Let’s not kid ourselves or anyone else. Fly fishing is expensive.

It doesn’t have to be… but it often is. You can get by with only the essentials… but most of us want a few more odds and ends to make it easier or more fun.

That doesn’t mean that you need top of the line everything. There are some things that are worth a few extra dollars. Usually, upgrading some of the most important and helpful gear is going to cost you less than the tank of gas for your next fishing trip.

Here’s my take on three items worth spending a little more for, and three things that you don’t have to break the bank on for quality fly fishing: