Beginner setup

[Alabama Redneck]

Guys and Gals looking for some advice on a decent setup for a beginning fly fisher. Rod, reel, line, etc.... What do I need. Will probably start with trout and other fresh water fish like smallies and perch etc. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[Pete]

I'd suggest going to a good fly shop and letting them know what you're looking for. Most high end rod makers have beginner packages with fairly priced setups with matched gear. They usually use a good quality blank for the rod, because they know that makes a difference in the enjoyment of casting a fly rod. I believe the theory is that if you have fun with your first rod, you'll be back for more.

[AndyK]

Head over to River City (not too far from where you are located), tell Don what you want and how much you have to spend.

Five weight rod, an inexpensive reel and a floating line are good starters.

[cphatts]

Great advice from above. A good all around rod is a 9 foot 5 weight. As for manufacturers, as the other guys said, go to a local fly shop so you can check out some prices. I wouldnt spend too much on your first rod, just get something that will get you by for a year or two and you can then plunk down more money after you get better at casting and know specifically what type of fishing you will be doing most of the time.

[Alabama Redneck]

thanks for the replies I guess next time I get days off I'll go looking.

mike

[sparkleboy]

I purchased a pretty decent rod and reel (including backing, floating line, and leader) from Cabela's for steelhead. They have quite a lot of rod-reel combos. I'm just starting to flyfish, and it was definitely in my budget. It's fun and challenging learning, but when I hook my first steelhead, I know it will be worth it.

[Alabama Redneck]

I headed over to River City and was browsing and for my 200ish limit here is the proposal from Don. <font color="blue"> </font> A lefy kreh siganture series 6 Wt rod from TFO, a reel from Albright, Airflo line, a loop, backing , leader and shooting head for $195 seems fair to me as I have heard great things about those rods and the reel is not the most important piece. When I get to go back to make my decision I'll get a few casting pointers. So what do you guys think??? Good Bad indifferent??

:help:
Mike

[kimmosan]

Sounds like a fine setup for the price. And if you take care of it, always transport the rod in it's case, service the reel, etc. you will still be using it in 20 years. Unless you get the bug really bad, then you'll need a 3-4 weight for spring creeks, a 7-8 weight for steelhead, a 10 weight for salmon, a spey rod for big rivers, but I degress. Probably as good a setup as you can get for that price.

[skaha]

I'm from BC so don't know your prices. I used to own a fly shop, sold it so I could go fishing. TFO was one of the rods we carried. Always had good luck with them and no problems with warrenty repair or service.
-good advise to go with a local fly shop that will have all the details for fishing in your area.
--Most fly shops have demo equipment and provide lessons.
--The 6 wt is a good general fishing rod if you're going to have only one.
--Get a good line cleaner and clean your equipment after use. Dirt on the line will act like sand paper and eventually cut through your guides.
--Always dry your equipment out when you get home or the cork handle can mold.
--Try to get involved with a local club to learn more about fishing and tying. Most do conservation work as well
--Always found fly fishers willing to help each other out but may not give all the secrets up until you show genuine interest.

[3riversBob]

skaha...........welcome to ifish. Looking forward to your input here. Where in BC are you located? What is the fish of choice right now where you are?

Bob :wave: :wave: :wave:

[FishonDon]

If Don recommends it, you can't go wrong. His prices are great, and his knowledge awsome.

[Alabama Redneck]

So got most of the stuff listed above from River city fly shop plus leaders and tippe stuff and nippers and forceps and instead of the airflo they gave me scientific line but looked fine to me. Now I'm told I need a good vest and to start looking at waders and boots. I am going friday to try to figure out how to catch a fish with my new setup with a friend that knows what he's doing..( at least one of us needs to). Any recomendations on vests, waders, and boots? of course this is going to have to be a buy over time as I'm on a budget and I dented it real hard for he fly rod setup but I'll get there.

Mike