Similar to the sport of hunting, fly fishing requires some attention to one’s apparel. For those concerned with creature comforts, nylon/polyester fishing shirts will be the most comfortable. Their water-resistant properties as well as the lightweight cloth will keep you dry and cool. These shirts are especially popular in the summer, however often worn as a base layer in the fall and spring. During the colder months of the year, one should consider fleece or a polyester shell to retain body heat. Being cold on the stream can ruin a very productive day of fishing.

For the lower half of the body, nylon/polyester pants are great for keeping you comfortable whether you wear them in waders or wear them alone. In the winter months, consider some fleece pants or synthetic tight bottoms. These help trap heat but also allow for your breathable waders to keep you dry.

One must also give some attention to the color of their clothing. Most small stream fishing is done near wooded stream banks. For this reason, it is best to wear earth tones – khaki, olive, gray, brown. On some of the tailwaters that you may fish, shades of blue, gray, and white will blend in with the sky overhead. These colors are also those used when saltwater fly fishing.