You have decided you want to learn to wave that wand with the glowing line, with a fly dancing this way and that at its end, that you want to stand knee-deep in a cold, clear creek and try to mesmerize a trout into taking your offering. You want to learn how to flyfish. So what's next?

Anglers talking on Duck Creek

You will need to buy or borrow gear. You will need to know how to use the gear. And you will need to know where to go to use that gear.

Join a local fishing club or a national fishing organization like Trout Unlimited or Federation of Fly Fishing. Flyshops, tackle shops and sporting goods stores usually offer free slide shows about the sport and offer flyfishing classes in flytying and even flycasting. These stores want to sell tackle and flytying materials so if you visit them, they are going to want to teach you the sport and get you hooked. But until you know if you like the sport, there is no need to max out the credit card and buy fancy rods and reels.

I suggest finding a buddy who flyfishes, one who will be willing to loan you some waders, a rod, a handful of flies. Buy some flyfishing magazines. Read a basic flyfishing book (see our book review list for some titles). I highly recommend hiring a guide since they have rods to use and will tie flies on for you, and can untangle bird's nests knots and will teach you more in a day than you can learn by yourself in two years.

The Necessities Flyrod Reel Flyline Flies and flybox Forceps, nippers, floatant and other incidentals Polarized sunglasses Optional Gear Waders Vest Net The perfect fishing hat Zinger (retractable holder for your forceps, nippers) Wading staff

Move on to Rod and Reel (and line)

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