To change flies quickly, the ability to readily cut or snip the tippet from the fly is required. To do this, the angler must have nippers. Nippers are a fancy form of nail clippers with jaws that remain open at all times and are ready for single-handed use.

Forceps are medical-style clamps that are used to remove flies from the mouths of landed fish. Because the flies an angler uses are often very small, it can be difficult to remove flies from a fish’s mouth with one’s fingers. The jaws of the forceps are used to grasp the fly and then gently back the hook out of the fish’s mouth. This tool is essential to catch-and-release fishing as it allows the angler to quickly return the fish to the water, dramatically reducing mortality rates.