You can get started fly fishing for as little as $200, but you’ll spend more once you start wading bigger rivers, fishing in foul weather, or investing in watercraft. This rainbow trout was caught with a 6-weight G.Loomis NRX+ rod, Abel Vaya reel, a Scientific Anglers Sonar Trout Express fly line, and a Sparkle Minnow. (Esteban Ozust photo)
January 28, 2026
By Ross Purnell
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To read all of the nitty gritty, field-tested reviews of new fly-fishing gear for 2026, grab a copy of Gear Guide at the Outdoor Sportsman Group newsstand , through the Fly Fisherman Special Issues app available in the App Store and Google Play, or on newsstands today.
Follow along as we give you a few tips to help with your purchasing decisions over the next few days. We’ll cover:
Some old-timers complain that fly-fishing tackle is just too expensive for young people today. That’s true if you’re comparing today’s prices against a 1972 Orvis catalog, but not if you’re comparing today’s prices against other outdoor pursuits like golf, skiing, or bowhunting. In every case, a complete outfit with premium equipment costs thousands of dollars, and it’s worth every penny when you consider the value of licensed technology and materials, research and development, and of producing proprietary hard goods here in the United States.
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However, if you’re just testing the water, and you’re not sure if you want to invest in top-shelf tackle right off the bat, there are affordable brands in almost every category that can have you on the water with a rod, reel, line, and a box of flies for $300 or less. Hopefully you’ll learn to fly fish in an accessible location (like on a municipal pond or in your buddy’s drift boat) on a warm summer day, and for your first outing, you won’t need waders, boots, and a wading jacket. Because most fly fishing occurs on public lands, and there are no lift tickets or greens fees, it’s both fun and affordable.
The best advice I can give someone who is starting at square one is to find a local specialty fly shop , explain your situation, your budget limitations, and explicitly ask for help. If there’s no specialty shop nearby, you’ll need to shop online to get the tackle you need.
Boots and waders can be your priciest investment when you start fly fishing, but their value cannot be overstated. In some weather and environments you simply can’t go without adequate outerwear. You are better off at home. Good boots reduce the risk of taking a tumble, and can protect you from injuries, hypothermia, or drowning. Good breathable waders will also protect you from the weather and keep you comfortable in water and seasons that would otherwise be intolerable. If you want to fish in all seasons, waders and boots are more important than your rod and reel.
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Top-end waders can run up to about $1,000, and some boots run up to $500, but you don’t have to pay that much to stay upright and comfortable. Grundéns Vector Stockingfoot Waders have many of the design features, pockets, and “extras” of more expensive waders. Grundéns Bedrock Wading Boot are available in seven sizes with rubber soles for easy cleaning and comfort.
The Airlite Aspire Kit ($199) is available in 4-, 5-, 6- and 8-weight versions for trout, panfish, or bass. Scientific Anglers , Redington , Cortland, Orvis , and several other companies sell “kits” or “outfits” that include a rod, reel, floating line, and a leader. The Airlite Aspire Kit is available in 4-, 5-, 6- and 8-weight versions for trout, panfish, or bass.
Ross Purnell is the editor and publisher of Fly Fisherman.
