Fly anglers don’t actually need many accessories. Here’s the gear that matters

There’s a clichéd image of the fly angler as foppish figure, dressed to the nines in expensive gear, and festooned with dangling trinkets. It’s embarrassing. It also gives the impression you need all that stuff to go fishing. You really don’t. In the vast constellation of fly-fishing accessories, very few items are actually essential. If you’re just getting started, or if you’d like to fish a little leaner, here’s my take on what you actually need, what you don’t and why…