I know that there a several new members who have had kit for Christmas and will be hopefully having there first dabble at fly fishing.
Iv seen questions of which rod? which reel? what leader etc.
All very fine questions, but the most important piece of equipment is a pair of glasses, I don't care what glasses! could be £180 Maui Jims or a pair from the pound shop even just safety goggles (you may get funny looks) but you will have your eye sight at the end of the day. Its easy to remove a fly from your ear, but not from your eye, Keep it safe. Mike

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I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,9 bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honey bee.

Well put Mike.
This happened to my brother-in-law. I had to take him to hospital. Fortunately,
he had eye drops put in which relaxed the muscles around the eye, his eye opened and luckily the fly dropped out. Sustained a few very minor scratches.

He was using a black and peacock spider at the time, size 14.

Spot on. And don't forget a hat as well.

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

I gave my brother some of my safety glasses from work to wear on windy days, it really is not worth the risk!

£2 to save your eyesight, it's a no brainer really...

---------- Post added at 12:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:08 AM ----------

Just watched the video, blurgh!

I got some metal swarf in my eye a couple of years ago at work. I wore glasses but I was doing som much cutting / drilling I think I just rubbed it in by accident.

They had to remove it by putting my eye to sleep (well not asleep, just numbed / relaxed so I couldnt blink) then scrape it out with a needle. It was probably the worst experience of my life, as I could see everything they were doing.

I was drenched in sweat by the end of it, would hate to have to see them pulling a hook out!

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My Fishing Blogg:

http://northernflyfisher.blogspot.com/

My dad was very lucky one time,he was casting and I noticed him turn his head sharply and when he turned to face me there was a size 8 lure embedded in the bridge of his nose.An inch or so either way and it would have been an eye!.Would never dream of throwing a line without glasses.
Steve.

Totally agree, one of the first things I got was a set of the cheap fishtec polarised glasses. Even more important as a beginner when just learning to cast.