When it comes to fly fishing accessories, the seemingly endless number of options can get a little overwhelming.

In fact, if you are new to the sport of fly fishing, it can be downright frustrating trying to figure out which items you need and which items you definitely don’t.

But that’s exactly why I’m going to break down the top ten fly fishing accessories that every angler should own.

No fluff; just the most important fly fishing accessories that will actually make your life as an angler more enjoyable.

So, before you drop your next paycheck on every fly fishing accouterment known to man, be sure to read this first!  

1. Nippers

Nippers are easily one of the most underrated tools that an angler can have. Actually, I’m going to put my entire fly fishing reputation on the line (to be fair, I don’t have a lot to lose there) and say that nippers are the #1 most important fly fishing accessory you can own.

(Whew, it feels good to stand up for what you believe!)

What are nippers you might be asking? 

These handy little tools are made for snipping anything from the tag-end of your tippet to trimming the hackle on a dry fly to make it look more presentable. 

They are great little tools that should be in every angler’s arsenal. 

Sure, you could use a knife or your teeth (I’m not that much of a man), but why go through all that trouble when you can get a pair of nippers for $5 at your local fly shop, or opt for a higher-end option like these Simms Guide Nippers. (By the way, you’ll never regret paying extra for a quality pair of nippers.)

Seriously, beyond your basic fly fishing gear like a rod, line, and flies, nippers are one of the most essential pieces of equipment you can own as an angler.

Want to learn more about fly fishing gear and techniques to help you catch more fish? Be sure to read some of our other helpful guides:

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• 25 Best Fly Fishing Gifts: A Legit Gift Guide For Anglers
• 9 Expert Tips To Avoid Fly Fishing Tangles
• Winter Fly Fishing Gear: 17 Items To Conquer The Cold
• What To Wear Under Waders In Summer
• Fly Fishing Gear For Beginners: 12 Essential Items
• 25 Proven Tips To Catch More Trout
• 7 Essential Things To Look For In A Fly Box

2. Waterproof Fly Box

It is no secret that if you want to go fly fishing, you are going to need some flies–and a lot of them! 

But you can’t stop there!

Along with your impressively large collection of flies, you will need a good place to store them. 

For that, we recommend a waterproof fly box.

Not only will this keep your flies protected from everyday wear and tear, but it will make your life much easier when you need to swap out a fly on the water.

I mean, who really wants to spend their whole day fumbling through a plastic ramekin of flies from their local fly shop?

Not me. 

When filled to capacity, many boxes are capable of holding as many as 250 flies at one time. Though, there’s really no need to go that big that quick.

“It’s not the size, mate. It’s how you use it.”

-Nigel Powers, Austin Powers

Oh and, as you probably figured out, the whole “waterproof” thing will keep your flies dry when (not if) you drop your box in the water–assuming your fly box is closed.

Recommended Waterproof Fly Box: BassDash Waterproof Fly Box

3. Forceps

Sometimes, getting a fly out of a fish’s mouth is a lot easier said than done.

This is where a good pair of forceps come in handy. 

These small tools are fairly inexpensive but can be invaluable while out on the water. 

There are plenty of great uses for forceps besides removing flies from a fish’s mouth. 

For example, you can use forceps to hold a small fly while you tie it to your line. 

Or if you have fat fingers, the delicate tips of the forceps can help place or remove smaller flies from your fly box. 

forceps can even be used to crimp the barb on a hook when fishing smaller streams.

4. Tippet Holder

Tippet is a very thin monofilament or fluorocarbon line that is used for the final bit of a fly fishing rig.

As it is one of the most important components of a fly fishing rig, you need a good (and convenient) place to store and access your tippet while on the water.

Enter the Headgate tippet holder from Fishpond. 

This genius little invention gives you the ability to easily carry, access, add, and remove multiple spools of tippet. 

You can clip the holder on your gear, and never worry about losing it or digging through piles of gear again. 

It even comes with a built-in cutting blade to make your life easier!

Related Article: Do You Need Tippet For Fly Fishing? 

5. Dry Fly Floatant

If you plan to do any dry fly fishing, one of the most essential accessories you can carry is floatant. As you might suspect, this waxy liquid (or sometimes powder) is used to help your flies float better. 

It works by creating a solid water-repellent layer on the outside of the fly that prevents sinking. 

By using floatant, your flies will stay afloat much longer, and thus, increase your chances of catching fish. 

There are plenty of different floatants out on the market, and they can be a lifesaver if you plan on using a lot of dry flies! However, if you’re looking for our recommendation, we prefer Loon Floatant.

6. Ty-Rite

The Ty-Rite is a handy little tool that is used to help you tie flies onto the end of your line. 

It functions by holding your small flies without risking dropping it or poking yourself. Simply hook your fly into the spring-loaded hook, and use the pen-shaped Ty-Rite to comfortably hold the fly while you tie a knot.

Seriously, this little tool is the best $15 you’ll ever spend as an angler. Not only will it help you speed up the time it takes to rig your rod, but it will keep you from dropping flies in the water.

With a super simple design and extremely affordable price tag, every angler should have one of these within arm’s reach at all times! 

It even includes a small clip so that you can connect it anywhere. Though, I keep mine hanging from a retractor on my vest so that it’s always front and center when I need it. 

Seriously, this is one simple fly fishing accessory that will easily become one of your most-used pieces of gear.

7. Quick-Seine

One of the worst parts about fly fishing is trying to guess what the fish are eating. Luckily, you don’t have to! All you have to do is get a Quick-Seine. 

With this tool, you can convert your landing net into a seine net in order to capture stream insects and figure out what those fishies are munchin’ on!

The best part is, it attaches directly to the handle of your net and folds up out of the way when you don’t need it!

I can’t stress this enough, if you want to spend less time wondering what the fish are taking, and more time catching fish, you need to get yourself a Quick-Seine. 

Important: Be sure to check your local regulations before using a Quick-Seine, as some fisheries don’t allow water seining.

8. Removable Split Shot Weights

If you plan to do a lot of nymphing, a pack of split shot weights is one of the most essential fly fishing accessories you can carry. 

Without them, you’ll have a hard time getting your flies down to the fish.

But here’s the thing, while split shot weights are easy to connect to your rig, they can be a pain in the rear to take off; which is why we recommend Water Gremlin Removable Split Shot! 

Since they have a small flange on the back of the weight, you can easily remove them when you want to change the depth of your rig. 

These things are a game-changer–and really cheap, too!

9. Strike Indicators

If you’re new to fly fishing, nymphing is one of the most productive techniques you can learn.

However, since nymphing requires you to fish with flies that sink below the surface, you’re going to need a way to “indicate” whether or not a fish has eaten your bugs.

And that’s where Strike Indicators come in handy.

Since strike indicators float, all you have to do is attach one further up your line, and it will twitch, sink, and alert you whenever something happens to your rig beneath the surface.

They’re a genius little invention, and an absolute necessity if you want to maximize the amount of fish you catch.

Oh, and if you’re going to buy a pack of strike indicators, we highly recommend Thingamabobbers.

Why? Because they’re awesome, that’s why! Moving on.

Seriously though, if you want to learn more about why Thingamabobbers are so great, be sure to read this post: 7 Best Strike Indicators For Fly Fishing

10. Net Retractor Or Net Holster

Net retractors are essentially tethers that you place on your net to allow you to use it without fear of losing it.

“Is it true that if you don’t use it, you lose it?”

-Andy Stitzer, The 40-Year-Old Virgin

When your net is not in use, the retractor holds it in place wherever you attach it. When you catch a fish and need the net, you simply grab it and allow the retractor to expand.

However, net retractors are only useful if you wear a vest or a backpack while fishing, since they work best when you hang them from your upper back.

On the other hand, if you’re more of a pack-wearing angler, you might want to opt for a net holster, which attaches to your wading belt (or regular belt if you’re wet-wading).

Either way, having your net at the ready is essential if you’re going to do a lot of fly fishing. And net retractors and holsters are the best way to ensure you do.

Recommended Net Retractor: Fishpond Arrowhead Net Retractor

Recommended Net Holster: Simms Flyweight Net Holster

Final Thoughts

Beyond a rod, reel, leader, tippet, and some flies, there are a few essential pieces of equipment that you should own as an angler.

In fact, the 10 fly fishing accessories that we just covered should be more than enough to help you maximize your fun and efficiency on the water.

Oh, and if you feel like I left out a critical piece of fly fishing gear, be sure to drop it in the comments! We’d love to hear about your favorite fly fishing accessories.

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