just getting into this sport. (wish I would have started when I could SEE tiny things without cheaters)...

what's your favorite "gadget" that you wouldn't want to be without?

not really thinking about MUST HAVES (rod, reel, leader tippets, nets)...more like: specific tools, strike indicators, "third hand" rod holders, etc...

things to make it "easier"...

Thanks!

Yep..Float tube or inflatable pontoon and good waders and boots..

Cinch-tie knot tyer

Yep..Hemostats and nippers is a must have on a zinger...

Polarized lenses, shaded head, good cigars

The less gadgets the better in my opinion. When i fished those waters I generally wet waded in reasonable temps. For leaders i use maxima mono and tie my own. Dont bother wasting money on tapered leaders. If trout fishing i just do 4-6ft of 12lb to 4-6ft of 6 or 4 lb( probably 4 for you). East coast trout are finicky. Smaller flies the better.

A wading pack is nice to have. Nymph/streamer box, dry box, midge box, leader, fly floatant, small thingamabobbers, nippers, hemostats, net, polarized glasses. I have extra fly line loop ends in there as well. Dont forget your license. And thank god you can atleast fish on sunday!

Tie fast ..knot tyer. I have 2 of them …makes tying on flies wicked easy….plus wicked easy nail knot too…Won’t go fishing without it.

And learn how to tie a blood knot

Just a decent forcep that can cut fishing line is all you need.
No need for ziggers, no need for nippers.
Just use the lock on the forceps to lock it on a pocket flap.

Surgeons knot. Way easier. Imo

This pretty much.

Some guys get into the gear more than the fishing.

I carry flies I use,
a forcep for getting hooks out if I need that also doubles as a cutter for line,
a small spool of 8lb and 10lb mono for leader, all I use for leader is approx 3-4 ft of either weight depending upon conditions
a net, I try not to touch the fish, I release everything I catch
Polarized glasses for eye protection in case for whatever reason a fly gets shot back at me
and of course waders and a jacket as I do vast majority of my fishing in early spring and late fall when its cooler out.

Yep..I'll have to look into forceps..I don't think I can give up my zinger though..LOL

Guess how many swivels it took to cover this dime…

Dry fly floatant.

I also like bead heads for nymphs.

There are fly boxes with fine wire needle threaders inside. You can pre-mount your usual flies on them, put the tippet through the large loop in the needle threader and just pull the fly off and it is threaded ready to tie your clinch knot. My dad, who fished until he was 85 loved the one I gave him. https://www.caddisflyshop.com/c-f-design-small-5-row-standard-threader-box.html

Also, if you use a net, they sell a magnetic net realease that hook onto the back of your vest collar that keeps your net out of the way, but you can just reach for it and pull and you are ready to net your fish. There is still a lanyard involved so you can't lose the net.
https://www.caddisflyshop.com/magnetic-net-release.html

I agree that the less you carry, the better.

Pete

I cannot think of the specific name. They make a small magnifying glass that clips to your baseball cap style of hat brim. It flips down when you need it and folds back against the brim when you are done.
Very handy for tying on small flies etc.

Mac

The fish on the end of the line.

This might sound corny but my one most important bit of advise or thing you will need most is.
.......knowledge, and I'm sure alot of fellows here will agree with me, research research research then get out on decent water and apply what you've learned thru that research, fly fishing isn't hard to learn, fly tying in general isn't hard to learn, gadgets are gadgets that's it, I've seen a fellow standing in a stream with every fly fishing gadget ever made hanging off his fishing vest, some old dude with years of experience standing beside him, his only gadget was a old tin sucrets box in his pocket, he out fished the gadget filled vest 10 to 1, you can do this, just do your research on the gear you use and the insects in your chosen waters. Mimic as best you can the food source, stay calm, relaxed and enjoy your time outdoors, in no time at all you'll be cooking trout on a stream side bank somewheres smiling at the time your enjoying and the knowledge you've gained and taught yourself, that first fish on that first self tied fly can be a reason for celebration, wishing you the best of luck

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!