Tips for finding women’s fly fishing gear for comfort, practicality. How to find quality women’s fishing gear that fits, what to know when making a purchase
Finding comfortable and properly fitting women’s fly fishing gear is becoming much easier thanks to the increased awareness of manufacturers and growing number of women taking up the sport. Whether it’s a fly rod made with a slimmer grip that’s more comfortable to cast or waders that are proportioned for a female frame, change is in air and finding practical, high-quality women’s fishing gear isn’t as challenging as it used to be.
Use these tips to help guide you toward making the best fly fishing gear purchases in terms of fit, comfort, and quality before you buy a fishing license and head out on the water.
Check with Your Local Outfitter
If your local outfitter pays close enough attention to industry trends and demographics, they’ve already expanded their inventory of women’s fishing apparel to include women’s fly fishing vests and women’s fishing accessories (such as hats, sun gloves, belts, wading boots). If you are the type of person who likes to see and feel the quality of any women’s fishing gear you buy, then stopping into your local fly shop or outfitter is best way to ensure you get the quality and fit that you’re looking for. Go into the shop and make sure you try each item on to ensure a good fit. For example, put on the waders or boots you’re thinking of buying, walk around, bend down and use movements that you’d use when on the water.
Ask Professionals for Recommendations
If you’re learning how to fly fish, and want to get the right gear for the type of fly fishing you’ll be doing (small trout streams, lakes for largemouth, saltwater flats, etc.), you can’t go wrong by asking a professional fly fishing guide or casting instructor for recommendations on the best women’s fly fishing gear to use. This is particularly true of professional female guides or instructors who are on the water every week. These women put ladies fishing gear to the test on a daily or weekly basis, which means they can give you the good advice regarding which brands, designs, and features you should look for.
Use Manufacturer’s Size Charts
Not all manufacturers’ sizes will run the same, so it’s important to use the women’s fishing gear size charts for any apparel, waders, or boots that you plan to buy – especially if you’re making an online purchase. Know your current body measurements. In other words, don’t make guesses or use measurements from a few years ago. You’ll just end up having to ship the gear back and deal with the hassle of returns. Most brands now offer size options for women that range from petite to full.
By trying fly fishing gear on, asking professionals for recommendations, and using brand size charts you’ll get the best quality for your money and be much more comfortable out on the water.
