WE SUPPLY FLY FISHING TACKLE FOR ALL OF OUR TRIPS & VACATIONS IN THAILAND.
However, most of our guests who come to Thailand prefer to use their own tackle.
Fly Rods
A 9 foot 9 weight fly rod will cover barramundi, jungle perch, pacu, striped peacock and the smaller giant snakehead and red tail catfish. A 6 or 7 weight fly rod will give good sport with Java Barb, smaller Barramundi and Jungle Perch. However, when large Giant Snakehead, Arowana, Arapaima, large Catfish and Alligator Gar are the target species an 11 weight or heavier fly rod is essential. In all instances the larger fly rods should be capable of casting large, heavy flies - 1/0 to 3/0. Saltwater fly rods have the best action for these situations. An ideal range of fly rods would be 7, 9, 11 and 13 weights. We prefer Loop fly fishing tackle.
Loop Tackle - our Guide's Choice for fly fishing in Thailand
Used and Abused by Thailand's leading fly fishing Guide !
Click on the Loop Logo to see the tackle of your dreams.
LOOP Opti Coastal Fly Rod & Speed Runner Fly Reel
Sage Fly Rods & Tibor Fly Reels at the ready
Reels
Bring your best fly fishing reels. For example -LOOP Opti, Tibor Everglades, Riptide and Gulfstream (or Abel equivalents) work well in Thailand. Each fly fishing reel should carry a minimum of 200 yards dacron 30 lb. backing. Gel spun or similar backing is NOT recommended. IMPORTANT suggestion - renew the backing line on all of your fly fishing reels. If you already have new backing, cut and retie your arbour knot - fish in Thailand frequently run out all the backing, this is not the time to test your arbour knot.
Tibor QC Fly Reel - Fly Fish Thailand Recommended
Fly Fishing Lines
Tropical fly fishing lines are mandatory in Thailand. A floater, intermediate or intermediate sink tip and sinker will cover all fly fishing situations in Thailand. We will be delighted to advise you. It is important to note that fly fishing tackle is NOT generally available in Thailand. Fly Fish Thailand carries and supplies stocks of leaders, flies, backing, fly lines, wire trace & mono. The most reliable brand of fly line and leaders for fly fishing in Thailand is RIO. Welded loops at each end of the fly line are desirable. Braided loops are not recommended. If there is no loop at the end of the fly line, make one by whipping with Kevlar thread and finishing with RIO knot sealant.
Fly Fishing Accessories for Thailand
We can all be guilty fo buying far too many fly fishing accessories which are either left at home or in the fishing bag. The Abel fly fishing accessories (shown below) cover all eventualities. They really are the "Guides First Choice" when fishing in Thailand.
Abel Fly Fishing Accessories, ideal for Fly Fishing in Bangkok
Leaders
Fish in turbid water are not leader shy, so leaders of about 7 to 9 feet long are suitable. When fly fishing our clearwater lake in Thailand, extend the leader length accordingly. Tapered braided leader butts are not suitable, they lack the suppleness required to turn over a large fly, they also tend to become somewhat soft in the hot climate. By far, the best material to construct leaders is RIO Hard Saltwater Mono.
The most consistent leader configuration is to build a butt section, matched to the fly line, with a non-slip or perfection loop at each end. Tippet sections of varying sizes can easily be attached to the butt section whilst fishing. For larger fish, and those with teeth, a shock leader of heavy mono or braided wire is added to the class tippet.
Knots should be strong, reliable, simple and easy to tie in all conditions.
The following knots are suggested for use when fly fishing in Thailand -
Loops
Lefty’s Non-Slip Loop, use for loop to loop connections and tying on flies to heavy shock leader.
Perfection Loop, forms a neat and strong in-line loop.
Joining Lines
Lines of similar diameter Double Grinner Knot
Lines of different diameter i.e. shock leader to class tippet, Nameless Knot. See detail Nameless Knot
Tying on Flies
Small diameter tippets - Grinner Knot
Large diameter shock leaders - Lefty's Non-Slip Loop