fly fishing setup..need help

micah · 07-09-2004, 08:43 PM

Hi, I've never fly fished before and I'm thinking of giving it a shot. I will be fishing mainly for rainbow trout, some brown and cutthroat(mostly 1-3lbs average).
I'm wanting to get a average setup to start with and was wondering if any of you guys could suggest a manufacturer or even a specific setup to look at. Remember, I know nothing about it yet.
What do you guys think of the Scientific Anglers combo that you can get at Wally world? Are they any good?
I know that price range can vary greatly as with most everything else, but I would like to stay under about $200 if possible, and cheaper would even be better! But not to cheap that quality really starts to be an issue.
Thanks for any advice!
Micah

Lilhunter · 07-10-2004, 03:32 AM

for less then 100 bucks I've set a guy up with a 4 wt, off brand rods of course, however they cast very well!!! I dont have the names...thats rod, reel, AND line, he already had the backing and some leaders. All of this came from Sportsmen's Warehouse in Anchorage Alaska. (my home away from home

)

Temple Fork Outfitter rods are good with a great warrenty!!! (I really look at rod compansy for warrenty first including my bait casting and spin fishing rods)

Reels....anything not to spendy will do. Dont get wrapped around the axil about large abor, or get reel spendy here, lots of guys do it, there is no need when it comes to smaller fish. If you can afford it, go for it, other wise save your pennys. Dont get reel cheap though either and get a junk reel. The one we found was 32 bucks Ak prices

Get the best fly line you can buy and take care of it! I clean mine after every/every other use depending on the water conditions. Dont step on it, dont cast it in grass, if you do clean it!!! Even a good rod wont cast a bad line. If you need to practice, get a cheap line first as you'll kill it in the grass and dirt.

You dont need much for backing. 10lb braided dacron will be perfect.

There are some knots you'll need to learn and some lingo you'll need to understand. Gary LaFonte has a great little pocket book for 10 or 12 bucks. (Gary and another guy wrote it). It will roughly show knots, atleast to the point you can look them up online, and everything else about fly fishing in a handy dandy, waterproof, pocket booklet. Money well speny IMHO.

TheBassMan · 07-10-2004, 02:01 PM

Since you have never fly fished i would go with something cheap. I would go with the combo that you mentioned you can get from wal-mart. Practice with that on your casting. Buy some small poppers that you can get at wal-mart that yould work for bluegill. I would get the dial-a-popper if they have it there. It is about 8 bucks, and comes with like 10 little poppers for the fly rod. Take those out to some creek, lake, pond that has blue gill in it and practice catching fish with the fly rod. See if you liek it first, if you dont, then you didnt waste a whole lot of money. Then for trout, i would go to a fly shop, and get hooked up with some flies, leader, and tippet material. my personal opinion would be 6x or 7x tapered leader...same for tippet material..have them set you up with a few flies, then go hit the river...Then if you really like it you could upgrade your equipment

TheBassMan · 07-10-2004, 02:03 PM

try to get a 4 or 5 weight rod too

jerseyhunter · 07-10-2004, 05:04 PM

Don't have a catalgue to give you specifics right now but I would start with A Pflueger Medalist reel, 5 wt fly rod in either Eagle Claw or South Bend , Scientific Angler 5 wt wt forward floating fly line, some tapered leaders and asst. of streamers, and flies. The tiniest split shot you can find,like the size of no. 9 dove shot.Maybe some plain hooks for when you just have to use a worm or egg. It's not the best but you'll learn and eventually move on, then again you may use the set up till it no longer serves you, I had my first set up for nearly 30 yrs. and still have and use the reel. Price was a lot different back in the 60's

Lilhunter · 07-11-2004, 02:13 PM

the Pfluger medalist reels do not allow you to palm the reel should you get something of size on!

I also have one and started with the medalist also......I really think you'd be better off with a cortland rimfly or any other similar design for that purpose alone.

micah · 07-11-2004, 09:07 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm going to take it and do a little research and see what I come up with. I see alot of people fly fishing up at the river all the time and it looks like a lot of fun.
If anyone has anything else they would suggest me look at, please mention it and I'll take a gander at it as well.
Thanks,
Micah

Lilhunter · 07-13-2004, 06:55 PM

Try ebay for the RimFLY, not fire reel

The new line of reels is up, its sister reel would be the mosquito fly $29.95

http://www.cortlandline.com/

I cant view the sportsmen's warehouse page to check out the fly fishing gear. I do know what I was was perfect for a beginner, cost, warrenty, and casting wise!

I'd stay away from 80 combos, most are junk. Like the marboro ones. Any fly rod that doubles as a spinning rod is not worth it either! You can still find a good rod to learn on for 50 bucks if you shop around and cast some.

Sorry I didnt answer your pm sooner!

buckshot47 · 07-14-2004, 04:56 AM

micah
cabelas has many good starter kits that incude rod, reel,backing and fly-line. Go with a #4or #5 and a 9ft easyer to learn to cast with a longer rod.