Fly fishing accessories are designed to handle water, movement, and frequent use, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored between trips. Adamsbuilt Fishing creates gear built for real fishing conditions, and proper care helps that gear perform the way it’s intended. Cleaning and maintaining your accessories protects your investment, improves reliability, and makes every trip easier.
How to Clean and Maintain Fly Fishing Accessories
Rinse After You Fish
After fishing, rinse your accessories with clean water. This helps remove dirt, sand, and grime before it settles in.
Fly boxes, waterproof storage bags, packs, and small organizers all benefit from a quick rinse. If you fish in muddy water or rough conditions, this step matters even more. Skip strong soaps. Plain water works best.
Let Everything Dry Completely
This is one of the most important steps and also the most ignored. Open all zippers. Leave pockets unzipped. Open fly boxes. Set your gear in a place with good airflow and let it dry fully before storing it.
Even waterproof fly fishing accessories need time to dry. Trapped moisture can cause smells, stiff zippers, and worn materials over time. If you use a backpack with a water bottle pocket for fishing gear, don’t forget that pocket. Water from bottles or condensation often collects there.
Take Care of Zippers
Zippers fail faster than almost anything else. Dirt and grit get stuck inside and slowly wear them down. Every few trips, rinse zippers with water or brush them gently with a soft toothbrush. Once dry, open and close them a few times.
This applies to sling packs, storage bags, and any backpack water bottle pocket that has a zipper or tight opening.
Keep Fly Boxes Clean and Dry
Fly boxes are small, but they protect your flies. After fishing, especially on wet days, take flies out and let the box dry. It helps prevent rust and keeps foam inserts in good condition.
If a fly box gets dirty, rinse it and wipe it clean. Let it dry before putting flies back inside.
Wipe Down Packs and Bags
Packs don’t need deep cleaning often. A simple wipe-down works. Use a damp cloth to clean shoulder straps, back panels, and pockets. These areas collect sweat, dirt, and water.
If your pack has a backpack with a water bottle pocket fishing design, check it often. Spills and moisture build up there faster than you think.
Store Gear the Right Way
Good storage helps your gear last longer. Don’t store accessories while they are wet. Avoid stuffing everything into tight spaces. Choose a cool, dry place where air can move around. Hang packs if possible. Keep fly boxes closed once dry. Give everything space. This is where the best waterproof fishing jacket separates itself. Waterproof fabric keeps water out. Smart pocket placement keeps your routine intact.
Make It Part of Your Routine
You don’t need special products or long routines to keep your gear in good shape. Basic care goes a long way. These small steps help prevent common problems like stuck zippers, damp pockets, and worn materials.
Adamsbuilt Fishing designs accessories to handle real fishing conditions, not just ideal ones. Packs, fly boxes, and storage gear are built to deal with water, movement, and frequent use. Maintenance doesn’t change that design. It supports it. With simple habits and quality accessories from Adamsbuilt Fishing, you spend less time dealing with gear and more time doing what matters most. Fishing.
Also Read: Why Waterproof Gear Matters More Than You Think.
FAQ’s
Yes. Moisture often collects in the water bottle pocket and can cause odors or material wear.
Rinse zippers regularly, remove grit gently, and open and close them after drying.
Store gear clean, dry, and loosely packed in a cool, well-ventilated area.

