I’m guilty of it myself. The collection of rods, reels, fly lines, and fly-tying materials keeps growing. At the pace I’m going (which is modest compared to others in my circle), I might need to start saving for a bigger house. Imagine it: a home filled with fishing gear—and a closet for my fiancée and me to sleep in. Hopefully, that closet is big enough for the dog, too.
Why Anglers Collect Gear
It’s both a practical and a philosophical question. I’ll start with the practical side since that’s the easier one.
More gear means (hopefully) you’re ready at a moment’s notice for any fishing situation you might encounter. Did you start the day swinging for trout with a spey setup, but suddenly there’s a sweet Cinygmula hatch? You’ve got a dry-fly rig ready to rock. Skunked on the hatch and need a morale boost? Luckily, your trusty Euro rod is within arm’s reach. Having the right gear for any job feels comforting—especially knowing you’ve got the best possible tools for a specific angling task.
The philosophical side is trickier. The first explanation for a garage overflowing with gear might be that the angler is compensating for a lack of skill—or at least a perceived lack of skill. Whatever the reason, that $1,000 rod could be compensating for something, especially when it’s paired with an overland-ready Tacoma TRD Pro. I just hope fly anglers aren’t getting too caught up comparing themselves to others, whether it’s about ability or gear envy.
Fishing is deeply personal. We should do it for our own enrichment and enjoyment. Fuck what everyone else thinks—you should fish the way you want, without judgment. Yes, that includes you Euro-philes.
Personally, I collect gear because it’s shiny—and my spirit animal might be a crow. I don’t know what it is about fly lines specifically that gets my juices flowing, because God knows my rod collection isn’t much to write home about. Almost all my rods were bought secondhand and have been loved to death. The big exception, of course, is my custom RB Meiser Highlander spey rod. That stick is my pride and joy.
Rant aside, this might be the real reason anglers accumulate so much gear. The evidence is on the shelves of fly shops everywhere. Would Abel keep releasing limited-edition, overpriced reels if people weren’t buying them? And what about those nippers selling for a couple hundred bucks?
The Cure to Your Gear Addiction
Cut up your credit cards—or bring your wife to the fly shop. If you don’t have a significant other, find one who’s budget-conscious. It’s truly the only way to keep yourself from fishing your way toward bankruptcy.
Beyond that, the solution is the same one I’ve been preaching on this blog since day one: buy solid gear at a fair price that offers great value in most fishing situations. You’ll never stop wanting new rods and reels, but buying quality gear that lasts will keep you from constantly chasing the next shiny thing.
My 9’ 5wt St. Croix Imperial, for example, is a solid value rod that performs consistently well. At $60 off Facebook Marketplace, it’s hard to beat that kind of deal. Every time I look at new 5wt rods, I remind myself I can probably find one just as good for a better price in the classifieds.
Anyhow, I’ll bring this ranty post to a close. At the end of the day, you’ll always want shiny new gear. Just practice self-control and remember that the fun of fishing lies in perfecting an art form that can never be perfected. Just like us, our angling is a constant work in progress. Expensive new shit might give you a brief dopamine boost, but the true pleasure of the sport is found on the water.
Stay frugal, my friends.
—T
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