Are you a GEAR JUNKIE or a MINIMALIST?

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

Maodiver’s question about what to set up a noobie with got me to thinking. (Yeah, I know. That’s a scary thought.)

A buddy and I are planning our 3rd annual BLACK HILLS of SD trip. (Yes, Betty, we know there are no trouts in the Black Hills but we’re going anyway.)

My buddy takes a very minimalist approach to his fly fishing. He wet wades so no waders, belt, boots, etc. He will probably bring only one rod (maybe 2 if he can find them both). In his old canvas creel he will carry everything else: one fly box, maybe a spare leader, one spool of tippet, a few old split shot rattling around in the bottom of the creel and maybe some bug spray and sun screen (if he remembers). I don’t think he uses a nipper (his teeth work fine) and I’ve never seen him use a hemostat.

I, on the other hand, am a certified, card carrying member of the GEAR JUNKIE club. I will bring 4 rods, and in a fully loaded chest pack have: many spare leaders, several spools of tippet, split shot in every size imaginable, several fly boxes (even though I will probably use the same 4 types of flies for the entire trip), some strike indicators, and on a lanyard I will have nippers, hemostat, floatant, etc., etc., etc.

Now, here’s the thing that bothers me the most about our fishing relationship. I don’t think I catch any more fish than him, nor do I have any more fun than him. So, which one of us is the SICKEST???

OK everyone, fess up…

Which group do you fit into, MINIMALIST or GEAR JUNLIE?

2

I’m a gear junkie who forgets a lot of things at home and end up fishing minimalist half the time. Gear junkies should have a list of ‘necessities’ so they can remember what stuff they are missing when they finally go fishing. (so they have an excuse why they have the stench of the skunk on them, of course)

3

I carry the minimum needed to qualify as a gear junky

4

I’m both I think. A gear junky in that I buy all kinds of random gadgets, packs, boxes, rods, reels, vests, waders and the like and I have tied more flies than I will use in 20 lifetimes. When it comes time to fish, I become a minimalist. I will carry one box (the okuma one the size of an altoids tin), one rod, maybe a tippet spool, not always and maybe a hemostat clipped to the bottom of my shirt. If I go a ways from home, I’ll pack a bunch of stuff and it will sit in the truck.

The minimalist approach is one of the things I love about fly fishing. I bass fish too and then you “need” 473 rods for every application and 6000 lbs of tackle with you at all times. Something I love about walking out the door with a few foam spiders and a few streamers and not having the feeling I need something else out there

5

Save some of those no trouts for me!! We’ll be there the end of May!!

Hummm … junkie or minimalist? I think I have every tool or toy or gizmo ever created, but I fish with the least I can carry. Simple lanyard … a box or two of flies. But I am definitely a sicko when it comes to collecting stuff!!

6

i carry a little of everything. i guess that makes me a minimalist gear head! :smiley:

7

Both. I buy and tie more than I need, but when I fish I aim to be light and mobile. I started the season with 1 fly box in my fanny pack. I’ve added 2 more that I probably don’t need, but they don’t weigh much, so… Sometimes I leave the fanny pack in the car, and just tuck one fly box in my pants pocket. I have 3 fly rods in my car right now. I might pick a different one each time I’m out…but I will only have ONE in my hand when I leave the car and head for the water.

8

depends on my mood on any particular day…hell, I have about five or six different fishing bags of different sizes that get used periodically depending on what I feel like…sometimes I wish I had less room, sometimes I wish I had more, and occasionally, I feel like it’s just right.

9

I’m not sure which one I am. I want to buy all the equipment I see. I love to get the catalogs and shop online. Of course I seldom buy anything because I can’t afford it. And to be honest, with the few dollars I have that I can buy fishing gear with, I’m to tight to buy the stuff I see. :slight_smile: I think that makes me a “want to be” gear junkie. lol

10

Card carrying Gear Junkie. I fish less than 20 days a year, yet have 4 rods (3-6 wt.), 4 reels, etc. When on the stream my vest has everything I could possibly need, plus like others enough flies to last me that day, the next and oh yeah the rest of the year.

Brian

11

I love to fly fish but my knowledge and skill MAY add up to a 4 on a 1 to 10 scale. I am noticing that I am becoming a gear junkie of sort. I don’t want to be a junkie! I love the simple things in life as I get older. I unload my syrofoam kick boat, fins, mesh fish bag, from my old Ford Escort wagon and fish small lakes, ponds and rivers. I want to keep it simple but it is hard. Just bought a hummingbird fishin buddy and who knows what is next. Pray for me!

12

Hey Betty! Actually, the last week in May is when we are planning to be there as well. Maybe we’ll run into each other and stare at the same FISHLESS WATER together!

13

Reformed gear junky. Becoming more minimalist every day. Now let’s not talk about tying…

14

Hi, my name is Joe and I’m a gear junkie. Looks like I’m in the right place for this meeting.

15

Minimalist.

Steelheading:
2 handed fly rod w/reel
fly box
tip wallet w/4 or 5 different rate sinktips
1 spool tippet/leader material
nippers
hook file
knot tool
boots, waders, rain coat
tp

16

I am a certifiable gear junkie. :razz: It’s a problem I can live with. :wink:

17

I like to think that I’m a minimalist, but no one outside of this group would ever believe that.
Today I used a rod that I haven’t fished in at least 3 years :roll:

18

I’m both. I seldom leave home without loading up at least 4-5 outfits, vest, waders/Korkers, net, & bag with other “necessary items”. When I get to the water, it’s a different story…1-3 (usually 2) fly boxes, waders on, hone, forceps, nippers, leaders/tippet, net, & camera…either wearing the lightly filled vest or fishing shirt & lanyard.
Mike

19

I carry as little as I can get away with.

I agree with Betty, there are no trouts in the Black Hills !

20

Minimalist. Other than waders and boots, lately is been a tenkara rod, fly box with just a few patterns, nippers, hemostats and 6x tippet.