Flyfishing Noob here

[Joel O]

Hey all,

I'm starting to become interested in flyfishing and was wondering if you could give me a few suggestions on a basic flyfishing setup. Rod, reel, line, flies etc...

I spent a weekend flyfishing on the Metolius a few years ago and I have an ok handle on technique(relatively :wink:), I'm mainly looking for pointers on equipment. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :pray:

Oh...I'll mainly be targeting trout and occaisionally a steelie.

[Fly Junkie]

I like the NorthXNorthwest rods at Joe's they are $99.99 with a lifetime warrantee. I have a 8wt. for steelies and silvers and a 6wt. for trout. I cant give you very much advice on reels but my cortland 7/8wt. works just fine for beginers.

[steel_beaver]

5 or a 6 wt for trout 8wt for steelhead. There are many options out there if you are on a budget, some of the better ones are ECHO, TFO, Redington. Buying used mught be a good option too if you want a better setup. It never hurts going to your local fly shop and asking what specials they have... you'd be surprised at the deals they have these days.

Good luck

[LaterPeter]

Get yourself to a local fly shop, take a class for beginners, find some nice guy on the river to assist you... My opinion is to NOT try to teach yourself from a book or a video, in the beginning anyway... to difficult to see your mistakes & therefore correct them.
It's so much easier learning to do it right then to try to unlearn bad habits & create correct technique.
A good beginner's class will offer you a multitude of rods (actions, lengths, weights) from which to learn... see what fits you/your style best. Cheap isn't necessarily best except if you're thinking Fly Fishing may or may not be for you...

later,
Peter

[Pelhament]

I agree go to a local fly shop and have them set you up.

Personally, I owned a NorthXNorthwest rod and the warranty came in handy because I broke that damn thing five times and finally had Joes put the $99.99 towards a half way decent rod and bought a redington. Only rod that I owned that has broke for no apparent reason, and multiple times at that.

Chris Pelham

[Kevin2023]

Try an echo. I love mine. They are located in Vancouver so no mailing required :) if you ever have a problem.

[Pelhament]

I should also state that I own Echo, Redington, Sage, Orvis, Albright and TFO rods. They are all great rods. I think the Echo is my favorite single hand rod though shortly ahead of my TFO.

[blummer08]

If you are looking for tips on fly patterns and possibly how to tie them and some guidance as to technique etc. We are starting a fly tying round table on the 11th of March at the Clackamas Wichita Pub across from Fred Meyer's warehouse will start at 6:30 PM should be a good time good food, adult beverages and comraderie. Would love to have you attend so I an not the only newbie.:meme::excited:

[WyomingFisher]

Hey all,

I'm starting to become interested in flyfishing and was wondering if you could give me a few suggestions on a basic flyfishing setup. Rod, reel, line, flies etc...

I spent a weekend flyfishing on the Metolius a few years ago and I have an ok handle on technique(relatively :wink:), I'm mainly looking for pointers on equipment. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :pray:

Oh...I'll mainly be targeting trout and occaisionally a steelie.
Hi Joel,

I don't know boo about salmon or steelhead (the reason I joined the forum is to learn) but have been fishing for high country trout for over 30 years so I might be able to help there.

Fly fishing is one of those sports where your needs will change as your skill set improves. Starting out I'd recommend an 8.5 foot 5 wt rod with a slow action. Lots of stores will try and sell you the ultimate rod, but a fast action is frustrating for beginners. Here in Wyoming we have 2 seasons; winter and house guest. I have 2 Cabela's traditional rods just for visitors who have never fly fished before. They are only $70 or so and will meet your needs for a couple of years. One will pay for itself by the number of flys you don't snap off.

For trout, the reel doesn't matter much, I usually strip them in anyway. I've been using a Pfleuger Medalist for decades. It is about as reliable as an anvil. I have a half dozen spools with different lines, but stick with a weight forward floating until you get your rhythm down. Something like a sink tip will just be aggravating. Skip the strike indicators and all that stuff.

Some things are worth spending money on, one of which is a braided leader. I use a 9 footer from Orvis and it lays out like a pancake. Another is lessons. A good instructor will make your life much easier. People don't take advice from friends very well so I run most of them up to Jackson to the Jack Dennis fly shop for a lesson. They start out using a fly rod like a buggy whip but end up with a wonderful cadence.

Keep your tip up, your line tight and have a great time.

[Skunked]

Whichever set up you go with, be sure you get a top quality fly line, that's the most important piece of equipment in my opinion:twocents:

[tfisher]

:agree:The most important thing to remember is to have good fly line. I can't tell you how hard it is to cast a rod that has bad line on it.Also make sher that it has enuff line that were ever your fishing you wont be in range to get snaped.:alert: