What has been your best purchase toward ff and why?
You mean after the first rod, reel and line??? Best money spent??That’s easy…[b]
Lessons with a professional.[/b]
You need the rod, reel and line to participate…BUT catching fish isn’t really about the kind of gear you have…it’s knowledge that gets you in the game. All the rest of the hardware is just fluff to make one feel better.
garb72,
For me I think my best purchase in the world of fly fishing has been my membership in the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF).
I have my Sage rods and my Orvis reels and all the other neat little things that we just have to have, but my FFF membership has opened so many doors to different worlds for me. I am retired and my whole retirement is based on fly fishing, fly tying and working as a volunteer for the FFF.
Larry —sagefisher—
Well, I have bought way to much stuff this year, as I have just got started. Waders, vest, 3wt fly rod from albright, and I ordered a Peak tying vise, but it isnt here yet, and a ODC classic. I’d have to say though the best money I have spent, was when I bought some gas last February. I took a day off and drove down to Tullahoma and met Jack Hise for the first time and made my first trip fly fishing. Now when my wife fusses about all the money I’ve spent, I just tell her it’s all Jack’s fault. 
hNt
a $10 raffle ticket at a trout unlimited auction that won me a winston 8ft 6in 4wt im6 rod
and my sage 8ft 9in 3wt LL
#1 is the basic gear I bought to start fly fishing. If we can’t cite that, it would be the basic gear I bought to start fly tying.
Catching with a fly I’ve tied myself enhances the fly fishing experience. I enjoy tying as a hobby in its own right. The act of tying enhances my ability to day dream about fishing.
Finding the rod that fits so nicely it becomes an extension of your arm.
Even though I’m grinning every chance I get to fish, that rod just makes the grin that much bigger!
hNt;
Thanks for the kind words. Your wife can blame me for all your purchases!!
My best “Purchase” was not realy a purchase. It was setting up the first Michigan Fish-In. What a great and grand time that was! I’ve now been to the last 2 Idaho Fish-In’s and about to attend the 5th Michigan FI. We’ve even had a few Mini Fish-In’s down here in Tennessee. I do plan to be back in Idaho this year!
Meeting other members of FAOL is a great investment in your fly fishing experiance! Try it, you’ll like it!
First quality rod and line. I toiled with cheap junk for years and never really got the hang of it. I bought one of the old Orvis Clearwater combos 10 or so years ago and with that the shop owner offered to take me fishing and fix my cast. My fly fishing grew exponentially that day.
Aside from that, tying lessons. 7 bucks a class for 6 saturdays, I believe. Best $40 I ever spent!
Without question, this has been my best purchase. It has opened up tons of opportunities for me.
My “best” purchase took place on line about 15 minutes ago. This year I was able to purchase a “lifetime” Pa license for $51.70. Now need to live 10 or more years …ohhh yahhh.
Bernie
This was my best purchase…
If I had a picture of it it would right here…
My Marriage license…
It is so related to my fly fishing becasue the fine young lady that came with the license 28years ago is more then happy to let me Fly fish all I want…
To be fair she knew what she was getting into when we first started dating, I stood her up several times for Brook trout…
My next best have been my fishing dogs …
This fellow is proving to be top of the line…
and then my Nor-vise, and first sage rod etc…
You bought a mini dumpster? :lol:
most definitely my wife’s wedding ring. Let me explain. She told me a few years ago that she did not care how many rods and reels I own. THat wedding ring was a fabulous investment.
For Us it has been the Gas we bought and used for going to the places where we have met other member’s of the FAOL Family. 
Kevin,
You cracked me up. Wife too. Both of us got a good chuckle.
:lol::lol:
What Deb said. Got lesson from Ian James for my son so now he feels more confident and wants to go fly fishing with me.
My license every year. The rest of it is just stuff.
two days of fly fishing school to learn what it was all about: $$$$
6’ fiberglass rod outfit from the hunting store to match the little creek that taught me the rest: $
5 years of fly fishing, so far: priceless
I have to agree with that, even though my quality rod and line would still be considered cheap junk by some…LOL