ok looks like i’m gonna be able to attend the fla fish in i’ve never wade fly fished , i’ve fly fished off a boat and off shore never wadeing though so how am i supposed to carry all my gear? do i need to get one of those vests? any help would be great
Bill
A small chest pack with a shoulder strap or a belt pack works well to have extra flies, tippet, leaders, first aid kit, etc. The belt pack might get wet if you wade too deep. A pair of flats boots is a must to do the stingray shuffle. Read the previous FL Fish-Ins info on the FAOL main web page for recommended equipment.
I use a fanny pack with several compartments. You don’t need to carry ALL you gear, a box or two of flies, some extra leaders and shock tippet, pliers, and boga grip, or lippa-for-life will get you by just fine.
See you there,
TT
Sierra trading post has a great deal on a William Joseph shoulder pack/creel. I just took mine out for the first time last night and it is pretty sweet. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4302,71870_William-Joseph-Creel-Fishing-Pack.html
And the lippa-4-life tools are pretty good also.
I wade all the time for bones…I use a fanny pack myself…I take pliers, camera, sunscreen, leader and tippet, flys and gatorade…have fun
No need to pare down gear–just leave in the boat and tow the boat as you wade.
You will need… repeat NEED a stripping basket.
You can buy them or make one but they will handle the tangles of line in the surf or rocks of a jetty.
I made one from a rubbermaid tub with a web belt.
(the right tub has a lid so you can pack stuff in it on the way to the beach.)
There are plans here somewhere on the website I believe.
Drain holes are a must.( a “mitten dryer” fit in perfectly to keep coils from tangling)
DuFf
I carry a stripping basket most of the time, but when I fish a floating line, it’s often not needed. There’s a lot more concentration needed for line control, but it’s one thing less to carry/worry about.
I’ve gone through 6-7 home made baskets over the years. There’s times when drain whole are helpful and there are situations when they’re a hindrance
Drain holes are by no means a must.
My current basket.
I have been wadefishing for many years and don’t use a stripping basket when I’m casting a floating or sinktip line. I find stripping baskets to be a pain in the you know where.
Some swear by stripping baskets; some don’t.
Well there are actually two sides to Drain holes ( he he)
They will fill the basket from the bottom and float line if wading deep.
Without them the basket could fill from a wave and not drain.
My vote- holes since I don’t wade that deep with it.
I found over all it was helpful keeping floating line untangled (with floating crud) and ready to shoot in a cast.
I also found it was helpful keeping line from tangling and catching on rocks on a jetty.
When it was in the way (when walking) I just swung it around to the back.
Overall I would rather have it and not use it at times than not have it and need it.
I also NEVER use a stripping basket…I coil the line in my stripping hand or let it fall…maybe I would feel different if I was in crashin waves or something
I too like the minimalist approach to salt water fly fishing. I keep my flies, split shot, a couple lengths of lead core, and floats in a single accordian type check, coupon folder that I tuck in under my belt when I don’t use waders and a 1/4 lb spool of 30lb test mono in my pocket. I wear my fingernail clippers around my neck with a piece of string. If I need spikes I lace them to the bottom of my sneakers. When I use waders I just throw my gear into the extra large pocket created in the top of them by my belt for salt or fresh.
I still use my old stripping basket; to keep my waders and spikes together in the back of my truck. It’s more of a hinderance for me than it’s worth for anything else.
up date
i fished all day saturday with saltydancindave’s strippin basket( an extra) and when i remembered to strip into the basket it was ok . then i fished all day sun with out a strippin basket and i seemed to cast better with out it . sat was on the flats with an almost slack tide sun was wadeing in the gulf with little swells coming in so i guess i can’t make a decsion about strippin baskets thanks for the advice i used a fanny pack with 2 boxes of flys a roll fo leader 2 bottles of water and a hook sharpener and it worked well
Never used a stripping basket until the current in the river would pull the flyline downriver & shorten casts by hindering the shooting of the line. On the flats they help keep the weeds off the flyline, or from becoming entangled in oyster bars & a quick tug will cut the flyline. On the beach the basket keeps the flyline from dragging in the sand, over the shells & under rocks, or getting entangled in the weeds from the surf & on the beach; all of which will shorten the effectiveness of the coating & at less than 1/3rd the price of a new flyline it just might add a year or more to the flylines fishability. On a boat in the winds it will keep the flyline from tangleing on objects, going overboard when you need that extra 30’ for a good cast or keep the flyline out from underfoot. Also comes in handy for a place to temporarily put the rod & reel to get a drink or for changing flies &/or tippet without dragging the reel through the sand or giving it a saltwater bath, which just creates more work in having to service the reel instead of just rinseing it off.