Over the years I have accumulated a lot of fly fishing gear. There are quite a few rods and reels. I have flies designed for fish I’ll never see. There are also more pairs of nippers and forceps than a reasonable person should own. Bottles of floatant, packets of strike indicators, and sinking agents provide a near infinite array of options for presenting flies across a multiplicity of angling scenarios. So often, the majority of these items get sorted through more than they get used.
Some items, however, stay in the front of the drawer because they’re constantly used. The Fly Trap Fly Holder is one such item. For me, it has been for over five years.
The genius of the Fly Trap is twofold:
- It is simple.
- It allows other gear to be more useful.
At it’s core, the Fly Trap is a tippet bar combined with a silicone fly patch. It holds up to six spools of tippet. There are replaceable silicone sleeves that function as places to stash flies or spots to store multi-fly rigs. With carabiners on either end, it can be attached to a vest, pack, wader strap, cooler, or belt loop. There are also inline spots in the middle of the Fly Trap where tools (such as the pick of the previously mentioned nipper and forceps litters) can be clipped. A nylon cord runs through the entire thing, allowing it to flex and fit however you may require.
The greatest benefit of this simple item is the versatility. It is just as helpful for the bluelining brook trout angler as it is for anyone beach bound in search of striper. You use it how you want to. You put the tippet, flies, and tools on that you want. You put it where is most convenient for you. You load it up with flies, tippet, and tools, and you might not need to take anything else on the water aside from a rod and reel.
Something else that won’t be apparent when you start using a Fly Trap is the thought that has gone into it. I’ve owned three versions of the product. Each time there are small, but noticeable, improvements. The mechanism for loading tippet or replacing silicone fly sleeves has been made more user-friendly. The ends went from clips to cords to carabiners. Each adjustment has been subtle yet noticeable. Each revamp has made the product better for the angler.
That is a lot of energy and effort for a product that rings up for less than $15. But that is what makes me a fan of the Fly Trap and the people behind it.
For five years I’ve constantly used the Fly Trap because it allows me to use the tools and gear I need, how I want, where I want. For such a simple and helpful product, it receives my highest recommendation.
Want a Fly Trap Fly Holder? Head to your local fly shop and ask for one. Or, if you need to you can perform a web search to find one. Artisan Angler, the company behind the Fly Trap, doesn’t sell them directly – but there are plenty of online fly shops that have added this functional piece of gear to their inventory.