College Kids To The River

[flytyer57]

If that's all you can afford right now, go for it.

My first fly rod was actually a Berkley 8'6" 6/7wt rod that I bought at K-Mart for about $25 back in 1980 something. Not a whole lot of money to lose if you find you're not interested in fly fishing. I still have that rod and when my St. Croix 5wt broke, I had to send it in for repair. I used that old cheap rod and caught a LOT of trout on the White and Norfork.

[T Hood]

If you're a bass guy, I'd agree with the light spinning set up. I made the decision this year to go with a longer rod on my ultralight set up and it's paid off. I use a 6' ultralight w/ 4# fluorocarbon line.

Not knowing much about the White and the Spring, catching up with a guide would be more than advisable. As far as river/stream smallmouth, it's not the same as dropping Texas-rigged 10" worms like you do in the Texas lakes. My experience with Smallmouth has been with suspending jerk baits and tubes. This spring, I plan on giving the "float and fly" method a try (throwing a small hair jig under a float). However, for best results, I'll bow to Chief Grey Bear for sage advice on catching river smallies.

For trout, marabou jigs, trout worms (3"), and small suspending jerk baits are good. I've recently picked up a Trout Magnet kit (www.troutmagnet.com) and have had some reasonable success. It's an interesting system and not expensive.

I think it's great that you're spending your spring break on new water and having a bit of an adventure. Best of luck to you!!

[Justin Spencer]

I've only fished the Spring once and that was with spinning gear (rooster tails), but I just found one of the little "falls" and fished right below them. Almost every cast had a hit or caught a fish. Tons of walleye in Spring River as well, probably down around Hardy, but I've never fished for them there.

[EricFox11]

I've seen some reviews on those 2 starter kits that say "It needs to come with a leader"

What is a leader, and do I need to buy one?

Also, we will be wading and I am borrowing neoprene waders from a friend.

I'm trying to watch some instructional videos on how to fly fish before I purchase the kit.

I haven't heard anyone talk about using actual FLIES to fish with. Whats the deal with this?

[flytyer57]

I've seen some reviews on those 2 starter kits that say "It needs to come with a leader"

What is a leader, and do I need to buy one?

Also, we will be wading and I am borrowing neoprene waders from a friend.

I'm trying to watch some instructional videos on how to fly fish before I purchase the kit.

I haven't heard anyone talk about using actual FLIES to fish with. Whats the deal with this?

You will need to attach a leader to the end of the fly line. The size of the leader is dependant upon the line size and size of fly you are using.

As for flies, you really can't go wrong with a woolybugger in black or olive. Make sure it's weighted somehow (bead, lead wire) to get it down to the fish. I usually use size 8 buggers. Also nymphs under an indicator would work. Size 10 down to a size 20. Prince nymphs, midges, caddis larva... Check with a local fly shop about which flies to use. They could also help set you up with the proper leader.

[EricFox11]

I can't find any fly shops around College Station, TX or Tyler, TX...Academy and Gander Mountain I doubt will have employees skilled in fly fishing either.

[flytyer57]

I can't find any fly shops around College Station, TX or Tyler, TX...Academy and Gander Mountain I doubt will have employees skilled in fly fishing either.

If you get that 5/6wt outfit from Amazon, I would go with a 7½ foot leader tapering to a 4X. Gander should have them. Might want to pick up a couple right away. Also pick up some tippet material rated at 4X and 5X. The tippet you will tie onto the end of the leader and change the tippet when it gets worn out or too short to tie on a new fly. That will save your leader from becoming too short.

Gander should also have a selection of flies. Get some of those woolybuggers (weighted) in black and olive size 8, Beadhead Prince Nymphs size 16, Beadhead Zebra Midges (black) size 18-20. I could suggest a whole list of flies for you, but those should catch fish for you here in AR. Also pick up some kind of stike indicator to help you notice the take of the fish. There are also fly shops here where you can purchase flies and get a better selection of what's working.

Tie your leader to your fly line, add a section of tippet about 18-24 inches long. To the end of the tippet, tie on a hunk of brightly colored yarn and then go out on your front lawn and practice casting. If ya got an old hula hoop laying around, place that on the lawn about 30 feet away and practice casting into that hoop. Your neighbors will think you flipped your mind casting out on your front lawn, but you need to practice in order to get to know what you are doing when you get out to fish.

There are a lot of videos on the net that show you the basics of casting. Study them and learn from them. It will be a big help in lew of taking casting lessons.