Most conventional fisherman have tackle boxes. Variable sized plastic boxes with multiple trays or more recently, soft sided packs with interchangeable hinged and locking trays so the angler can mix and match lures to the specific fishing needs.

The fly fisher, on the other hand, has the ubiquitous vest for their angling needs. Rather than containing simple tackle, the vest is much more than that. There is no fly fisher in more need of a fly vest than a freshwater trout angler.

Flies

Of course, the most important thing a trout angler must have is an assortment of flies. From dries to wets, streamers to poppers, and nymphs to terrestrials, the fly fisher will have a fly for almost any fishing situation. Trout anglers specifically will have a number of flies to match a hatch, when aquatic insects change to their adult form to mate. Trout can be very particular about their fare, so having a variety of flies to meet specific hatches are extremely important to the trout angler.

Tippet material

As a fly fisher changes flies from one fly to another, the tippet will shorten and need replacing. The tippet represents the terminal end of mono-filament fly line and its purpose is to present the fly in a smooth even motion. A line of a single weight will land simultaneously and could spook wary trout. By having a line of increasingly smaller diameter, the fly is presented in a smooth even motion. Once the tippet material is gone, the angler will need to replace it. Since the majority of trout fishing is done with the angler being in the water, returning to the shore or vehicle to replace tippet material may be out of the question. With the vest, the tippet material is quickly and easily available to the angler within one of their many pockets of their vest.

Tools of the trade

An experienced fly fisher will have a set of tools which are attached to the vest. The first of these tools is a modified set of toenail clippers. Larger than normal fingernail clippers, these specific clippers are designed to snip waste ends of tippet material. Some models have magnifying lenses for the angler whose eyesight is not what it once was. A pair of forceps is another handy tool to have. These modified pliers are designed to remove the small hooks from the jaw of the fish and if necessary from the fish's gullet. The forceps also lock together, making their usage with a single hand much easier. Fly line floatant is the last of the tools for a complete vest. This waxy substance is used to recondition the fly line, allowing the fly line to continue riding on the surface of the water. As the line is continually used, its floatation capability diminishes and will begin to sink. Reapplying the floatant takes only seconds and is a necessary tool of the complete vest.

Miscellaneous

Since the fly vest is a jack of all trades and master of none for the angler, here are a few more items typically found in a vest. Line markers, small floating bits of foam or other substance, allow the angler to see when a trout takes a nymph. Since these strikes are very subtle, a line marker is indispensable for detecting strikes. Weights, mostly lead, in varying sizes and shapes. From the basic round crimp on style to a thin strip of pliable lead wire, weights are needed in the case of fishing pools and deep water to get the fly to the trout. A net, normally attached to the back of the vest, is another tool of the angler to land the fish safely and easily.

While not exhaustive, perhaps this brief article will give you a better idea of what the ultimate purpose of a fly vest.

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