The Best Forceps and Hemostats for Fly Fishing
Updated How we research
Forceps do the jobs your fingers cannot: backing a fly out of a trout's jaw quickly, crushing barbs flat, and pinching split shot without using your teeth. Fish handling gets faster and safer with a good pair clipped where you can reach it. Models vary in jaw pattern and precision, locking mechanism, whether scissors are built into the jaws, and the finish that fights rust in perpetually wet pockets. We looked at jaw alignment and grip on small hooks, lock reliability, comfort in cold hands, and corrosion resistance over a season of dunkings. Most trout anglers are best served by a mid-length pair with scissor blades, which covers hook removal and trimming in one tool. Saltwater and streamer anglers should size up for bigger hooks and toothy fish, and barbless-water regulars want smooth, precise tips.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.7 out of 10.
- Best overall:Dr. Slick Clamp, 5 in, Black, Straight. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.7/10.
- Also great value:XTRM CRAFT Fishing Forceps, Kelly Hemostat 5.5 and 6.25 Inches, Straight and Curved Stainless Steel. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Fly Fishing Serrated Pliers Hemostat Forceps Stainless Steel Catch and Release Tool with Precision Grip Locking, 5.5 in Straight. Build and materials score of 7/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Locking Scissor Forceps Fly Fishing Hemostat Tool 7.5 in. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Dr. Slick Clamp, 5 in, Black, Straight
Dr. Slick Clamp, 5 in black straight forceps, a trusted fly fishing clamp from a leading tool brand.
Our score8.7/10Budget
XTRM CRAFT Fishing Forceps, Kelly Hemostat 5.5 and 6.25 Inches, Straight and Curved Stainless Steel
XTRM CRAFT Kelly hemostat fishing forceps, 5.5 and 6.25 inches, straight and curved stainless steel pair.
Our score8.6/10Budget
#1Dr. Slick Clamp, 5 in black straight forceps, a trusted fly fishing clamp from a leading tool brand.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Dr. Slick is a trusted name in fly fishing tools
- + 5 in straight design is ideal for trout
- + Black finish reduces glare on the water
- - Single straight clamp, so deep hooks may call for a curved pair too
- - Costs more than generic forceps that look similar on paper
#2XTRM CRAFT Kelly hemostat fishing forceps, 5.5 and 6.25 inches, straight and curved stainless steel pair.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Straight and curved pair covers different hook positions
- + 5.5 and 6.25 inches lengths suit trout and bass
- + Stainless steel construction resists corrosion
- - Two tools may be more than minimalist anglers need
- - Brand has limited recognition in fishing tools
#3Stainless steel fly fishing serrated pliers hemostat forceps with precision grip locking, 5.5 in straight.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 5.5 in straight design is versatile for trout and bass
- + Serrated jaws grip hooks firmly
- + Stainless steel resists rust in wet conditions
- - Straight jaws are less handy for deep hooks than curved
- - Generic brand offers limited durability information
#4Locking scissor forceps fly fishing hemostat tool, 7.5 in, a combined forceps and scissor for hook removal and trimming.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 7.5 in length reaches deep hooks in toothy or large fish
- + Scissor blades cut line and trim flies
- + Locking design holds hooks firmly while unhooking
- - 7.5 in size is bulky for small trout vests
- - Generic listing gives little detail on steel quality
#5AAProTools 2 x fly fishing hemostat forceps set, locking 3.5 in in gold, a small, precise pair for trout and tying.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2 x set gives spares for vest and tying bench
- + 3.5 in size is compact and easy to handle small flies
- + Gold finish makes forceps easier to find in a bag
- - Short length does not reach deep-hooked fish well
- - Gold coating may wear off over time
#6SURGICAL ONLINE 2pc 5 Inch stainless steel fishing forceps set with curved and straight serrated jaws.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2pc set includes both curved and straight tips
- + 5 Inch size is compact for trout fishing
- + Serrated jaws hold hooks firmly
- - Short length may not reach deep hooks in larger fish
- - Surgical supply brand is not fishing-specific
#7BDeals 5 in curved fly fishing locking mosquito hemostat forceps, a small curved tool for precise hook removal.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Curved tip helps reach and grip hooks in fish mouths
- + 5 in size is compact for vests and chest packs
- + Locking mechanism holds hooks securely
- - Mosquito forceps are thin and may bend on large hooks
- - Surgical-style steel quality may vary
#8MFC River Camo straight tip forceps with rainbow trout artwork, a colorful forceps for trout anglers.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Rainbow trout artwork adds personality to your tool kit
- + Straight tip design is useful for most hook removal
- + Great gift for trout-loving anglers
- - Check the listed length before buying
- - Artwork may wear off with heavy use
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Single straight clamp, so deep hooks may call for a curved pair too (Dr. Slick Clamp, 5 in, Black, Straight)
- Two tools may be more than minimalist anglers need (XTRM CRAFT Fishing Forceps, Kelly Hemostat...)
- Straight jaws are less handy for deep hooks than curved (Fly Fishing Serrated Pliers Hemostat Forceps...)
- 7.5 in size is bulky for small trout vests (Locking Scissor Forceps Fly Fishing Hemostat...)
- Short length does not reach deep-hooked fish well (AAProTools 2 x Fly Fishing Hemostat Forceps...)
- Short length may not reach deep hooks in larger fish (SURGICAL ONLINE 2pc 5 Inch Fishing Forceps...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among the best forceps and hemostats for fly fishing?
Dr. Slick Clamp, 5 in, Black, Straight is our top overall pick. Dr. Slick Clamp, 5 in black straight forceps, a trusted fly fishing clamp from a leading tool brand. It earns our score of 8.7/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
XTRM CRAFT Fishing Forceps, Kelly Hemostat 5.5 and 6.25 Inches, Straight and Curved Stainless Steel is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. XTRM CRAFT Kelly hemostat fishing forceps, 5.5 and 6.25 inches, straight and curved stainless steel pair.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Fly Fish Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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