For those who have never done so, learning to fly fish can seem an intimidating undertaking. Here at The Idaho Angler, it is our passion to teach all who wish to learn our sport. Fly fishing is enjoyable from the first cast and you will find that the basic skills of the sport are easily learned with some help from our knowledgeable staff. The Idaho Angler team prides itself on providing first class instruction to fly anglers of all levels. We offer unequaled instructional classes and high quality affordable gear packages that will get you off and going in this brilliant sport of fly fishing.

We recommend that new anglers start off by taking our Beginning Fly Fishing class. Our introductory classes run through the spring, summer and fall months every Saturday monring from 9am to 12:30pm. The class fee is $75 and all equipment is provided by the shop. During these classes you will learn about fly fishing equipment, techniques such as knots, choosing the right fly and reading water, and you will also receive first class casting instruction.

If one of our classes does not fit into your schedule, we also offer excellent instructional books and videos so you can teach yourself to fly fish. Our staff is always eager to field any questions you might have concerning casting or fishing techniques. We encourage you to call us (208) 389-9957, Email, or just drop in.

To be fully equipped, you’ll need a rod and reel (with fly line and backing), a vest or pack, some basic tools, flies, and waders and boots. Quality, inexpensive starter packages are available through us on all equipment necessary to be a successful fly fisher.

Rod and Reel Outfits:

• Bronze Outfit $130
  A Redington Crosswater series medium/fast action 2-piece rod balanced with a Redington Crosswater series reel, backing and a weight forward line matched to the rod. *This package is also available with a 4-piece rod for $169.
• Silver Outfit $240
  An Echo Classic medium/fast action 4-piece rod balanced with a Ross Flycast reel, backing and a Rio Mainstream weight forward line matched to the rod.
• Gold Outfit $340
  A Sage Launch fast action 4-piece rod balanced with a Ross Flywater reel, backing and a Rio Mainstream weight forward line matched to the rod.

As you move down the list, from the Bronze Outfit to the Gold Outfit, each package is progressively nicer or has additional features. However, all of our packages are high quality and provide all the necessities for the new angler. We believe all of our packages are far superior to comparably priced outfits found in the “big box stores” or the “marts”.

Our Getting Started Outfits all include lightweight functional graphite rods with a properly balanced fly reel and lines matched to the rod’s weight. This is critical to “cast ability”. Backing is included in the package price. The outfit will come loaded, balanced and ready to fish.

Vests/Packs:

You’ll need a vest or a pack to carry everything needed for and enjoyable day on the water. This includes everything from your fly box to pliers and nippers to a bottle of water. Fly vests have long been the tradition for most anglers to carry their gear and remain popular today with those who choose to carry additional fly boxes or more gear. Today, anglers also have the choice of carrying a smaller chest or fanny pack. This is strictly preference and both choices have their advantages.

• Redington Clark Fork Mesh Vest $40
  100% polyester quick-dry mesh vest with a practical pocket layout. Knitted, lightly padded collar for comfort. Nine external zip/Velcro closed external pockets. Fleece fly keeper. Three interior pockets with zipper closure. Large rear-zip closed storage pocket.
• Fishpond San Juan Vertical Chest Pack $49
  The San Juan Vertical Chest Pack is for the angler who likes to travel light. You can eliminate all but the basics and feel comfortable you’ve still got everything you need.
• Fishpond Blue River Chest Pack $69
  Streamlined profile, eleven interior storage pockets and two zippered main compartments, the Blue River Lumbar/Chest Pack is the perfect alternative to a bulky vest. Signature zip-down "fly bench" provides a 6"x 9"rippled foam work/storage area for quick and easy access to your flies while on the water. Flexibly designed as a chest or lumbar pack, the Blue River stays out of the way while casting.

Tools and Tackle:

You’ll need most of the following to be self sufficient and ready to catch fish.

• Fly boxes: Consider a minimum of 2 boxes: one for wet flies and one for dry flies. Approx. $8 each.
• Flies: We recommend a selection of both dry flies and wet flies. The flies you carry will be strongly influenced by which water you choose to fish and also the time of year you’re fishing. Our staff is always well informed as to which flies will work best on a particular piece of water at any given time. Just ask us for recommendations each time you fish and watch your fly selection grow over the years. In general flies will range in price from $1.00 to $2.25 apiece.
• Leaders and Tippet: This, again, is dependent on the water you’re fishing and the time of year. We recommend you have leaders and tippet in 4x, 5x, and 6x for most trout applications and 2x, 3x, and 4x for larger warm water species and anadromous fish. Leaders are $3.95 apiece and tippet is $3.95/spool.
• Fly Floatant: Floatant is available in a liquid or powdered form and costs around $4 to $5/bottle. It will keep your dry flies riding on the water surface.
• Strike Indicators: Used when fishing wet flies, it floats on the surface and lets you know when a fish has taken a submerged fly. $0.65 apiece.
• Forceps or Hemostats: Used to pinch barbs or remove flies. $5.
• Nipper/Retractor: Nippers are used for cutting and trimming leaders and tippet. The retractor attaches the nipper to your vest or pack and keeps them off the bottom of the stream. A retractor can also be used to attach your forceps to your vest/pack and is helpful in preventing loss. Nippers $3.25, Retractor $3.25.
• Net: A net is very helpful when landing larger fish. We recommend you choose one that will not harm the frail skin of the fish you are catching. Cost $22.
• Polarized Sunglasses: Highly Recommended. A good pair of polarized sunglasses will aid in protecting your eyes from sun glare and “wild” flies, it will also help you to see more fish. The price range is highly variable but you can get into a pair for $50 and they can make all the difference in the world.

Waders and Boots:

While waders and boots are not necessary to fly fish, and while we do enjoy fishing high mountain streams in the summer months in just a pair or short and sandals, we do recommend them if you decide to fish tailwater fisheries or during the colder months. Wading boots typically come with a felt exterior sole to prevent you from slipping on wet, mossy rocks in the stream. They are designed to go over a pair of waders which provide a water tight barrier between you and the water. We recommend you choose breathable waders which will keep you cool in the summer but you can still layer with thermals underneath during the winter.

Boots:

• Chota Abrams Creek Felt Wading Boots $49.95
  The lace-up PVC leather and 1200 denier nylon upper incorporates a padded cuff, button hole drains and EVA sock liner with arch and heel support. The specially blended "Dark Grey" Polypropylene felt sole blends in with the stream bottom and is uniquely welded to the upper. This boot has the look of our higher end boots, but without the cost.
• Simms Freestone Felt Wading Boot $79.00
  These boots offer Simms quality, protection and comfort at an economical price

Waders:

Simms leads the industry in durability and breathability. These are our choice for our and guide program.

• Simms Blackfoot Stocking Foot Wader $149.95
  A durable, packable no-frills wader.
• Simms Freestone Stocking Foot Wader $199.95
  Performance and quality at a great price. A perfect wader for a new angler.

For the new angler to be successful and comfortable on the water, a beginner’s package should include most of the aforementioned gear. To summarize:

· Basic Rod and reel package $130

· Fishing Vest $40

· Tools and Tackle Approx. $110 + the cost of flies

· Boots and Waders $200

Total price for a new angler to be completely outfitted and ready to fish:
$480 + the cost of flies

If you opt to teach yourself to fly fish, we recommend the following books as instructional guides:

• Fly Fishing: First Cast to First Fish (Petralia). Fully illustrated, step-by-step guide that will remove the mystery and show you how to cast successfully, locate and catch fish with a fly.
• The Curtis Creek Manifesto (Anderson). A “comic book” style soft back packed with useful information and accurate advice for the novice fly fisherman. A classic.
• Presenting the Fly (Kreh). Lefty Kreh is one of the best known and respected fly fishing teachers and casting expert in America. In this book he teaches beginners
  and intermediates how to get it done.
• Fly Fishing Knots (Motley). A handy little book with good illustrations of the basics of knot tying. It all starts with tying on the leader, tippet and fly.
• Western Streamside Guide (Hughes). Dave Hughes is the acknowledged expert on Western hatches. This book explains what fish eat; when they eat, and how to identify and imitate what’s hatching.
• Fly Fishing Basics (Hughes). Everything from basic tackle & fly tying techniques to hooking and playing fish in stream, lake & saltwater.
• Silver Creek (Clark and Glasscock). The definitive guide to this great Spring Creek, co-authored by Dave Glasscock, our own Silver Creek guide.

If you opt to teach yourself to fly fish, we recommend the following videos as instructional guides, most are available for rent and/or purchase:

• Learning to Fly Fish (Dennis). Equipment, the basics of fly casting, selecting the proper flies, and how to use them.
• Dynamics of Fly Casting (Wulff). Excellent casting instruction by the acknowledged First Lady of Fly Fishing: Joan Wulff.
• Fly Fishing large Western Rivers (Hafele & Smeraglio). This series provides the answers to catching trout on large rivers consistently and safely, and have fun doing it!
• All New Fly Casting Techniques (Kreh). A new video by the master, Lefty Kreh. A very entertaining video, and instructional at the same time. Recommended for intermediate casters.
• Fly Fishing Tips from the Traveling Fly Fishermen (Dennis, Lawson, LaFontaine). The 3 kings of angling in their tell-all video, tons of useful information for all anglers.
• Successful Fly Fishing Strategies (LaFontaine & Sharon). Become a smarter, more experienced angler watching both guides explain how to observe, analyze and fish different waters. You’ll learn dry fly and indicator techniques, but most importantly, you’ll learn to select the best spot, best flies, and best tactics for fishing successfully.