Buying flies one at a time produces a box full of patterns that do not work together. Trout Life is developing kits that cover dry, nymph and streamer fishing, plus the small tools that keep you on the water.
Walk into a fly shop without a plan and the wall of patterns can be overwhelming. Beginners often leave with a handful of pretty flies that cover one type of fishing, and no tippet to match them. A kit puts the pieces in one place on purpose.
Kits are in development. Nothing is for sale on this site yet, and contents, availability and pricing are shared directly when you inquire.
Each concept is built around a type of trout fishing rather than a random assortment. Our guide to the best flies for trout explains the thinking behind each family.
| Kit concept | Built around |
|---|---|
| Dry fly kit | Surface patterns that imitate adult mayflies, caddis and similar insects |
| Nymph kit | Subsurface patterns that imitate insects living and drifting below the surface |
| Streamer kit | Larger flies that imitate baitfish, leeches and crayfish |
| Starter kit | A small mix of all three families with leader, tippet and basic tools |
| Spin angler kit | Small lures and terminal tackle for trout on spinning gear, see our spin fishing guide |
Flies are only part of a day. A few inexpensive tools save time and protect fish, and the following are the kinds of items we plan to include or recommend:
Start with the type of water and fishing you expect. A small stream with overhanging brush calls for different flies than a wide river, and your own habits matter too. If you are learning, a starter kit and a lesson from our lesson program will teach you more than a large box of flies you cannot yet use well.
Gift buyers can also ask about pairing a kit with a lesson or a trip, which makes a practical present for someone who wants to try the sport.
A kit is a starting point, not a guarantee of fish. No box of flies replaces knowing where trout hold or how to present a fly well. That is why we pair the idea of kits with guides on this site and with lessons, because the flies work best in the hands of an angler who understands the water.
We will also be honest about what is and is not included. Kit descriptions will list what you get, and we will not claim performance we cannot back up.
A well-organized fly box is faster to fish than a pocket full of loose flies. Group flies by family: dry flies in one section, nymphs in another and streamers in a third. Within each group, sort by size so you can find a smaller or larger version at a glance. Keep wet flies away from dry ones until they have dried, or hooks will rust and floating patterns will not float well.
Use the inquiry form, choose the kit option and tell us your experience, the kind of water you plan to fish and what you already own. We will reply with what is available or planned. Check the rules for your state before you fish, as licenses and regulations differ by place.
Kits are in development. Send an inquiry and we will tell you what exists now, if anything, and what is planned.
Kit contents are still being defined. Ask in your inquiry whether a rod outfit is part of what you want and we will confirm what is possible.
Sourcing details are confirmed per kit when we reply. We will not make claims about how a product is made until it is ready.
Tell us the kind of water, such as a small stream, a large river or a lake, and we will point you toward the closest match.
Tell us what you want to fish, or learn, and we will reply with what is available or planned.