fly rods/reels?

[Fish Slayer]

I'm looking at getting a fly rod and I have never done it before. I don't want to spend a whole bunch of money though. I was thinking like within $150. Got any tips about rods/reels? :shrug: :whazzup:

[ 01-14-2003, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: Fish Slayer ]

[Grantspastor]

What are you going to fish for? The reel becomes more important with bigger fish like steelhead. If trout are the quarry, you can shift a little more money towards a better rod. The size of the fish, and the size of the flies you will fish, will also determine what weight rod and line you will buy. Don't let any sporting goods salesman convince you that one rod will be o.k. for everything. My recommendation for trout (and Rogue River steelhead) would a 5wt system. If you're going to target steelhead in rivers from the North Umpqua.. north, Probably an 8 wt. Where you will fish also comes into play. If you plan on fishing larger rivers like the Deschutes, and will need to cast longer distances, you might want to make it a 6wt. outfit. If it's going to be smaller streams and shorter casts, you might want to make it a 4 wt.. Don't let this be confusing. There is a lot of expertise out there. I don't know if this books is still in print or not, but a good beginner's manual for fly fishing is called The Curtis Creek Manifesto. It is a wealth of information presented in cartoon form. Concerning brand names in that price range? I would think that you could score a Lamiglass, a Fenwick, or St Croix, maybe others in that general range. Remember that good fly lines are not cheap. For most situations, I think you will likea WF Floating line.

[Snap-T]

Start with a six weight! You can fish trout and toss big flies (Salmonfly hatch!!!!!!) Plus if you get a six weight you can fish steelhead as well. You can handle most summer steelhead on a six weight. You will be limited to the amount of water you can fish for steelies though. Stay away from really big water sections of your favorite rivers. Honestly most summer's don't deserve more than a six or seven, especially the further south you go. GPastor is right about the reel. Keep it simple in the begining, the reel is not half as important as the rod and line. I stress the importance of line.

St. Croix is probably the best bang for your buck. I really don't think any one would argue. They have a great warantee and make a fine rod.

I don't know how you are going to respond to fishing a flyrod. This may change your life and you might in a year or two be upgrading to a Sage, T&T, Scott, GLX or any other high end rod/reel combo. If I could do it over again I would sell all my baseball cards and buy the best of the best, but that is just me. I now have the best and my mid grade gear sits. It is only used as back up or for friends.

Simple facts, if you want one. Six wt---St. Croix with a good line (Top end --Cortland/Rio/wolfe triangle/SA/airflo)
It may be smart for you to get a versa tip flyline as well. Multiple fishing options less expense!

Mid grade reel!

Good luck,

Snap-T

PS If you are up in the Oregon City area, stop by Fisherman's Marine right off the freeway. Tell the store manager (Robert Cambell) you talked with Jeff Williams and see what he has for you. I suggest a store of this caliber, because if you go to a pro-shop they will smell the fresh meat and oversell you.

[deefly]

I certainly agree with the above. The reel is not that important for trout and bass. Okuma makes some little dandies for not much doe. However, do you want to support China? I got a problem with that. Try looking into some older antique reels. Many can be had in the 15-35 dollar range. St Croix would certainly be a good rod choice. Good luck and Good Hunting! :grin:

[Orange Heron]

Redington Red Fly complete outfits are right around $160.00 and they offer a lifetime warranty on the rod and the reel. The rod is great the reel is ok. The reel is a single action with no drag but if your looking for a trout outfit it will work great.
I must disagree with Snap-T's comment about pro shops and the smell of fresh meat and the over sell. Not all pro shops are that way!!!

[Otolith]

I have an Orvis Rocky Mountain that I'm pretty happy with. It has a replaceable spool cartridge - replacement cartridges are like 15 bucks. This way you can have a spool each of floating line and several different types (speeds) of sinking lines, and easily swap them out as needed. For instance, you might be sitting in your tube in a lake fishing nymphs on a medium sinking line, then a hatch starts so you want to switch quick to a floating line and fish dry flies. The reel itself is about $65, has a disc drag, and comes in different sizes (3/4, 5/6, 7/8).

[drbfish]

fly logic also has some set ups for cheap.

I know the fly shop up in Welches has some used gear. And I think River City (washington square area) does too. Ditto on the cheap reel. Unless you are winter sh or salmon fishing a cheap reel is fine. The ONLY thing that you should not skimp on is the line. Spend $45 or so and get top quality line. The Welches shop has some close out lines for a great price.

[moman]

St. Croix and Redington both offer reasonably priced and good performing packages and best of all, their rods (even the $98 St. Croix Pro Graphite) come with unlimited transferrable lifetime warrantees. Slam it in the trunk, send it back.

[Sirprize Sirprize]

I've fished with a Loomis gl3 for several years now...the warranty is limited but only cost 30 bucks for a new replacement after the rod wouldn't separate. I went with St. Croix for single and spey rods due to their reputation and terrific warranties...if you fish a lot and are tough on your gear you will definately use the warranty. Don't make the mistake of buying a cheapo outfit and then want to upgrade after a year...then the 'littlemoreexpensive' rod becomes costly.

[lost_sailor]

6 weight sounds good. I have a 5-wt Kunnan graphite composite 9' rod, I've had it for about 19 years. Do they still make Kunnan rods?

Pflueger Medalist has always been adequate for me. I'm not a big spender :depressed:

[Gizmo Man]

FS. You are getting a lot of good advise. You must however, tell us what you want to fish for. Trout takes different equip that say steelhead. And then summer sh vs winter sh may take you to other choices.

Let us know and we will help you.

Giz...

[ultralight]

What fun would it be for you to tell us what you need?

Just go with 3 wt. and just about everything you hook will feel like a whale (not that I've ever hooked one). BTW, you should also wear size 6 shoes when you fish :grin:

[garyk]

In order of importance it's rod-line-reel.

Get a decent rod, like recomended above. Then check on Ebay for a top-of-line Cortland or SciAnglers line (I can't speak for Rio, Airflo, etc.). A slick-shooting, long floating line makes all the difference. I've used lines that felt absolutely raspy as they slid through the guides and were really crappy.

For under $200 you can get a respectable outfit. The quality has gone up and prices down over the last decade - as well as a greatly expanded selection. Feel free to post specific questions.

[Fish Slayer]

Well I've been looking around and I would like to fish for steelhead so I thought about getting a 7/8 wt. rod.
And I've seen in Cabelas that they had a redington rod for like $59 and Cabelas makes a reel for about $49. So I was thinking about getting that rod/reel and then cortland line and maxima leader and tippet. And I also saw that redington had a nice combo too for like $169 or $179. Any input that you have would be very helpful to me. graemlins/1zhelp.gif :grin:

[ 01-16-2003, 06:01 PM: Message edited by: Fish Slayer ]

[SSPey]

another vote for getting a good rod. for steelhead, the standard is a rod 9' or 9'6" that casts an 8 wt line.

Like Mr. Orange Heron (who knows a thing or two about fly tackle, and I'd highly recommend his shop, though I don't shop there much because I don't live in Salem...) I've also been impressed with the Redington Red Fly rods. The ones that I have cast have excellent taper designs for my casting stroke. I hesitate to recommend ANY rod that you haven't cast, but this one is probably as good (or better) than most in your price range (I like it more than the St. Croix Pro for the same price - but that's just me - and St. Croix has a very loyal following).

I still use click reels for my steelheading (OK so they're Hardy reels and not so cheap) and I think that you can get away using a cheap click reel IF it is reliable and IF it has a palming rim that you feel comfortable using. Most prefer a disk drag so that the reel can do all the work.

and yes, get a good line - eBay is a great source of inexpensive lines, look for Cortland 444 or 444SL, Scientific Anglers Ultra 3 or 4 or Mastery, and RIO brands.

whatever you do avoid the Cabela's lines (better still, avoid all their stuff)

[Steelie28]

I agree. St. Croix and Reddington are good rods for the money. I a big supporter of anything that says Orvis on it, but the Rocky Mountain reel is economical. Tioga makes a fairly good reel for the money.

Steelie28

[Catch 22]

I have a St. Croix 8 wt. 9' Imperial I would be able to part with if you're interested. It's a great steelhead rod. I'd ask about $125. New is $160.
Give me a call if interested.

503-679-6962

[greenbuttskunk]

If you're talking about flyfishing for trout, get a 5-6 weight rod with matching reel. North x Northwest amd and okumo reel sets you back about 140, plus a fly line. A nicer midrange outfit will help you learn to cast better and therefore have more fun out of the gate, and you won't have to upgrade so quickly. Money well spent.
GI joes sells these, or go see the boys at fishermans. Avoid a serious fly shop right off the bat, they tend to sell higher end rods and reels and you may be somewhat intimidated.
Enjoy the river!

[hickwithaflyrod]

WAY TO GO RICH!!!(Orange heron) not all fly shops over price there products I know several that charge the same as everyone else. I fact you might think that they are ripping you off and mabe they are but its not there falt. Most of the time its because all other stores that sell the product has it at that price so inorder to compete they have to bring up there price too.... So Snap-t please get your facts strait before you blame thanks little buddy....

John

[wolfhunter]

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS SUPPORT THE PRO SHOP...VERY FEW WILL TRY AND RIP YOU OFF, AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF U, IT THE OPPOSITE THEY TEND TO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE U ARE THERE SO SPEND SOME TIME AND MONEY AND U WILL LEARN. big box stores only know quantity.....

i would suggest a 5 wght, in the end a six is a little heavy, have fun with the fish and make it a challenge.
oh and orange heron does have a nice shop in salem, very knowlegeable, frequent it OFTEN