A Newbie Looking For Advice

[Njardar]

I'm a newbie to fly fishing with only guided trip under my belt to the Big Thompson River in Estes Park, CO and I have a trip scheduled to Montauk in mid-October. Being new to the sport my collection of flies is almost nonexistant, so I would appreciate any advice on what flies and sizes to purchase and what size leader/tippet to use. Any other advise is appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance!

- Charlie

[JONBOY]

Well welcome to the fly fishing life. Be prepared to spend some money intially. I started fly fishing about 2 years ago, and now tie my own flies. For montauk in Oct.... they like wolley buggers and mohiar leeches. Most of the really small stuff is gone by this point in time. As for dry flies the griffiths gnat size 16-18 is always a safe bet. Finally you can't go wrong with an egg pattern, either fuzz or glue. What weekend are you goign in Oct?

[Njardar]

Well welcome to the fly fishing life. Be prepared to spend some money intially. I started fly fishing about 2 years ago, and now tie my own flies. For montauk in Oct.... they like wolley buggers and mohiar leeches. Most of the really small stuff is gone by this point in time. As for dry flies the griffiths gnat size 16-18 is always a safe bet. Finally you can't go wrong with an egg pattern, either fuzz or glue. What weekend are you goign in Oct?

Thanks, the hemorrhaging of $$$ has already begun. When I owned a sailboat I refered to every $100 as a boat buck, now every $100 is a trout buck. Planning to be there the weekend of 10/17

All the best,

- Charlie

[DoveTail]

The water will probably be lower than in the spring, so that means very clear water. The trout will be picky. I would use 7x or 8x tippet in flurocarbon. The fall is great for a lot of the patterns listed above, don't forget about egg patterns. They will work year round, but best when they are trying to spawn.

July/August they can get picky and want tiny stuff. They will still pick small flies in October, but you can also get away with larger ones and dries.

Tight lines.

[BKB]

Funny...i got my start fly fishing 2 years ago during a guided trip in Estes Park in Big Thompson Canyon as well!

I echo the $$$ comments above! I have the added problem of once i get into something, wanting to go all the way!

I have been to Montauk a few times and would recommend small (size 18-22) Zebra Midges and Size 16-18 Chartruse Copper Johns.......they worked decently well for me at least.

[JONBOY]

Thanks, the hemorrhaging of $$$ has already begun. When I owned a sailboat I refered to every $100 as a boat buck, now every $100 is a trout buck. Planning to be there the weekend of 10/17

All the best,

- Charlie

Cool I will be out there this weekend and also the weekend of the 10-12. Yes, there is a lot of money to start up. that is for sure.

[TroutFearMe]

Welcome and congrats on falling love with a very expensive hobbie I started fly fishing 5 yrs ago and wish I would have taken the money and invested in gold insted but who cares right its only money and you can't take it with you when your gone. Ok now to fly patterns for October, I like to take a good selection of Caddis flies size 14-18, wooley bugger I do very well on white or black, and thread jigs white on white, or black head white body, zebra midges, and you can't forget mohair leaches tan or brown size 10. By the way jonboy I will be down there this weekend for my bachelor party probably start sat at or near the spring look me up I will have a white Lacoste visor.

[JONBOY]

Sounds good I will keep an eye out for you. If you see a girl in a pink fishing vest that will be my wife and I will have a camo hat on...just like everyone else there. hehe

[ozark trout fisher]

Yeah... If you use one of the egg patterns (preferably small and beaded) they sell at the park a few feet under a strike indicator, and fish it in the faster riffles of the fly area, you will catch fish. This sounds odd, but I doubt if you will need any other patterns whatsoever. Traditional flies just don't take that many fish in the park usually, although there are a number of exceptions. You can also cast 1/128 white micro jigs-also sold at the park, on a fly rod, and catch a lot fish. Just let it bounce along the bottom, and jig it up and down a bit. You don't need very good casting skills to be successful, if you can drop the fly 20 feet in front of you you'll be fine.

Use a small leader. 7x is the norm for trout park fishing.

Also, the short catch and release stream, and montauk lake produce well, especially if your after a trophy. But the fish are more educated and difficult to catch than in the regular fly fishing area.

Have a good time. Montauk is a special place.

[Njardar]

Great advice, thanks to everyone who responded and I'm looking forward to my trip even more.

- Charlie