So.. I was at Wal-Mart last night and on a whim, bought a fly rod/reel combo they had on clearance (I know, Clearanced rod from Wal-Mart, what was I thinking? [
]) It is my first rod, so I figured this would be a less-expensive method of trying out a new presentation for fishing...
At least, that's what I thought it would be.
Turns out the world of Fly fishing is a lot less "tie a fly on to some thick floating line and catch tons of fish." than I thought. I haven't even taken it fishing yet and I already have a much larger respect for anyone who has taken the time to gain an understanding for it.
I've watched a couple youtube videos and I think I could handle a cast, maybe even a roll cast. I may also, after my education at youtube university, be able to actually attach a fly to the leader (Uni-knots aren't that complicated, right?) No way to know until I get out.
I know that there are entire books dedicated to this subject but, Where should a newbie fly fisher start? I know Local Fly shops are a good place to get going and plan on hitting a couple of them up before too long. But I was hoping to get opinions on Flies, Presentations, basic rigs, knots, Locations (if anyone is feeling so generous
) VIA BFT That I could refer back to as needed.
I'm itching to get out on the Provo mostly because I've lived next to it all my life and have fished it ~3 times and never with anything but a spinner, that I usually ended up losing...
Also, I'm not typically a river/stream fisher. So any advice about how to find fish in the river would be welcomed.
Also, any advice on Gear (not necessarily Rod/Flies) that you've purchased that you can't do without anymore would be welcome as well.
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The easiest thing is to find someone that knows the basics and hit the stream. A friend took me 15 years ago. I remember the stopping to bring in and release fish kept getting in the way of my casting practice that first 30 minutes. If your doing something grossly wrong you'll get immediate feedback to correct it. I once was up in Wyoming and realized I forget my rod. I caught plenty of fish on a $19.99 Walmart special that weekend.
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Riverdog you put a
on my face. You are one catchin' machine even as a beginner.[
]
For us average people there are going to be NO fish days. Everyone has them.
I say take a class. Seriously! You want to go to the river and learn some one else's mistakes? Or learn the fundamentals the correct way. Even people whom have been fly fishing for years can learn something at these classes.
Poles are for bait, Rods are for flies and lures[
]
Line is very important. I say this over and over again, but it is. You can cast a GOOD line with a broomstick, but you can't cast a crappy line with a great fly rod.
Your gear will be fine if it is comfortable to you. If it is not, you will loose interest. Happens all the time.
It is a fun fishing style and once you get into some consistency you will be HOOKed.
Come see us at the Wasatch Fly Tying Expo in a few weeks.
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Hey Kodiak, welcome to the light. I like both of the ideas.
Get out with someone and catch some fish. By all means take some classes. I've been fly fishing for over 40 years, and still love to take classes. Heck even Pro golfers take lessons all the time. I'm already signed up for FlyFishingGoddess' class March 29, and 2 others. Fish Tech they are good at getting people the right stuff and pointed in the right direction. Have fun.
humpy
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[quote riverdog]The easiest thing is to find someone that knows the basics and hit the stream.[/quote]
BAM!! Don't give up, it gets frustrating but it's worth it. If you come across the funds hire a guide for a full day, flygoddess can recommend dome, and tell them you hired them to learn
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[quote flygoddess]
Poles are for bait, Rods are for flies and lures[
]
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OP Edited for Content [
] learning something already. Hah.
I'll have to see what I can do about the class. It does sound like a good way to get started.
Maybe go dink around after I grab some flies from Cabelas or Scheels.. Can't learn If I'm just talkin' about it.
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Line is very important. I say this over and over again, but it is. You can cast a GOOD line with a broomstick, but you can't cast a crappy line with a great fly rod.
[/quote]
Line Recommendations? I read an older post saying that most people would go with a Floating, 5, and 7. I don't imagine that the line on the Combo I bought is top notch.
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Scheels has some FANTASTIC deals on lines at times. Get the best you can afford. Cortland Peach is not bad. Get the weight that your "rod"[
] is. And WF is a great beginner choice. So if you have a 6 wt, you want WF6F.
If it is a 6, I do have some Rio. Great price...free!
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Fly fishing is actually simpler than bait casting or spin fishing Kodiak. Rod, reel, line, leader, and a fly. Leader attaches to fly line, fly to other end of leader, and learn to cast it. Fly casting is waving a line with a stick to deliver a fly to the water. Learned easy, mastered with experience. No bails, no buttons, no backlashes.
Like has been said, go with someone, and the learning curve is quick. On the water is the place. Buy a few basic books and read them over and over. From there, its just time on the water, and you can get as engrossed as you wish moving forward. Welcome to the addiction. The quiet sport.
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I'm Pretty sure its a 5wt Rod... I remember looking it over and going. "I have no idea what 5 W T Means." So I had to look that up. I'm excited to get up and look around at the stuff from Scheels. Cortland Peach? I'm assuming that's a brand? Any others you can recommend? Just for the sake of having options.
Now I know that a 6WTWF Means 6 weight weight forward Line though Haha. I'll get there eventually. I'll double check when I get home and see.
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[quote Tarponjim]Fly fishing is actually simpler than bait casting or spin fishing Kodiak. Rod, reel, line, leader, and a fly. Leader attaches to fly line, fly to other end of leader, and learn to cast it. Fly casting is waving a line with a stick to deliver a fly to the water. Learned easy, mastered with experience. No bails, no buttons, no backlashes.
.[/quote]
Why is it more parents don't start their children fly fishing?
Maybe because there is a little more to it then the equipment. Learning to cast would be a starters.
OH, and Kodiak, to learn to roll cast, you need water. It needs the drag of the line on water. It is an important cast to learn however. I do it 98% of the time.
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Actually, its because most parents don't know how to fly fish! But yes, other than casting, which you have to do with any gear, the basic principle is simpler IMO. All my friends with kids taught them to fly fish first though. For an adult, there's just less "stuff."
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As you can read Kodiak, we all don't agree...[
] But the trouble you are having is normal. It is not casting a worm under a bobber, but it can be similar. Knowing lines, leaders, tippet, what X means is all quick and painless.
If you cast lures it will be similar to that as well. Adjusting the speed of return.
When practicing casting, try videoing yourself. Make sure you let the line unfold in the back as well as in the front or you will have problems. Keep the loop small, don't break wrist. Like throwing a ball, keep a straight line on your cast, not like a windshield wiper.
Pretty simple[
]
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Check out this free class at the Expo
[size 2]* Intro to Fly Fishing and Fly Casting with Jerry Puckett
[/size][size 2]This class is designed for the beginner fly fisher. Jerry will start in the classroom with a review of all the basics of fly fishing; rods, lines, reels, flies, knots, etc...everything you need to know to get started. Jerry will also take the class to the indoor casting area for fly casting techniques. This is a great class for youth or beginner fly fishers. We are offering two sessions below.
Email layne@wasatchexpo.com to register.
Friday 3:00pm-5:00pm Cost: [/size][#ff0000]FREE
[/#ff0000][size 2] Saturday 2:00pm-4:00pm [/size]
[url "http://www.wasatchexpo.com/"]http://www.wasatchexpo.com/[/url]
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Like everything else somethings just come easier to some than others. I can't play golf for squat and it looks so easy to me. Fly fishing looked really hard to me but I was amazed how simple the basics (not mastery) were to get down. My son learned to fly fish at 7 and he was telling me to let him cast without any help after 5 minutes on the stream. Did have to remind him about how far to bring the rod back a few times but otherwise I was just pulling hooks out of the mouths of trout for him. He landed 7 10-13 inch trout in about 45 minutes before he was ready for something else besides fly fishing. Maybe it's genetic[
].
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Or well stocked ponds[
]
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I would seriously look into the free expo class, I think you will learn alot. Another line to look at is a Scientific Anglers Supra fly line. Its a great line at a pretty reasonable cost.
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Seems that way. Videoing myself isn't a bad idea at all,
What exactly is a Tippet? I've seen them, but I'm not entirely sure why I couldn't just tie some mono leader onto the fly line and use that. Insights?
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So, If your son can do it and I end up being awful, what does that say about me [
] I definitely am excited to give it all a shot and get out there. Need to stop by one of the fly shops and grab a few things first.. Like Flies for example... hah. I've only got a very basic understanding of what to use and when, 'match the hatch' makes an awful lot more sense to me now. But It'll be a while before I really think I've got that part down.
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I wish that Expo wasn't this Saturday, My Uncle is coming down from Idaho and I promised him an Ice fishing trip.. We're all good to go for tomorrow or I'd find a way to make it there.
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[quote KodiakFisher]Seems that way. Videoing myself isn't a bad idea at all,
What exactly is a Tippet? I've seen them, but I'm not entirely sure why I couldn't just tie some mono leader onto the fly line and use that. Insights?[/quote]
Nymphing and streamers you could. Dry fly fishing you want to be as delicate as you can. So, Tapered leader comes into play. It goes thicker from line to thinner at fly. Makes sense right? I make a Furled leader that is tapered rope sort of. Then a ring on the end that you add Tippet or your mono to the fly. See it can get simple[
]
When one buys a Tapered leader, they attach tippet of equal or one size smaller and tie that to the end of the leader. That will save on the Tapered leader, make it last longer as you will be using the added tippet every time you change a fly. And for MOST of us, there will be days you are throwing every thing you have.
Also at this expo, a lot of the tiers have no problem giving their demos away. I know I didn't. If you plan to go, I will bring a couple of these Furled Leaders for you.
Oh and tippet is a smaller diameter than regular fishing line. More delicate.
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