newbe questions
 

I plan on learing to fly fish this spring and I don't know anyone in this
area that does fly fishes. I ordered some videos and have been buying
magazines. I picked up a 7ft. 4w fly rod at Walmart and plan on learning
fishing for bluegills and I don't know anywhere close that even stock trout.
I (I'm in southern ILL) What kind of flies etc would you recomend??? From
what I've read WF line would be easier to learn to cast. Any tips &
suggestions would be greatly appreceated.
Thanks, Mike

--

JESUS IS LORD!

newbe questions
 

"Mike" wrote in message
. net...

I plan on learing to fly fish this spring and I don't know anyone in this
area that does fly fishes. I ordered some videos and have been buying
magazines. I picked up a 7ft. 4w fly rod at Walmart and plan on learning
fishing for bluegills and I don't know anywhere close that even stock
trout.
I (I'm in southern ILL) What kind of flies etc would you recomend??? From
what I've read WF line would be easier to learn to cast. Any tips &
suggestions would be greatly appreceated.

Your library probably has one of Joe Brooks'
excellent all-round guides. You may find casting
easier with a longer rod, say 8 ft., and size 4 wt.
is best only for very small flies. Panfish and bass
take flies in the range 2 to 14, best cast on a 7wt.
outfit.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

newbe questions
 

On Tue, 13 Feb 2007 20:20:11 -0500, "Don Phillipson"
wrote:

"Mike" wrote in message
.net...

I plan on learing to fly fish this spring and I don't know anyone in this
area that does fly fishes. I ordered some videos and have been buying
magazines. I picked up a 7ft. 4w fly rod at Walmart and plan on learning
fishing for bluegills and I don't know anywhere close that even stock
trout.
I (I'm in southern ILL) What kind of flies etc would you recomend??? From
what I've read WF line would be easier to learn to cast. Any tips &
suggestions would be greatly appreceated.

Your library probably has one of Joe Brooks'
excellent all-round guides. You may find casting
easier with a longer rod, say 8 ft., and size 4 wt.
is best only for very small flies. Panfish and bass
take flies in the range 2 to 14, best cast on a 7wt.
outfit.

Whoa, hang on here...assuming the OP is legit, a 7 ft. 4 wt. is just
fine for bluegill. And the Walmart rod is probably OK, too (no mention
of a reel, but a Walmart reel is fine at this point), BUT get a decent
line. A Cortland 333 would be a decent, inexpensive choice for a
novice. Get some tippet material - many Walmarts carry a selection, and
leaders. Learn to connect everything together. As to bass, a 4 is
pretty light for all but the smallest bass, but get what is often sold
as a 6/7 at Walmart and the like, and it'll make a decent bass rod for
average bass (not Florida-strain monsters).

As to flies, don't get any yet. What you want at this point is
"whiffs," practice flies, etc. - NO HOOKS, NOT EVEN HOOKS CUT OFF
MID-BEND. And wear glasses. If you can't find them, an easy way to
make them is to take some thin, single-strand wire (copper is easiest)
about 2.5" long and fold it in half over something like a wire nail (to
form an eye), grab the ends with a pair of pliers, and twist. Take any
kind of fur - some cat fur, old jacket-hood trim, anything - and wrap a
bunch to the eyed shaft with sewing thread. All you want is, basically,
a ball of fluff with an eye. A couple of drops of Superglue or clear
fingernail polish will do for head cement. When dry, snip any wire not
covered. Look at any flytying website, book, etc. for the general idea
of how a fly is tied. If you decide to use real flies, snip as much
hook as possible and put a drop of Superglue at the stub to help hold
things together. When you're ready for real flies and fishing, when it
comes to bluegill, bream/brim, etc., try red first - any small fly with
red.

As to learning to cast, if lessons from a professional instructor (or a
very knowledgeable amateur) are out, then videos and books are a better
overall tool, IMO, then just books. It helps to see what casting looks
like. Pay attention to the rod and the hands of the caster. If you
have a video camera, tape yourself and compare yourself with the video,
but don't "judge" yourself by it. Flyfishing isn't difficult,
especially for bluegills, but getting into bad habits can cause
frustration as your interest grows. Take it slow, practice, practice,
practice, and don't force it. Flyfishing isn't a particularly effective
fishing method, as (legal) fishing methods go, and even more so for
novices, and if you don't like it, there's nothing wrong with simply
returning to other methods that you do enjoy.

Good luck and enjoy,
R

newbe questions
 

Mr Dean has some good points, but I would say you could save yourself
a lot time in messing around with the practice fly he mentioned. The
one i used I got from the LL Bean book was just about a half dozen 1-
inch long pieces of yarn, tied to the tippet with a clinch knot. Ten
seconds and you are ready to cast, and it is painless if it hits you
in the noggin.
-Ethan

newbe questions
 

On 13 Feb 2007 18:46:02 -0800, "Ethan" wrote:

Mr Dean has some good points, but I would say you could save yourself
a lot time in messing around with the practice fly he mentioned. The
one i used I got from the LL Bean book was just about a half dozen 1-
inch long pieces of yarn, tied to the tippet with a clinch knot. Ten
seconds and you are ready to cast, and it is painless if it hits you
in the noggin.
-Ethan

Yarn will work fine, but IMO, going through the motions of tying on a
fly, as well as the slight difference in characteristics, make the whiff
the practice "fly" of choice.

TC,
R
....and it most assuredly isn't "Mr." to anyone, of any age, unless their
parents insist...

newbe questions
 

Don Phillipson wrote:

Your library probably has one of Joe Brooks'
excellent all-round guides. You may find casting
easier with a longer rod, say 8 ft., and size 4 wt.
is best only for very small flies. Panfish and bass
take flies in the range 2 to 14, best cast on a 7wt.
outfit.

I agree that a beginner would be better served by a longer
fly rod, but a 7ft 4wt is a better choice for bluegill than
an 8ft 7wt. My favorite bluegill rods are 3wt and they'll
toss small poppers just fine even with a 3DT fly line. A
7wt fly rod is way too much fly rod to have fun with bluegill.

--
Ken Fortenberry

newbe questions
 

Thanks for all the input, I printed it out to save. I bought the rod from
Wal-Mart figuring if for some reason I didn't enjoy it I could always us it
jigging. There is a hunting/fishing store in town that has more selection of
rods and reels. March is only a few weeks away, I am so ready to go wet a
hook. We haven't had much snow here in so. ILL but Feb. sure has been a cold
month. Right now it's 25 with a 10 deg. wind chill. Next few days suposed to
be colder.
Again thanks for all the input.

Mike

newbe questions
 

I live in SW Missouri and have access to a number of
ponds loaded with bluegill, crappie, bass and channel
cat, all of which I catch with an inexpensive 6 wt.,8.5 ft.
Bass Pro White River Classic (my first rod) and a
cheap Medalist reel. I agree with a prev. poster on
getting a good WF line. I rarely use a tapered leader
but instead use plain mono (4 or 6 lb.) and sometimes
tie my own tapered leader for better 'turn over' when
casting.

WalMart has a pre-made fly that looks like a black
spider....black chenille body, white rubber band legs
and a little tuft of grey squirrel tail hair at the head.
It works great for all the species mentioned above.
I now tie the same fly in various sizes for warm water
fishing everywhere. This is an easy fly to tie, especially
as a 'first fly'. I sometimes (in fact often) weight the
fly with a little lead wire and put a small dot of red
paint on the head to indicate amount of weight...one dot,
two dots, etc.

I suspect we are not far off in latitude so I would expect
the bluegill and other fish to really start turning-on in
about mid April and from then on until mid to late June.
The absolute best time for bluegill is when they are
nesting, indicated by dinner plate sized depressions on
the bottom near the shoreline starting at about 1 ft. of
water...on out and you can usually see the bluegill hanging
out around the nest.

As far as casting goes, certainly follow the suggestions
made by the previous posters. I would only add that
if you have any snow at all it makes a pretty good surface
on which to practice as the snow will not abrade your
line, will not catch your practice fly on grass, etc., and
will give at least a little drag on your line as you pick it
up thus allowing your rod to 'load' for the next cast.
If you can beg, borrow or rent a video on basic fly
casting it will help a lot.

Buff




"Mike" wrote in message
. net...
Thanks for all the input, I printed it out to save. I bought the rod
from
Wal-Mart figuring if for some reason I didn't enjoy it I could always
us it
jigging. There is a hunting/fishing store in town that has more
selection of
rods and reels. March is only a few weeks away, I am so ready to go
wet a
hook. We haven't had much snow here in so. ILL but Feb. sure has been
a cold
month. Right now it's 25 with a 10 deg. wind chill. Next few days
suposed to
be colder.
Again thanks for all the input.

Mike

newbe questions
 

Found this on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-FISHING-VHS-FL...QQcmdZViewItem

Buff


"Rodger" wrote in message
...
I live in SW Missouri and have access to a number of
ponds loaded with bluegill, crappie, bass and channel
cat, all of which I catch with an inexpensive 6 wt.,8.5 ft.
Bass Pro White River Classic (my first rod) and a
cheap Medalist reel. I agree with a prev. poster on
getting a good WF line. I rarely use a tapered leader
but instead use plain mono (4 or 6 lb.) and sometimes
tie my own tapered leader for better 'turn over' when
casting.

WalMart has a pre-made fly that looks like a black
spider....black chenille body, white rubber band legs
and a little tuft of grey squirrel tail hair at the head.
It works great for all the species mentioned above.
I now tie the same fly in various sizes for warm water
fishing everywhere. This is an easy fly to tie, especially
as a 'first fly'. I sometimes (in fact often) weight the
fly with a little lead wire and put a small dot of red
paint on the head to indicate amount of weight...one dot,
two dots, etc.

I suspect we are not far off in latitude so I would expect
the bluegill and other fish to really start turning-on in
about mid April and from then on until mid to late June.
The absolute best time for bluegill is when they are
nesting, indicated by dinner plate sized depressions on
the bottom near the shoreline starting at about 1 ft. of
water...on out and you can usually see the bluegill hanging
out around the nest.

As far as casting goes, certainly follow the suggestions
made by the previous posters. I would only add that
if you have any snow at all it makes a pretty good surface
on which to practice as the snow will not abrade your
line, will not catch your practice fly on grass, etc., and
will give at least a little drag on your line as you pick it
up thus allowing your rod to 'load' for the next cast.
If you can beg, borrow or rent a video on basic fly
casting it will help a lot.

Buff




"Mike" wrote in message
. net...
Thanks for all the input, I printed it out to save. I bought the rod
from
Wal-Mart figuring if for some reason I didn't enjoy it I could
always
us it
jigging. There is a hunting/fishing store in town that has more
selection of
rods and reels. March is only a few weeks away, I am so ready to go
wet a
hook. We haven't had much snow here in so. ILL but Feb. sure has
been
a cold
month. Right now it's 25 with a 10 deg. wind chill. Next few days
suposed to
be colder.
Again thanks for all the input.

Mike

newbe questions
 

On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 04:34:35 -0600, "Rodger"
wrote:

I live in SW Missouri and have access to a number of
ponds loaded with bluegill, crappie, bass and channel
cat, all of which I catch with an inexpensive 6 wt.,8.5 ft.
Bass Pro White River Classic (my first rod) and a
cheap Medalist reel. I agree with a prev. poster on
getting a good WF line.

I didn't see anyone recommend a WF, and speaking for myself, I'd
recommend against it for many, esp. those who plan on limiting it to
bluegill and bass. It's a waste of money. Get a DT, wear one end out
learning, reverse it, and fish away. And when you wear that out, get
another DT.

I rarely use a tapered leader
but instead use plain mono (4 or 6 lb.) and sometimes
tie my own tapered leader for better 'turn over' when
casting.

A lot of folks down South (S. LA, MS, AL, and N. FL) go the "mono
leader" route when fishing with a flyrod for "brim" (bream) and it works
well. If the OP chooses that route, I'd suggest 4lb. Spiderwire for the
bluegills. And a lot of those same folks only use a flyrod for "brim" -
nothing else - but don't really "flyfish" - it's more of cross between
dapping and jigging, so even if one tries true "flyfishing" and doesn't
enjoy that, but does enjoy "brim" fishing, they'd still have a perfectly
usable fishing tool.

WalMart has a pre-made fly that looks like a black
spider....black chenille body, white rubber band legs
and a little tuft of grey squirrel tail hair at the head.
It works great for all the species mentioned above.
I now tie the same fly in various sizes for warm water
fishing everywhere. This is an easy fly to tie, especially
as a 'first fly'. I sometimes (in fact often) weight the
fly with a little lead wire and put a small dot of red
paint on the head to indicate amount of weight...one dot,
two dots, etc.

I suspect we are not far off in latitude so I would expect
the bluegill and other fish to really start turning-on in
about mid April and from then on until mid to late June.
The absolute best time for bluegill is when they are
nesting, indicated by dinner plate sized depressions on
the bottom near the shoreline starting at about 1 ft. of
water...on out and you can usually see the bluegill hanging
out around the nest.

If I might suggest, try a red chenille body. I've caught a fair amount
of "brim" with a Royal Coachman wet. Long story shortened, it happened
to be handy, I discovered it actually worked really well, and so, I tend
not to fix what ain't broke. I don't whip up RCs for bream, but if I
happen upon a bunch of cheap, crappy (not crappie) ones, tyed ala "trout
fly assortment" style on larger hooks, I snag 'em (no pun intended).
Really, though, whatever the fly, I try red first.

As far as casting goes, certainly follow the suggestions
made by the previous posters. I would only add that
if you have any snow at all it makes a pretty good surface
on which to practice as the snow will not abrade your
line,

Um, depending on the snow, it could well abrade the line. That said,
however, so can "grass." If the OP or any other novice splurges on an
expensive line, save it for the water (a big swimming pool can be a good
practice area _IF_ there are _NO_ people around). Cheaper or old lines
make the most economical practice lines, but one newly kitting out has
no choice - IMO, again, the 333.

will not catch your practice fly on grass, etc.,

OK, look - how many ways can it be said?

NEVER, EVER PRACTICE WITH A FLY THAT HAS A HOOK (OR PRACTICE WITHOUT
GLASSES, EVEN WITH WHIFFS)! It's dangerous and it's completely
unnecessary. If you've never been hooked, trust me, you want to keep it
that way, and one in eye is not something with which to tempt fate. You
(probably) don't want to hook yourself, and even if you do, nobody else
wants to have themselves or their stuff hooked by you. When you're
practicing, you're turning your head, watching your line, etc.,
potentially lots of aerial stuff. Anyone, novice or advanced, with any
sense whatsoever knows they aren't going to catch anything, so why use a
hook - NO ****ING HOOKS WHEN PRACTICING.

TC,
R

and
will give at least a little drag on your line as you pick it
up thus allowing your rod to 'load' for the next cast.
If you can beg, borrow or rent a video on basic fly
casting it will help a lot.

Buff

newbe questions
 

On Feb 14, 11:26 am, "asadi" wrote:
You want the type of fisining shop (it need not be exclusively a fly shop)
that has a coffee pot and a buliten board...

Amen. Without such a place to get great, first-hand advice and steep
myself in the intangibles of the sport, I doubt all of the technical
and practical advice would have been enough to instill in me the level
of interest that takes flyfishing beyond a mere leisure activity to a
pleasure and passion.

I was lucky enough to have stumbled into a small place with a
wonderfully friendly and helpful proprietor, a cigar-smoking old-
timer, a rod builder, and a great variety of assorted customers in
various combinations depending on the day. The coffee was fresh, the
advice was good, and the camraderie was priceless. Find one. Go
there. Meet real people. Tell lies. Pretend to believe theirs.
There's nothing like it. :-)

(And one more "thanks" to Joe, Harold, & Hank at the now departed
"Fisherman's Edge".)

Joe F.

newbe questions
 

rb608 wrote:
"asadi" wrote:
You want the type of fisining shop (it need not be exclusively a fly shop)
that has a coffee pot and a buliten board...

Amen. Without such a place to get great, first-hand advice and steep
myself in the intangibles of the sport, I doubt all of the technical
and practical advice would have been enough to instill in me the level
of interest that takes flyfishing beyond a mere leisure activity to a
pleasure and passion.

I was lucky enough to have stumbled into a small place with a
wonderfully friendly and helpful proprietor, a cigar-smoking old-
timer, a rod builder, and a great variety of assorted customers in
various combinations depending on the day. The coffee was fresh, the
advice was good, and the camraderie was priceless. Find one. Go
there. Meet real people. Tell lies. Pretend to believe theirs.
There's nothing like it. :-)

(And one more "thanks" to Joe, Harold, & Hank at the now departed
"Fisherman's Edge".)

That's good advice, but someone in southern Illinois has to travel
quite a ways to find a shop like that. John's list of Illinois
fly shops included only two in southern Illinois, one in Marion
and one in Carbondale and neither has much to do with fly fishing.
I recommend a trip to St. Louis, Feather Craft and T. Hargrove are
both good shops, but a lot of folks, me included, caught the
fly fishing virus just fine without any help from Ye Olde Fly Shoppe.

--
Ken Fortenberry

newbe questions
 

(And one more "thanks" to Joe, Harold, & Hank at the now departed
"Fisherman's Edge".)

And now we shall bow our heads and sing "Gather at the River." Really
miss that place. Then again, the coffee was pretty strong at the end
of the day. Use it to clean the cement out front.
Frank Reid

newbe questions
 

On Feb 14, 9:57 am, "Frank Reid" wrote:
And now we shall bow our heads and sing "Gather at the River." Really
miss that place. Then again, the coffee was pretty strong at the end
of the day. Use it to clean the cement out front.

newbe questions
 

On Feb 14, 9:57 am, "Frank Reid" wrote:
And now we shall bow our heads and sing "Gather at the River." Really
miss that place. Then again, the coffee was pretty strong at the end
of the day. Use it to clean the cement out front.

I believe they used it to set perms at the hair salon next door. :-)

Joe F.


p.s. I hate this google posting ****. Sorry about the two empties.

newbe questions
 

On Feb 14, 9:02 am, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:
That's good advice, but someone in southern Illinois has to travel
quite a ways to find a shop like that.

The Edge was about an hour from my house, too far for a casual visit,
but I was lucky in that it was only 20 min. from my office. I could
run over there & back in a lunch hour, though that hour often became
two once the stories & jokes got started.


a lot of folks, me included, caught the
fly fishing virus just fine without any help from Ye Olde Fly Shoppe.

And we're glad you did. g Yeah, YOFS is great if you have one, but
not essential. There are still a few very good shops in the area; but
nothing like the atmosphere of my favorite YOFS.

Joe F.

newbe questions
 

Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters 1729 N. Clybourn Chicago IL
312.944.3474
Coren's Rod & Reel Service 6001 N. Nina Avenue Chicago IL 773.631.5202
Dan's Tackle Service 2237 W. McLean Ave. Chicago IL 773.276.5562
Dunn's Sporting Goods 1904 Rendleman Marion IL 618.997.3626
Ed Shirley & Sons 5404 La Grange Rd. Countryside IL 708.352.5712
Ed Shirley & Sons Sports 5802 W. Dempster Morton Grove IL 708.966.5900
Fly & Field Inc. 560 Crescent Blvd Glen Ellyn IL 708.858.7844
Fly Fishers Outfit 300 W. Allen Springfield IL 217.544.7218
GR Young Outfitters 221 W. Waukegan Rd. Lake Bluff IL 847.615.5400
Northlander 209 E. Lincoln Way De Kalb IL 800.555.1212
On The Fly 3628 Sage Dr. Rockford IL 815.877.0090
One More Cast 1416 W. 55th Countryside IL 708.482.4990
Orvis Chicago 142 E. Ontario Chicago IL 312.440.0622
Orvis Deerfield 775 Waukegan Rd. Deerfield IL 847.945.3500
Riverside Sports 26 N. Bennet St. Geneva IL 630.232.7047
Roaring Fork Outfitters 2577 Waukegan Rd. Bannockburn IL 847.940.8580
The Wildlife Refuge 1130 E. Main Carbondale IL 618.529.2524
Trout & Grouse Inc. 300 Happ Rd. Northfield IL 847.501.3111

You want the type of fisining shop (it need not be exclusively a fly shop)
that has a coffee pot and a buliten board...you might find a local club that
has classes for beginners or that sponsors outings locally...



Don't forget your local library ofr books and videos....



don't forget to search google...



john

"Mike" wrote in message
. net...
I plan on learing to fly fish this spring and I don't know anyone in this
area that does fly fishes. I ordered some videos and have been buying
magazines. I picked up a 7ft. 4w fly rod at Walmart and plan on learning
fishing for bluegills and I don't know anywhere close that even stock
trout. I (I'm in southern ILL) What kind of flies etc would you recomend???
From what I've read WF line would be easier to learn to cast. Any tips &
suggestions would be greatly appreceated.
Thanks, Mike

--

JESUS IS LORD!

newbe questions
 

Ethan wrote:

Mr Dean has some good points, .....

Well, *there's* somethin' you don't see every day on roff.

:)

newbe questions
 

"JR" wrote in message
...
Ethan wrote:

Mr Dean has some good points, .....

Well, *there's* somethin' you don't see every day on roff.

:)

yeah, wassup with calling him Mr.?
Tom

newbe questions
 

Tom Littleton wrote:
"JR" wrote in message
...
Ethan wrote:

Mr Dean has some good points, .....
Well, *there's* somethin' you don't see every day on roff.

:)

yeah, wassup with calling him Mr.?
Tom


He must have gotten back on his meds....

Ed

newbe questions
 

"Ken Fortenberry"

.. John's list of Illinois
fly shops included only two in southern Illinois, one in Marion
and one in Carbondale and neither has much to do with fly fishing.
I recommend a trip to St. Louis, Feather Craft and T. Hargrove are
both good shops, but a lot of folks, me included, caught the
fly fishing virus just fine without any help from Ye Olde Fly Shoppe.

--
Ken Fortenberry

Yeah, but that was only one link that I found through a google search...

For example, my local shop (mainly bass) does have a selection of hooks and
some various chinelles and feathers and such, and that is where I hooked up
with our local fly fishing club.

A lot of times we get a 'looker' asking ''' beginner' questions and never
hear from them again, anyhow, there is a lot of information out there, a lot
of pleasant folks with a world of wisdom. I was just trying to suggest that,
although ordering vids and books and posting here is fine, a little field
work can yet great results...

john..

Ps. how's the dog?

newbe questions
 

asadi wrote:
...
Ps. how's the dog?

Kipper the Hound is fine, for a 10 year old. He's slowing down
a bit, but he's lovin' romping through all this new snow. We had
13.5" officially but with the 50mph winds the drift against my
garage door was chest high this morning. I'm slowing down too,
but unlike Kipper I'm not lovin' all this new snow. ;-)

--
Ken Fortenberry

newbe questions
 

"asadi" wrote in message
t...

Fly & Field Inc. 560 Crescent Blvd Glen Ellyn IL 708.858.7844
Roaring Fork Outfitters 2577 Waukegan Rd. Bannockburn IL 847.940.8580

No longer in business

newbe questions
 

On Feb 14, 10:26�am, "asadi" wrote:

* * * GR Young Outfitters 221 W. Waukegan Rd. Lake Bluff IL 847.615..5400
* * * Orvis Deerfield 775 Waukegan Rd. Deerfield IL 847.945.3500

Also no longer in business.
Joel

newbe questions
 

"Mike" wrote in message
. net...
I plan on learing to fly fish this spring and I don't know anyone in this
area that does fly fishes. I ordered some videos and have been buying
magazines. I picked up a 7ft. 4w fly rod at Walmart and plan on learning
fishing for bluegills and I don't know anywhere close that even stock
trout. I (I'm in southern ILL) What kind of flies etc would you recomend???
From what I've read WF line would be easier to learn to cast. Any tips &
suggestions would be greatly appreceated.
Thanks, Mike


Greetings Mike,
The 7wt may be too short of a rod to start with to learn the correct
mechanics of the cast. I would start with a 8.5' or 9' fly rod. in a
5 or 6wt. The reason being is you have to learn to load the rod and
it's much easier in those lengths. After you learn the basics and
understand the cast, I would suggest looking at sorter length fly rods.

The other thing I've learned is when starting, is to not pick-up any
bad habits. There are a lot of videos out on the market, but only
a handful which I would consider worthwhile.

All good fly-casters have developed their own style after learning
the basics and understanding the mechanics of the cast. If I could give
a suggestion on where to start, I would suggest to purchase Mel Krieger's
book called The Essence of Fly Casting. The descriptions and photos
are easy to understand.

Off the records, I had quite a few bad habits when I started. Mel Krieger
corrected me on my basics, it was like learning how to cast all over again.
And to learning to break a bad habit is worst than starting fresh.

Remember, there are no shortcuts in fly-casting, what you put into it
is what you'll get out of it.
Good Luck and great fishing, it's a wonderful relaxing hobby.
fwiw,
-tom

newbe questions
 

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

"Mike" wrote in message
. net...
I plan on learing to fly fish this spring and I don't know anyone in this
area that does fly fishes. I ordered some videos and have been buying
magazines. I picked up a 7ft. 4w fly rod at Walmart and plan on learning
fishing for bluegills and I don't know anywhere close that even stock
trout. I (I'm in southern ILL) What kind of flies etc would you
recomend??? From what I've read WF line would be easier to learn to cast.
Any tips & suggestions would be greatly appreceated.
Thanks, Mike


Greetings Mike,
The 7wt may be too short of a rod to start with to learn the correct

***Sorry, I meant 7 ft. not 7wt. *****

mechanics of the cast. I would start with a 8.5' or 9' fly rod. in a
5 or 6wt. The reason being is you have to learn to load the rod and
it's much easier in those lengths. After you learn the basics and
understand the cast, I would suggest looking at sorter length fly rods.

The other thing I've learned is when starting, is to not pick-up any
bad habits. There are a lot of videos out on the market, but only
a handful which I would consider worthwhile.

All good fly-casters have developed their own style after learning
the basics and understanding the mechanics of the cast. If I could give
a suggestion on where to start, I would suggest to purchase Mel Krieger's
book called The Essence of Fly Casting. The descriptions and photos
are easy to understand.

Off the records, I had quite a few bad habits when I started. Mel Krieger
corrected me on my basics, it was like learning how to cast all over
again.
And to learning to break a bad habit is worst than starting fresh.

Remember, there are no shortcuts in fly-casting, what you put into it
is what you'll get out of it.
Good Luck and great fishing, it's a wonderful relaxing hobby.
fwiw,
-tom

newbe questions
 

Again thanks for all the imput and info. It is well appreceated. The latest
video I picked up was Fly Fishing Made Easy from Scientific Anglers, Brian
& Judith O'Keefe are the instructors. The local hunting/fishing store over
in Mo. (just a few miles away) have an assortement of fly equipment but
since they mainly deal with bass fishermen they are not up on fly fishing.
The have some Flueger fly rods in the $40-$50 range in 8-9 ft. lengths but
the reels are the cheap $10. martins. Also was looking at the complete
outfits in Bass Pro and Cabela's catalogs. They have complete outfits in the
80-100 dollare range. Might be better off going that way since the WF line
is included.
Mike



Greetings Mike,
The 7wt may be too short of a rod to start with to learn the correct
mechanics of the cast. I would start with a 8.5' or 9' fly rod. in a
5 or 6wt. The reason being is you have to learn to load the rod and
it's much easier in those lengths. After you learn the basics and
understand the cast, I would suggest looking at sorter length fly rods.

The other thing I've learned is when starting, is to not pick-up any
bad habits. There are a lot of videos out on the market, but only
a handful which I would consider worthwhile.

All good fly-casters have developed their own style after learning
the basics and understanding the mechanics of the cast. If I could give
a suggestion on where to start, I would suggest to purchase Mel Krieger's
book called The Essence of Fly Casting. The descriptions and photos
are easy to understand.

Off the records, I had quite a few bad habits when I started. Mel Krieger
corrected me on my basics, it was like learning how to cast all over
again.
And to learning to break a bad habit is worst than starting fresh.

Remember, there are no shortcuts in fly-casting, what you put into it
is what you'll get out of it.
Good Luck and great fishing, it's a wonderful relaxing hobby.
fwiw,
-tom

newbe questions
 

Mike wrote:
Again thanks for all the imput and info. It is well appreceated. The latest
video I picked up was Fly Fishing Made Easy from Scientific Anglers, Brian
& Judith O'Keefe are the instructors. The local hunting/fishing store over
in Mo. (just a few miles away) have an assortement of fly equipment but
since they mainly deal with bass fishermen they are not up on fly fishing.
The have some Flueger fly rods in the $40-$50 range in 8-9 ft. lengths but
the reels are the cheap $10. martins. Also was looking at the complete
outfits in Bass Pro and Cabela's catalogs. They have complete outfits in the
80-100 dollare range. Might be better off going that way since the WF line
is included.

There are good reasons to go with a Bass Pro or Cabela's outfit
but the fly line is not one of them. You will almost always want
to replace the fly line included with the entry priced outfits
with a decent fly line.

The second most important piece of equipment in fly fishing after
the fly rod is the fly line. Trying to learn to cast with a bad
fly line is a beginner's worst nightmare.

The fly reel, on the other hand, is just a place to store the
fly line in a bluegill-sized outfit. The cheap Martins will work
just fine as will a Pflueger Medalist. When I built bluegill
fly fishing outfits for my nieces I put Pflueger Medalist 1492's
on them for about $20 apiece as I recall.

Others here have first-hand experience with the Cabela's outfits
and are better able to give you recommendations on them. Good luck.

--
Ken Fortenberry