FLYFISHEXPERT
LivingOverland.com
Sportsman Matt said:I would recommend... Albright Tackle's Yellowstone Rod 8 foot 2 piece 5 weight, match the reel to that, my preference is the Albright 7/8/9 Topwater reel or the Pflueger Medallist 1598 Rim control reel, and the Bass Pro Shops White River Floating W7WF fly line. 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.
As an overall suggestion, I believe it would be better to properly match the reel with the rod and go with a slightly heavier line. Stepping up to a 7/8/9 weight reel on a 5 weight rod would cause improper balance and cause casting to become more labored. This may not be as important with the above suggested equipment, like tuning a Yugo for street racing:Mechanic: , but I think you would be better off keeping them the same.
I do agree that using a heavier weight line makes it easier for a beginner to learn how to cast, I again believe using a 7wt line on a 5wt rod, depending on the action, would again make it harder for the caster. The additional weigh of the line will adversely affect the casting performance of the rod and in the long run could make the whole experience less enjoyable.
Again, Dango, give us an idea of the type of fishing you and your gal are interested in doing; trout, bass, panfish, steelhead, etc.; and I think we can match you up with a great setup for not much money. Not to complicate things too much for you, but matching a setup for what you will be using it for will make a world of difference.