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7 Best Fly Fishing Nippers in 2023

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Fishing accessories are tools that help your fly fishing gear function better, thereby making every fishing exercise a stress-free outing.

One of the most important fishing accessories to have is a pair of fly fishing nippers. Fly Fishing nippers are used for a lot of functions, from cutting lines and tippets to tying nail knots and cleaning your hook eyes.

With fishing nippers, you no longer have to use your teeth or nail clippers as cutting tools. We have compiled a list of the seven best fly fishing nippers, for you to choose from.

Top Fly Fishing Nippers

1. Loon Fly Fishing Classic Nipper 

Best Overall Fly Fishing Nippers

Key Features 

  • Made of quality stainless steel.
  • Designed with a rust-resistant finish.
  • Suitable for freshwater and saltwater fishing.

The Loon Fly Fishing Classic Nipper is a popular choice among fly anglers and for all the right reasons. Made of quality stainless steel, this pair of nippers is durable and maintains its sharpness for a long period of time.

It is designed with a rust-resistant finish which not only makes it durable but also suitable for saltwater fishing. It has a comfortable grip and you will have no problem using it with wet hands.


2. SAMSFX Fishing Line Clippers Nippers

Best Budget Fly Fishing Nippers

Key Features

  • It is made of stainless steel.
  • Comes with a built-in hook eye cleaning needle.
  • Designed with a zinger for easy attachment.

If you are on a budget, the SAMSFX Fishing Line Clippers Nippers is affordable and give you good value for your money. Made of stainless steel, this pair of nippers is sharp and effective.

It comes with a built-in hook eye cleaning needle for taking care of your hook eyes. The finger grip comes with red rubber for a comfortable grip. For easy attachment and storage, the nippers have a zinger retractor. 


3. Loon Rouge Nippers

Best Entry-Level Fly Fishing Nippers

Key Features

  • Made of stainless steel.
  • Designed with a rust-resistant finish.
  • Comes with a lanyard.

The Loon Rouge Nippers is a good choice for beginner anglers. Not only is it sharp, but it is also comfortable to use. The nippers are made of high-quality stainless steel that is sharp and effective.

They come with a non-slip grip, to ensure that you have no trouble why cutting your line and tippets. The rust-resistant finish makes them a durable pair that is suitable for saltwater fishing. The nippers also come with a fly eye cleaner.


4. Dr. Slick Offset Nippers

Best High-End Fly Fishing Nippers

Key Features

  • Made of stainless steel.
  • It comes with an eye-cleaning tool. 
  • Comes with a slanted blade. 

The Dr. Slick Offset Nippers come with a slanted blade to cut the tag ends of the tippet without any trouble. Made of high-grade Japanese stainless steel, this pair of nippers is sharp and effective.

They are also quite versatile, as the nippers come with an eye-cleaning tool and a hook sharpener. For easy attachment of your nippers, a rope is provided. It comes in both satin and black finishes.


5. Umpqua River Grip Nipper

Best Tungsten Carbide Fly Fishing Nippers

Key Features

  • Rubber grip.
  • It comes with a hook eye cleaner.
  • Made from tungsten carbide. 

The Umpqua River Grip made from tungsten carbide is an effective pair of nippers that can cut through any line or tippet in an instant. The nippers are very effective and are finished with a rubberized grip for easy usage.

The nippers come with a hook eye cleaner for cleaning your hooks. For easy attachment, it comes with a hole in which you can insert a clip.


6. SF Fly Fishing Nippers

Best Saltwater Fly Fishing Nippers

Key Features

  • It is made of durable stainless steel.
  • It is corrosion-resistant.
  • It comes with a hook sharpener.

The SF Fly Fishing Nippers is a pair of versatile fly fishing nippers that is suited for both freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. This durable fly fishing nipper is corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for saltwater.

The nipper has a beer bottle opener, which you can use for a cold drink after a long day of fishing. It also comes with a jig eye cleaner, a mono line cutter as well as a hook sharpener.

It has a lanyard for easy attachment to your fishing packs. 


7. Dr. Slick Knot Tying Nippers

Best Mid-Range Fly Fishing Nippers

Key Features

  • Made from high-grade Japanese stainless steel
  • Designed with a straight blade face.
  • Comes with a pin and file.

Dr. Slick Knot Tying Nippers is a good choice if you need a pair of mid-range fly fishing nippers. It is made from high-grade Japanese stainless steel which is durable and long-lasting.

The straight blade face allows you to cut through lines and tippets with ease. It also comes with a file and pin which enables you to tie knots with ease.

A rope is provided for easy attachment. 


best fly fishing nippers

Things to Consider When Buying Fly Fishing Nippers

There are essential features to look out for when choosing a pair of the best fly fishing nippers to add to your fly tying kits. Some of these features are highlighted below. 

Grip

The grip of your fishing nippers is a crucial feature as it helps you to cut your lines properly, particularly when you have wet hands. The handle design and the finish of the nippers are features that determine how comfortable the grip is. 

Material

The material that the fly fishing nippers are made from is an important feature to look out for. This is because the material determines the effectiveness and durability of the nippers.

You want a pair of nippers that will maintain its cutting power over a long period of them. The ideal pair of fishing nippers should also be corrosion-resistant and tarnished.

There are three main materials to consider when it comes to fly fishing nippers, they are stainless steel, aluminum, and tungsten carbide. 

Stainless steel nippers are suitable for cutting both thin and thick lines. Aluminum nippers are strong and suited for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Tungsten carbide is quite durable, keeping the blade sharp for a long period. 

Ease of Use

A pair of fishing nippers that is easy to use will enable you to cut fly lines and tippets, effortlessly and smoothly. Choose fishing nippers with square big jaws as they create a big cutting area, making them easy to use. 

Blade Type

There are two blade types to choose from, depending on your preference. These are removable blades and fixed blades. Removable blades are a great choice, as you can always change the blade when it loses its sharpness.

Fixed blades on the other hand will require sharpening or the purchase of a new pair of nippers. 

Attachments

Attachments help you with the storage of your fly fishing nippers. Nippers are small tools that can easily get lost.

With attachments such as a detachable lanyard and rings, you can connect your nippers to your fishing pack. Attachments also give you easy access to your fishing nippers.  

Handle Design 

The handle design of your nippers directly affects the grip and ease of use that you enjoy. You can choose nippers with comfort padding, as this makes it easy to cut with wet hands. 

Extra Features

Most fishing nippers come with extra features for added functionality.

Apart from their primary function of cutting fly lines and tippets, nippers may come with extras such as an eye-cleaning pin and bottle opener. Choose an extra feature that matches your preference. 

Conclusion 

The size of a pair of nippers does not justify its functionality. It is one fishing accessory that you do not want to leave home without.

With a pair of nippers, you can stop using your teeth and nail clippers for cutting fly lines. Make sure to look out for important features such as handle design, grip, and material before purchasing a pair of clippers. 

Daniel O’Neill
Fishing Expert
Meet Daniel, an avid writer and fanatic angler with a deep love for fishing. As a fly fishing guide and instructor, Daniel brings a wealth of expertise to his writing. With a degree in Business Information Technology, his analytical mindset enhances his understanding of the sport. Daniel's fishing ventures have yielded impressive results, including memorable catches like mullet, sturgeon, double-figure pike and atlantic salmon. In Ireland, he excels as a spearo, specializing in targeting pollock and bass. As a writer for Cast & Spear, Daniel combines his firsthand knowledge, educational background, and unwavering passion to create engaging content. His articles provide valuable insights, tips, and techniques, empowering readers to elevate their fishing skills and embark on thrilling angling adventures.
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