Carry Systems

Your pack is one of the most personal gear decisions you’ll make as a fly angler. The right choice depends on how much gear you carry, how far you hike, and the type of water you fish most often.

Over the years, I’ve fished with chest packs, sling packs, and hip packs. While I personally prefer a chest pack, there isn’t a single “best” option. The right pack is the one that fits your fishing style and keeps the gear you need organized and within easy reach.

Before making a purchase, take some time to consider how and where you fish. The comparison below outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each pack style to help you decide which one is right for you.

Leaders & Tippet

Your leader is one of the most important parts of a tightline setup. It determines how well you maintain contact with your flies, detect strikes, and achieve a natural drift. While rods and reels often get the attention, your leader system has a much greater impact on your success on the water.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with different brands of fluorocarbon, sighter materials, and leader formulas to improve my presentations while keeping costs under control. I’ve also learned that building your own leaders not only saves money but gives you the flexibility to adapt your setup to changing water conditions.

The guides below explain how I build the Troutbitten Standard Mono Rig Leader, why I use certain materials, and how choosing the right fluorocarbon can save money without sacrificing performance. Before purchasing materials, take a few minutes to understand what each component does and how it contributes to your overall setup.

Fly Storage

Keeping your flies organized makes changing patterns faster and helps protect your investment. I carry three different storage options depending on how I’m fishing. A fly patch keeps my most frequently used flies within easy reach, a dedicated nymph box organizes my subsurface patterns, and a separate dry fly box protects delicate dry flies from being crushed. This simple system keeps me organized on the water and makes it easy to find the fly I need without digging through multiple boxes.

landing nets

A quality landing net makes it easier to land fish quickly while reducing stress on the trout. Rubber mesh protects a fish’s slime coat, minimizes tangles, and makes releasing fish much easier. Whether you’re fishing small mountain streams or larger rivers, choosing the right size net is an important part of your gear setup.

StreamSide Tools

The right streamside tools make every day on the water a little easier. From clipping tippet and clearing hook eyes to safely removing flies from a trout’s mouth, these are the small items I carry on every trip. They don’t have to be expensive, but they should be dependable because you’ll use them constantly.

wading essentials

I’m not going to recommend waders or wading boots because those are personal decisions. The right pair for me may not be the right pair for you. My goal isn’t to sell you gear just for the sake of making a recommendation. Every product below is something I personally use on the water because it has proven its value over time. If it didn’t make my fishing better, it wouldn’t be on this page.

Floatants & Fly care

A few simple fly care products can make dry flies float longer and fish more effectively. I keep it simple with three essentials: a gel floatant, a desiccant, and a fly dip. These are the products I trust every time I fish.