Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Gear for the Neversink River New York
Fly Line:
If you want to catch the small brook trout in the headwaters, you may want to use a light line.
This means you will be using small and most likely, dry flies. We would say the ideal fly line
size would be a 2 or 3 weight, floating fly line.
If you fish for the browns in the larger sections of the river, then we would suggest something
larger. We recommend a 5 weight fly line. It would deliver most of the flies that are ideal for
most of the fly fishing you would be doing. If you fish steamers and nymphs, and you should if
you want to catch trout in the Neversink Tailwater, then we would go a little larger. A 6 weight
line would be a good choice.
Most all your fishing can be done with a floating fly line but you may prefer to use a sinking tip
line in some cases. They can come in handy when you are fishing streamers in deeper water.
Fly Rod:
If you fish for the small brook trout as well as the larger browns you would want a fly rod to
handle each of the above line sizes. A light 2 or 3 weight rod would be ideal for the brook
trout. We would say any length from six and a half feet up to eight feet. A slow to moderate
action would be best for this one. It will help you protect light tippets. You would only need to
make short cast.
The five weight rod should be between eight and nine feet in length, a medium to moderately
fast action would be best. This would make the rod more versatile. We would not recommend
a fast action rod in this case.
The six weight rod should be stiffer to handle larger nymphs and streamers. It should be eight
and a half to nine foot in length, in a medium to fast action.
Fly Reel:
The reel for the light line, the 3 weight, just needs to be light. The reel for the five weight rod
should have a good drag. You don't want to hang one of the Neversink's large brown trout
only to loose it because of a poor drag. It should be smooth and adjust to fine increments.
The reel for the 6 weight line should fit the same description as the 5 weight.
Leaders:
You should probably be using at least a 9 foot leader anywhere you fish the Neversink. On
occasions you may need to use a 12 leader. You should have them in sizes ranging from 2X
for streamers, up to 7X for small dry flies and midge, larva, pupa and adult imitations.
Tippet:
Make sure you carry extra tippet in sizes ranging from 2X to 7X.
Waders:
There are places you could fish the Neversink without waders or from the bank. The upper
small brook trout streams would be difficult to access without waders. I wouldn't think about
seriously fishing the tailwater without them.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our choice. The new rubber soles may work well. We haven't tried them
there yet. Dinymo has been confirmed in this stream.
Fly Line:
If you want to catch the small brook trout in the headwaters, you may want to use a light line.
This means you will be using small and most likely, dry flies. We would say the ideal fly line
size would be a 2 or 3 weight, floating fly line.
If you fish for the browns in the larger sections of the river, then we would suggest something
larger. We recommend a 5 weight fly line. It would deliver most of the flies that are ideal for
most of the fly fishing you would be doing. If you fish steamers and nymphs, and you should if
you want to catch trout in the Neversink Tailwater, then we would go a little larger. A 6 weight
line would be a good choice.
Most all your fishing can be done with a floating fly line but you may prefer to use a sinking tip
line in some cases. They can come in handy when you are fishing streamers in deeper water.
Fly Rod:
If you fish for the small brook trout as well as the larger browns you would want a fly rod to
handle each of the above line sizes. A light 2 or 3 weight rod would be ideal for the brook
trout. We would say any length from six and a half feet up to eight feet. A slow to moderate
action would be best for this one. It will help you protect light tippets. You would only need to
make short cast.
The five weight rod should be between eight and nine feet in length, a medium to moderately
fast action would be best. This would make the rod more versatile. We would not recommend
a fast action rod in this case.
The six weight rod should be stiffer to handle larger nymphs and streamers. It should be eight
and a half to nine foot in length, in a medium to fast action.
Fly Reel:
The reel for the light line, the 3 weight, just needs to be light. The reel for the five weight rod
should have a good drag. You don't want to hang one of the Neversink's large brown trout
only to loose it because of a poor drag. It should be smooth and adjust to fine increments.
The reel for the 6 weight line should fit the same description as the 5 weight.
Leaders:
You should probably be using at least a 9 foot leader anywhere you fish the Neversink. On
occasions you may need to use a 12 leader. You should have them in sizes ranging from 2X
for streamers, up to 7X for small dry flies and midge, larva, pupa and adult imitations.
Tippet:
Make sure you carry extra tippet in sizes ranging from 2X to 7X.
Waders:
There are places you could fish the Neversink without waders or from the bank. The upper
small brook trout streams would be difficult to access without waders. I wouldn't think about
seriously fishing the tailwater without them.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our choice. The new rubber soles may work well. We haven't tried them
there yet. Dinymo has been confirmed in this stream.
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Photo Courtesy of Dennis McCarthy Photography
Photo Courtesy of Dennis McCarthy Photography