So I've wanted to blog about a certain subject for quite a while now -- money. Now don't get me wrong-- I love this sport-- but I'll be damned if the "rich white-guy's sport" stereotype doesn't hold a bit of water. Ok probably more than a bit -- I remember reading somewhere that the majority of fly fisherman are middle aged, male, white, and have college degrees (assuming from that we/they are career oriented folks). The demographics themselves don't bother me (I will fit them someday - though I think diversity is better) but in general the prices on fly fishing equipment reflect the target audience. And as someone who started fly fishing during college-- those price tags hurt.
So I'd like to start a series of posts (and hopefully receive suggestions) about how to save money in this sport. I will also mention where I think it's NOT worth it to skimp on the price tag. Here Goes.
Shaving Money.
Beads, and hooks are expensive. Razorblades are cheap.
Every so often I go through all my flies and re-organize my fly boxes. Usually I come across dozens of poorly tied flies, odd experimental flies, and fish-chewed flies-- the likes of which I will probably never fish. I take these out and put them in a box labeled "cull." Then after the box has 50 or more flies I will get the razorblades out and shave off all the glue, lead, feathers etc to save any quality hook that is unbent and sharp and pretty much all the beads as they are almost never damaged. I salvaged these about a week ago:
This is where I mention something that isn't worth skimping on-- quality hooks (in respect to trout fishing).
This last go-round I used wire cutters and clipped the eyelets off of 20 or so hooks to save time removing the bead because the hooks were cheap. Time on the water is precious and if I'm going to invest the time and materials to tie a fly it's worth it to use a hook that won't let me down. My main nymph go-to's are the TMC 2457, the TMC 3769, and the TMC 2499spbl for a barbless hook. These are stout wired hooks with small barbs, sharp points and wide hook gaps. For streamers I generally use TMC or equivalent hooks-- anything that looks stout and feels "sticky" sharp. Confidence is a precious commodity-- you will catch more fish if you are confident in your fly-- so buy good hooks and if you mess up a tie-- shave it and get it right-- it's worth it. (The only reason I go back to my stash of cheap hooks is when I have a left-field fly idea I want to try.) Just remember that fingers are also a precious commodity when using a double sided razorblade-- notice the band aid? Yep, don't cut towards your own fingers.
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