New To Fly Fishing - Need A Combo

[bobtu]

Haven't fly fished since I was 13 years old (I'm 34 now) and I am looking to get a combo for Christmas.

I'm looking to spend right around $200 (they tell me I will definitely be able to tell the difference between a $100 combo and a $200 combo).

Bass Pro has their 270 degree rod and reel combo (reg $320) on sale for $199.

Cabela's has a St. Croix rod (not sure the model) and their prestige reel on sale for $213... not sure what they regularly run.

K&K has a Redington Redfly2 Outfit - 4pc demo for $199

Anyone have any suggestions (either the three above or anything else in that range)?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

[jjtroutbum]

Where are you from? Some local shops could really hook up a customer with a outfit piece by piece if you were to check them out.

[JobyKSU]

Where are you from? Some local shops could really hook up a customer with a outfit piece by piece if you were to check them out.

I concur... check with your flyshops. Considering you're just coming back into it, they will be an invaluable source of info/tips/stories for you.

Additionally, a shop will be able to mix-and-match to make a combo for you.

Now, my suggestions:

Spend what you can on a rod. Reel and line are important, but I would much rather have a good rod to start (that may never need upgraded) and a basic reel/line that will get you through a season or two and then could be upgraded, if you wanted.

Example:

Rod: TFO Professional $140 (5wt, 4piece, 9ft)

Reel: Pflueger medalist $30?

Cortland 333 Line + Backing $40

Total: $210

Two additional points:

First, if you can find another $50 or so, there does seem to be a pretty decent step up in quality of rods. I love my Sage Launch series ($175 - $200), but it also opens up the TFO finesse (~$180) series or TiCR series (~$200). Unless you REALLY get hooked, any of these rods very well could cover you for the next 3 or 4 decades.

Second, the quality-reel debate is alive and strong on this forum, and I prefer the medium-level reels. Many experienced and successful fisher-folk use very basic reels. They work, and it gets you on the water. If you plan on targeting larger gamefish with this rod, then that's another story

Hope this helps

[Danoinark]

I have to agree to visit your local fly shop and try a few in your price range. Get the rod that feels the best (you can tell),and casts in your style. As Joby says I like a simple reel, and there are some good medium priced lines on the market. It can be done for 200 or less.

Dano

[snagged in outlet 3]

He mentions Kand K which is in KC. Stick with those guys and you won't go wrong. Cast first, then buy. It's like golf, everything has a little different feel and you'll find one that you like.

SIO3

[bobtu]

You all make good points except for fact that I havn't cast a fly rod in 21 years.

Since I don't really think I'll have a clue what feels good, should I go with even a lower end rod for now and then, once I get a clue, upgrade?

Thanks again for all the comments.

[Danoinark]

Bob

When I said feels good, I mean as to weight, how the grip feels in your hand, length, etc. Most shops will also give you a quick lesson to get your basic cast back.

Dano

[Fishmeister]

Bob

another outfit you may want to consider is the Temple Fork. BPS sells them for around 176.00. It is a 4 piece cordura case, reel, backing and fly line included. I bought one and really liked it. They come in different weights, mine is a 4-5 weight. I also upgraded the flyline to SA GPX line and noticed improvement and ease in casting.I am like you just getting back into the sport, others on here, far more experienced and knowledgable than me. Have fun and welcome back!

[am4mu]

bobtu, you mention k&k flyfishers in your post which tells me you are in the kc area. I live in Independence, Mo. So I deal with the same people up here. K&K is very good. Bought my first combo from Rainbow Fly Shop here in Independence(an orvis streamline combo, you can do better than that.) Like I said K&K is good, bass pro in Olathe is extremely limited. Cabellas in KCK has a very good fly shop and they will combo anything even though they do not advertise that. My first setup other than the Orvis I mentioned Was a TFO Pro from Cabellas and a reel and flyline of my choice. This was not a Catalog combo but they did me very good on the price and yes they will take you outside to try your rig out. Even bought my Sage rod from them and they definitely treated me right on that. Cabellas in KCK is not your average big box store. These guys know what they are doing. Having said that K&K is also very good!!! Don't know anything about the Reddington you mentioned but the TFO Pro has been very good to me. I only bought the Sage because I got a great deal on it and it was my dream rod. At this stage of my career knowing my abilities the TFO will probably fish just as well as the Sage(for me). Most of the people on here are a whole lot more knowledgeable than me but if you think I can help feel free to contact me. Good luck, Doug

[Steve Dally]

Probably the best bang for your buck outfit in your price range Ive found is the TFO NXT.

TFO 4 piece rod green blank

disc drag Reel (basically the company entry level reels without the extra spool)

backing, flyline leader and case plus the TFO lifetime warranty.

All for $184.95 _ the TFO website shows the old price but they have gone up according to information we have received. They have been hard to find, we are back ordered on them. I went looking to see if we had one left at the old price but all gone. I think we should get more in the next week.

The rod is the standard 4-piece $139 Professional, different color, 1 less snake guide and cheaper reel seat/handle.

Casts like a dream, very easy in this setup.

A lot of others have suggested getting a flyshop to put together an outfit, well we, and every other flyshops, simply can't package something of comparable quality/value together at that mark. Particularly with a case.

If people say they can you are generally getting cheap clothesline or a very nasty rod. Ive also had outfits from other companies with lines on backwards, no backing etc etc.

To me there is no contest

Have fun with your new toy

Cheers

Steve