Members asap52 Posted July 13, 2009 Members Posted July 13, 2009 Fellow fishermen, First I'd like to say I'm becoming very interested in fly fishing. I have fished for years with baitcast and spincast equipment, in lakes, rivers and ponds. My question is.........if I wanted to start fly fishing in the Lower Illinois what length rod, brand and what brand reel should I be looking for? I would like to purchase something that isn't just a beginner but isn't a pro either. This type of fishing wouldn't be year round since I love to hunt and fish according to the seasons. Thanks in advance for any imput you guys can provide. Yours in fishing, Corky Morgan
DaddyO Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 Cabellas and BassPro offer several options for Fly Rod and Reel combos. I would get the best one that you feel you can afford in a 5 Weight. Length of rod 8 to 9 ft. There are several others on this forum that can offer you other opinions. DaddyO We all make decisions; but, in the end, our decisions make us.
Terry Beeson Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 First welcome to you new found passion... and it will become one. As for rigging up, I will recommend that if you can get to one, go to a local fly shop and get some casting lessons/pointers then cast a few rods. Almost every rod manufacturer out there has a "beginner's line" of rods. Redington is a good way to go as is TFO. Bass Pro and Cabela's are OK, but you order it unseen and untested by the hands that will cast them. And from all experiences and conversations, one man will put brand A or model A in his hands and think it's a POS and the next guy will think it's the sweetest rod ever. But it's what YOU like that will make a difference. My wife had her first casting lesson less than a year ago. Never had a fly rod in her hands before. She got a lesson with a TFO rod then Tim Rajeff gave her a lesson with an Echo of his. I took her to the fly shop here and she cast a Redington and a TFO. She kept saying she liked the Echo much better. Even she could tell the difference. But, I didn't like the Echo as much as I did the the Redington. Differences in feel and taste. So... The best advice I can give you is to try a few brands and models out before you decide. You'll thank me in the long run.... 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
Danoinark Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 First welcome to you new found passion... and it will become one. The best advice I can give you is to try a few brands and models out before you decide. You'll thank me in the long run.... Ditto. Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
Members asap52 Posted July 14, 2009 Author Members Posted July 14, 2009 Thanks for your input guys. I am a bargain hunter on ebay, so I'll be looking there or if someone here has a rig for sale we might could get together and see. I didn't see any mention of brands of reels. I would like an affordable brand that can get the job done. Anyone else with any input........???? Don't be shy, you're molding a future fly fisherman........LOL. Thanks again... Corky Morgan
Terry Beeson Posted July 14, 2009 Posted July 14, 2009 Reels? Lamson Konic... You won't be sorry... Affordable and good workings. Better reels out there, but in my opinion, not for the money. Lines.... RIO all the way, bay-bee.... Nuttin' but RIO.... SA a fairly close second. 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 asap52 Posted July 15, 2009 Author Members Posted July 15, 2009 What do you guys think of this rod? Redington Crosswater CW9052 9' 5 Weight 2 Piece Fly Rod
Terry Beeson Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 The Crosswater is a good line for beginners on a budget. You can get a full setup - rod, reel, line - for a good price. However, I would opt, if possible, to go up a notch or two and look at the Red-2-fly seris and the RS4 series, which will be better rods. Again, the best thing is to go do some casting of these rods. 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 asap52 Posted July 15, 2009 Author Members Posted July 15, 2009 Terry, Thanks for your input. I was wondering if there is a local place to go and have some lessons? It would probably be as u said.......after swinging a few I'd prefer one brand over another. I live close to Ft. Smith so is there a place in that area I could go for some throwing lessons or test some rods? Thank again, Corky
Terry Beeson Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 Corky, You need to get with the Fort Smith Fly Fishers club. Danny Lynch 12 Brentwood Ct., Ft. Smith, AR 72908 Email: xs8444@ipa.net Phone: (501) 646-1054 Meetings: 6:30 pm on the second Monday of each month in building 1627, Ft. Chaffee, AR You can learn a lot from those guys including casting. I'm not sure about the local fly shops. May have to head up to Eureka Springs, Tallequah, or down to the Narrows... But the FSFF guys can give you better info... They would be glad to have you attend a meeting and be glad to give you a casting lesson. 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
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