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First Fly Fishing Rig
I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been
reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG |
Depends on what your fishing for . . . What type water etc etc . . can you
tell us what you are looking to catch and on what type water? wayne "DonE" wrote in message ups.com... I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG |
Depends on what your fishing for . . . What type water etc etc . . can you
tell us what you are looking to catch and on what type water? wayne "DonE" wrote in message ups.com... I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG |
"DonE" wrote in message ups.com... I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don: Welcome to the dark side. You could ask 10 different *experienced* fly fishers what is the best rod, best reel, best way to begin, etc and get 10 different answers. What I might consider the *best* rod might not work for you. What kind of fishing are you wanting to do? Trout-east of the mississippi or west?, warm water bass and bream, or warm water bass and pike? Sal****er? I would suggest you start by seeking fly shops or clubs in your area and show up and start asking questions. If possible buy your first outfits from the local dealer, they should at least offer to show you the basic casting stroke. And then practice. Regardless the local shop will have the better repository of knowledge for the fishing in your area, will probably know of places you want to visit, and can outfit you accordingly. It is also the fly fishing show season and if there is one near where you are, I would suggest starting your search there because you will have access to many shops and rod makers in one place. I would also pick up a couple of books, The LL Bean or Orvis Guides to Fly Fishing or a book by a guy named Lefty Kreh, The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing (or something like that). The more versatile and conventional starting outfit would be a 8 1/2' to 9' 5 or 6 weight. Prices range from under $100 for a temple fork/cabelas/bass pro up to beyond $700 tho i would not suggest a beginner start there unless they just wanted to and money was not an issue. And in the off chance you live somewhere near Indianapolis IN to Kalamazoo MI, drop me an email and we can get together and try a few different types of rods and help with some basic casting functions. |
Some thirty-odd years ago, I learned casting an 8 1/2 footer and it came
fairly easy to me. Since then, I've fished with rods from six to ten feet. I really can't say that any length has been harder or easier to cast. They're just, for lack of a more precise description, a bit different. Pick a rod, get some quality instruction and get to know whatever it is you begin with and then adapt from there. Everybody is a little different. Some folks here are totally thrilled with rods I wouldn't use to prop open a screen door and vice versa. So? I still have my first rod and I still fish with it now and again, just for old time's-sake, but...the truth of the matter is that it's highest value was to provide a reference point for comparing rods other folks let me borrow against... I liked some better than what I already owned. I was much happier with my second rod. On the other foot, be wary of getting in a hurry to pass judgement on the second rod. It may cross you up a little bit, but that isn't neccessarily a bad thing. Some of my best lessons came from working with a different sort of rod and learning how to get the best out of it. It's a dance. Take a little time to get to know your partner. -Doc "DonE" wrote in message ups.com... I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG |
"Wayne Knight" wrote in message ... ...in the off chance you live somewhere near Indianapolis IN to Kalamazoo MI, drop me an email and we can get together and try a few different types of rods and help with some basic casting functions. And I'll take the liberty of stating that the same offer stands virtually anywhere that ROFFians (that's those of us who read and write all this crap) dwell. Wolfgang somewhere in the upper great lakes region. |
"Wayne Knight" wrote in message ... ...in the off chance you live somewhere near Indianapolis IN to Kalamazoo MI, drop me an email and we can get together and try a few different types of rods and help with some basic casting functions. And I'll take the liberty of stating that the same offer stands virtually anywhere that ROFFians (that's those of us who read and write all this crap) dwell. Wolfgang somewhere in the upper great lakes region. |
"Doc Elder" wrote in message nk.net... ...It's a dance. Take a little time to get to know your partner. Amen. I'll add only that in 20 years or so of fly fishing I have myself wiggled and have witnessed countless others wiggle thousands of rods and practice casting with them at their owners behest, and NEVER heard anyone say, "well now, that's a real piece of ****, that is." Strip the rods of identifying features and 99 out of a hundred fly fishers won't have the slightest clue of what they are casting with........and you can make a TON of money betting consistently that the other 1% will get it wrong. Wolfgang who didn't find his shiny new nickels growing on a tree. :) |
"Doc Elder" wrote in message nk.net... ...It's a dance. Take a little time to get to know your partner. Amen. I'll add only that in 20 years or so of fly fishing I have myself wiggled and have witnessed countless others wiggle thousands of rods and practice casting with them at their owners behest, and NEVER heard anyone say, "well now, that's a real piece of ****, that is." Strip the rods of identifying features and 99 out of a hundred fly fishers won't have the slightest clue of what they are casting with........and you can make a TON of money betting consistently that the other 1% will get it wrong. Wolfgang who didn't find his shiny new nickels growing on a tree. :) |
Yup,
No matter what you're going to use a 8 1/2 five weight, of a not too expensive variety - if only as a back up. john KQC889 "Wayne Knight" wrote in message ... "DonE" wrote in message ups.com... I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don: Welcome to the dark side. You could ask 10 different *experienced* fly fishers what is the best rod, best reel, best way to begin, etc and get 10 different answers. What I might consider the *best* rod might not work for you. What kind of fishing are you wanting to do? Trout-east of the mississippi or west?, warm water bass and bream, or warm water bass and pike? Sal****er? I would suggest you start by seeking fly shops or clubs in your area and show up and start asking questions. If possible buy your first outfits from the local dealer, they should at least offer to show you the basic casting stroke. And then practice. Regardless the local shop will have the better repository of knowledge for the fishing in your area, will probably know of places you want to visit, and can outfit you accordingly. It is also the fly fishing show season and if there is one near where you are, I would suggest starting your search there because you will have access to many shops and rod makers in one place. I would also pick up a couple of books, The LL Bean or Orvis Guides to Fly Fishing or a book by a guy named Lefty Kreh, The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing (or something like that). The more versatile and conventional starting outfit would be a 8 1/2' to 9' 5 or 6 weight. Prices range from under $100 for a temple fork/cabelas/bass pro up to beyond $700 tho i would not suggest a beginner start there unless they just wanted to and money was not an issue. And in the off chance you live somewhere near Indianapolis IN to Kalamazoo MI, drop me an email and we can get together and try a few different types of rods and help with some basic casting functions. |
Yup,
No matter what you're going to use a 8 1/2 five weight, of a not too expensive variety - if only as a back up. john KQC889 "Wayne Knight" wrote in message ... "DonE" wrote in message ups.com... I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don: Welcome to the dark side. You could ask 10 different *experienced* fly fishers what is the best rod, best reel, best way to begin, etc and get 10 different answers. What I might consider the *best* rod might not work for you. What kind of fishing are you wanting to do? Trout-east of the mississippi or west?, warm water bass and bream, or warm water bass and pike? Sal****er? I would suggest you start by seeking fly shops or clubs in your area and show up and start asking questions. If possible buy your first outfits from the local dealer, they should at least offer to show you the basic casting stroke. And then practice. Regardless the local shop will have the better repository of knowledge for the fishing in your area, will probably know of places you want to visit, and can outfit you accordingly. It is also the fly fishing show season and if there is one near where you are, I would suggest starting your search there because you will have access to many shops and rod makers in one place. I would also pick up a couple of books, The LL Bean or Orvis Guides to Fly Fishing or a book by a guy named Lefty Kreh, The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing (or something like that). The more versatile and conventional starting outfit would be a 8 1/2' to 9' 5 or 6 weight. Prices range from under $100 for a temple fork/cabelas/bass pro up to beyond $700 tho i would not suggest a beginner start there unless they just wanted to and money was not an issue. And in the off chance you live somewhere near Indianapolis IN to Kalamazoo MI, drop me an email and we can get together and try a few different types of rods and help with some basic casting functions. |
Yup,
No matter what you're going to use a 8 1/2 five weight, of a not too expensive variety - if only as a back up. john KQC889 "Wayne Knight" wrote in message ... "DonE" wrote in message ups.com... I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don: Welcome to the dark side. You could ask 10 different *experienced* fly fishers what is the best rod, best reel, best way to begin, etc and get 10 different answers. What I might consider the *best* rod might not work for you. What kind of fishing are you wanting to do? Trout-east of the mississippi or west?, warm water bass and bream, or warm water bass and pike? Sal****er? I would suggest you start by seeking fly shops or clubs in your area and show up and start asking questions. If possible buy your first outfits from the local dealer, they should at least offer to show you the basic casting stroke. And then practice. Regardless the local shop will have the better repository of knowledge for the fishing in your area, will probably know of places you want to visit, and can outfit you accordingly. It is also the fly fishing show season and if there is one near where you are, I would suggest starting your search there because you will have access to many shops and rod makers in one place. I would also pick up a couple of books, The LL Bean or Orvis Guides to Fly Fishing or a book by a guy named Lefty Kreh, The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing (or something like that). The more versatile and conventional starting outfit would be a 8 1/2' to 9' 5 or 6 weight. Prices range from under $100 for a temple fork/cabelas/bass pro up to beyond $700 tho i would not suggest a beginner start there unless they just wanted to and money was not an issue. And in the off chance you live somewhere near Indianapolis IN to Kalamazoo MI, drop me an email and we can get together and try a few different types of rods and help with some basic casting functions. |
On 2 Jan 2005 20:16:57 -0800, "DonE" wrote:
I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG Learning to cast and learning to fish are two different, but obviously often related, things. You _can_ learn to cast on just about anything, but IMO, the best thing to do find a good instructor and take some lessons. They should be able to supply a novice with gear on with which to learn. If this isn't possible (and again, IMO, it is WELL worth it, if _at all_ possible), go to the nearest "box" store (Wal-Mart, KMart, Academy, Cabela's, Bass Pro, etc.) and get an inexpensive mid-sized rod (like a 5-7), inexpensive reel (when learning, just as some fishing, it's just a line-holder), and inexpensive line. For many, the appeal of "fly fishing" is one thing, but fly casting, in practice, just isn't their thing and there's no point in having any more than necessary tied up in things. That said, as has been pointed out as far as fishing, it'd be impossible to tell you what you need, much less what you'd like, without knowing what you're after, your target budget, etc. Apparently, you're in Illinois, but that doesn't help much, other than helping connect with fellow ROFFians. TC, R |
On 2 Jan 2005 20:16:57 -0800, "DonE" wrote:
I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG Learning to cast and learning to fish are two different, but obviously often related, things. You _can_ learn to cast on just about anything, but IMO, the best thing to do find a good instructor and take some lessons. They should be able to supply a novice with gear on with which to learn. If this isn't possible (and again, IMO, it is WELL worth it, if _at all_ possible), go to the nearest "box" store (Wal-Mart, KMart, Academy, Cabela's, Bass Pro, etc.) and get an inexpensive mid-sized rod (like a 5-7), inexpensive reel (when learning, just as some fishing, it's just a line-holder), and inexpensive line. For many, the appeal of "fly fishing" is one thing, but fly casting, in practice, just isn't their thing and there's no point in having any more than necessary tied up in things. That said, as has been pointed out as far as fishing, it'd be impossible to tell you what you need, much less what you'd like, without knowing what you're after, your target budget, etc. Apparently, you're in Illinois, but that doesn't help much, other than helping connect with fellow ROFFians. TC, R |
DonE wrote:
I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG Don, it really depends on where you live and what you plan to fish for. If you are on the west coast and plan to go trout fishing in the Sierras then a 5wt 81/2 is a good first starter rod. If you are targeting steelhead or other speices or even sal****er that changes the equation. So could you give us a few more details on your location ? |
DonE wrote:
I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG Don, it really depends on where you live and what you plan to fish for. If you are on the west coast and plan to go trout fishing in the Sierras then a 5wt 81/2 is a good first starter rod. If you are targeting steelhead or other speices or even sal****er that changes the equation. So could you give us a few more details on your location ? |
"DonE" wrote in message ups.com... I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG Guess I'll throw my 2 cents in. 9' rod, 2pc, Med action, with WF6 (weight forward #6) floating line. Try to stay away from the fast action rods for now. tips: 1. connect the rod with the reel, with "no line" strung through the guides. practice the 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock position for three weeks to developed the muscle needed to cast. this will also get your timing down. practice everyday for at least 15 min. a day. 2. if you get this far, post back for the next move. just trying to save you time. it took me 27 days to cast tight loops at 40 ft with no haul. -tom |
"DonE" wrote in message ups.com... I am retired and recently became interested in fly fishing. Have been reading and studying on the subject and am about to purchase my first rod and reel. What is the best rod for learning - a 9 foot or a smaller one, perhaps 7 ft? Would appreciate any info and tips. Don - KC9FQG Guess I'll throw my 2 cents in. 9' rod, 2pc, Med action, with WF6 (weight forward #6) floating line. Try to stay away from the fast action rods for now. tips: 1. connect the rod with the reel, with "no line" strung through the guides. practice the 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock position for three weeks to developed the muscle needed to cast. this will also get your timing down. practice everyday for at least 15 min. a day. 2. if you get this far, post back for the next move. just trying to save you time. it took me 27 days to cast tight loops at 40 ft with no haul. -tom |
"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... ... it took me 27 days to cast tight loops at 40 ft with no haul. Hm....... Well, it's hard to diagnose casting problems accurately based solely on verbal descriptions, but I'd guess you need to feed the line out a bit quicker. Wolfgang who can, after years of patient study and when everything is working right, get in several 40 ft. casts per week.....even allowing for an occasional smoke break. |
"Wolfgang" wrote in message ... "Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... ... it took me 27 days to cast tight loops at 40 ft with no haul. Hm....... Well, it's hard to diagnose casting problems accurately based solely on verbal descriptions, but I'd guess you need to feed the line out a bit quicker. Wolfgang who can, after years of patient study and when everything is working right, get in several 40 ft. casts per week.....even allowing for an occasional smoke break. Longer line works well after you learn the basics. You have to form those tight loops before you can move on. I get in 100 consistent cast (forward and back count as 1) everyday, forming tight loops at 40, ft. for my warm-up. Takes about 10 min. of my time without a smoke break. I then get in 2 sets of 25 consistent cast at 60 ft. with tight loops by using the front and rear haul. My last cast are for distance to stretch the line out at 75-80 ft, and on a good day, take the line out to the backing, = 5 to 10 cast. 9' 2pc 6w/ 6WF line. It takes about 3 months before you start to get a good feel for casting. -tom |
On Wed, 5 Jan 2005 07:04:35 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote: "Wolfgang" wrote in message ... "Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... ... it took me 27 days to cast tight loops at 40 ft with no haul. Hm....... Well, it's hard to diagnose casting problems accurately based solely on verbal descriptions, but I'd guess you need to feed the line out a bit quicker. Wolfgang who can, after years of patient study and when everything is working right, get in several 40 ft. casts per week.....even allowing for an occasional smoke break. Longer line works well after you learn the basics. You have to form those tight loops before you can move on. I get in 100 consistent cast (forward and back count as 1) everyday, forming tight loops at 40, ft. for my warm-up. Takes about 10 min. of my time without a smoke break. I then get in 2 sets of 25 consistent cast at 60 ft. with tight loops by using the front and rear haul. My last cast are for distance to stretch the line out at 75-80 ft, and on a good day, take the line out to the backing, = 5 to 10 cast. 9' 2pc 6w/ 6WF line. It takes about 3 months before you start to get a good feel for casting. -tom DAMN! Weeks/months per cast...when do you have time to drink and lie about the fish you caught? HTH, R |
wrote in message ... DAMN! Weeks/months per cast...when do you have time to drink and lie about the fish you caught? HTH, R Casting is therapy for me. When on the computer in the office, I find it to be very relaxing throwing line out. Some people at work walk on their breaks, some ride bikes, some workout, I cast. I do this everyday at break 9:30am, at lunch 12:05pm. and when I get home from work 3:30pm. So approx everyday I'm casting. 300 cast at 40 ft. 150 cast at 60 ft. 15-30 cast at 75-90 ft. |
Wolfgang wrote:
"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... ... it took me 27 days to cast tight loops at 40 ft with no haul. Hm....... Well, it's hard to diagnose casting problems accurately based solely on verbal descriptions, but I'd guess you need to feed the line out a bit quicker. Wolfgang who can, after years of patient study and when everything is working right, get in several 40 ft. casts per week.....even allowing for an occasional smoke break. LOL!! Not sure if Tom got it on the first read, but I hope he doesn't miss it on the second. :-) brians |
"brians" wrote in message ... Wolfgang wrote: "Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... ... it took me 27 days to cast tight loops at 40 ft with no haul. Hm....... Well, it's hard to diagnose casting problems accurately based solely on verbal descriptions, but I'd guess you need to feed the line out a bit quicker. Wolfgang who can, after years of patient study and when everything is working right, get in several 40 ft. casts per week.....even allowing for an occasional smoke break. LOL!! Not sure if Tom got it on the first read, but I hope he doesn't miss it on the second. :-) brians Got it...lol, looks like Wolfgang cast one over my head the first time I read it. -tom |
"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... How do you time the carriage returns after the line feed? TL MC |
"Mike Connor" wrote in message ... "Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... How do you time the carriage returns after the line feed? TL MC I use a metronome. -tom |
"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... SNIP How do you time the carriage returns after the line feed? TL MC I use a metronome. -tom OK! :) TL MC |
"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... SNIP How do you time the carriage returns after the line feed? TL MC I use a metronome. -tom OK! :) TL MC |
"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... SNIP How do you time the carriage returns after the line feed? TL MC I use a metronome. -tom OK! :) TL MC |
Tom Nakashima wrote:
"Wolfgang" wrote in message ... "Tom Nakashima" wrote in message ... ... it took me 27 days to cast tight loops at 40 ft with no haul. Hm....... Well, it's hard to diagnose casting problems accurately based solely on verbal descriptions, but I'd guess you need to feed the line out a bit quicker. Wolfgang who can, after years of patient study and when everything is working right, get in several 40 ft. casts per week.....even allowing for an occasional smoke break. Longer line works well after you learn the basics. You have to form those tight loops before you can move on. I get in 100 consistent cast (forward and back count as 1) everyday, forming tight loops at 40, ft. for my warm-up. Takes about 10 min. of my time without a smoke break. I then get in 2 sets of 25 consistent cast at 60 ft. with tight loops by using the front and rear haul. My last cast are for distance to stretch the line out at 75-80 ft, and on a good day, take the line out to the backing, = 5 to 10 cast. 9' 2pc 6w/ 6WF line. It takes about 3 months before you start to get a good feel for casting. -tom ....and the emmy goes to.... |
Tom Nakashima wrote:
wrote in message ... DAMN! Weeks/months per cast...when do you have time to drink and lie about the fish you caught? HTH, R Casting is therapy for me. When on the computer in the office, I find it to be very relaxing throwing line out. Some people at work walk on their breaks, some ride bikes, some workout, I cast. I do this everyday at break 9:30am, at lunch 12:05pm. and when I get home from work 3:30pm. So approx everyday I'm casting. 300 cast at 40 ft. 150 cast at 60 ft. 15-30 cast at 75-90 ft. you need to drink more...or get a better psychiatrist... jeff (casting a shadow, at best) |
"Jeff Miller" wrote in message news:I01Dd.68634$Jk5.3596@lakeread01... Tom Nakashima wrote: wrote in message ... DAMN! Weeks/months per cast...when do you have time to drink and lie about the fish you caught? HTH, R Casting is therapy for me. When on the computer in the office, I find it to be very relaxing throwing line out. Some people at work walk on their breaks, some ride bikes, some workout, I cast. I do this everyday at break 9:30am, at lunch 12:05pm. and when I get home from work 3:30pm. So approx everyday I'm casting. 300 cast at 40 ft. 150 cast at 60 ft. 15-30 cast at 75-90 ft. you need to drink more...or get a better psychiatrist... jeff (casting a shadow, at best) dude is a d.a.--nascient, or wannabe. yfitons wayno ("but, judge, taking into account the totality of circumstances...") |
"Jeff Miller" wrote in message news:rZ0Dd.68632$Jk5.18466@lakeread01... ...and the emmy goes to.... Jeff Miller, for cheese flavored Wisconsin chitlins...frozen of course. ;-) Speak of Cheese Heads, any signs of invading "purple" horned Norsemen up there? -tom |
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