rps Posted April 30, 2022 Share Posted April 30, 2022 @BilletHeadand I were discussing fly fishing bass for bass in his thread Reel Recovery 2022. He has me interested. NE Oklahoma has a number of streams and small rivers that smallmouth inhabit. With a walking/wading staff I can fish without towing a boat, and learning to flail with a wand intrigues me. So, let us discuss first outfits. Let me premise this the the simple statement, "I hate cheap equipment." After reading reviews, columns and blogs, and other stuff, the sweet spot of beginner, value, and quality seems really hard to find. I looked at any number of possibilities. I want to know what you think of this combo: https://www.orvis.com/encounter-fly-rod-outfit/3AR9.html . What I read seems to say a 6 weight would be good for streamers and small poppers. The combo comes with floating line. Should I buy a second spool with a different line (sink tip, intermediate, sinking)? I know the answer depends on the waters, so think Elk River, Illinois River, 14 mile creek, and Spavinaw Creek. Based upon this start, your opinions and remarks. dpitt, Daryk Campbell Sr, BilletHead and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdmidwest Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 I would stick with a 8.6' or 9' rod and a good floating line. Spend more money on the rod that does all of the work and the line that helps the rod do its thing. Reels store line and are used for fighting big fish. 5 or 6 weight depends on the size of the flies and distance you are planning to cast. I am not familiar with any of the rivers, so someone else that knows the area may be able to help you with that choice. Personally, here in Missouri, 5 wt is fine for any of the areas I go. Larger weights for open water and longer casts for bigger flies. Save the extra lines for later as you advance and get more technical. BilletHead, dpitt and grizwilson 3 "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BilletHead Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 40 minutes ago, rps said: @BilletHeadand I were discussing fly fishing bass for bass in his thread Reel Recovery 2022. He has me interested. NE Oklahoma has a number of streams and small rivers that smallmouth inhabit. With a walking/wading staff I can fish without towing a boat, and learning to flail with a wand intrigues me. So, let us discuss first outfits. Let me premise this the the simple statement, "I hate cheap equipment." After reading reviews, columns and blogs, and other stuff, the sweet spot of beginner, value, and quality seems really hard to find. I looked at any number of possibilities. I want to know what you think of this combo: https://www.orvis.com/encounter-fly-rod-outfit/3AR9.html . What I read seems to say a 6 weight would be good for streamers and small poppers. The combo comes with floating line. Should I buy a second spool with a different line (sink tip, intermediate, sinking)? I know the answer depends on the waters, so think Elk River, Illinois River, 14 mile creek, and Spavinaw Creek. Based upon this start, your opinions and remarks. Ditto what at what @jdmidwest said. If small bass and panfish with smaller flies you can get by with a five weight. Personally with those choices go with the six weight Randy. I like to throw big stuff and do a seven and eight weight. Even bigger depending on the quarry. Ok I really want to see you succeed here. When you decide to take the plunge and get your outfit bought let me know and I will get you some flies tied. Man I wish I was closer! Line choice again like JD said start with the floating. Get that figured out and if you like the hobby then diversify a bit. Wichita, Bartlesville , and Tulsa have local fly clubs and meetings. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask for some local assistance. Just like here on the forum you will find helpers and those other types . There are many opinions here on this game. Just don't get overwhelmed with the input and get sensory overload. Nothing hard about this. Daryk Campbell Sr, Terrierman and grizwilson 3 "We have met the enemy and it is us", Pogo If you compete with your fellow anglers, you become their competitor, If you help them you become their friend" Lefty Kreh " Never display your knowledge, you only share it" Lefty Kreh "Eat more bass and there will be more room for walleye to grow!" BilletHead " One thing in life is for sure. If you are careful you can straddle the barbed wire fence but make one mistake and you will be hurting" BilletHead P.S. "May your fences be short or hope you have long legs" BilletHead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomolites Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 I am certainly no expert, but have learned to always have a spare spool(at least one) for any reel I buy. As I’ve gotten farther into this fly fishing thing I’ve found the ability to swap from floating to sink tip, etc. to be worth the expense…especially when fishing streamers which I love to do. As previously mentioned I would place less emphasis on the reel and more on rod and line when allocating funds. Mike BilletHead and dpitt 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ham Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 There are some really good beginner set ups that are not very expensive. If you decide you like it, you can spend as much as you want to later and have the starter rod as a back up. IF you are going to focus at first on warm water stuff, my advice would be the 6 weight. The weight rod delivers that weight line well. The heavier line the heavier flys it can carry well. spinning and bait casting use the weight of the lure to carry the line out. Fly fishing uses the weight of the line to carry the lure out. Curtis Creek Manifesto is a Great read to lay out the basics. Lots of you tube videos as well. My only casting advice is to start with a roll cast, don’t do a tone of false casting, and don’t be in a hurry. Let the line go fully behind you and load the rod before you come forward. Marty’s Clousers are awesome and catch everything. BilletHead, grizwilson and Daryk Campbell Sr 3 Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 I only have 3 things to say about flyfishing for bass. #1. You don't need top of the line rods, or reels, but top quality fly line is important. Mostly because of stretch. #2. 5-6wts. won't cut it. Yeah I know you can cast pretty big bugs on a 6wt., but setting the hook on a bass with a light parabolic rod is like stirring pancake batter with a piece of spaghetti. #3. Strip setting is gay. 😁 nomolites and kjackson 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps Posted May 1, 2022 Author Share Posted May 1, 2022 When the movie, A River Runs Through It, came out, Larry and I were still regularly fishing the White River below Bull Shoals. We rented boats and guided ourselves and had been doing so since before Rim Shoals was declared catch and release. Suddenly the river was infested with what we dubbed as wading pukes. They all looked like models from LL Bean, right down to their vests, waders, and hanging thingamabobs from the vest. They stood in the middle of the channels and runs through the shoals where they should have fished and flailed at the shallow water. I am sure they all joined TU. The fact I am considering becoming a wading puke amuses me. Having said that, Wrench has posted the quintessential Wrench post. ^^^^^. I love it. However, I will share this. I have a daughter I dearly love, Emily. She has never encountered an issue or fact about which she did not have the correct opinion. She is quite willing to explain why you are mistaken. The fact she is highly intelligent and well educated makes her formidable. Scary and formidable. My hope is to someday introduce her to the Wrench. I could sell tickets and become rich over night. nomolites, BilletHead, Johnsfolly and 5 others 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BilletHead Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 5 hours ago, rps said: When the movie, A River Runs Through It, came out, Larry and I were still regularly fishing the White River below Bull Shoals. We rented boats and guided ourselves and had been doing so since before Rim Shoals was declared catch and release. Suddenly the river was infested with what we dubbed as wading pukes. They all looked like models from LL Bean, right down to their vests, waders, and hanging thingamabobs from the vest. They stood in the middle of the channels and runs through the shoals where they should have fished and flailed at the shallow water. I am sure they all joined TU. The fact I am considering becoming a wading puke amuses me. Having said that, Wrench has posted the quintessential Wrench post. ^^^^^. I love it. However, I will share this. I have a daughter I dearly love, Emily. She has never encountered an issue or fact about which she did not have the correct opinion. She is quite willing to explain why you are mistaken. The fact she is highly intelligent and well educated makes her formidable. Scary and formidable. My hope is to someday introduce her to the Wrench. I could sell tickets and become rich over night. My money is on Emily, sorry Wrench a woman on a mission is an amazing sight. I want ringside tickets please. nomolites, grizwilson and tho1mas 2 1 "We have met the enemy and it is us", Pogo If you compete with your fellow anglers, you become their competitor, If you help them you become their friend" Lefty Kreh " Never display your knowledge, you only share it" Lefty Kreh "Eat more bass and there will be more room for walleye to grow!" BilletHead " One thing in life is for sure. If you are careful you can straddle the barbed wire fence but make one mistake and you will be hurting" BilletHead P.S. "May your fences be short or hope you have long legs" BilletHead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjm Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 I recommend 8'6" #7 moderately fast rod - floating line - <7' leader tapered to 8# test - #6-2/0 flies - Gartsides Gurglers, Tap's Bugs, Clousers, Marabou jigs, Woolly buggers, Calcasieu PIg Boat - wet wade , bank fishing won't usually get the best angles to reach under roots or slab rocks or get the current tongue correctly Take a casting lesson if you can and ask specifically about dynamic roll casting, I'd start asking about stuff at The Gadget Company 1207 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, likely your nearest/only fly shop. I agree with those that said a #5 line will cast any fly that I'll use for SMB and I'll also say a #5 rod doesn't have the lifting power I want to get a 3# fish out the structure before it tangles up. 9' and longer rods give the fish too much leverage against my sore shoulder, I use 7'6" 7wt, but doubt if you can find a short rod these days. I doubt that I'd go for the cheap Orvis rig, if going for cheap, I'd likely look at buying TFO, Redington, MaxCatch, Avid Max etc. The Orvis Clearwater I had was a pretty nice rod. Probably better off to pick a rod, pick a reel (Picifun might be best bang/$) and pick a line, I like premium double taper lines, but truly the taper doesn't matter much when bass fishing. I use this as often as any- SA Level line (it was their premium line once and still fishes fine) Elk, Spavinaw and Upper Illinois I've fished in Ar and Mo., but not in Ok., I think Elk is only a few miles long in OK, maybe one access, before it turns into Lake. Flint Creek might be worth looking at too, 50+ years ago it was full of SMB and snakes. Any creek that has a normal flow of 100CFS to 1000CFS should be easy wading fly fishing fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted May 1, 2022 Share Posted May 1, 2022 How did I get thrown into some weird personality competition with someone's female child ? 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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