Hunting & Fishing Calling all Fly Fishermen

[Jig Stick]

Im just getting into fly fishing and need some input on reels and gear. Im mostly going for lake bass / pan fish, stream trout, and winter stream running stealhead. I have a lot of experience fishing for walleye and muskie, but not much experience with fly fishing.

Im looking for a medium action rod, 5-7wt reel, and line and leaders to set this rod up.

So far Im set on a Ross Evolution LT 5-7wt reel, and St Croix Avid 9ft rod in 7wt. but now Im stuck on line and leaders. I think I want to use weighted line? Any advice?

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Re: Calling all Fly Fishermen

The only reason you would want weighted line is if you are fishing in big water, and you expect to be fishing deep. Weighted line is a pain to fish with in small water. And it is also very difficult to fish with if their is any structure around.

If you are a beginner I would advise you to avoid weighted line. But I would give that same advise to a veteran fisherman.

Go with a good floating line. And keep it nice and clean. The cleaner the better.

If you do find yourself fishing in a little deeper water then use a bit longer leader.

The best way to learn fly fishing and casting is to fish with surface baits. Dry flies, and poppers and such. Then work yourself into sinking flies like nymphs. And don't be afraid of using a strike indicator.

You do not even need a weight forward line. Use a good tapered line. Then that way you can turn the line around and use the other end as well. And make sure where you buy the reel that they put a good solid backing line on the reel. Good backing is very important on a good reel. You will learn that real quick if you get a good Silver Bullet on in light water.

Ross makes a pretty good reel. Depending on which one you pick out. Are you looking at a sport shop at your rods and reels??

A good reel is OK. But it is far more important to put your money into a good rod. I have a Sage RPL+ that I bought in the early 90's. I have had it all across the country trout fishing. And I really like the rod. Sometimes it is good to advertise for a high quality used rod. You will normally find a fisherman who is willing to help a new starter. And this is the right time of year to look for one. Tom.

 

[Alden]

Re: Calling all Fly Fishermen

You will not go wrong on either of those rods. I've fished several St. Croix. Having fished all of the above with various lines, I find that the weight forward works best for me. It shoots line well due to its construction and is easy to cast. I often go a line weight one class higher than the rod only because I like the feel better (it loads the rod quicker due to its heavier weight but that is totally a personal preference. This is more for the lighter weight rods such as a 4 or 5 weight. For a 7 weight I suggest you match the line with the rod. Go to a shop that provides some different line types to cast and then decide which you like better. Nothing beats the feel of loading the rod and casting to best understand the differences.

A great experience is to build your own rod sometime. Good fishing and tight lines.

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: Calling all Fly Fishermen

There is an International Angler store close to my house, and I plan on going there to handle some of the gear. Ive been looking mostly online so far though, and all of my research has been done online and talking to my buddies who are into fly fishing. Cabelas has the St Croix rod and Ross reel that I am looking at, but Im still trying to figure out exactly what I want.

Is the weight Im looking at sufficient for steelhead, browns, and bass? Im guessing I would need a lighter rod if I wanted to go for rainbow or smaller trout?

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: Calling all Fly Fishermen

Yes you'll need a lighter rod not just for the lighter fish, but for the smaller stuff they like to eat.

The Sage is a good rod, I like the Loomis IMX stuff also. For the selection of fish you mentioned, you're looking at anywhere from a 4 to a 9 wt rod, in different lengths as well. You'll likely not be happy with one.

If I could only have one, though, it would be an IMX 6wt, about 9'. I've caught saltwater redfish, small creek trout and Kenai rainbow/salmon on it, but with a pretty large reel with lots of backing. Caught a 30" rainbow, remember looking at the guide, pointing out the rapidly shrinking spool = I think we'd better chase him. Had 9 wt in the case, but nooooo... had to use the leetle one.... Thanks Billy, if you are seeing this.

 

[tincan]

Re: Calling all Fly Fishermen

I use a Scott G2 rod 5 wt with the Rio Gold weighted line and love this combination. The best advice I can give is to hire a guide and let him/her take you out in the field. You will learn so much more from 1 day with a guide than many weeks of reading online. Good luck and enjoy!!!

 

[ColoWyo]

Re: Calling all Fly Fishermen

I think a 6 wt would be perfect for an all around bass/trout rod.

I have two Ross Evolutions and have been extremely happy with them. As for rod, go with Scott or Sage and don't look back.

 

[tincan]

Re: Calling all Fly Fishermen

Did you end up picking up a rod? Keep in mind that a quality rod will be an heirloom. Spend more money on the rod. It will last and you will pass it on.

 

[the agent]

Re: Calling all Fly Fishermen

Well. In the world of fly fishing its just like the world of golf. You rarely see anyone on the green with just one club, as you would rarely see anyone fishing all the species with just one rod line combo.
First the rod is very important to the presentation and distance you will be able to deliver. If you can do a test cast of the sticks you are considering. I will tell you that in my experience I rarely have to cast farther than 20ft in streams or rivers. Fly fishing is a lot like fish hunting you are using stealth to get into a position to present the fly in a natural manner. Many fish are right along the banks tucked in undercuts. For me its hard to beat the TFO line of rods for price and warranty service. The new BVK series is work looking at. Here in the southwest it seems like we have wind all the time and sometimes the smaller wt outfits will not cast as well.

Second, reels the fancy looking counter weights to balance the rod to make a day of casting less fatiguing. Oh yeah it also holds your line. For many fish a basic disc drag will do you well. If you are fishing steelhead or salt water fish maybe even carp they will test your drag so at that point you may have to upgrade to a higher level of engineering aka price reel. I look for anodizing or corrosion treatments, sealed composite drags, and weight. Make a fish earn the reel many trouts even bass can be hand lined once you get the feel for leader/tippet strength.

Third, lines, do not skimp. a good fly line will last many years and many say they do not need cleaning due to the self lubricating properties. I fish mainly the rio brand but have others around as well. I make use of floating, intermediate, and intermediate/sink tip lines. At first a floating line will handle most needs. Again the whole golf thing...when I surf fish in California or bay fish I am using the sinker. If i am throwing streamers in stillwater its the intermediate. With rivers the floater will do. The advantage to the different lines is in presentation. With steamers you can have the fly hover while the line gets it into the strike zone. As you strip the line in the fly will remain in the strike zone longer.

There is a lot more I could cover if you want. This should get you started for now.

my outfits include
3wt TFO finesse, lamson 3 reel floating line
5wt TFO professional, Reddington 5 reel floating
6wt TFO clouser and BVK, galvin 6 reel rio outbound floating/clear camo cortland
intermediate/rio outbound short sinktip lines.

In short 3 wt for trout and when I really want to have fun with dry flies
5 wt dont really use anymore
6wt for streamers, saltwater, or heavy nymphing

Hope this helps if my trip to baja materializes next year I will invest in an 8wt for rosterfish.

Good luck. There is just something about catching a fish you stalked on a fly rod. even more when it is caught on a fly you tied yourself. Its something you will have to experience yourself dont give up until you do.