A fly fishing lanyard is a great, minimalistic alternative to the more traditional fly fishing vest or pack. It is easy to take with you on just about any fishing trip, and is a great, less expensive, option for anyone just getting started in the world of fly fishing.
But before you take your lanyard on the water, you need to make sure to equip it with the right fly fishing tools and accessories. Seriously, having personally experienced the nightmare of an ill-equipped lanyard, I can’t emphasize this enough.
So, what exactly do you need?
Well, I’m glad you asked.
In the rest of this guide, I’m going to cover 10 essential tools and accessories to include on your fly fishing lanyard.
Let’s get to it.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we will receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you click through and make a purchase.1. Forceps
Forceps are one of the most useful tools in all of fly fishing, and an essential part of a fully loaded lanyard setup. From holding small flies while tying them onto your tippet to pulling a fly from a fish’s mouth after they have nearly swallowed it, this is a tool you should never be without.
That said, when it comes to dangling them from your lanyard, they aren’t the most convenient of all the tools on this list. In fact, if you aren’t careful to secure them to your lanyard properly, they are a painful eye-poke waiting to happen. Just bend over to net a fish one time, and you will know what I’m talking about.
For that reason, I suggest attaching them to your lanyard using a swivel retractor, and then clamping them down on your lanyard whenever you’re not using them. This might seem like common sense, but it is rather easy to forget. (The scratches on my sunglasses are proof of that.)
Side Note: I have seen a cool idea floating around the inter-webs of a leather holster that sits in the middle of a lanyard and holds your forceps securely against your chest. This seems like an ideal option, but since I’ve never tried it, I can’t give it my official, “two enthusiastic thumbs up” rating. At some point I’ll have to make one and let you know what I think.
2. Tippet Spool Holder (With A Few Spools Of Tippet)
If you’re going to adopt the lanyard lifestyle, it’s easy enough to keep a couple spools of tippet in your pocket. However, in my opinion, this defeats the function of a lanyard, and makes you look like a total newb.
What do I mean?
Well, as opposed to fumbling through your pocket every time you need a new section of tippet, when it’s hanging from your lanyard, you have immediate, one-handed access to it.
Beyond that, having your tippet spools attached to your lanyard eliminates the possibility of dropping them in the water. (Trust me when I tell you, that’s a day ruiner.)
I don’t know about you, but I think those are two phenomenal reasons to purchase a lanyard with a tippet spool holder.
Related Posts:
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3. Small Fly Box
I probably should have put a fly box as the first item on this list, but it’s my list and I get to do what I want. So, here we go, if you want to rock your fly fishing lanyard like a boss, then you should 100%, without a doubt, add a small fly box to your setup.
There are all sorts of lanyard fly box options out there, but I prefer fly boxes with the little slits so that you can keep your flies nice and organized.
That said, you could also opt for the kind with little compartments. These aren’t my favorite, because your flies will just end up getting tangled with one another. But for those of you that don’t suffer from ‘Obsessive Compulsive Fly Box Organization Disorder’ (or O.C.F.B.O.D. as most doctors call it) they will get the job done.
4. Floatant
If you’re going to be doing any dry fly fishing while wearing a lanyard, then you’d better have a little floatant dangling from your neck. I mean, I’m all for the minimalistic approach, but that doesn’t mean you should be unprepared.
Floatant is essential for a proper dry fly presentation, so don’t forget to add this little piece of bling to your shiny new fishing necklace.
5. Nippers
The more I think about it, the more I realize that nippers are probably the most essential fly fishing tool out there.
I mean, if I really had to, I could do away with every other fly fishing accessory I own, and be just fine. However, if I need to change a fly, cut away a wind knot, or hack a tangle into pieces and re-rig from scratch, nippers are critical to my success.
Therefore, if you want to equip your lanyard with the essentials, nippers should be at the top of your priority list.
6. Leather Leader Straightener
If I’ve learned anything in my 20+ years of fly fishing, it’s that presentation is everything. So, the last thing you want to do is cast a squiggly, unkempt line into the water. Beyond that, if you don’t take the time to straighten your leader, you’re in for a long day of tangles and frustration.
That’s why it’s a great idea to hang a leather line straightener from your lanyard. This simple little tool is an important part of your success as an angler. And since a good line straightener will only run you about $6, there’s no reason you shouldn’t incorporate one into your fully loaded lanyard.
7. Fly Drying Chamois
As the name suggests, when you’re dry fly fishing, it is essential to keep your flies dry.
The dryer they are, the better they will float, and the more realistic they will look to the fish.
That’s why, whether you’re wearing a lanyard, vest or pack, it’s a good idea to keep a little fly drying chamois hanging around.
This tiny piece of absorbent cloth is a phenomenal addition to any lanyard setup, and is sure to help you catch a few more surface-feeding trout.
8. Shirt Clips
One of the worst parts about wearing a lanyard, is that it will smack you in the face every time you bend over. Now, maybe you’re into that sort of thing (no judgement), but if not, you can easily avoid this with a few shirt clips.
I personally like to put three clips on my lanyard whenever I’m using it: one on either side, and one at the bottom. But if you like to live life on the wild side, you could get away with one clip right at the bottom.
9. Ty-Rite Hook Holder
Do you struggle to tie flies onto the end of your line?
Does the idea of tying a clinch knot with 6X tippet give you cold sweats?
Well, prepare for your mind to be blown, and your fly fishing prayers to be answered, because I want to introduce you to the Ty-Rite Hook Holder.
As opposed to clamping your fly in your forceps (which is rather inconvenient), or holding it in your hands while trying to turn it without poking your fingers, this little pen-like tool allows you to hold a hook in place, and makes clinch knots a breeze.
I don’t like to fish anywhere without my Ty-Rite, and if you’re looking to outfit your lanyard with the ultimate setup, this is a tool you need to buy.
10. Retractors and Zingers
With the exception of your fly box, most of the accessories on this list require a more range of motion than your lanyard alone will provide. And that brings us to the final item on our list: retractors.
Retractors (or zingers as they’re often called) are an absolute essential item when you’re loading-up your lanyard.
Without retractors, you will either have to do everything within the reach of your lanyard, or constantly take your lanyard off. I don’t need to tell you that this is quite inconvenient when pulling a fly from a fish’s mouth, or re-rigging.
Put simply, retractors allow you to bring your tools to the fish, not the fish to your tools.
You Might Also Like:
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- 7 Essential Things To Look For In A Fly Box
- What Is The Best All-Around Fly Rod Weight?
- 7 Best Strike Indicators For Fly Fishing
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, the perfect fly fishing lanyard setup.
Now, I realize that there are plenty of other tools and accessories you could include on a lanyard, but if you’re just looking to equip yourself with the essentials, these are the 10 items I recommend the most.
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