How to Choose a Good Quality Fly Fishing Hemostat

January 01, 2018

Nowadays it seems that there are lots of options when it comes to selecting a new fly fishing hemostat. The instrument itself is really not all that new and in fact was originally borrowed from the medical and surgical world. The addition of a good quality fly fishing forceps to your set of fishing tools can greatly improve your stream-side experience.

However, with all the options out there today, how do you know which will be the best fly fishing hemostat or best fly fishing forceps (sometimes called pliers) for you? The answer is going to be a little different for everyone based on the type of fishing that they do, but, here are a few key features that we look for and have built into our "Essential Tools" Collection.

Strength. The strength of a fly fishing hemostat is dependent on a couple of factors. The length of the instrument and the material that it is made out of. We recommend that you stay away from plastic or plastic polymer compounds as these tend to be too flexible and don't tolerate temperature extremes as well as stainless steel. We also prefer a shorter length because the longer handle options tend to be a bit more flexible and therefor a weaker grip at the tip.
Clamp Surface Type. There are a number of surface options on fly fishing forceps. Some even have integrated scissors. We don't recommend these because there is too much of a risk of cutting your leader when working with your fly or releasing your catch. We prefer a mixed surface with 50% smooth and 50% knurled. The smooth portion works great for pinching down barbs and gently handling flies in your fly box while the knurled portion allows you to get a firm grip on hooks as you remove it from a fish.
The Finish. Most experienced anglers know that stealth when fly fishing is important. So it has always been a bit of a mystery to us why most hemostats are unpainted stainless steel. The hemostat is a fly fishing tool that you need handy at a moments notice and so often is located on the front of our fly fishing vest or Seeker Series Sling Pack. Naked stainless steel flashes in sunlight and is just one more thing to spook your fishy prey. For this reason we insisted that our hemostats be powder coated in black. They look great and won't spook fish.
Cost. Pricing for these important fly fishing tools range from around $10 to nearly $100. Typically the best fly fishing hemostat is not really the most expensive. In fact, we believe that spending more than $15 on a hemostat is a mistake. The quality is not all that much better in options above that price point and let's face it, this is a tool that has a high risk of ending up at the bottom of a lake or river. We will often carry 2 or 3 hemostats with us for a day of fly fishing just for this reason. It doesn't make sense to spend $40 or $50 on a pair does it?

K&E Outfitters offers a simple, strong, reliable, and affordable fly fishing hemostat that you can count on. We also offer it as a part of our Essential Tools Collection Combo Packs along with fly fishing nippers, retractor, tippet holder, and fly box.

Unlocking the Secrets of Fly Rod Weights: A Comprehensive Guide

July 01, 2023

...Step up to the mid-weight champions of the fly fishing realm. 3-5 weight fly rods strike a balance between finesse and power, making them ideal for a wide range of fishing situations. The 5 weight would be considered the "daily driver" of fly....

View full article →