Beginning fly fishing
Beginning fly fishing
I've been interested in trying out fly fishing for a couple years now, and need to ask some very basic and fundamental questions in getting started. First off, admittedly I really don't have a clue into where to start off. The more I look into and read, the more I become overwhelmed with the info... Type of rod, type of reel, combo vs no combo plus the knowledge folks have gathered....quite impressive yet overwhelming. What I'm intrigued with is the tactical nature or approach fly fishers have with the "sport" combined with the natural settings you can place yourself. I'm want to give it a serious go. I guess what I'm looking for is some advise as to where and how to best equip myself. Let's set a budget of $350. How would I best get started...remember, I have zero gear. Advanced apologizes for my cluelessness and my advanced thanks for your advice.
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carp-starter
- Participant
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2004 8:09 am
- Location: Toronto GTA
Before you do anything as to what to buy, you must first answer certain questions. When these questions have been answered, you will then be able to start looking at specific rods.
At this time, do not worry about the fly reel. The real purpose of a fly reel is to just hold the fly line – period. If the specie of fish runs normally 50 yards downstream, then a reel with a good drag system might be required.
The selection process if done in a logical manner, will result with the best results – less chance of screwing things up. There are 3 questions – what species of fish, how large is the water and what size flies will be used.
These are the questions you must ask and answer.
Which specie of fish will you be fishing for? If your rod will be used for multi species of fish, make a list and try to give a % as to how often you will fish for each species of fish. If you want to fish for resident trout and pike; forget about buying just one rod – the difference is way to much. If you will fish for resident trout and bass, then you probably will be able to find an acceptable and good rod for both. Since you live in Kanata, I am guessing that most of your fishing will be for bass and/or pike. If this is the case, you will be able to get one good rod for both species of fish. That is why it is so important to first answer the 3 questions.
As a one rod fisher, I would buy the rod that has the highest % of use.
What size of the water will you be fishing most of the time? Is it a river/stream or a pond or a lake? There are narrow streams and wide rivers. In small streams, one will normally use a lighter line – 3/4/5 weight line. In large waters, 6/7/8 might be good.
Fishing for the same size trout in a river or a lake, normally fishing a lake will require a rod that will require a line that is 2 sizes heavier. This is because the method of fishing will be different. In a lake, you may have to go down 20 feet down.
What size fly will you be using most of the time? What flies will you use most often – nymphs, streamers, dry flies or wet flies? Right now I am looking for a place that sells fly hooks in size 28/30/32.
The weight of the line you will get will depend on the 3 questions. Once you get the answers, you will get the proper weight number of the line and then the proper rod that will cast the selected fly line. Yes, the line weight comes before the rod.
When you get the answers for the three above questions, you will then be able to go to step 2. Yes, step #2 requires some thought and of course there are questions to be answered.
There are certain things to think about. Since it is August, I would suggest that you do not buy a fly rod this season. Investigate online and learn and learn and learn. You will probably be ready to buy around next February or March.Perhaps you can take a fly casting course that are offered at stores and at clubs. Here you will be able to test out the various setups.
What action should you get? Be aware that most fishers will cast 30 to 40 feet of line most of the time. Once in a while you will hear that a guy is able to cast 80 feet of line. So what? Fast action rods will cast furthest but are not too good for short distances. Slow action rods cast the least and are best for not breaking off your leader if you choose to go down to 8X. So most people will compromise and get a medium action rod or a med/fast action rod. You would have to try out rods. But I would never recommend a fast action rod – these rods basically have one purpose – distance.
There is another thing to be aware in what action rod to get. If you fish with a fast action rod all day, you will be a lot more tired than if you were to use a slow action rod. So people compromise and get the medium or med/fast action rod.
What length of rod? It all depends on the 3 answers you got. Today most people will get a 9 foot rod. For resident trout in small streams you may go with a shorter rod. If you decide to fish for pike on the Ottawa River, you may even consider a 10 foot rod. You would actually have to try out some rods. Most of the people today buy a 9 foot rod.
I fish only for resident trout, I use a 6½ foot rod with a line of weight 3/4. If I think I might need a bit more casting distance or use larger flies, I use a 7½ foot rod with a line weight of 4/5. Both are slow action rods. If I want to fish for bass or pike, I use my 8 foot rod with line weight of 7. Perhaps an 8/9 weight rod might have been better. But the 7 weight that I use is better for bass and trout in larger waters and this is the one I own.
Do not buy combos because there will be something included that will be cheap. Just like in buying a fly tying kit. You will get a lot of stuff that you will never use.
Two rod makers I can suggest for a starter fly rod are Redington and Temple Fork. I have neither. But from what I have heard, they are very good – especially because of what you will pay.
If you are wondering about prices, you can get a reasonably priced Temple Fork fly rod – rod (about $100.00), reel (at LB for about $40.00-$45.00) and line(at LB for about $40.00-$45.00). Do not try to save money on cheaper fly lines – get a good fly line. So for less than $200.00 you will end up with a good starter fly rod combo. If you can buy a setup that you like for $200.00, do not try to get something for $350.00 which is your budget.
Should you decide to buy a Redington, you can go down even lower in price.
No one is clueless. It is simply a lack of knowledge about the subject and knowledge can be obtained with a little bit of work.
Just one more thing at this time –
Do not be impressed with a rod for its high or higher price. Instead be happy if you find a rod you like and be impressed if the price is lower than what you wanted to spend.
Good Luck – carp-starter
At this time, do not worry about the fly reel. The real purpose of a fly reel is to just hold the fly line – period. If the specie of fish runs normally 50 yards downstream, then a reel with a good drag system might be required.
The selection process if done in a logical manner, will result with the best results – less chance of screwing things up. There are 3 questions – what species of fish, how large is the water and what size flies will be used.
These are the questions you must ask and answer.
Which specie of fish will you be fishing for? If your rod will be used for multi species of fish, make a list and try to give a % as to how often you will fish for each species of fish. If you want to fish for resident trout and pike; forget about buying just one rod – the difference is way to much. If you will fish for resident trout and bass, then you probably will be able to find an acceptable and good rod for both. Since you live in Kanata, I am guessing that most of your fishing will be for bass and/or pike. If this is the case, you will be able to get one good rod for both species of fish. That is why it is so important to first answer the 3 questions.
As a one rod fisher, I would buy the rod that has the highest % of use.
What size of the water will you be fishing most of the time? Is it a river/stream or a pond or a lake? There are narrow streams and wide rivers. In small streams, one will normally use a lighter line – 3/4/5 weight line. In large waters, 6/7/8 might be good.
Fishing for the same size trout in a river or a lake, normally fishing a lake will require a rod that will require a line that is 2 sizes heavier. This is because the method of fishing will be different. In a lake, you may have to go down 20 feet down.
What size fly will you be using most of the time? What flies will you use most often – nymphs, streamers, dry flies or wet flies? Right now I am looking for a place that sells fly hooks in size 28/30/32.
The weight of the line you will get will depend on the 3 questions. Once you get the answers, you will get the proper weight number of the line and then the proper rod that will cast the selected fly line. Yes, the line weight comes before the rod.
When you get the answers for the three above questions, you will then be able to go to step 2. Yes, step #2 requires some thought and of course there are questions to be answered.
There are certain things to think about. Since it is August, I would suggest that you do not buy a fly rod this season. Investigate online and learn and learn and learn. You will probably be ready to buy around next February or March.Perhaps you can take a fly casting course that are offered at stores and at clubs. Here you will be able to test out the various setups.
What action should you get? Be aware that most fishers will cast 30 to 40 feet of line most of the time. Once in a while you will hear that a guy is able to cast 80 feet of line. So what? Fast action rods will cast furthest but are not too good for short distances. Slow action rods cast the least and are best for not breaking off your leader if you choose to go down to 8X. So most people will compromise and get a medium action rod or a med/fast action rod. You would have to try out rods. But I would never recommend a fast action rod – these rods basically have one purpose – distance.
There is another thing to be aware in what action rod to get. If you fish with a fast action rod all day, you will be a lot more tired than if you were to use a slow action rod. So people compromise and get the medium or med/fast action rod.
What length of rod? It all depends on the 3 answers you got. Today most people will get a 9 foot rod. For resident trout in small streams you may go with a shorter rod. If you decide to fish for pike on the Ottawa River, you may even consider a 10 foot rod. You would actually have to try out some rods. Most of the people today buy a 9 foot rod.
I fish only for resident trout, I use a 6½ foot rod with a line of weight 3/4. If I think I might need a bit more casting distance or use larger flies, I use a 7½ foot rod with a line weight of 4/5. Both are slow action rods. If I want to fish for bass or pike, I use my 8 foot rod with line weight of 7. Perhaps an 8/9 weight rod might have been better. But the 7 weight that I use is better for bass and trout in larger waters and this is the one I own.
Do not buy combos because there will be something included that will be cheap. Just like in buying a fly tying kit. You will get a lot of stuff that you will never use.
Two rod makers I can suggest for a starter fly rod are Redington and Temple Fork. I have neither. But from what I have heard, they are very good – especially because of what you will pay.
If you are wondering about prices, you can get a reasonably priced Temple Fork fly rod – rod (about $100.00), reel (at LB for about $40.00-$45.00) and line(at LB for about $40.00-$45.00). Do not try to save money on cheaper fly lines – get a good fly line. So for less than $200.00 you will end up with a good starter fly rod combo. If you can buy a setup that you like for $200.00, do not try to get something for $350.00 which is your budget.
Should you decide to buy a Redington, you can go down even lower in price.
No one is clueless. It is simply a lack of knowledge about the subject and knowledge can be obtained with a little bit of work.
Just one more thing at this time –
Do not be impressed with a rod for its high or higher price. Instead be happy if you find a rod you like and be impressed if the price is lower than what you wanted to spend.
Good Luck – carp-starter
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beachburger
- Gold Participant
- Posts: 1068
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:48 pm
- Location: Beachburg
Another one takes the plunge..... 
I am going to assume you are going to be like many of us in this forum and will fish the waters in and around Ottawa. This means bass, pike, crappie and stocked rainbows.
- A decent 4 piece 6wt rod (TFO, Redington, Sage, Orvis). The rod will probably come with a "no questions asked" warrranty.
- An entry level reel (Okuma, Orvis). The reel is little more than a line holder at this point. Cheap out here if necessary.
- A good weight-forward floating line (SA, Rio, Airflo). Don't cheap out on the fly line.
- A small spool of 8 lb mono. This will work fine as a leader for casting #4 -#10 flies like woolly buggers and clouser minnows. Also mono is cheap and you won't care when you have to throw away a leader because it got all knotted up while you are learning to cast. You can pick up a pack of tapered levers if you wish but they are expensive relatively speaking. 3X is probably a good size.
This rig will be enable you to cast to, set the hook on and bring to hand 95% of the fish that would live in waters within an hour's drive of Scotiabank Place. An "accidental" large pike, muskie, largemouth or carp might extend this setup to it's limit but that's all part of the fun. If you end up hating this set up you will be able to sell it in no time.
If you are ready to buy now, there is no reason to wait until next year. There are still 2 months of excellent fishing and another 1 month of OK fishing in and around Ottawa. With the help of YouTube and decent sized patch of grass, you can get proficient enough with the basics of casting in a few hours. Come out to a Tue night fish and someone will further help you with your casting if you ask. Or you can just jump in a take a lesson from certified instructor like Tony at the Green Drake.
Try Float Paddle and Fly in Bells Corners or The Green Drake on Holland Ave to get your initial setup. Get them to spool the reel for you so you don't have to mess around with the fly line backing and knot that connects the fly line to the backing.
I hope the $350 budget is for the rod/reel/line setup only. If not, I would suggest that you start looking for ways to sneak the waders, wading boots, float tube, tying vise, roadkill, spare spool with a density compensated full sink line, etc. past your better half.....
HTH,
Doug
I am going to assume you are going to be like many of us in this forum and will fish the waters in and around Ottawa. This means bass, pike, crappie and stocked rainbows.
- A decent 4 piece 6wt rod (TFO, Redington, Sage, Orvis). The rod will probably come with a "no questions asked" warrranty.
- An entry level reel (Okuma, Orvis). The reel is little more than a line holder at this point. Cheap out here if necessary.
- A good weight-forward floating line (SA, Rio, Airflo). Don't cheap out on the fly line.
- A small spool of 8 lb mono. This will work fine as a leader for casting #4 -#10 flies like woolly buggers and clouser minnows. Also mono is cheap and you won't care when you have to throw away a leader because it got all knotted up while you are learning to cast. You can pick up a pack of tapered levers if you wish but they are expensive relatively speaking. 3X is probably a good size.
This rig will be enable you to cast to, set the hook on and bring to hand 95% of the fish that would live in waters within an hour's drive of Scotiabank Place. An "accidental" large pike, muskie, largemouth or carp might extend this setup to it's limit but that's all part of the fun. If you end up hating this set up you will be able to sell it in no time.
If you are ready to buy now, there is no reason to wait until next year. There are still 2 months of excellent fishing and another 1 month of OK fishing in and around Ottawa. With the help of YouTube and decent sized patch of grass, you can get proficient enough with the basics of casting in a few hours. Come out to a Tue night fish and someone will further help you with your casting if you ask. Or you can just jump in a take a lesson from certified instructor like Tony at the Green Drake.
Try Float Paddle and Fly in Bells Corners or The Green Drake on Holland Ave to get your initial setup. Get them to spool the reel for you so you don't have to mess around with the fly line backing and knot that connects the fly line to the backing.
I hope the $350 budget is for the rod/reel/line setup only. If not, I would suggest that you start looking for ways to sneak the waders, wading boots, float tube, tying vise, roadkill, spare spool with a density compensated full sink line, etc. past your better half.....
HTH,
Doug
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Hookup
- Silver Participant
- Posts: 795
- Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:54 am
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (eh)
I will not offer any guidance or advise as I too just started fly fishing only this past May/June. I thought it might be useful to tell you my thoughts and experience looking back at my choices...
When I started my budget was a bit higher, and I did pickup a sage combo, about $400 after tax. It has served me very well and I still use it and will use it for many years to come. That being said, I found it very hard to cast with and I attribute this to the fast tip/fast action. I can make an 80 foot cast with this rod, when the stars and moon align, however, for a starter rod, I wish I had gotten a mid-flex rod instead.
Since this first rod, I have been to the Drake and tried a few rods out. I am by far and away a better caster with a mid-flex rod then when i use a fast-action/fast-tip rod. From what I read online and talking to people, this style of rod, mid-flex, is easier to cast than a fast-tip.
Now to belly up, I wanted to get a "premium rod" with this years summer bonus so I picked up a ZG Helios rod (Orvis). It is a 9.5 action (fast action/tip).. and here's the truth of the matter, for me.. I was much, much better with the 6.5 (mid flex) rod when trying them at the drake, however my specific need was...
- 90% of the time I fish from a boat on bigger water (no obstructions = longer rod ~9ft)
- 95% of the time I target small mouth bass (5 wt rod)
- 50% I throw heavier flies (fast action is better/mid-flex works)
- I want to throw it a country mile (fast action) - probably a new-to-fly-fishing thing.. but its the competitive nature I have...
I am still having troubles with casting this rod. It is simply a learning curve, not that it is impossible, just harder. However, my criteria directly pointed me to that specific rod... well those characteristics.. my bonus pointed me to the Helios... My wife however pointed me to a new sofa.....but that's a different story...
That doesn't say that I wouldn't use it in a stream for trout casting size 20 Adams flies of 6x tippet, of course I would.. it just wouldn't be as effective or easy as a full-flex or mid-flex rod....
The one thing I "did wrong" was getting that sage package. At $400 it is not a throw-away rod, and makes a good backup, but at this stage in the game, and starting out, I wish it was a mid-flex rod so I could cast it easier from the start and now have two different styles depending on what I am doing... meh... no biggie, live and learn.
Finally, casting isn't that hard. Easy vs Hard is a matter of "tangled line messes" TLM's per hour. (I just made that up)... I consider my self a beginner caster for sure and my TLM/hr is around 5 or 6... I think.. with a midflex I could shave a few points off my TLM rate... not sure.. don't own one, so this is just parking lot practice speaking...
JeanDorais has a mid-flex Reddington that I play with in the field at work... I cannot cast it nearly as far as my fast-tip rods.. however, I can consistently get it out 50 feet... even pushing it to 60... without double-hauling (cause i don't have it mastered yet..) and that is pretty far for most applications... (again, from my boat, I want to throw it way out to "search" water fast for smallies... the extra 20 feet is important to me)
Hope this didn't confuse... In the end, spend as little as possible to get started.. buy cheap to learn on... get your style/preferences figured out then upgrade...
When I started my budget was a bit higher, and I did pickup a sage combo, about $400 after tax. It has served me very well and I still use it and will use it for many years to come. That being said, I found it very hard to cast with and I attribute this to the fast tip/fast action. I can make an 80 foot cast with this rod, when the stars and moon align, however, for a starter rod, I wish I had gotten a mid-flex rod instead.
Since this first rod, I have been to the Drake and tried a few rods out. I am by far and away a better caster with a mid-flex rod then when i use a fast-action/fast-tip rod. From what I read online and talking to people, this style of rod, mid-flex, is easier to cast than a fast-tip.
Now to belly up, I wanted to get a "premium rod" with this years summer bonus so I picked up a ZG Helios rod (Orvis). It is a 9.5 action (fast action/tip).. and here's the truth of the matter, for me.. I was much, much better with the 6.5 (mid flex) rod when trying them at the drake, however my specific need was...
- 90% of the time I fish from a boat on bigger water (no obstructions = longer rod ~9ft)
- 95% of the time I target small mouth bass (5 wt rod)
- 50% I throw heavier flies (fast action is better/mid-flex works)
- I want to throw it a country mile (fast action) - probably a new-to-fly-fishing thing.. but its the competitive nature I have...
I am still having troubles with casting this rod. It is simply a learning curve, not that it is impossible, just harder. However, my criteria directly pointed me to that specific rod... well those characteristics.. my bonus pointed me to the Helios... My wife however pointed me to a new sofa.....but that's a different story...
That doesn't say that I wouldn't use it in a stream for trout casting size 20 Adams flies of 6x tippet, of course I would.. it just wouldn't be as effective or easy as a full-flex or mid-flex rod....
The one thing I "did wrong" was getting that sage package. At $400 it is not a throw-away rod, and makes a good backup, but at this stage in the game, and starting out, I wish it was a mid-flex rod so I could cast it easier from the start and now have two different styles depending on what I am doing... meh... no biggie, live and learn.
Finally, casting isn't that hard. Easy vs Hard is a matter of "tangled line messes" TLM's per hour. (I just made that up)... I consider my self a beginner caster for sure and my TLM/hr is around 5 or 6... I think.. with a midflex I could shave a few points off my TLM rate... not sure.. don't own one, so this is just parking lot practice speaking...
JeanDorais has a mid-flex Reddington that I play with in the field at work... I cannot cast it nearly as far as my fast-tip rods.. however, I can consistently get it out 50 feet... even pushing it to 60... without double-hauling (cause i don't have it mastered yet..) and that is pretty far for most applications... (again, from my boat, I want to throw it way out to "search" water fast for smallies... the extra 20 feet is important to me)
Hope this didn't confuse... In the end, spend as little as possible to get started.. buy cheap to learn on... get your style/preferences figured out then upgrade...
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JeanDorais
- Participant
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:33 am
- Location: Stittsville
Go to Lebaron's and pick up one of the Martin or other company combo rods- 70-100$ gets you an ok rod (usually 2pc, 6/7wt), an inexpensive reel, backing, fly line, leader and tippet material.
Plenty to start with and find out if you actually like fly-fishing! Not trying to start a flame war here, just saying you need to 'know' if you like it before you spend tons of cash. A good friend of mine has been fishing with his 'cheap' rod combo for 3 years now...works for him, he's catching fish and he's happy.
If you don't want to do that, I have my Redington 6pc, 9'0" mid-flex Wayfarer rod and Orvis Battenkill mid-arbour reel (with extra spool) that I'm willing to part with. PM me if you're interested.
Just throwing in my .02$ worth- your mileage may vary.
Jean
Plenty to start with and find out if you actually like fly-fishing! Not trying to start a flame war here, just saying you need to 'know' if you like it before you spend tons of cash. A good friend of mine has been fishing with his 'cheap' rod combo for 3 years now...works for him, he's catching fish and he's happy.
If you don't want to do that, I have my Redington 6pc, 9'0" mid-flex Wayfarer rod and Orvis Battenkill mid-arbour reel (with extra spool) that I'm willing to part with. PM me if you're interested.
Just throwing in my .02$ worth- your mileage may vary.
Jean
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Hookup
- Silver Participant
- Posts: 795
- Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:54 am
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (eh)
I'll give you one more option... I'm heading to Long-Island at Barnsdale Sunday morning. I can bring my Sage Rod and you can fish with us... just wet wade. I've got everything you'll need, well have some fun, maybe catch some fish and see if you get hooked on fly fishing as bad as the rest of us... You have been warned... 
Gadz,
Generally speaking a "fast" (i.e. tip flex) rod will amplify any errors you might have in your casting stroke. A mid flex in contrast is more forgiving in this respect and is typically recommended for beginners.
If you just want to "test the waters" the OFS has been giving away an Okuma (5wt) starter kit that is pretty good. I believe that you can buy it for $120. There's also the option of getting out for some test casts with FH members. I have a 6wt (mid-flex) you can try sometime if you're interested.
Here's a quick summary if you're going to put your own package together.
Weight]/b]: species/fishing dependent (typical first rod is a 5 or 6 wt)
Length: usually 9'
Rod: TFO, Reddngton, Orvis all have good entry level rods that are under warranty
Reel: Just something to hold the line and won't fall apart on you.
Line: Buy quality line (typical starting point would be $40) First line should be floating.
Cheers,
Todd
Generally speaking a "fast" (i.e. tip flex) rod will amplify any errors you might have in your casting stroke. A mid flex in contrast is more forgiving in this respect and is typically recommended for beginners.
If you just want to "test the waters" the OFS has been giving away an Okuma (5wt) starter kit that is pretty good. I believe that you can buy it for $120. There's also the option of getting out for some test casts with FH members. I have a 6wt (mid-flex) you can try sometime if you're interested.
Here's a quick summary if you're going to put your own package together.
Weight]/b]: species/fishing dependent (typical first rod is a 5 or 6 wt)
Length: usually 9'
Rod: TFO, Reddngton, Orvis all have good entry level rods that are under warranty
Reel: Just something to hold the line and won't fall apart on you.
Line: Buy quality line (typical starting point would be $40) First line should be floating.
Cheers,
Todd