abrasion resistance at lower diameters. It’s less visible in the water. And it sinks more quickly than Nylon.
Situations when you might want to spend the extra money on fluorocarbon include fishing to selective fish, very clear water, when fishing very small flies, or fishing very big flies to aggressive fish. For example, when fishing the South Platte near Deckers, and especially in the winter, selective fish and small flies are often part of the game. Fluorocarbon should be a staple in your kit if you frequent waters like these. Another simply way to think about the nylon versus fluoro is that nylon can almost always be used for dry flies, and there will be an advantage to using fluorocarbon for nearly all subsurface flies like nymphs and streamers.
Helpful Knot Tying Videos:
As you’re getting to know those leaders and tippet, here are some helpful knot videos to help you practice:
Attaching A Fly: Clinch Knot, Davy Knot
Attaching Leader to Tippet: Blood Knot, Double Surgeons Knot
Nippers and Forceps
Along with your leader and tippet, you’ll need line nippers. As you change flies, add tippet and mend your leader throughout a day of fishing, line nippers are essential. Most nippers also have a needle to clean out the eye of a hook – something you’ll use more than you might think.
What do you do with all those clipped-off ends and scrap pieces of monofilament? Don’t leave them behind! You might consider a micro trash container that makes it easy to hold rigging scraps. Otherwise, dedicate a small pocket on your fishing vest or pouch as a trash bin.
Forceps, hemostats, or pliers are another essential tool. There are many uses for forceps, including rigging, de-barbing hooks, removing hooks from fish, and removing hooks from your pants. Some have scissors, which can be another nice option for trimming line and can even replace the nippers mentioned above.
Floatants
If you’re going to be fishing dry flies, floatant is essential. With only a few exceptions, dry flies that are floating high on the water will earn more strikes from fish. Anglers can choose from liquid, powder and gel floatants. Liquid and gels are a great way to pre-treat flies before you begin fishing. Powder is useful for continually drying off a fly during fishing. Just be careful with some gel floatants – certain types of feathers like CDC can be bogged down by some types of gel.
Weights
Just as floatant is essential for dry flies, weights and strike indicators are essential when fishing nymphs –flies that you’re fishing below the surface. Anytime you’re nymphing, hitting the right depth is a critical part of success. In fact, many anglers will tell you to try adjusting your depth before you try changing your flies if you’re not catching fish. Fly fishing weights come in classic split-shot form, as well as puddy and twist-on. The amount of weight you’ll need to add to a rig depends on the depth of the water, the speed of the current, and the resistance of the flies you’re trying to sink.
Strike Indicators
Call it a strike indicator, or call it a bobber, its purpose is the same. Indicators are an important element in your nymph rig, and you’ll always want to have some on hand. When you’re fishing below the surface, an indicator helps detect even subtle strikes. Today’s indicators are easy to add, remove, and adjust as needed. Many have a simple, twist-on design that won’t leave a kink in your leader. The size of the indicator you choose when fishing will depend on the size and clarity of the water. Choose an indicator that you can clearly see – but not so big that it creates a noticeable splash or disturbs fish when it hits the water.
Nymph Rigging Video
To get started with a basic nymph rig, including how to add weights and indicator, check out this helpful video:
Polarized Sunglasses
Sunglasses are absolutely essential when fly fishing. First, it’s a safety issue. One of our former colleagues here at the shop can tell you what it’s like to take a hook to the eye. Not cool. In addition to flying hooks, UV rays and reflections off the water can be very damaging to your eyes. Anytime you’re fishing, you should have sunglasses on.
In addition to safety, polarized glasses make it possible to spot fish in the water. Casting to fish that you can see is fun and exciting. It takes practice to be able to spot fish – but keep working at it, and eventually you’ll get the hang of it.
Fishing License
Hey, it’s easier than you think to forget. In Colorado, anyone 16 and older is required to have a fishing license. Make sure you purchase one and always carry it with you while fishing. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers may ask to see your license. It is best to purchase your licenses online and it will arrive in the mail a week or two later. In the meantime, your confirmation email will serve as your license. License sales is the primary funding mechanism for fish and wildlife management. Teams of biologists, the research, and ongoing management for both game and nongame species is made possible by license sales.
Need Help? Please Ask!
If you have questions or need help getting started, please don’t be shy about asking. We were all new to fly fishing once, and we remember how intimidating it can be. There are no dumb questions. Stop by one of our fly shop locations in Littleton or Denver. Our friendly crew is here to help. If you’re not in the area, you can give us a call at 303-794-1104 and we’ll answer questions over the phone. Any orders over $10 placed online or over the phone will ship the same day for free. Get out there and have fun on the water!
