Fly Fishing
- Thread starter 98dango
- Start date
Some of the best times I've had in my life are learning something new from a lady I've been dating (not married). Tell her that you're interested in having her teach you the basics of fishing, and then shut up and listen no matter how she wants to approach it. You'll hopefully have fun learning, fishing is one of those things that the company can make all the difference in my experience, so give it another shot with her and you're guaranteed to win some points if not catch fish 
Also, don't listen to anyone in a store who tells you that you need a $1,000 setup to learn to fly fish. If your wife is "into it" all you need is a $99 rod/reel combo and she'll have everything else you need to start and it gives you the added benifit of staying close to her on the river/lake to start.
I wish I was dating someone who wanted to teach me to fish, sieze the opportunity!
Also, don't listen to anyone in a store who tells you that you need a $1,000 setup to learn to fly fish. If your wife is "into it" all you need is a $99 rod/reel combo and she'll have everything else you need to start and it gives you the added benifit of staying close to her on the river/lake to start.
I wish I was dating someone who wanted to teach me to fish, sieze the opportunity!
LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
98dango said:
Join a local club if available you/she will be glad you did.
98dango
Expedition Leader
we dont have aney local clubs as we live in a verry small town
i am all for learing i have a patiance problem but it dose let us get out and enjoi nature together. Plus she keeps wanting to go farther up rive wich means i get to use my truck more as its a plus 5 trail to get to whee she likes to be.
but every time im in the stor thay want em to drop severail hunderd dollars on stuff i dont think i need just to spend tiem with my lady
i am all for learing i have a patiance problem but it dose let us get out and enjoi nature together. Plus she keeps wanting to go farther up rive wich means i get to use my truck more as its a plus 5 trail to get to whee she likes to be.
but every time im in the stor thay want em to drop severail hunderd dollars on stuff i dont think i need just to spend tiem with my lady
Bergger
Explorer
If she wants to try it I highly recommend going on a guided trip. This is how I got hooked on it. I had spin fished my whole life then ended up getting a one day guided trip for a gift. That was all it took. And they supply all the gear she'll need. She won't have to buy any equipment and this will tell her if she will really enjoy it. Sure she could go out and spend a little money on some of her own gear and give it a go but she probably won't have the best time. I equate fly fishing to golf. If you have never played golf and go out to try it you will probably never try it again! You'll get frustrated. However if you take a few lessons to learn the basics then you'll have a much better time. Fly fishing is not as difficult as people think but there is certainly a lot more to it than spin fishing. That's why I love it so much. A guide will get her into some fish, teach her the basic casts, flys, knots etc. I highly recommend spending a few hundred dollars on guide the first time vs. a few hundred dollars on equipment that will probably end up collecting dust in the corner. Just my opinion. It worked for me!
7wt
Expedition Leader
Go to the bookstore and buy all the flyfishing magazines you can and read them until they make since. Decide what direction you want to start ie, trout, bass, salt or whatever and jump in feet first. Just know that it is a very expensive hobby but will reward you far past your investment. Good luck to you and may you have a drag free drift!
GunnIt
Adventurer
My wife and I have done 2 videos that are geared to teaching people how to fly fish. An Introduction to Fly Fishing, and an Introduction to Fly Casting, by Terry and Wendy Gunn. You can purchase these at many places including Amazon or rent them from Netfix. You can also view a low res version by going to www.leesferry.com and hitting the "virtual tours" button.
Hiring a guide is a great idea, just make sure you are hiring the right guide...not all guides are patient with beginning fly fishers.
Hiring a guide is a great idea, just make sure you are hiring the right guide...not all guides are patient with beginning fly fishers.
durangodds
Adventurer
Most fly fishing shops will offer classes with many that are strictly for women. I know Durangler's here in Durango offers women's flyfishing/fly casting clinics regularly. Nothing beats having someone standing there watching you do it and giving instantaneous feedback. Videos and magazines cannot offer that. Most guides don't want to spend the day teaching you how to fish. Make sure you let them know when you book the trip you will be a rank beginner.
Mercedesrover
Explorer
dnellans said:
Good advice. When I was a poor kid I had a cheap rod and reel. I caught more fish on that set-up than any other rig I've owned since. It's the time you spend on the water, not what you're using for gear.
Also, don't get all hung up on fly patterns. I'll probably piss off a few hard-core guys here but a half-dozen patterns will do you just fine. Of course, patterns will depend on where you are and what you're fishing for. Don't get too worrie about "matching the hatch" at this point. A royal coachman doesn't match anything but it'll still catch fish every day of the week.
Go out, learn how to cast well and have a good time. Don't get hung up on gear.
7wt
Expedition Leader
Boy you ain't kiddin! How fun is it to fish a size 14 Royal Coachman through a 22 BWO hatch and still catch fish. The looks you get. Of all the hobbies I enjoy, nothing is more diverse and allows you to experiment or express your personality than fishing. If you like gear, there is a place for you. If you like to do it yourself, there is a place for you. Like to headhunt? Like to find enjoyment in the smallest successes? Like to tie (I love)? Like to do stuff 180 degrees from the norm? There is a place for you in fly fishing.Mercedesrover said:
All this advice is nice and all but where does your wife want to fish? Is she looking for a hobby or just something to do when you guys are out camping? Does she want to catch trout or bass or chase down reds in the salt?
Ridgewalker
Adventurer
Try this website for some interesting lady "fisherpersons". http://www.sistersonthefly.com/ Pretty neat if you ask me.
I've been flyfishing for 47 years and still learn something new every time I go.
Great sport. Hope she enjoys it.
I've been flyfishing for 47 years and still learn something new every time I go.
Great sport. Hope she enjoys it.
FLYFISHEXPERT
LivingOverland.com
Where do you live?
FLYFISHEXPERT
LivingOverland.com
I agree with everybody's comments, and I don't believe you need to go and pick up a $1000 rod. That being said, PLEASE don't go to Wal Mart and pick up a $30 combo. Quality is important, and you get what you pay for. I am still not suggesting you need top of the line gear... you may eventually want it... but if you spend some time there are always deals on craigslist.org and in the paper, at least here anyway. I really like St. Croix rods, I picked up one, an 8'6" 5wt Avid, for my wife last year for approx. $200 from Cabala's in Boise.
Also one thing to consider is the type of fishing you/she will be doing. This will determine the type of rod and reel you will require. An 8'6" 5wt is a good all around fly rod. For a beginner, look for something with a softer action as it is more 'forgiving' to beginners.
If you can provide a little more information, I think we can steer you in the right direction.
Also one thing to consider is the type of fishing you/she will be doing. This will determine the type of rod and reel you will require. An 8'6" 5wt is a good all around fly rod. For a beginner, look for something with a softer action as it is more 'forgiving' to beginners.
If you can provide a little more information, I think we can steer you in the right direction.
Sportsman Matt
Adventurer
Hope this helps, first don't go out and spend lots of money on rods, reels, tackle. I found the best thing to do is go to the local fly shop and try out their outfits. If you have a Bass Pro shops, Cabelas, or Gander Mountain nearby, you'll get to see what's there and most of the time you can try out their outfits. For a decent first time setup, I would recommend from experience, (my girlfriend uses this same setup and she only fly fishes 3 times a year and looks like a pro) Albright Tackle's Yellowstone Rod 8 foot 2 piece 5 weight (on sale anywhere from $15.00 to 40.00), match the reel to that, my preference is the Albright 7/8/9 Topwater reel (on sale $20.00 to $70.00) or the Pflueger Medallist 1598 Rim control reel(about $40.00), and the Bass Pro Shops White River Floating W7WF fly line (7 weight Weight foreward about $30.00). The reason for the heavy line is that when you are beginning to cast, you need to feel the rod load and the line, a heavier line will cast slightly shorter, but you will have control of the line from feel when casting. Plus the heavier line isn't as likely to go astray when the wind blows out there (I spent 3 weeks fishing Oklahoma and the first 2 days were awful, couldn't get the line to cast in the wind anywhere close to where I wanted it until I changed to the 7wt line) Look online for flyfishing videos, even youtube has casting lessons, plus you can often learn from watching others either in person or on tv. A couple good sites for info are are Flyfisherman magazine, American Angler, Fly Fish America, Take me fishing.org to name a few.
Good Luck
Good Luck