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Basic Gear for Your Saltwater Fly Fishing Trip
by Matt Thomas
Functional Gear that Can Help You Pack Less
You can't stop thinking about it. You get to fish in the ocean in one
month. Trip is set, travel is purchased, here comes the salt! It is an
addiction, a passion. For me, the thought of fly fishing in the ocean is
constant. I am always looking for opportunity to add to my experience
with new flies, tackle, and gear. Here are a few gear and tackle items
you should have with you when you go.
First, consider the environment you will be in, and no matter what, pack
some fleece. It seems everywhere I go in the ocean it is windy. I have
learned to gather more information about the weather and monthly
averages of my destination before I go. I use popular sites like
Weather.com, or look up wind information published by my destination
airport. In any weather condition, I find that zip up fleece is the most
useful across the board. For an early morning run in the boat and late
night fishing under dock lights, wind proof fleece is the best.
The next part of planning your trip is to consider is the fish. Tackle
is probably the most expensive part of your saltwater fly fishing
collection. The price of new fly rods, reels and fly lines makes my head
spin. Two 9ft. rods are all you need, an 8wt and a 10wt. I use four
piece rods and I carry a couple of extra lines for my reels. Consider at
least having rods that are similar, so that if one breaks, the other can
comfortably take its place. From redfish to giant tarpon, when you carry
an 8wt and 10wt fly rod, you will be able to handle just about any fish
or fly fishing situation.
Flies are the most fun part of planning for me. The Clouser Minnow is
the one fly that covers it all. If you are like me, sitting at the bench
is the way you focus your excitement. I visualize the fish that will eat
every fly I tie. It is common practice on guided trips that the guide
provides the right flies. However, I always like to use my own flies
where I can. It usually isn't hard to prepare a few of the most popular
patterns for your particular fishing destination, but the Clouser Minnow
is perhaps the best pattern for all fish. I like to prepare with a few
sizes and colors, and weights appropriate to the waters I will be
fishing. Whether you are casting at permit or barramundi, it seems there
is not a fish in the ocean that won't eat a Clouser Minnow.
I have learned that being prepared for the unexpected is wise when
travelling to the ocean. I have also learned that being prepared for the
expected is more valuable. Packing light is essential these days and
highly functional gear and tackle is the best way to pack less. Gear
like a windproof, zip-up fleece can improve your comfort and minimize
the need for two or three other items you might normally pack.
Travelling with two rods is plenty in most cases and the combination of
an 8wt and 10wt fly rod covers just about any fish or fly fishing
situation. Finally, a solid collection of Clouser Minnows work
everywhere and will increase your chance to feed more fish.
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