Tackle, including fly rods, reels, lines and leaders, are not covered in this course.  There is a separate course for each of these topics.

Vest

The vest, or functional substitute, is a sartorial certainty for most fly fishers.  It is on first impression an item of clothing, but in reality it is a very specialized toolbox.  The purpose of any fly fishing vest is to carry the items you need while fishing so that they are readily accessible when you need them.  When you get a vest, or "fanny pack", get one that:

1.  holds the stuff you need (such as those items described in this section);
2.  has easily accessible pockets (try the vest on and reach into all the pockets);
3.  is "fish friendly" in color (we feel that bright colors scare bright fish);
4.  is toward the lighter side in physical  weight;
5.  has pockets of the proper size that will hold your fly boxes; keep in mind, the more pockets & stuff in those pockets, the heavier a vest becomes and the less time you will fish with it;
6.  is well-constructed: vests get a lot of on-&-off, throw-it-in-the-back use;
7.  is of the appropriate length for the type of wading you are going to do (e.g., wading in depths up to your armpits means floating for most vests, so a "shorty" style may be needed);
8.  is large enough to fit over the undergarments you will normally wear while fishing (and still allow freedom of movement for casting).

For most fly fishers, one vest can meet their �all season� needs.  Add warmth by layering garments underneath.

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Chest, waist or "Fanny pack" style