Fly Fishing Lessons???

[Troutn]

Here is my delima. I have been fishing Taney for quite some time now and have done 99% of it with spinning gear. I am extremely interested in learning the intracate details of fly fishing. I can hardly call myself a novice fly fisherman. I am curious as to if it would be worth it to bite the bullet and take lessons? Or is there something to be said that you were self tought (wich might teach me more in the long run)? If lessons are recomended, I am wanting to learn how to cast of course, but also much more about flies, different cast, fly lines, leaders, tippets, etc. Anyways, thank you for any help you might have to offer.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey Troutn.

I don't know where you're located but here in St. Louis we have The Ozark Flyfishers club. Lots of free clinics and classes and members that are more than happy to help you. Especially on an outing where you can hook up with someone and learn on the fly. Get it, "on the fly". I think yearly dues are $28 or something like that. They give free casting lessons by certified instructors before most meetings. Can't beat that. Anyway check for a local club.

Snagged.

[Phil Lilley]

If you live around Taney, there's a few of us that would be glad to help. Jeremy Hunt, when he's in the area, is a great fly caster and teacher. Brian Shaffer is another and he lives here. I can take a shot at it although I don't have alot of experience teaching. I may make it worse... and there others on OAF that I bet would lend a hand.

Stan and Carolyn at River Run may give lessons- not sure.

[Micheal Kyle]

I have to say that fly fishing is a lot more fun but can be very problmatic for a few . If you live here in the Springeild area we have a club that i'm preident of and we have plenty of people to teach the art of fly fishing we meet the second Thursday of every month at 7pm at the Springfield Nature Center would love to have you as guest tonight. If you are wanting to learn how to fish Taneycomo with a fly rod, I would love to teach you, I have fished Taney for about 20 years. I have enogh equipmnet that I could loan you a rod and a reel so that you could learn. Let me know if you would like to talk further give a call at the shop or stop by. 417-889-6548

Michael

[Troutn]

Thanks everyone for the open invatations! I suppose will have to reluctantly take advantage of some of your help. Trying to learn how to fly fish has been very problematic for me it seems. I tend to get frustrated and just give up knowing that I can catch a ton more fish using my trusty spinning gear. Here's anouther question for you. What I have now is some very inexpensive fly fishing gear. From what research I have done, I think I have come to the conclusion that I need to invest my $ in line, flies, rod, and then a real (in that order). Does this sound correct? I have been into several shops and have been that customer "no thanks, i'm just looking". I feel a bit intimadated when asking questions about something i'm not really all that educated about. Thanks again for the open arms! Oh, i'm a Springfield, MO boy.

[Micheal Kyle]

You are correct I will let some skimp on a rod and reel but never the line. you need a rod that will match you and you'r cast, meaning that if you are slow caster need a slow action rod fast caster then a fast action fly rod. For someone that is new to the sport I recomend a fast action fly rod like the Scott A2 or the Winston Vapor both are 285 and are fast action rods. The reel makes nodifference because all it does is hold the fly line one would like to see a reel with a nice drag. The flies are important beacuse you want to some how match what the fish are eating, but the fly line is the most important the fly line can make it or break it for you do not be afraid to spend 60 bucks on a fly line. Those are the ones that are going to work the best and last for a long period of time. Most of the time for normal fly fishing I would recomend the Rio Grand if you are going to be nymph fishing where you have an strike indicator on I recomend the Rio Wind Cutter. Both are a weight forward and are easy to cast as a person new to the sport I think that you will want to stay away from the double tapers and or just the straight head lines. If you would like to talk further feel free to stop by the shop anytime.

Michael

[Bill Babler]

Michael, If you guys are thinking about or going to have a 1 or 2 pay clinic, let me know. We are getting lots of inquires about lessons.

We need to have some dates if you have any.

Thanks White River Lodge 1-800-544-0257

[Micheal Kyle]

yea that would be great lets work something out give me a call 417-889-6548

Michael

[Troutn]

Thanks again for the info! I will deffinantly come by.

[troutchaser]

I'm confused. I thought Rio lines were made for the windy conditions found in Idaho and on the Salt Flats. Wouldn't they be a bit stiff and heavy for the warm, humid, still air of our local climate?

I'm not arguing, just curious. I prefer my Wulff triangle taper. I put it in the same category with Krispy Kremes, a good medium-rare steak, and Jennifer Lopez's figure -- ain't nothin' else like it!