Cheap thrills and hacks for fly-fishing

Autumn begins the season in which fly-fishermen begin to think about putting away their gear for the winter — and begin to think about buying new gear, such as this Umpqua pack. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Fly-fishing, like other addictions, gets expensive. 

It is absurdly easy to read about a new doodad, or the best fly ever, or the miracle tippet material, and charge out and buy it.

These are the things that litter the third shelf of my fishing cabinet. 

It’s a lot easier on the wallet and the psyche to think a bit about the goal behind a new purchase, and perhaps find a less expensive way to accomplish said goal.

Item: Studs for wading boots