Looking into getting my first fly rod..

Hi all..

Been an avid fisherman for many years and finally decided to try out
fly fishing..
Whilst a little intimidated, skeptical and overwhelmed by all the
information out there, I decided to try this forum out to see if some
of my questions can be answered..

First:
The rod and reel I will need.
I went to a shop the other day that a person runs from his garage. Has
many rods for sale and whilst he didn't have any fly rods, he offered
to sell me one of his.. He showed me many four of the ones he owns, and
except for one of them, he offered to sell me any of them (with a reel)
for $100.
I don't know what brand the rods were, but they were 100% graphite.
Two of them were 6-7, the other was 7-8 and longer than the rest. I
believe the 7-8 was 11" whilst the rest were 9"6' or thereabouts..

Second:
Casting.
I'm sure a lot of contreversy discussions can be brought up in regards
to casting.. But I want to know if there is a basic technique that I
could follow and have me fishing relatively quickly..
Is there any websites or videos that one would recommend?


Okay..
That's all for now..


Thanks for your time..

"Ivan" wrote in message
oups.com...

Second:
Casting.

You'd better have a really good sense of humor in the beginning. That's all
I have to say about this subject. :-)

What kind of fishing will you be doing?
Freshwater?
Ocean?

What kind and size of fish will you be going after?
trout?
bass?
panfish?

The most popular and general all purpose fly rods esp for fresh water are
5-6 weight
8'6" to 9ft.
On the face of things $100 does not seem to be that great of a bargain if
you really don't know what type or quality of equipment that you are buying.
There are many grades of graphite.
You can buy a low end but decent starter outfit for $150 -$200 brand new and
you will be sure of the wt, size and quality.

Re Instruction-
try starting he
http://www.llbean.com/outdoorsOnline...lyfishing/tips

Videos - I cannot help you here

Take your time, have patience and YES a sense of humor!
--
Fred

"Ivan" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all..

Been an avid fisherman for many years and finally decided to try out
fly fishing..
Whilst a little intimidated, skeptical and overwhelmed by all the
information out there, I decided to try this forum out to see if some
of my questions can be answered..

First:
The rod and reel I will need.
I went to a shop the other day that a person runs from his garage. Has
many rods for sale and whilst he didn't have any fly rods, he offered
to sell me one of his.. He showed me many four of the ones he owns, and
except for one of them, he offered to sell me any of them (with a reel)
for $100.
I don't know what brand the rods were, but they were 100% graphite.
Two of them were 6-7, the other was 7-8 and longer than the rest. I
believe the 7-8 was 11" whilst the rest were 9"6' or thereabouts..

Second:
Casting.
I'm sure a lot of contreversy discussions can be brought up in regards
to casting.. But I want to know if there is a basic technique that I
could follow and have me fishing relatively quickly..
Is there any websites or videos that one would recommend?


Okay..
That's all for now..


Thanks for your time..

"Ivan" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all..

Been an avid fisherman for many years and finally decided to try out
fly fishing..
Whilst a little intimidated, skeptical and overwhelmed by all the
information out there, I decided to try this forum out to see if some
of my questions can be answered..

First:
The rod and reel I will need.
I went to a shop the other day that a person runs from his garage. Has
many rods for sale and whilst he didn't have any fly rods, he offered
to sell me one of his.. He showed me many four of the ones he owns, and
except for one of them, he offered to sell me any of them (with a reel)
for $100.
I don't know what brand the rods were, but they were 100% graphite.
Two of them were 6-7, the other was 7-8 and longer than the rest. I
believe the 7-8 was 11" whilst the rest were 9"6' or thereabouts..

Second:
Casting.
I'm sure a lot of contreversy discussions can be brought up in regards
to casting.. But I want to know if there is a basic technique that I
could follow and have me fishing relatively quickly..
Is there any websites or videos that one would recommend?


Okay..
That's all for now..


Thanks for your time..

Get yourself an inexpensive rod form Walt Winter at
http://www.ezflyfish.com/ (a very trusted individual, IMMHO), Cabela's,
Gander Mtn...

Fred is probably on with the most popular weight being 5/6wt, but I would
also add that if you are fishin' fairly small trout streams, I would go with
a 3/4 weight rig. Length of the rod is very important as well. Personally,
I like short rods, 6' to 7 1/2', for my fishin', as I fish small steams in
North Carolina. However, a longer rod is better in most cases, for all
around fishin', as you can reach across currents that might create drag on
your line. I have learned to compensate for those situations; but, as a
beginner, you may want to get a rod in the 8' to 8 1/2' range.

You are going to spend more money on flyfishin', per piece of gear, than you
will for spinnin' rigs. Just accept this and you will get over the sticker
shock and get on with the job at hand. Once you get a feel for castin', you
cast other fly fishers more expensive set-ups and learn the subtleties, you
will realize that price does equal quality, in most cases concerning your
rod and *LINE*. Yes line quality matters, and the more expensive lines are
better lines--others may say differently, but I doubt it.

Your reel is simply a line storage unit, for small stream fishin' anyway.
Buy a functional reel, probably made of a composite material for you
original set-up. You will want to get into the more expensive reels as your
taste in rods matures.

Concernin' casting, go to http://www.sexyloops.com/index.shtml and click on
there fly casting link. Buy some books, read up. Get out in the yard and
tie a fly on that you have clipped the hook off of, or tie a wad of yarn on
to the tippet and begin castin'. The advice you get on casting will be
imperative--10 to 2 or 11 to 1 castin'. These numbers represent positions
on a clock. Your back cast should never, generally speaking, go beyond 2:00
behind you and your forward cast should never go beyond 10:00, again
generally speaking. Obviously, you must lower your rod at the end of your
forward cast, but that will come as you practice.

Lawn castin' won't suffice forever. You really need to get on the water.
Find a stretch with no trees to get hung up in. Don't worry about catchin'
fish right away. Learn to cast properly. And, no, your castin' style may
not be exactly what the *experts* say it should be. I for example, use my
wrist a great deal more than would be suggested to the beginner, but then I
can't cast for **** either!

Go ahead and Google everything that you can think of about castin' and
flyfishin' in general and read.

Stick around here, learn to grow a very thick skin, and remember: There are
no stupid questions, just stupid people who ask questions! :~^ )

Op

"Mr. Opus McDopus" wrote in message
...

"Ivan" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all..

Been an avid fisherman for many years and finally decided to try out
fly fishing..
Whilst a little intimidated, skeptical and overwhelmed by all the
information out there, I decided to try this forum out to see if some
of my questions can be answered..

First:
The rod and reel I will need.
I went to a shop the other day that a person runs from his garage. Has
many rods for sale and whilst he didn't have any fly rods, he offered
to sell me one of his.. He showed me many four of the ones he owns, and
except for one of them, he offered to sell me any of them (with a reel)
for $100.
I don't know what brand the rods were, but they were 100% graphite.
Two of them were 6-7, the other was 7-8 and longer than the rest. I
believe the 7-8 was 11" whilst the rest were 9"6' or thereabouts..

Second:
Casting.
I'm sure a lot of contreversy discussions can be brought up in regards
to casting.. But I want to know if there is a basic technique that I
could follow and have me fishing relatively quickly..
Is there any websites or videos that one would recommend?


Okay..
That's all for now..


Thanks for your time..

Get yourself an inexpensive rod form Walt Winter at
http://www.ezflyfish.com/ (a very trusted individual, IMMHO), Cabela's,
Gander Mtn...

Fred is probably on with the most popular weight being 5/6wt, but I would
also add that if you are fishin' fairly small trout streams, I would go
with a 3/4 weight rig. Length of the rod is very important as well.
Personally, I like short rods, 6' to 7 1/2', for my fishin', as I fish
small steams in North Carolina. However, a longer rod is better in most
cases, for all around fishin', as you can reach across currents that might
create drag on your line. I have learned to compensate for those
situations; but, as a beginner, you may want to get a rod in the 8' to 8
1/2' range.

You are going to spend more money on flyfishin', per piece of gear, than
you will for spinnin' rigs. Just accept this and you will get over the
sticker shock and get on with the job at hand. Once you get a feel for
castin', you cast other fly fishers more expensive set-ups and learn the
subtleties, you will realize that price does equal quality, in most cases
concerning your rod and *LINE*. Yes line quality matters, and the more
expensive lines are better lines--others may say differently, but I doubt
it.

Your reel is simply a line storage unit, for small stream fishin' anyway.
Buy a functional reel, probably made of a composite material for you
original set-up. You will want to get into the more expensive reels as
your taste in rods matures.

Concernin' casting, go to http://www.sexyloops.com/index.shtml and click
on there fly casting link. Buy some books, read up. Get out in the yard
and tie a fly on that you have clipped the hook off of, or tie a wad of
yarn on to the tippet and begin castin'. The advice you get on casting
will be imperative--10 to 2 or 11 to 1 castin'. These numbers represent
positions on a clock. Your back cast should never, generally speaking, go
beyond 2:00 behind you and your forward cast should never go beyond 10:00,
again generally speaking. Obviously, you must lower your rod at the end
of your forward cast, but that will come as you practice.

Lawn castin' won't suffice forever. You really need to get on the water.
Find a stretch with no trees to get hung up in. Don't worry about
catchin' fish right away. Learn to cast properly. And, no, your castin'
style may not be exactly what the *experts* say it should be. I for
example, use my wrist a great deal more than would be suggested to the
beginner, but then I can't cast for **** either!

Go ahead and Google everything that you can think of about castin' and
flyfishin' in general and read.

Stick around here, learn to grow a very thick skin, and remember: There
are no stupid questions, just stupid people who ask questions! :~^ )

Op



Many city parks have ponds/duck ponds that are a good place to practice.
Plenty of room for a back cast and no fish to interfere with your
concentration. A fly rod in a city park is 'babe magnet.'

john

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 20:16:08 -0400, Mr. Opus McDopus wrote:

"Ivan" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all..

snip

Concernin' casting, go to http://www.sexyloops.com/index.shtml and click on
there fly casting link. Buy some books, read up. Get out in the yard and
tie a fly on that you have clipped the hook off of, or tie a wad of yarn on
to the tippet and begin castin'.

another snip

Stick around here, learn to grow a very thick skin, and remember: There are
no stupid questions, just stupid people who ask questions! :~^ )

Op

Opus has a good point (yes, it's a bad pun) about snipping the hook or
casting some yarn. Should help to save your ears and the back of your neck
until that thick skin develops....

You don't say if you have kids or a sweetie. Be forewarned. When you are
learning to cast, if any of such are around they will be hook magnets.
Almost guaranteed. Not a way to become popular around the house!

I speak from some limited but painful experience.

Dan in Wyoming

Opus, long post, you didnt even ask him what he is fishing for!! You
would suggest a 6-8 foot 3-6 weight if he told you he lives in Seattle
and fishes for 40 pound king salmons?????!???

He needs to tell us if he is fishing for 7-12 inch 12, largemouth bash,
striped bass, steelhead, atlantic salmon, king salmon etc.

In article ,
"Mr. Opus McDopus" wrote:

Get yourself an inexpensive rod form Walt Winter at
http://www.ezflyfish.com/ (a very trusted individual, IMMHO), Cabela's,
Gander Mtn...

Fred is probably on with the most popular weight being 5/6wt, but I would
also add that if you are fishin' fairly small trout streams, I would go with
a 3/4 weight rig. Length of the rod is very important as well. Personally,
I like short rods, 6' to 7 1/2', for my fishin', as I fish small steams in
North Carolina. However, a longer rod is better in most cases, for all
around fishin', as you can reach across currents that might create drag on
your line. I have learned to compensate for those situations; but, as a
beginner, you may want to get a rod in the 8' to 8 1/2' range.

You are going to spend more money on flyfishin', per piece of gear, than you
will for spinnin' rigs. Just accept this and you will get over the sticker
shock and get on with the job at hand. Once you get a feel for castin', you
cast other fly fishers more expensive set-ups and learn the subtleties, you
will realize that price does equal quality, in most cases concerning your
rod and *LINE*. Yes line quality matters, and the more expensive lines are
better lines--others may say differently, but I doubt it.

Your reel is simply a line storage unit, for small stream fishin' anyway.
Buy a functional reel, probably made of a composite material for you
original set-up. You will want to get into the more expensive reels as your
taste in rods matures.

Concernin' casting, go to http://www.sexyloops.com/index.shtml and click on
there fly casting link. Buy some books, read up. Get out in the yard and
tie a fly on that you have clipped the hook off of, or tie a wad of yarn on
to the tippet and begin castin'. The advice you get on casting will be
imperative--10 to 2 or 11 to 1 castin'. These numbers represent positions
on a clock. Your back cast should never, generally speaking, go beyond 2:00
behind you and your forward cast should never go beyond 10:00, again
generally speaking. Obviously, you must lower your rod at the end of your
forward cast, but that will come as you practice.

Lawn castin' won't suffice forever. You really need to get on the water.
Find a stretch with no trees to get hung up in. Don't worry about catchin'
fish right away. Learn to cast properly. And, no, your castin' style may
not be exactly what the *experts* say it should be. I for example, use my
wrist a great deal more than would be suggested to the beginner, but then I
can't cast for **** either!

Go ahead and Google everything that you can think of about castin' and
flyfishin' in general and read.

Stick around here, learn to grow a very thick skin, and remember: There are
no stupid questions, just stupid people who ask questions! :~^ )

Op

"FlyGuy" wrote in message
...
Opus, long post, you didnt even ask him what he is fishing for!! You
would suggest a 6-8 foot 3-6 weight if he told you he lives in Seattle
and fishes for 40 pound king salmons?????!???

He needs to tell us if he is fishing for 7-12 inch 12, largemouth bash,
striped bass, steelhead, atlantic salmon, king salmon etc.


Then why don't you assist him, you Ignorant Mother****er!

Mark H. Bowen

"FlyGuy" wrote in message
...
Opus, long post, you didnt even ask him what he is fishing for!! You
would suggest a 6-8 foot 3-6 weight if he told you he lives in Seattle
and fishes for 40 pound king salmons?????!???

He needs to tell us if he is fishing for 7-12 inch 12, largemouth bash,
striped bass, steelhead, atlantic salmon, king salmon etc.


Being a brand new fisherman, I think he fishing for a cast that doesn't slap
the water.

--riverman

In article ,
"Mr. Opus McDopus" wrote:


"FlyGuy" wrote in message
...
Opus, long post, you didnt even ask him what he is fishing for!! You
would suggest a 6-8 foot 3-6 weight if he told you he lives in Seattle
and fishes for 40 pound king salmons?????!???

He needs to tell us if he is fishing for 7-12 inch 12, largemouth bash,
striped bass, steelhead, atlantic salmon, king salmon etc.


Then why don't you assist him, you Ignorant Mother****er!

Mark H. Bowen

I will be happy to Sir, once he tells us what he fishes for.