Fish-Hawk.Net

guys, I really want to learn how to fly fish..

in fact, I am going to force myself to learn regardless of how many hours it takes..

Now, my question is what are some of the best rods and reels that I should be looking to buy?

Akira,

Before you buy anything, I'd recommend that you take some lessons. Green Drake Outfitters has one-day courses that teach the basics. They are really worth the investment!

After that, I'd recommend you pick-up a 5wt combo to see whether or not you like it. They are not too expensive and they do fine for a novice.

As well, you might want to come out to a meeting of the Ottawa Flyfishers Society. The next one is on Tuesday, April 4th @ 7pm. The meetings take place at the Champlain Field House. Visit the website for details:

www.ottawaflyfishers.org

Fair warning: Flyfishing is extremely addictive!!!! (You haven't really caught fish until you've caught them on the fly.)

PM me if you'd like more info.

Fishboy

Akira,

Just to add to fishboy's post, the OFS is still running indoor casting sessions (Patro d’Ottawa, 40 Cobourg Street, Ottawa) for members to practice. There are two session sunday (10am, 1:30pm) as well as a single one April 30th at 10am. Feel free to pop by to talk to us, even give it a try as there's usally a number of us that help out the new people. The only thing we were asking is that anyone participating help out with the cost to cover the gym. (i.e. $5/session).

And if you decided to join OFS (which for $25/year is a steal) we might be putting on some introductory workshops to get those members that are new to flyfishing off on the right foot this season. (note: attending a casting clinic with a Master certified instructor is worth every penny!)

If you can't make it to the OFS meeting feel free to pop by the OFS both at the Valley Fishing show if you happen to attend.

Cheers,

thanks guys for the input..

I still would like to know what brand rod/reel would be good.. .I heard that by paying for the higher end stuff really makes a big difference..

You can get a setup just as good as orvis for almost 100$ less

temple fork outfitter rod (5 weight)

Scientific anglers double taper weight forward floating line(5weight also)

redington or scientific angler reel.

The more expensive doesnt mean the better but anything that isnt from a flyshop is normally CRAP.....so if youre sure you'd like to take up flyfishing i would reccomend going to candian tire or wal-mart.

Akira,

Rods can run anywhere from $200 up to $1000. Reels can run from $60 to $800.

However, the best equipment on the market is useless if you don't know the technique. Seriously, invest in the course before buying the equipment. You'll probably save yourself a pile of cash.

Come to the OFS meeting and we can have a chat about your plans for flyfishing.

Fishboy

Hi Akira,

One outfit does not cover everything, like with regular gear. The rod you use for crappie you wouldn't use for muskies. Ask yourself what it is you want to fish for. Here in the east popular options are pond fishing like up in bogie for trout, smallies in the creeks and rivers, the occasional trip to NY State for stream trout. You can cover those options with a 9 ft 6 weight nicely. It's a little more than you need on most trout streams but perfect for ponds, and river bass. You can also get away with it for steelhead on smaller rivers like the Ganny. Avoid the temptation to go too light. In the future you can get an 8 weight for LMB with hair bugs , Atlantic Salmon and Chinooks and/or a 3/4 weight for smaller streams and trout.

I'm not a fan of sinking lines. I do use a sinking line when trolling a fly for pond trout but that is it. Sinking lines can be a bear to cast and I feel if I have to use'm I might as well be using spinning gear. Beside the fun and challenge of fly fishing is getting the fish to rise either to a dry/surface fly or a wet/streamer just below the surface. Sometimes I will nymph fish with split shot on a short line when stream fishing. Like baitfishing, it's not really fly fishing more chuck and duck.

If I can be of further assistance give me a PM

yff: thanks for the info

Fishboy: with the course at Green Drake, do I need my own rod or do they provide one to learn with..? I will try to come to a meeting soon..

ganman: I am a trout fisherman, so the goal is to become apt enough to catch some trout on the fly... I doubt I will be fishing for much else with the fly rod... but I was told by getnjiggywithit, that I should learn to fly fish against panfish

Akira,

I have two TFO rods which are a joy to use. One is a Series I, the other is a TiCr. All of the TFO rods are covered by lifetime warrenties. As for reels I would probably go with an Okuma, they're built well and you can get a reel and a spare spool for under $100. All in all, for a good intial outfit you will be looking at around $200 - $250, depending on the line decide to go with.

If you're going to the Valley Fishing Show next weekend you'll probably be able to find some good deals if you know what you're looking for. Typically Sunday is the best day for deals. Last year I got a good deal on a fly reel, with backing and premium fly line included.

Cheers,
Todd

Akira,

Green Drake's course includes instruction, equipment and lunch. You might want to check it out ASAP because the courses fill-up pretty quickly.

Todd offered excellent info. Most of us have several weights of rods and lines for the variety of fish we catch. I have a 4-wt for trout and panfish, a 6-wt for larger fish like bass, and a 9-wt for pike and other larger species.

The Carp show will be a good place to start for any first-hand questions you have and initial purchases of gear.

i have to agree, temple fork rods are the way to go.
i have a few and love them.

thats the best bang for your buck.

www.wholesalesports.com in calgary has kits that come with rod, reel, line and a nice case for 250 bucks. i have one of the original temple fork kits (they're better now) and i love it.

Akira,

Try to figure out what is your budget on this. I would recommend you spend more money and buy better rod then reel. Rod is very important part but any reel can get you up and running at least on beginning. Later you can always upgrade.
Just go to Baron or some of the local fly stores and see what would fit you the best ..I like to have good feeling when holding rood..some of the very expensive rods I didn't like it.Don't take me wrong here they are good rods but I just did find worth it.As well defence how often do would you go out to fly fish.
I wouldn't spend more then $250 on both rod and reel
For you my recommendation would be fenwick hmx serial. Decent rod but not that expensive. Get a good double tipped line as well. Do not spend to much $$ on backing ..so far I needed my backing only twice
As per less ions we can get on local river any time + Todd B can be seen around as well (didn't meet this fella yet but I'm sure there is a lot of stuff to be learned from him.He is like bible when comes to FF:))))))


/p

For stream trout get;
9' 5wt Daiwa Heartland flyrod
Fenwick C-series reel 5/6
Scientific Anglers Ultra 4 flyline DT5F


For Pike get the 9wt.
LeBaron's has 'em for cheap.
Get the video/DVD Basic Fly Casting by Doug Swisher.
LeBaron's has this video too.

If you're looking at a 7wt or larger I have frequently been told to purchase the best reel (within your budget) and not to worry so much about the rod. When you're talking big fish, you don't want to lose them because your reel seized up due to a cheap drag system.

If you haven't looked at the Okuma SLV series I would highly recommend it. Great value for the money, with a very smooth drag.

Akira,

For casting tutorials/pointers/tips, check out http://www.sexyloops.com.

Once you have your outfit, a good place to practice is Black Rapids. The downstream tip of the island provides lots of unobstructed room to cast. Something to keep in mind...casting practice and fishing is typically something that doesn't work as you have to focus on one or the other.

Cheers,