Wantin To Get Into Fly Fishing But Broke Lol

[LASGTA88]

Bass pro has a beginers kit that is rod and reel and line and a couple flies for $50 i know its not the best and wont last for a super long time but is it worth it since im just wanting to start gettin into it... we spend most of our time drift fishin but have wanted to start fly fishing.. i learned how a long time ago but have never really gone and done much of it since i learned.. is this a decent kit to start??? and can you fly from shore up by the darn?? or do you have to have waders??

thanks

heres a link to the kit

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...5001000_175-1-3

[soggyfeet]

i say go for it although im not the most experinced but i started about 2 years ago on about the same set up but i bought a 7wt on accident but you know what it still caught fish. i did end up picking up a 4pc 5wt in the bagin bin at cabelas later.

[vanven]

There are some spots from the rebar hole and down river where you can fish most of the same spots from the shore as wading anglers. most of these spots are very productive. The pavilion side shore from the second outlet down can also be very prodictive as well. It will be a little difficult due to trees in your backcast, but with an effective roll cast you can still reach some productive areas.

Fly fishing and golf have a lot in common. In both sports you can be a very good fisherman with some low cost equipment, unfortunately equipment does make a difference as well. Some will debate the difference between a $150 rod and a $650 rod, but most will agree that a $150 rod is significantly better than the cheapest rod. This applies to almost every piece of equipment that you will use as a fly fisherman. A good wading jacket and liner will let you fish through some horrible weather, while a good fly line will let you cast another 20 feet, and a good pair of breathable waders will be much more comfortable most of the year than much cheaper neoprenes. Sometimes those small benefits have a much larger impact on your enjoyment of the sport when you add them all up.

Just my simple thoughts and stuff to keep in mind when you are starting out.

-Jerod

[Leonard]

LA...

I agree with Jerod... you dont no Sage or Winston to start with..

but you dont wont no $30 combo set from walmart.

Check out your local fly shops. Sometimes they put their rod (the ones they have used on guide trips) up for sale to replace or upgrade.

Also your on the right track with a nice white river rod and a Hobbs creek reel (total cost $150).. Dont forget Cabelas.. they carry some nice combos too

Also check out River run outfitters. ( www.riverrunoutfitters.com )... they can order a Redington crosswater combo for you (price about $95- 125).

Wader.. check out Bass pro.. very nice pair of beathables for $99-150..

Cabelas even carries some nice waders.. even wal-marts has nice cheap waders..

Like Jerod said try to stay away from the neoprenes..

As for as flies... this is where the money is going to go.. Depending on the srea you live in.. where you decide your going to do the most fishing.. trips to Taneycomo, Roaring River (other trout parks).

Shoot... find some local fly fishing clubs in your area.. Someone in the club may have an extra rod they would be will togive to someone just starting out...

Leonard

[TroutBum4wt]

LASGTA88,

I would try any local fly shop, Cabelas or Bass Pro stores. Those folks we help you for sure and answer any questions you have and get you into some affordable starter tackle.

You don't have to have the high-end anything to enjoy this great sport. It's too bad it has that image.

I would also try hip waders with felt soles. Usually they don't cost that much and they'll get you in the water good enough and keep you dry. Most people probably wade too far and deep in the first place.

I'm basically a self taught flyfisherman of sorts because lessons and guides are somewhat expensive. I read flyfishing books, magazines, watch videos and watch others on the water. This forum, of course, is great for learning about basically all aspects of flyfishing and the local waters.

Also as you progress in the sport and purchase higher-end equipment, you can keep your starter rod and stuff as backup equipment or have it handy for a friend you wants to learn.

Good luck and have fun with you flyfishing journey.

[Thom]

I have an orvis, Hodgeman, and reddington set of waders but the ones I use the most are the cheap 49 dollar hip waders with boot feet. The last trip down to Taney they were running water off and on and I still used the hip waders mostly because they were easy to get on and off and store. I have found lots of times wading deeper just means that the fish move out farther.

I just am interested in getting clear of the trees for backcasting and if that is not possible a roll cast will suffice.

I see lots of fishermen wade out into the most productive stretch of water because it appears too shallow to hold fish (not) and because they think they can catch more fish farther out to the center of the stream. Then I see a boat come up and fish from the deep water into the shore area that was walked through and catch fish.

[brownieman]

You're right on thom,

It's nice to have good equipment but cheap stuff will catch fish too. I feel the experience of the fisherman plays a much bigger roll than the equipment. You can have a thousand dollars worth of junk hanging all over you and if you are not a skilled fisherman it makes little difference...guess it sure makes you look good though, lol.

So many times i have seen guys standing in the water right where the fish feed...don't understand why some feel they have to be out in the water so far with the exception of casting room.

IMO one is better off staying on the bank when possible and keeping a low profile...the big fish are very sensitive to movement in and out of the water...they don't get big from being stupid.

When fishing we are in their environment...definately puts us at a disadvantage with the exception being the trout parks...the fish there are used to people...when they are in the rearing pools they are the only fish I know of that actually come to people in the hopes of a meal...whether it be a rock or a pellet, lol.

bm

[Project Healing Waters]

The starter combo kits out nowadays are pretty good. My favorite for less than $100 is the Scientific Anglers kit that contains a rod, reel, line, backing, leader, and a beginner's instructional video for under $80. I've seen them at Wal-Marts. It's a decent set-up. The Bass Pro combo you mention is fine as well. Cabelas has the best, but I think it's about $150. But it includes flies, leaders, tippet, tools, and everything you need to get on the water except for waders, sunscreen, and a hat.

You can do a lot of low-water wading at Taney with a cheap pair of hip waders. I rarely get in over my knees in Taney on low flow.

[Steve Smith]

Talking about Wal-Marts, they generally run their Scientific Angler rods marked off this time of year. My wife picked up a SA 5/6 weight rod for $20 last year at a Wally Worlds. I think it was a return. It is not my Sage or even a TFO, but very functional. WW Griggs and Eagle Claw sell very functional fiberglass rods too. My kids bought me a WW Griggs rod, reel, and line outfit I use for smallies on the creek. The whole outfit was less than $60.00. Garage sales and flea markets are another source, but harder to find. There are very reasonable alternatives out there.

[vanven]

I was not trying to discourage anyone from picking up fly fishing as a hobby, but as hobbies go it is definitely one of the more expensive hobbies you can get into. When i step into the water I am dressed in moderate gear but if you were to total it up you are talking $1000 easily. Most of my gear is Cabela's middle of the road stuff. Nothing fancy. I dont own a single piece of Sage or Simms gear apart from a pair of fleece gloves.

I have friends that have expressed interest in fly fishing and are starting to pick the sport up. They generally get the golf comparison from me:

"You wouldnt go out to play golf with only a 3 wood, wedge, one ball, and putter in your bag would you?"

I just that if someone is going to get into something as addictive and consuming as fly fishing they should know exactly what they are signing up for ahead of time.

-Jerod