New Fly Fisher

Friendly Fisher · 06-06-2007, 06:55 PM

So I finally did it. I bought a fly rod. I got a cheep rod and reel to learn with. It's a 9' #5weight Pflueger Purist, with a okuma sierra s5/6 reel. I will be targeting summer steelhead with it until early July when I move to Bend for firefighting and then will be fishing the big D. Tuesday after work I took it out and caught a nice cut. It was a good fight but i can't wait for my first steelhead on it. I know it's a little light but that's how I like it. So that's me! now heres my question, I lost 2 flies because when I am casting I occasionally get the fly to hit my rod which breaks it off. Any advice would be great. I also can't get much distance with my cast. Does anyone have a link to good casting directions or any advice? Because I fish bait and jigs and all that I have a good idea of what flies to use, but any must haves would be appreciated too. Thanks for ANY advice.

NCL · 06-07-2007, 05:18 AM

For fly casting instruction you should look at: http://www.virtualflycasting.com/title.htm

Another sight is sexloops. I like the one listed above better but they both have information. Good luck in your cast quest, I am still on that same journey.

Friendly Fisher · 06-07-2007, 03:06 PM

Great site, thanks you very much.

mgdfly · 06-07-2007, 07:15 PM

5wt. is awfully light for Steelhead. I'd stick to trout. It will be a good rod for trout on the Deschutes, unless the wind comes up, which is very common, especially after noon. In 20+ yrs. Guiding over there, I saw far too many Steelhead played to death on light gear by fishermen, and then released, only to float belly up a short time later. TERRIBLE way to treat such an increadable gamefish. Truely a waste, and not very "Sporting" either. Many of the lakes around Bend have trout that are more than a match for a 5wt. as well, so make sure you have plenty of backing, and don;t play any fish too long, the Lactic Acid buildup WILL kill them even if they seem OK when released. Consider a 7wt. in the future, a little better suited for Steelhead, big flies, and windy conditions. My advice, take it or leave it, but it comes from experience.

Pelhament · 06-08-2007, 12:42 PM

I have caught and landed a few steelhead on my 5wt. While the fight was fun, it took way too long and put way too much stress on my rod and the fish. I kept all the fish I caught on this rod but I have never used it since for that purpose.

Friendly Fisher · 06-09-2007, 04:59 PM

Don't worry about me playing out a fish too long. I fish 7# line off my fly line. 1# heavier than my spinning and drift rods. As far as the rod goes, fish it like you stole it! Who cares!

LaterPeter · 06-09-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Friendly Fisher

Don't worry about me playing out a fish too long. I fish 7# line off my fly line. 1# heavier than my spinning and drift rods. As far as the rod goes, fish it like you stole it! Who cares!

HUH?
if you mean you fish with a 7 lb test leader on your 5 weight fly line & don't think that will wear out the fish... think again. you may want to take some lessons... 7 lb leader will scare most fish when attached to a fly.
5 weight rod with a piece of nylon rope will potentially wear out a big fish... or break the rod. but like you say... who cares?????
not me.
Later,
Senile Lyle

Slow and Low · 06-10-2007, 05:50 AM

Congrats on your purchase. You can catch and land steelhead on that getup but it is way too light for fighting steelhead of any size. It is also too light to effectively cast any decent distance with typical steelhead flies and has no chance of casting sink tips with steelhead flies. You will find that there are trout under 18" on the D that will smoke you on that rod.

I think we have beat the "rods too light" deal to death. You'll figure it out or you won't, hopefuly you don't hook a native until you get at least a 7 weight. And I almost forgot 7# test? you better carry a big shock loop if you plan on swinging. SNAP!!!

Friendly Fisher · 06-11-2007, 12:33 PM

I must be a real doughball huh? I fish for salmon with a 4-10# rod. Thanks for the advice on the line being too heavy. That is what I'm looking for. I don't go around telling you you fish too heavy do I? I get it! Since I'm coming out here I better admit I'm also throwing eggs and sandshrimp on my fly rod. Uh oh, I'm in trouble now! Guys I was looking for friendly advice and I got 1 good reply. Thank you to the person who replied without adding thier

about how I'm unethical and all that garbage.

LaterPeter · 06-11-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Friendly Fisher

Thank you to the person who replied without adding thier

about how I'm unethical and all that garbage.

You're welcome

Fire Fighter · 06-11-2007, 03:31 PM

I fish a 5wt most of the time on the Deschutes and enjoy the fight.....that is for trout - the ocassional strikes I have had by steelhead on my trout rig has proven to be way to much of a work out, running up and down stream trying to keep from breaking off. I have the exact same set-up you purchased - it was also my first fly rod and reel and I have since added a 4, 6 and 7 wt rod to my collection - I don't start with anything lighter than the 7wt when I target steelhead, the heavy flies and lines will be a frustrating adventure for anything lighter.

Keep fly fishing - use what you have but, change the line to a good/decent 5wt line and target more trout.

Get into the dry fly action when you get to Bend.....it will be hard to get you off of the river.

Friendly Fisher · 06-11-2007, 06:03 PM

Thank you.

Slow and Low · 06-12-2007, 05:21 AM

Relax dude. Why so sensitive? You obviousely don't know much about fly fishing so people are just giving you a heads up. The sooner you figure it out the sooner you will become a successful fly angler. Not sure why you threw the eggs on fly rod deal in?
Again relax. If all you have is a 5 wt more power to you.

frankenfish · 06-12-2007, 02:37 PM

Take it one step further. Use a 3 weight and a 5X tippet.

. Hey, we all need to be responsible. I don't generally get into these threads, but fishing for steelhead with a 5 wt and 7# tippet is plain wrong. You will play a native to death and we need to protect these fish. When I see people throwing garbage on the river, I tell them they are wrong. When I hear that a person is planning to fish irresponsibly, I have an obligation to do the same.

TroutGirl · 06-13-2007, 09:43 AM

Starting fly casting with heavy awkward rigs like eggs & jigs will give anyone troubles with casting. It takes a bit to feel the physics of a cast. You might work out your distance and targetting with a piece of yarn on the end or fishing dries. Once you've got that, you can add more weight. and the physics will change, but at least you'll know what its supposed to look and feel like. The more weight on the end, the heavier of fly line you'll want, because its the fly line throwing that weight.