Fish better water
Real picks for rods, reels, lines, waders, flies, and everything for fly fishing
Top picks right now
Rod weight by fish
- 3 wtsmall streams, panfish
- 4 wttrout, small water
- 5 wtall-round trout
- 6 wtbigger trout, light bass
- 7 wtbass, windy water
- 8 wtbig bass, steelhead, bonefish
Common pairings. Fly size, wind and casting distance matter as much as the fish.
New here?
Start Here: Fly Fishing for Beginners
8 short steps in the order a beginner needs them, with the guides and tools for each one.
Popular right now
- Dry Fly vs Nymph vs StreamerArticle
- Best Kids Fly Rods: Short, Tough Setups That Keep It FunBuying guide
- The Best Waterproof Fly BoxesBuying guide
- Best Beginner Fly Rods: Forgiving Rods That Teach a Clean CastBuying guide
- Best Euro Nymph Lines: Thin Lines for Tight-Line ControlBuying guide
- Best Wader Repair KitsBuying guide
Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Start here
All guides →
Shop by category
Rods & Reels
Fly rods, reels, and complete combos.
Browse 10 guides →Lines & Leaders
Fly lines, leaders, tippet, and backing.
Browse 10 guides →Flies & Tying
Fly assortments and fly tying materials.
Browse 10 guides →Waders & Boots
Waders, wading boots, and wet wading gear.
Browse 9 guides →Packs & Storage
Vests, packs, fly boxes, and rod storage.
Browse 11 guides →Tools & Accessories
Nets, nippers, forceps, and stream gear.
Browse 11 guides →Best buying guides
Best Knot Tying Tools for Fly Fishing: Nail Knot Tools and Fly Threaders
Nail knot tools and magnetic fly threaders that make tying a leader to a fly line, or tippet to a tiny hook eye, easier with cold fingers or poor light.
Best Travel Fly Rods: Pack Rods That Still Cast Like Rods
Multi-piece travel fly rods that fit in carry-ons and backpacks without casting like compromises. We compare 6 to 8 piece builds, ferrules, and cases.
Best Kids Fly Rods: Short, Tough Setups That Keep It Fun
Short, durable, affordable fly rods sized for small hands and short attention spans, so a kid's first casts end in fish instead of frustration.
Best Breathable Waders
Find breathable waders that keep sweat moving out and water out, with the seam quality and fit that decide whether they last one season or seven.
The Best Gear Bags for Fly Fishing
The best gear bags for fly fishing swallow waders, boots, tackle, and layers, keeping wet and dry gear separated between the truck and the water.
Best Fly Rod Combos: Ready-to-Fish Setups That Actually Balance
Skip the guesswork of matching rod, reel, and line. These fly rod combos arrive balanced, cast well out of the tube, and leave room to grow.
Packing tips
All tips →How Much Split Shot Do You Need for Nymphing? A Weight Chart by Water
Fly fishing weights explained: how many split shot to add, which size, and where to pinch them for slow pools, runs and fast pocket water.
What Are Fishing Waders? Types, Materials and How to Choose
Waders are waterproof pants or bibs that keep you dry while wading. Compare chest, hip and waist styles, stockingfoot vs bootfoot, and materials.
How to Tie a Nail Knot: Joining Leader to Fly Line Step by Step
How to tie a nail knot to join a leader butt to a fly line, with or without a nail knot tool, plus wraps, finishing and fixes when it slips.
Surgeon's Knot vs Blood Knot: Which One to Tie, and When
Surgeon's knot or blood knot for joining leader to tippet? Speed, strength, profile and which line sizes each handles, with tying steps for both.