Fly Fishing Bass from the Bank and Wet Wading.

[rps]

@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.

[jdmidwest]

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]

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.  

[nomolites]

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

[Ham]

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. 

[fishinwrench]

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.  😁

[rps]

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.

[BilletHead]

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. 

[tjm]

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.

 

 

[fishinwrench]

How did I get thrown into some weird personality competition with someone's female child ?    🤔