Starter Fly rod setup question

[MossyOarReelCreek]

Ok, I am ready to get into fly fishing. I have a basic knowledge of weight and length of fly rods as they relate to the body of water you would fish them with. I will mostly be fishing smaller streams. The Blitzen, Big Creek maybe...etc.. and some lakes now and again.

Got any recommendations for a starter rod/reel combo? Say around $200.00 ( I know I could spend a lot on a Sage, G-Loomis etc) Maybe after I get into more and have some sucess. Any input on what rod length & wt would be great. I know you can't do everything with one fly rod.


Thanks,
Ron

[TallFlyGuy]

Ok, I am ready to get into fly fishing. I have a basic knowledge of weight and length of fly rods as they relate to the body of water you would fish them with. I will mostly be fishing smaller streams. The Blitzen, Big Creek maybe...etc.. and some lakes now and again.

Got any recommendations for a starter rod/reel combo? Say around $200.00 ( I know I could spend a lot on a Sage, G-Loomis etc) Maybe after I get into more and have some sucess. Any input on what rod length & wt would be great. I know you can't do everything with one fly rod.


Thanks,
Ron

I'd go with a TFO 5wt Professional or Ticr, maybe an echo classic, or redington CPS. Lots of them going up brand new that are about $99 on another board. Watch for slightly used. Great deals. If you want new, its gonna be tough to get the whole setup new under $200, unless you go cheap.

The other board is www.washingtonflyfishing.com (http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com). If this get erased, i'll pm you.

example....

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/board/showthread.php?t=41609

Justin

[MossyOarReelCreek]

Thanks Justin!,
I went to the Angler's Workshop sale last weekend and got to try out fly rods for the first time. The had a combo deal for about $180.00. I don't know anything about their quality. So thanks again for your input. I will keep an eye out for some used items and will bite the bullet for a new one if need be.

Ron

[TroutGirl]

You say small creeks and rivers. Then probably a 5 wt is oversized, but it is probably the most versatile rod you could buy. If you plan on fishing the Deschutes a five is the choice.

Other than that, I hardly fish my 5wt. I also have landed lots of fish on the D on my TFO 3wt. The 3wt just doesn't cast as well in the wind, or if a big fish heads for big water, its over.

The TFO 3wt is my favourite rod. Its pulled up some nice fish. And for small streams, don't worry about the real too much. Its just a line holder in that case.

Its when you're fishing bigger water, bigger fish that you need drag and that stuff.

Good luck. Enjoy it.

[MossyOarReelCreek]

Thanks Heather!
I appreciate the input. As you say with the 5wt being the most versatile certainly has merit. I will give it a look.:wave:


Ron

[Wiggley1]

A 5# is a good all around rod, period. I started on a Redington Redfly 5#, with an Okuma someting. Replaced it with a Sage 9' XP 590-4 on sale when they were on discontinuation sale and a Ross Evo reel.

Have an Orvis 7# for bass and steelhead.

I just got a 3# for most of the streams and creeks in OR. It is a Cabelas Three Forks 3# 7'6" mid flex. I got the combo reel a CSR1, tossed the fly line and got Cortland 444 WF rocket taper line. What a dream this cheep little combo is. Oh yah, it cost $114.00 plus the differant flyline 40 bucks. Check Cabela's site for combo's. I bought this rod from the experiance and multiple recomendations from these discussion boards. Plus I went to Cabelas in Utah and tried out a BUNCH of 3# rods, Winston, Sage, TFO, Redington rods were sweet but for the price, I'm very happy.

Next rod will be a 9#