new to the sport

[Woodchuck]

I'm wanting to start fly fishing but need direction on where to start. I live close to the Finley river South of Nixa and thought maybe I should give it a try. My wife has said I don't need another hobbie and thinks fly fishing is expensive. Well if you add up all the stuff in my tackle boxes for spinning and bait castingthen it doesn't so bad. Plus if you add the cost of a boat to that... Anyway I'm wondering about rods and such necesities. I talked with them in Back Country Outfitters and the suggested a Ross Fly Start reel. I'm wanting to fish for smallies. I'd like to support the local guys so will get a reel from them but I've saved up BPS gift cards and need to use them so I'll by my rod there. I have $190 in cards so that is my budget. I was thinking about a Sage Launch or a TFO and leaning towards the Sage since it is made in America. Anyone know if TFO is made in USA? Do you think these rods are to high for a beginner and I should start with a cheaper one.

Thanks, Woodchuck

[jjtroutbum]

Well first off welcome to the O.A.F. board Woodchuck. As far as what rod to but dont buy anything to fast(action)as a beginner IMHO it will help you feel the rod load better if you went with a medium, medium/fast action rod and I don't know weather or not TFO is made in the USA( is also a concideration when I make a any purchase) however I have casted them and there nice rods. I would try out several rods at the local fly shop with a little bit of casting instruction to tell ya exactly what your feeling while casting also.

JJ

[troutchaser]

Welcome, Woodchuck. I think you'll enjoy your new addiction

I highly recommend you cast several rods before deciding which one to buy. That way you can find the rod that best fits your casting style. I'd also recommend signing up at Bass Pro for their Friday morning casting lesson. It's not much, but it's a start.

Browse this forum and look for good information. Most of us are full of lies and tall tales, but we manage to pull out a nugget of good information once in a while.

Also, check out some fly fishing websites like www.flyanglersonline.com for some really good articles. They have a beginner's section that is really good.

Again, glad you're here.

[Terry Beeson]

Welcome to the forum. I live in Nixa as do Don, Duckydoty, and a few others. And welcome to the fly fishing world. Fly fishing can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want to make it. It's like any other sport.

TFOs are good rods as are Sage. I can tell you the guys at BCO will not steer you wrong. With that said, I would urge you to do two things before settling on a rod. First, get a casting lesson. I'm sure Michael or Jim at BCO would give you a lesson if you ask nice. BassPro offers free fly casting lessons twice a month. The next one is May 5th if I'm not mistaken. This will give you a good idea how the cast should feel.

The second, after you learn the basic cast, try several rods focusing on medium or medium fast action rods. Find one that fits you and you feel comfortable with. There are several fly shops in the area to try these out.

After you settle on a rod, the reel you choose can be something just to hold line or something you want to last a long time. There will be a difference when you get into a bigger fish. The Ross is a good choice.

Now that you're outfitted, you've already made a good choice to join a forum like this. There are guys on here with a lot of knowledge who can help you get started. Along with that, I would invite you to come to a meeting of the SMFF (Southwest MO Fly Fishers) and MTFA (Missouri Trout Fishers Association.) These clubs meet at the Nature Center in Springfield - MTFA the first Thursday (May 3rd next meeting) and SMFF the 2nd Thursday (May 10th next meeting.) Either or both clubs can help you accelerate your learning curve. I'm a member of both clubs.

And if you happen to want a lesson and don't mind wading for trout in Taneycomo, Leonard and I will be there Friday morning fishing up by the hatchery. Just look for a little red Ranger ext cab and a dark blue van with "Taneycomo Nights" in the windows....

Again welcome to the forum and fly fishing.

[John Berry]

Welcome aboard Woodchuck. Fly fishing can be as expensive or economical as you want it to be. I think Terry had some sage advice. Get involved with the local FFF club. That is what I did twenty five years ago and I have made a lot of lasting friendships and learned more than I thought possible. This is not a slight to any other clubs, just the way I did it. The TFO is made in Korea.

[Crippled Caddis]

Woodchuck wrote:

<I'd like to support the local guys so will get a reel from them>

As Terry noted in Smallmouth fishing a reel is mainly a line storage device since they don't make long runs. Frankly reels have became a boutique item in the most recent upsurge of interest in the sport. As a result the vast majority of flyfishermen buy far more reel than they really need. If you need to save money save it here and spend the difference on the best line you can get to match your rod and the type of fly you will be casting. It will flatten the learning curve. Ask the guys at BCO which line AFTER you show them the rod you'll be using it on. And by all means ask them to cast the combo to be certain it actually matches the rod.

<I've saved up BPS gift cards and need to use them so I'll by my rod there. I have $190 in cards so that is my budget. I was thinking about a Sage Launch or a TFO and leaning towards the Sage since it is made in America. Anyone know if TFO is made in USA?>

TFO makes their rods in Korea in a factory they own. Many of the 'high end' rodmakers source their less expensive rods from offshore as well even tho their top of the line rods are made in the US. I can't tell you what Sage does in that respect. Drop them an e-mail and ask.

As others have already noted---avoid the extremely fast-action rods. Not only are they a bit harder for a novice to deal with when learning but a more moderate action handles big, bulky wind resistant flies often used in bass fishing better IMO.

<Do you think these rods are to high for a beginner and I should start with a cheaper one.>

It's a bit like learning to play a guitar. You can learn with a cheap instrument but you'll be ahead of the game and more apt to learn quickly and enjoy it with a quality guitar. That said I must play the Devil's Advocate to my own advice. The reality is that if you do become a devotee of the long rod you'll soon replace that first rod with something you think is better. Almost ALL flyfishermen have a serious case of G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) You have been warned! CC

[Terry Beeson]

...Almost ALL flyfishermen have a serious case of G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome...

And I just thought it was the Taco Bell I've been eating...

Taking your Gibson Les Paul '57 Gold Top or your Taylor acoustic to your first guitar lesson would make the instructor (at least if it were me) a bit jealous... I'd probably advise you to let me hold your guitar while you learn and practice on my Fender Tele or Washburn flat top...

I agree with everything CC said except I think I'm just "qualifying" his statement/opinion on reels. Yes, many fly fishermen (in my opinion) buy way more reel than they will ever use. However, this does not mean you should go out and buy a Shakespeare cheapie $5 fly reel. (I've got an old Shakespeare that will hold line, but not much else... )

IF - and chances are you will - you get into a bigger fish (and doesn't have to be a "monster") you will want a "satisfactory" drag system. Even those bronzebacks will give a "El Cheapo" drag a workout. I know CC meant this, but just to clarify, you don't have to purchase the highest price reel. Just a good solid reel with good drag will do for the beginner. Spend your money on a good fly line as CC said.

OH... and BCO will without a doubt recommend RIO hands down and it is very good fly line.

(After we've spent all your money on fly fishing stuff, then we'll start talking fly tying stuff.... )

[WebFreeman]

I'm not trying to be contrary (honestly, but don't ask my wife), but as a budget-minded fisherman, I'd buy as much as I could w/ the $190 t BP and head to BCO to stock up on flies and materials (if you're going to get into tying). BPs selection kind of stinks as far as flies. And you can't beat free equipment (assuming the gift cards were gifts).

Re: reels. I took the kids to BP a couple weekends ago and I could not believe how expensive some reels were. They cost more than first truck! (Now I sound like my dad. I'm officially old.)

I started w/ a crappy Kmart combo, which I broke in the garage door. Then I got a $15 Diawa rod, which also sucked. When I finally got a decent rod (a $100 St. Croix 15 years ago) I couldn't believe the difference.

In the end, CC and Terry give excellence advice. I'm just a cheap bassturd.

[Crippled Caddis]

Terry wrote:

<I'm just "qualifying" his statement/opinion on reels.---Yes, many fly fishermen (in my opinion) buy way more reel than they will ever use.---

IF - and chances are you will - you get into a bigger fish (and doesn't have to be a "monster") you will want a "satisfactory" drag system. Just a good solid reel with good drag will do for the beginner.>

To clarify:

Maybe it's just that I grew up with the sport when the only thing readily available with a drag was the Medalist and most flyfishing writers recommended a good click drag reel with a palming spool that I consider a disc drag superflous for the vast majority of freshwater fishing. I've done a LOT of flyrod bass fishing (and even a little catching ;o)) and simply don't recall that I ever felt undergunned with a palm spool reel or a Medalist. In fact just sitting here I can't recall ever having to put a bass on the reel and I've caught largemouth over 6#. A Smallie will occasionally essay a short run but nothing on the order of big Trout or Carp. And my best trout, a Brown a bit over 28", was landed in a very short time period using a superlight palming rim Ryobi MG255 diecast magnesium reel that is a POS by the minimal standards of the current era. But it balances the 8', 4 wt. Loomis it's mounted on and I feel undergunned in no fashion.

So I earnestly feel that for the intended use that 'Woodchuck' specified I don't think he needs a disc drag at all. Should he later find that his target has changed and he does need a good drag, well-----by that time he'll have a far better concept of what is available, the level of quality needed to match the quarry and his preferences that have developed to that point. Time enough then to put serious $ into a reel. Right now I feel his money would be better spent on a good rod and line that will enhance the learning experience.

[Terry Beeson]

I don't disagree with you at all. After posting, I started to think about "palming" the reel (which I've done, but then set the drag) and wondered if you were hinting to that. So that clarifies more than MY post did for sure...

But there are decent reels out there now with decent drags at a decent price. It would be a matter of personal choice to go with a click or disc drag at some of the prices I've seen. Do you need a disc drag? Well, I don't need auto insurance until after I need it...

But I do agree totally to put the money in the rod and line, then get a reel...