The Fly Fishing Tools & Gadgets I Actually Use Under £25
- James
- Aug 29
- 5 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
On The Fly Rod Holder on My campervan
Fly Fishing Tools Quick Summary
You don't need to spend big to make life easier on the bank. At FFF here are 4 of the best fly fishing gadgets under £25, ones that genuinely earn their place in my setup, starting with one I use on pretty much every trip. Fair warning, there's a bit of a magnet theme running through this list, turns out that's just what actually works.
Here's what's coming up:
ON The Fly Rod Holder, magnetic rod holder for your car, £22.33
Cling Mag Grab Mini, magnetic fly patch, £16.99
CrazyShark, Magnetic Net Release, £10.99
Booms Fishing, Zinger Retractor, £9.99
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you do pick any of these up through the links, it genuinely helps keep Fishing Field Fork going, so thank you. James
1. ON The Fly Fly Rod Holder, a Magnetic Fly Rod Holder for Your Vehicle
I always use this bit of kit when fly fishing, it attaches to my campervan with really strong magnets and it looks cool too. Saves messing about.
It's two separate holders that lock together for storage, small enough to keep in the glove box until you need them. Get to the water and you split them, one clips onto the car holding the rod and reel, the other holds the tip end, so the rod sits secure against the vehicle rather than balanced on a seat or lent against the door.
Genuinely useful bit is you can drive with it attached too, rated up to 30 mph ish, so if you're moving along to a different spot on the same stretch of water you don't need to break the rod down and set it back up every time. Just needs metal to grip onto, so works on most cars, vans, or trucks.
I've actually had it on at 70 mph on the motorway and over some genuinely bumpy back roads too, no issues, stayed put the whole way. So the 30 mph rating feels conservative from what I've experienced, though obviously that's on me if I push it, not something I'd recommend without trying it out yourself first.
Also handy for setting up your fly rod and line, keeps everything in place while you're threading the line through the guides rather than trying to balance the rod against the car or hold it under your arm.
Comes in at £22.33
Side angle of the rod attached on the holder Close up of the Fly Fishing rod holder Orvis Fly fishing Rod attached to my campervan
2. Cling Mag Grab Mini, a Magnetic Fly Patch
Every time I use this thing someone asks what it is and where I got it from, looks that good and it's genuinely useful too. I pick out the flies I think I'll need for the day and stick them straight on the mag grab before I head off, saves messing about going in and out of your fly box or bag every time you want to change.
I normally put it behind my shirt or jacket on my chest for easy access, sometimes on the cap instead. Mine's the orange one and it looks fantastic, really good quality too. Between this and the rod holder, my whole setup on the bank is much faster now, flies ready to go, rod ready to go. Means I'm normally on the water quicker than Davo (fishing friend), and I'll take any edge I can get to beat him to the first fish! 😊
Small magnetic fly patch, about 1.5 inches square, that holds flies, tools, or anything steel right against it. Good for keeping barbless hooks from working loose the way they can on a traditional fabric fly patch. Clips onto a hat, vest, pack, waders, shirt, wherever suits.
Comes in a few colours, £16.99
close up of the Cling Mag Grab Attached to Orvis jacket Cling Mag Grab Mini, a Magnetic Fly Patch with some of my flies attached
3. CrazyShark Magnetic Net Release for Fly Fishing
This one's a superb bit of kit. No faffing around once you've caught a fish looking for your net, it's right there on the magnet ready to go. Great for streams and rivers especially, keeps it by your side for easy access.
It's a small aluminium magnetic release. One end of a tether clips to your net, the other to your vest or sling pack, and the magnet holds it all in place so the net's not swinging about or catching on brush while you're fishing. The magnet itself is really strong too, no worrying about it working loose or dropping the net when you don't want it to. When you need it, one quick pull and it releases straight away.
Same magnet works for other bits of kit too, cutters, pliers, nippers, anything small you'd otherwise be digging around in a pocket for. Even after the magnet releases, the tether keeps everything attached to you, so nothing's ending up in the water.
Comes in a few colours, £10.99
Crazy shark magnet attached to my fishing jacket close up of the magnet carazy shark attached to my landing net
4. Booms Fishing Zinger Retractor, the Best value Zinger for Fly Fishing
This one's a must have for me. You need access to small tools fast when you're fly fishing, no messing about stuffing something back in your pocket or bag every time. I've got my snips attached to mine, so it's quick, no faffing around trying to find things when you need them.
Having everything in place and ready to go just makes the whole day more pleasant out on the water, that's the theme running through all four of these really. It also stops you losing gear altogether, which is easily done when you're focused on the fish and not what's falling out your pocket.
Retractable zinger with a 28 inch nylon tether that clips onto your vest, keeps nippers, forceps, floatant, or any other small bits handy without you fumbling for them, and reels back in when you're done. Enough retraction force to actually pull your gear back properly, not just sit there limp.
Stainless steel spring inside with a coating to stop it rusting, so it holds up fine even if you're fishing saltwater as well as trout waters.
Comes as a pack of 3, £9.99.
Close up of the Booms fishing zinger retractor Booms fly fishing three in a box Booms Booms Fishing Zinger Retractor
The Verdict, Cheap Fly Fishing Tools
None of these will break the bank, but they have all earned their place in my fishing kit. Rod ready to go, flies ready to go, net right there when I land a fish, tools within easy reach. That's the whole point running through all four.
Add it all up and everything's just there when you need it, no digging around, no losing gear, no faffing about. Having it all sorted makes the whole day out more pleasant, and for just over £60 combined, it's a cheap way to sort your setup out before your next trip.
Obviously there's loads more stuff you need beyond these four, I'll get round to covering that in another post down the line.
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Thanks James | Fishing Field Fork
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