Thoughts On Gear…
- This topic has 13 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated Sep 7, 2005 at 3:16 am by
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With the recent birth of our first child a couple of weeks ago…I am finding that I am up through the first half of the night making sure she stays asleep while the wife catches some much deserved rest…which leaves me some time to tinker around the web…which lead me to start thinking tonight…what pieces of our fly fishing gear systems could we not as much enjoy the experience without…here are a few of mine…pardon me if I ramble on…
1. Filson Tin Cloth Packer Hat…waxed cotton…waterproof…great sun protection…traditional rugged look…these hats last forever…bought my first Filson hat in 1995…finally had to replace it only because I needed a larger size in 2004…
2. HMH Spartan Vise…solid performer…standard jaws have held midge hooks down to size 26 and large saltwater hooks…all with ease…fair priced in the $160 range…
3. Hodgman Wadelite Guide Pants…since the most part of my fly fishing is done on slender N.C. streams where the water is rarely above your knees…these pants work out perfect…and with a little looking around you can find them for under $100…I’m on my fourth year on this pair. I a trip to RMNP I took a sharp stick to the back of the leg on a fall…Patagonia capilene underneath ripped…back of leg cut and black and blue…Hodgman Wadelite’s made it through the fall without a scratch…I still don’t know how…but I am a believer…
4. Digital Cameras…I don’t care if you’re using a point and shoot or an SLR digital camera…there is just nothing better than coming home from a day a stream and downloading the camera…instant satisfaction…you can email your friends…take your media card or CD to the photo shop for prints…and only print the pictures that are worthwhile…not a whole roll with maybe a couple of keepers…I’ve paid for at least one of my digital cameras with not buying film and processing rolls and rolls of film…
5. C&F Fly Boxes…they boxes are great…you’ll go broke changing all your boxes over to them…but the system is so clean and for an orderly type as myself…they are perfect…everything has a place…
Well…that is all for tonight…lets here some of yours…
Hey Cameron-
For the fishing I do I couldn’t live without the following:
1. Simms Guide waders. I am strongly considering going to the pants for my next set of these, but the switch to Guide waders added so much confidence and strength that it completely changed my fishing. I used to stick to the riverbed and avoid the banks – now I only get in the water if I have to. I have tried a ton of waders and I still think these are the best ever built.
2. My stripping basket. You guys know I use this but you probably wouldn’t believe how much. People who fish with me invariably make a crack about it at the beginning of the day and wind up asking where they can find one by the end.
3. My Ultimate Directions cycling pack. A variant of this design is in the ‘best waistpack’ drawing I put up the other day. For the market right now, coupled with a JW outfitters flip-down leader/tippet/accoutrement pack on my right hip, this is the best item I own.
4. Polarized shades. If someone asked me the best way to *spend money* to become a better fisherman, I would answer A) buy polaroid shades and B) take a casting lesson, IN THAT ORDER. If you don’t wear them while fishing, you are just plain missing out.
Good post, Cameron!
ZachI’m mostly a saltwater guy, so I’m coming at this from a slight different angle, but many of my items are the same.
1. Stripping Basket- Every once in a while I still forget this, when I do I usually end up spin fishing because it’s just not worth the hassle to fish without one.
You know what is even better than waders…wet wading…late spring through early fall are prime for wearing a pair of nylon pants, pair of hiking socks, and wading boots or sandals.
Hey Cameron-
My $10,000 comprehensive plan that covers my photo equipment, my fishing gear, and my wife’s wedding ring (a modified photographers/personal property plan, they told me), costs me about $18/mo.
That’s slightly more than this website and like I said it is well worth the piece of mind.
For those that are homeowners- you can get an additional rider on your policy that will cover your camera gear.
Cameron,
Congrats on the new addition!
All kinds of great responses to your question. The one thing I will add to the list is the hip flask that my wife gave me for our anniversary a few years ago. I not only cherise it because of it’s sentimental value, but because I really enjoy taking a little nip of good scotch(my good would be others crap :))to toast an especially good fish, or when in need of
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