I have this fly rod set up and I know nothing about it

[jeremypeace]

just what the subject said I have this fly set up... The rod is a master spectra graphite composite model 3080bk length 8ft line rec 6-17 wt 3/8-3/4... Reel is a flueger model 1094.. Now I know absolutely nothing about fly fishing.. But really want to learn... Is this set up going to be good to learn on... It's a 2 piece as well... Please any info needed..
[signature]

[poky-mon]

I'm thinkin the 6/17 is the line wt mono and 3/8-3/4 is lure wt those are spinning rod numbers I looked it up and its a about a 10- 20 $ rod. reel probably the same if it can flick a fly try it its a starty then if you like fly fishing then save up and upgrade as you see fit
[signature]

[flygoddess]

I am taking it that this is the rod

http://www.topglock.com/item/87743_Maste...a_Fly.aspx

Looks like a 6 weight. Probably heavy to.

And the reel has no reel drag. It is a palming thing.

Not going to be the easiest set-up to learn on, but it will catch fish.

The line is a big part of fly fishing. Budget line tends to have allot of memory and every hard to cast, specially in the winter.
[signature]

[lucabrasi]

You need to make sure the line matches the rod. If it came as a package it probably does. If not you need to make sure you have 6 or 7 weight line. To learn on don't worry to much about cost right off the bat but flygoddess is right about cheap line. If you go get some line try and get weight forward line. It would say wf7f on the box. Weight forrward 7 weight floating line. You can get line for 20 bucks or so. That is at the low end for sure for line cost. Sounds funny you spend as much as the rod is worth but that is crucial to match up for the rod to work. I could take up a lot of space here telling you why weight forward is best to learn but just do a little search and you will see why it is best for a beginner. Lots of cheap combos come with level line. Yoy could learn with that but wf would be much better. Also if the line is old and cracked it won't slide through the guides well. Also it may be best to get 7 weight instead of 6 as it will make the rod work better for a beginner. Learn on this set up. You can for sure. When you can start casting without wind knots in your leader, snaping off your fly, and other issues pretty consistinently then look at a better set up. Lots of people, me included have learned on low end set ups.
Then you are hooked for sure, and all of the sudden there are countless fabulous setups to lure you in.
Also, if it lists a lure weight on the rod, well, that is new to me. Don't worry about it much to learn on. Just learn the motion and how to cast. Go after some of those planter rainbows. Also don't worry about long casts to start. Short ones 20-30 feet in front of you or less will catch fish for sure. Build up to the long casts.
[signature]

[jeremypeace]

what causes the bbreak off of the fly??? I've had it happen a couple times... Also I had some one tell me that in this order is how it should be set up... Backing, main line, tipit, and then a sepret leader atatched to the tipit... Also.. How long is the tipit suppose to be the one I have is an 8ft I don't have that other leader on as I scene no need for it... I didn't even know that fly reels had a drag like a spinning or casting reel I thought they were all the palm drags... As even the 100 doller plus rels I've looked at where the same as the one I have.. Learn somthing all the time.... Thanks for the info so far keep it coming... As I have full intentions of using the fly soon as open water comes back..
[signature]

[cpierce]

Jeremy, try and make it to the South East Idaho Fly Fishers' meeting tonight. 7PM at Portneuf River Outfitters on 257 N Main Street.

Go early and take your setup. Show it to Rodger or some of the others there and ask them to help you. I am sure they will be happy to. Just don't let Rodger talk you into buying a bunch of more expensive stuff just yet! [laugh][laugh] See if someone can show you how to cast with it, then you can practice the motions at least until the weather gets a little warmer.

Plus you might find someone who lives close to you that can go out with you and show you the ropes first hand.
[signature]

[troutpimp]

Should be set up like:
fly-line | leader | tippet
Fly on the end of the tippet.
90% of breakoffs are probably caused by poor knots and stale tippet. Sometimes the leader to tippet connection will pop repeatedly, in which case you need to replace or retie that section of leader and replace the tippet.

You would be better off buying a cheap modern rod ($40-60) and putting a top shelf floating line on it ($60-100). You could use the reel you currently have. It will force you to play fish by stripping line instead of relying on the drag, which is a big part of fly fishing. I put fish on the reel too often myself. An inexpensive Ross reel would be fine, if you decide to do that, or there are all-in-one setups out there for about $100 bucks. I don't like the line in those setups, though.

Here's the thing: As with many other activities, unless you have a certain quality of equipment, it will be unlikely that you find it enjoyable. The above is the cheapest way I can think of to get you there. Fly Goddess is dead-on with the observation about your fly line. I would recommend a 5 wt 8-9ft rod with matching weight-forward floating line. Rio, Cortland, Scientific Angler are the big ones. Rio is based in Idaho Falls, so...

You should wait until run-off is over and hit a freestone stream near your home and throw big fuzzy hairwing flies around on a new store-bought knotless 9ft 5x leader until you get a hungry cutthroat to smash that thing; then you'll be the one who gets hooked.

P.S. Always wear eye protection when fly casting. I've never hooked my eye, or any part of another person, but I've tagged myself with big heavy streamers more than once. Some people learn to appreciate barbless hooks quickly, you may want to practice casting at targets with a piece of yarn, or a fly with a broken hook so you don't have to learn how to cast the hard (bloody) way. I'm a spaz, I taught myself, it really isn't hard, just different.

I gave away every last bit of my spin and bait casting gear, to a friend in need, shortly after I took up fly fishing. You have been warned.

~Jeremy Anderson
Boise
[signature]

[flygoddess]

YES!!!!
[signature]

[cpierce]

If I am there tonight I would be happy to help you if I can. But those are two BIG ifs for me. I live way up in the boonies and it will partially depend on the weather and roads out. The other thing is that I don't go to many indoor things anymore because of an airway injury that left me "reactive" to fragrances among other things. I usually have to stay back a ways from people in a room. So if I am there I will probably be there at the last minute and standing in the back. --- I may have a ridiculous gray and pink gas mask on. [blush] It may look wonderful, but it is better than not breathing,--- that has a tendency to mess up my mood! [laugh]
[signature]

[jeremypeace]

I really wanted to go but I'm not going to be able to this time.........
[signature]

[lucabrasi]

the fly snaps off because of a wrong motion in your cast somewhere. same with the wind knots. The line hasn't traveled to the proper point over and behind you before you start your forward motion or some other hitch in it that way. You will figure it out. A big enough butt section on your leader tied to your line is needed to heave bigger flies. It may be easier for you to practice with smaller flies rather than big streamers for sure. Something no bigger than a 4 and no smaller than a 12 or so. You will replace your tippet often but your leader will be fine if you are tossing the right flies for the size of the butt section. Sounds like lots to learn, and you will over time.
That's a good idea to wear some glasses when casting also. You'll see that fly coming back at you and wish you had some.
[signature]

[jeremypeace]

I know all about the eye protection needed as when I do try to use a fly rod I'm on my third one mind you in 2 years... The firs I forgot what happened to it for sure but the second I remember well I was fishing a spot on the portneuf called crane creek for small plabters I was acctualy catching them but I'm sure it was because they were fresh stocked any way... The wind went through all of a sudden and I snaged my eyelid and had to cut the darn thing out hurt like heck... And that pole found the nearest fence pole in a fit of rage... And it is needles to say gone.. And I've decided not to go with out my glasses on any more... Also what would cause the hook to break I've had that happen 2 or three times... The hook breaks at the curv..
[signature]

[flygoddess]

Get good Polarized ones as allot of fly fishing is a visual thing.
[signature]

[MatchT]

Your bend of the hook break is something I have only experienced once....possibly because the fly was made wth a cheap hook and too much whipping?

To avoid whipping the fly off my tippet, i look at my fly line on the backcast, when It is about to be fully extended, this is when I begin my forward cast...if you begin your forward cast too soon, it is one of the reason why you snap flys off....

After a while you won't have to look at your backcast but it was helpful during my first few trips out..
my best fishing started when i tried sinking fly line in still water...i've yet to land fish on the river with my fly rod[:/]

good luck
[signature]