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10 Fly Fishing Accessories Under $50
Posted by: Alex
Date: 09/03/2025
If you are fly fishing around the Bozeman area, then you know the opportunities are nearly limitless, and a few smart tools under $50 ensure you spend more time fishing and less time fumbling with gear
Must Have Fly Fishing Accessories
Fly fishing is full of little details, and it’s often those small, everyday tools that make the biggest difference. Whether you’re just getting started or rounding out your Montana fly fishing gear kit, these ten accessories all come in under $50 and can seriously improve your time on the water. None are flashy, but they are each essential fly fishing accessories that every angler will come to greatly appreciate when used often and correctly.
1) Hemostats
From popping hooks out of mouths to pinching barbs and unhooking flies from nets or jackets, a solid pair of hemostats gets used all day. Look for ones with a locking grip and handels that are easy to work with, like the standard Dr. Slick Clamp.
Hemostats are available in myriad shapes, sizes, and colors these days. Some of our guide favorites include multi-use clamps, such as those designed to help remove split shot, scissor clamps, or hemostats with smooth jaws for handling delicate flies.
Dr. Slick is a Bozeman fly fishing company that has been crafting tools for anglers for over 36 years. They are a Bozeman angler favorite for their desire to bring surgical-level precision to fly fishing gear that is reasonably priced and purpose-built.
2) Nipper
A sharp pair of nippers makes trimming tag ends and cutting tippet way easier, and most come with an eye cleaner for clearing out glue-clogged hook eyes.
They’re one of those simple but essential tools that you’ll reach for constantly throughout a day on the water, whether you’re re-tying after a break-off, switching flies, or cleaning up a knot.
Nippers are also one of the most commonly misplaced pieces of gear; they slip out of pockets, get dropped in the river, or vanish somewhere in the drift boat long before they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Because of this, there is no necessity to overspend on this particular item, the Dr. Sick Traditional Nippers are a great place to start.
3) Dry Fly Floatant
Floatant keeps your bugs up where the fish can see them. Whether you prefer gel, powder, or a shake bottle, it is a staple of dry fly fishing in Montana.
Loon Aquel gel floatant has been the benchmark in this fly fishing category for decades. It's environmentally friendly, and its chemistry ensures consistency in both hot and cold temperatures.
Simply apply a small dab directly to your dry fly before fishing and then rub it into the feathers and dubbing until it's lightly coated throughout. Once the fly becomes waterlogged after fishing or from landing a few fish, use Loon's Top Ride to dry and coat with powder desiccant by shaking your fly in the handy bottle.
4) Split Shot
A small container of split shot makes it easy to adjust depth without re-rigging an entire setup.
Non-toxic options are best for our local rivers and the BB size is generally a reliable size for most conditions around Bozeman. Available in multi-size or single-size dispensers, anglers have plenty of choices to help them get that weight dialed in just right.
Dinsmore split shot is a solid choice, packaged in color-coded, easy-to-dispense containers with a full range of sizes. The shot is smooth and rounded to help protect tippet from damage, and having multiple sizes available ensures effective presentations across different water types and flows.
5) Strike Indicators
Indicators provide a visual connection to what’s happening beneath the surface, helping detect subtle takes and unwanted drag during long drifts.
Indicators come in all types of shapes and colors, make of everything from yarn to biodegradable foam. Savvy anglers carry strike indicators in a variety of sizes and colors to be well prepared for every scenario when fly fishing in Montana.
Oros, is a Bozeman fly fishing company that has reimagined the indicator with a simple screw-together design that secure to your leader without kinking your line. They’re easy to adjust, and they come in a range of sizes and colors for maximum visibility.
6) Fly Box
A sturdy, waterproof fly box with solid foam or silicone inserts keeps flies organized, dry, and protected from the elements.
Slim boxes are ideal for small dries and emergers, while deeper boxes handle bulkier nymphs and bead heads. Streamer boxes provide extra height for large, articulated patterns, while compartmentalized options work well for midges and tiny flies.
While fly fishing guides typically need a specially designed boat bag just to carry their fly box selection, most anglers fishing the Bozeman area can get by with a few, small fly boxes loaded with essential patterns.
7) Tippet Spool Holder
A tippet holder solves the problem of spools unraveling loosely in your pack, keeping them neatly stacked, accessible, and ready to use at a moment’s notice.
Most holders are designed to carry multiple spools at once, allowing you to keep a range of tippet sizes organized without adding bulk. Sticking with one specific brand of tippet ensures that the spools will all fit comfortably together, and it is an important thing to note when putting a spool holder together.
The Fishpond Headgate is one of our Bozeman fly fishing guides' top picks as it clips to packs, boat bags, boat seats, cooler handles...you get the picture!
8) Zinger or Retractor
A zinger keeps your nippers, hemostats, or floatant attached to you, making it one of the simplest and most effective pieces of gear you can carry. They clip easily to a vest, pack, or wading belt, and the retractable cord keeps tools within reach while preventing accidental drops into the river.
While it might seem like a small accessory, a zinger is cheap insurance that pays for itself.
Over the course of a long day, having essential tools tethered and ready to go can save time and frustration, especially when you’re changing flies often or working quickly in tough conditions.
9) Cling Magnetic Fly Patch
This little gadget from Bozeman fly fishing company Cling uses a strong magnet and lightweight aluminum plate to hold your flies while they dry or to keep them handy between swaps. Instead of stabbing into foam or tucking flies in awkward places where they can get crushed, the magnetic surface keeps them secure and easy to grab.
It’s especially useful when you’re changing patterns often, letting you line up a few go-to flies so they’re ready without digging back into your box.
The slim design clips neatly to a pack, vest, or boat, taking up almost no space while adding a lot of convenience.
10) A Cold Beer
Okay, maybe not an “accessory” in the traditional sense, but after a day in the sun, landing fish or not, a cold one at the truck just hits different. Doesn’t matter what brand, as long as it’s cold, and it is just as important, that you pack it out. In essence, the same goes for any trash you bring with you on the river.
Empty cans, tippet clippings, and snack wrappers should always leave with you, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for litter that others may have left behind.
Helping keep our local rivers around Bozeman clean ensures these places stay as beautiful and fishable for the next angler as they are today.
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