Don Phillipson wrote:


Primarily bluegill, crappie, etc. From what I've read, perhaps 5 weight

or

6 weight would work for me, and I understand that weight-forward line is
better than single weight, or that double taper is the best


Buy from a local FF specialist store, if there is one and
if you trust its advice. If not, choose a balanced outfit from
a reliable mail-order vendor for total cost over $100 and
under $250.

Line weight is governed by the size of fly you want to cast --
for panfish, probably #16 as the smallest dry fly to size #2 streamers.
These figures suggest line weight 6 or 7. You do not need a heavier
outfit or a more delicate one (cf. midge fishing for trout.) Leaders
should be 9 ft. or longer, of the right tippet size for the fly size
(see books.)

Start with a floating line because it is easier to pick up off the
water. Double-taper offers more delicacy under 40 ft, weight-forward
offers more distance (over 60 ft.) so you can choose according to
your usual fishing distance, wading or from a boat etc. Wading
needs a rod 8 feet or longer (except in thick bush).

The reel is irrelevant until your first fish big enough to take out
all 100 ft. of fly line and get into the backing. Then you want
one with a reliably smooth drag. Several $10 reels are 90 pct
as good as $100+ reels.


The guy said he's going after Bluegill and Crappie in smaller lakes and
ponds. A 6 or 7 weight would be overkill, IMO. A 5, 4 or even a 3
would be much more fun.

Willi