Members yamahammer Posted May 1, 2009 Members Posted May 1, 2009 Myself and my oldest son are wanting to get into fly fishing, my question is what inexpensive begginer setups would you guys recommend? As with most people money is very tight at the moment so price is a very big issue with us. We've discussed getting one outfit and sharing which wouldn't be a problem. We have been gathering fly tying materials for some time now and have made several to date, some pretty good, and some not so good. But on the up side we had many hours of fun learning as we go. Learning alot here on the forum about tying, can't express enough on how great this forum is. Anyways any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Or if anyone might be interested in doing some bartering please let me know what you might be interested in, hopefully I might have what your looking for!
Members Grant Miller Posted May 2, 2009 Members Posted May 2, 2009 I've seen some beginner outfits for under $100 at Cabelas and Bass Pro here in KC. Craigslist would be a good place to start if you are looking to barter. I'm always checking it for flyfishing items. Edit: Just got to thinking.... look at the Roaring River section on this site and PM a guy named timsfly. He'll hook you up and he's a great guy. Two other good resources along these lines are Backcountry Outfitters(they advertise here and have great service) and Lilley's (they operate this site and are also known for great service). "Life is like a beanstalk, isn't it." ~ John Geirach
ness Posted May 2, 2009 Posted May 2, 2009 Cabelas has some very nice beginner's setups. You could probably find something cheaper, but if you go too cheap, you may end up with crap. I got my boys a couple setups last summer, both around $100 (give/take). I remember one rod was a Traditional II (or close), can't remember what the other was. It has a nice moderate action, and is trimmed out nicely. The reels were fine. One was plastic, the other metal. John
Terry Beeson Posted May 2, 2009 Posted May 2, 2009 Yamahammer... (love that name... YING YINg YIng Ying ying ying ying ying ying....) You don't say where you are from, but I would suggest that as a beginner, you go to a local fly shop such as the ones suggested or one closer to home. Then get a casting lesson and cast some of the beginner outfits they recommend. I have to say that I did not start that way, but really do wish I had. A half hour with a fly shop guy like Tim, Phil, or Michael on how to cast then getting a couple of choices for outfits is a great deal better than closing your eyes and pointing to a catalog and hoping for the best. Rods are like many things... Ask ten people what to get and you'll get 12 answers... or more... Base your decision on what fits YOU and your son best. Get with a local fly shop and you'll be glad you did in the long run. And welcome to the forum and your new passion of fly fishing. TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Members Grant Miller Posted May 2, 2009 Members Posted May 2, 2009 A thought after reading Terry's excellent post..... When you get done working with your local fly shop, keep in mind that they will not be offended if you think about it for a day or two. Sometimes I tend to rush in to a decision like this and regret it later. The people mentioned above can and will give you lots of information to digest. Take a day or two to think about what they have said and talk with them more as questions come up. I think that it will make your purchase all the more pleasurable, and these guys want nothing more than to help out a fellow fly fisherman. "Life is like a beanstalk, isn't it." ~ John Geirach
Members yamahammer Posted May 3, 2009 Author Members Posted May 3, 2009 Ying Ying here, Thanks for all the info guys, question though, if I were wading small creeks fishing for slabs and the occasional SM and LM (normal creek size bass) what lenght/weight would you guys with all knowing wisdom and forsight see me useing in that situation? I only ask because I'm full of questions-like why would anyone ride anything but a Yamaha????
Terry Beeson Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 The line weight has to do as much with the size of the flies you will be casting as much as the size of the fish you will be fighting. This is one reason a 5wt rod is so popular. It is kind of the "mid-point" that will handle smaller flies and larger flies "ok" and will land most size freshwater fish. The length of the rod is a consideration in that the longer the rod, the more distance you can cast. So small, heavily covered creek call for shorter rods like a 6' 6" or 7'6" rod, while fishing large, open areas where you want the ability to "get out there" call for much longer rods. Then we can get into the nymphing factors of lenth as well, but that's another thread. Overall, though, what you describe would be something in a shorter 6 wt - say an 8' 6". I say that because you would be casting larger streamers in the scenario you describe. TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
RSBreth Posted May 4, 2009 Posted May 4, 2009 My favorites for "do everything" are either a 8'6" 5-weight- (more for Trout and panfish) or a 9' 6-weight- (more for Bass and larger Trout, but not so heavy panfish aren't fun to catch on it.) I think you'll find many different opinions, but that'll be close to the average.
Greg Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 My favorites for "do everything" are either a 8'6" 5-weight- (more for Trout and panfish) or a 9' 6-weight- (more for Bass and larger Trout, but not so heavy panfish aren't fun to catch on it.) I think you'll find many different opinions, but that'll be close to the average. I agree totally. I have quite a few rods but find myself using an 8'6" 5 wt 95% of the time. BPS, Cabela's, and Scientific anglers all make pretty good starter outfits for not a lot of $$. I used a Cabela's 3 forks rod when I was first getting back in fly fishing 8 or 9 years ago. It was a good rod. Greg "My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it" - Koos Brandt Greg Mitchell
Zack Hoyt Posted May 5, 2009 Posted May 5, 2009 MAy be a tad late, but check out the Redington RedFly2 outfit. I dont think they are bad priced concidering you get rod, reel, and RIO Mainstream line. Also the travel case. The quality of rod is great and it is very forgiving for beginner casters. Zack Hoyt OAF Contributor Flies, Lies, and Other Diversions
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