Fly fishing

Spurchaser

Spurchaser

Well-known member
I’m sure there has to be some very knowledgeable fly fishermen on here, so what would you recommend for a novice just getting into this type of fishing?
I’m wanting something for trout I can air travel with but also be able to use on bream and bass here at home.
I only thought my other “hobbies” were a little expensive until I started looking at fly rods and reels!! And that’s not even including line! It seems “good” line is upwards of $75.
I’m thinking a 5W and 9ft rod, I would like to be able to pack it as carry on if I fly. I’m open to all suggestions that don’t require a second mortgage! Not exactly wanting “cheap” that won’t last or work as needed either, just a decent setup that I can learn with and still catch fish.
 
I’d get an Echo.They have a very good warranty,9 foot 5 is good all around. Think there are 3-4 variations cheaper to expensive, most fly rods in that 150 dollar range are pretty good anymore as are most fly lines.Most rods can be gotten as a combo.
 
That’s gonna depend what type of fishing you want to do…dries, wets, nymphs, euro nymph, streamers…one rod isn’t going to do it all…my suggestion is to look on Facebook Marketplace for used rods…Old Orvis, Sage, or G. Loomis are going to be best bang for the buck….reels I like Lawson, or older Orvis, and I prefer a drag system with adjustable knob.
Plenty of good how to cast videos on YouTube.

It’s easy to spend $$$ on equipment…if you decide you love it..R.L Winston makes some of the best rods on the planet.
Casting style will also dictate what rod action…almost all of the newer stuff is Fast action, which I do not like..I’ve bought several new rods and ended up selling them off fairly quickly.
Dry fly fishing is in a league of its own. Personally I’d rather catch 2 fish on dry vs 10 with other techniques.

My background is, I’m spoiled and have fished the Spring Creeks in Montana, and all over Yellowstone and Wyoming. I was taught to cast privately by Joan Wolff one on one. And learned to fish from a Montana guide. I’ve tied my own flies and caught fish in places guys dream of going. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

I live in Pennsylvania very close to The Yellow Breeches and not far from The Letort Spring Run.
Lastly you will need to learn Etymology and what’s in your local creeks at what time of year.
 
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4 piece rod and case travels good and works fine. My TFO 5 wt (was reasonable $ when I got it) is in the case in back of car for whenever I want it. Like shooting and reloading, lots of 'stuff' you can buy and don't need. Wooly booger and small popper to start with - brim and bass. I don't use factory tippet (big $), just a good 20# followed by 4-5 # leader. Learn to tie knots. I started when I was given my uncle's Eagle Claw pack rig and a Martin reel. Helped with shoulder surgery recovery. Bass, trout, brim, catfish, drum and even a duck.
 
My only time fly fishing was with a guide this past Spring during my Washington trip. We had a great guide that gave us the basics and I was actually putting the fly where it needed to be and even picked up on keeping my line upstream where it wasn’t dragging the fly.
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m considering leaving the gun at home next year on my “PNW Turkey Tour” and taking a fly rod. Just want to get “decent” before then.
And yeah, when we went the trout were hitting on top so dry flies is what we fished. Caught a lot? No! Missed a lot? Yes, lol! They would “slurp” it sometimes and other times attack the heck out of it!
The casting part was almost therapeutic if that doesn’t sound too crazy. Being able to get that fly where you wanted was an accomplishment. The whole ordeal was mesmerizing not only to watch, but to even be able to do.
I’ll look into what’s mentioned, thanks!!
 
In my opinion the rod is the most important tool. If you can find an old R.L. Winston IM6 rod, that is about the finest dry fly rod ever produced. I had a 4pc 9ft 4wt model I used in Montana..they were made in the mid 90’s. Hard to find now a days, next best thing would be a Tom Morgan’s Favorite but they are $$. Dry fly rod needs to be delicate and precise with enough back bone to get out there and still have line control.

Line, Cortland 333+ floating line was always my favorite…Avoid loop to loop leaders, yes it’s a lot easier to change out, but it will leave an irregular ripple on the water and scare fish. Nail knot will do you well attaching line to leader, and blood knots for tippet…

Casting is one thing, line management when presenting the fly to fish is another. Learn to Mend, and learn to read currents and creeks. It will save you a lot of wasted casting. It should be slow and enjoyable and there should be ice cold beer in a cooler at the end of day. It’s much more than just fishing, it’s an art.
 
Flyfishing eh, it's a wonderful life long hobby.

As Greengt88 mentions there are a lot of factors to consider before buying a rod, especially a flyline! Figure out what you plan to fish for mostly then go from there. It can become addicting and like rifles, no single rod will fit every application. I have everything from a delicate 4wt single hand rod to 10wt two handers for spey casting...I got so far into it I make my own reels for them too.
 
I just bagged my random collection of fly rods and bought a Cabela's 4pc 7wt and 3 Maxcatch 4pc rods in 3wt, 5wt and 9wt. I like Maxcatch rods, reasonable and work well.

Lines, I started with lacquered level lines that needed to be dried, double tapered lines were a boon and weight forward lines awesome. I don't find lines that important and like most things you need to advance to a upper level before you can feel the difference. Decent $15. lines work.

Some of my favorite times was drifting the Milwaukee river with my dad.casting poppers under the over hanging willows for bluegills and bass.. I used to take my fly rod down to the river below the dam and catch river chubs for our northern pike trips. . I wasn't above drifting doughballs through holes in the river and hooking big carp, now a big carp in moving water will rival a steelhead, was spooled more than once.

There was a time before spinning rods when fly rods were the only way to toss light weight lures and bait. We had bamboo flyrods and steel casting rod.
 
Forgot this

9wt 9' for pushing large northern pike streamers.
7wt 9' bass bugs and large flies on lakes, salmon and steelhead flies when I lived on the coast.
5wt 9' panfish bugs and trout flies on bigger streams and lakes.
3wt 7' small trout flies on creeks.
 
I think about questions like this and think back on days gone by. I'd suggest a 7wt 9ft, with a light tippet you can still present tiny flies yet have enough backbone to push hair frogs and bass sized poppers.

Have fun fishing
 
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