Fly Fishing Pliers

[ryan prince]

While you guys are hammering away on the Boga grip topic, I thought I’d open up a new one and see what your thoughts are on pliers.  The high dollar pliers from Fishpond and Ross Reels sure look purty but I can’t see paying that much for pliers.  

What are you guys using?  I went super cheap and have been using the pliers on my Gerber multi-tool.  I haven’t dropped them in the water…yet…

[Neal Osborn]

I use cheep forceps.

[Adam McDowell]

For most stuff I use a pair of p-line blue anodized aluminum pliers a few years ago and they are fantastic for $39. They do great on all but pulling small flies out of small mouths. Here’s a link from the big box store.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10204595_151006004_151000000_151006000?cm_ven=bazaarvoice&cm_cat=RLP&cm_pla=10204595&cm_ite=description_link

For wading I have a pair of dr slicks with the built in cutter.
http://www.drslick.com/products_scissorclamps1.asp

I have also had a pair of these x-tools floating pliers for about 3 years and they are indestructible for the money, but also do not do well with small flies, barbs or small mouths. They will however slice through braided line like nothing I have ever seen. That says something!
http://www.amazon.com/Plier-Sheath-Fits-Xtools-Pliers/dp/B000G2960C

The conventional tackle guys have some great options that really make you question the high prices of fly fishing pliers. I guess it goes back to where they are made.

[anonymous]

1. Dr. slick extra large mitten clamps for steelhead in winter.
2. About ten pairs of hemos with scissors from my vet buddy.

[kurt albin]

I’ve had these for a few years and have no complaints:

http://www.williamjoseph.net/products/product_23.aspx

[Mike Anderson]

The Abel pliers sux.

[jeff s]

I have a cheap pair of small needle nose that I use when tying flies to mash the barbs down and a cheap pari of end nipper wire cutters to clip wire when tying flies.

While fishing, I have a pair of Dr.Slick hemos with the scissors hooked to a zinger attached to my vest.

On my pontoon boat, I have a set of some cheap black hemos attached to a zinger on my PFD>

I have really nice German chisels for my wood working but for stuff I’m going to have out on the water, I’ll go inexpensive.

[keith b]

Maybe I have been looking at this wrong, but it seems to me that the big holstered pliers I see in catalogs are more for salt water fishing and bigger fresh water fishing.

[Adam McDowell]

The Abel pliers sux.

You need to pick up a pair of p-lines

[Mike Anderson]

Do they actually grip stuff near the tips? I’ve given up on the “fishing” pliers and I use a Gerber multi tool now.

[Andrew Wright]

I have the Ross Pliers, which I originally bought for salt water fishing, but I have wound up using them pretty much any time I am in my boat and I love them. Expensive pliers are not by any means a necessary purchase, but mine have proven to be one of the most useful pieces of gear I own. I am sure there are many people who would disagree with me, but I honestly believe they are worth the money.

[Tim Pommer]

While I will pay top dollar for “real tools” in my woodshop, I don’t like to pay high dollar for crap I’ll eventually drop in the drink.

HA! Truth.

[Adam McDowell]

Do they actually grip stuff near the tips? I’ve given up on the “fishing” pliers and I use a Gerber multi tool now.

Mine close well all the way across, but as you know with import stuff, they do not always go through the same quality control measures. They do have allen screw adjustable/replaceable tips. my only complaint is the sheath, but I guess it would be a big to ask for a full grain leather sheath on $39 pliers.

[Morsie]

Gerber Fisherman’s pliers, (multi-tool) – the best thing since beer. $50 on the net.

Morsie

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