rod/reel
- Thread starter mbuckner
- Start date
spressomon
Expedition Leader
What's your budget? What type of water do you expect to fish? And what type of fish to you plan to fish for with your first flyrod?
GunnIt
Adventurer
There are some really good rods out there that would fit your budget. You should go with a 9' 5-wt in a multi piece. PM me if you want any further advice...fly fishing is my business.
spressomon
Expedition Leader
Assuming by "everything" you mean the rod, reel and line? That can be done on the low end of everything. IMO investing in a little better rod, 5wt as GunnIt mentions, will yield more fun and sensitivity at the fly.
I have various salt and freshwater rods. Although I have Sage rods, amongst others, they are certainly well known but their customer service, if needed, sucks to put it simply; I think they've gotten too big too fast...
Orvis on the other hand has some wonderful rods, if not class leading, in various price points with outstanding post-sale support/customer service. Just my experience.
I have various salt and freshwater rods. Although I have Sage rods, amongst others, they are certainly well known but their customer service, if needed, sucks to put it simply; I think they've gotten too big too fast...
Orvis on the other hand has some wonderful rods, if not class leading, in various price points with outstanding post-sale support/customer service. Just my experience.
07 Elephant
Adventurer
Take a look at what the folks at TFO are doing. You can get a very nice rod at a competitive price. You still need a reel and line. Line alone can be pricey. You can find an inexpensive reel from Ross that will last you a life time.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thanks for the prompt feedback .....
I thought about gettin one rod (fits all) and maybe 2 or
more reels (with line) that I could quickly change out ...
depending on what I am after ..
Or is that a bad idea?
Also, the equipment must be able to fit in my Jeep
TJ, that is stuffed when I go out on the trails ....
I thought about gettin one rod (fits all) and maybe 2 or
more reels (with line) that I could quickly change out ...
depending on what I am after ..
Or is that a bad idea?
Also, the equipment must be able to fit in my Jeep
TJ, that is stuffed when I go out on the trails ....
KG6BWS
Explorer
I am by NOOOO means an expert on this so take it as you will.
I have a TFO Finesse series 8'9" 4wt that I really like. If I remember right it cost me $150ish. The reel is a Venture 5 (I have 2 spools) that I have DT floating and DT sinking. The reel, without the extra spool, was $100 at Sport Chalet.
The TFO rods all have a lifetime warranty, and although I havent had to use them yet, I hear GREAT things about their customer service. The fast action of the rod took me a bit to get used too, but now i really like it. The only fish I use it for is trout in the Eastern Sierra.
My setup, minus the extra spool and line, would probably cost you in the neighborhood of $300 give or take a few bucks.
I have a TFO Finesse series 8'9" 4wt that I really like. If I remember right it cost me $150ish. The reel is a Venture 5 (I have 2 spools) that I have DT floating and DT sinking. The reel, without the extra spool, was $100 at Sport Chalet.
The TFO rods all have a lifetime warranty, and although I havent had to use them yet, I hear GREAT things about their customer service. The fast action of the rod took me a bit to get used too, but now i really like it. The only fish I use it for is trout in the Eastern Sierra.
My setup, minus the extra spool and line, would probably cost you in the neighborhood of $300 give or take a few bucks.
spressomon
Expedition Leader
There's logic to both duplicate reels set up with different line and one reel with extra spools with different line. For a 5wt I'd go with extra spools to save cash and a little weight. I have Scientific Angler reel on my Sage 5wt Z-Axis with 2 spools: Floating, medium sink and fast sink. Predominantly I use either the floating or the fast sinking line it seems although that's not to say I never use my medium sink line.
Given a good rod you'll be quite happy catching small rainbows and brookies as well as 10lb+ cut-throat on a 5wt. Bigger fish require more patience on relatively lightweight gear. But that's the fun.
I took this ~9.5-10lb Lahontan Cutthroat at Pyramid Lake earlier this year on my 5wt Z-Axis, floating line and a strike indicator. It took me almost 1/2 hour to get it in to release. He got into my backing twice on the fight...I'll never forget this one.
Given a good rod you'll be quite happy catching small rainbows and brookies as well as 10lb+ cut-throat on a 5wt. Bigger fish require more patience on relatively lightweight gear. But that's the fun.
I took this ~9.5-10lb Lahontan Cutthroat at Pyramid Lake earlier this year on my 5wt Z-Axis, floating line and a strike indicator. It took me almost 1/2 hour to get it in to release. He got into my backing twice on the fight...I'll never forget this one.
Attachments
Bergger
Explorer
If you are just getting into the sport just get on set up and don't worry about different lines for now. For the western mountain states get a 9' 5wt rod with a floating weight forward line. You'll be able to handle just about all the trout these areas have to offer. If you get into the sport then you can worry about adding to your arsenal. I live in CO and do most of my fishing with my 3 wt rod or my 6 wt rod depending on the water/trout and wind. In my opinion this is the order of importance for your outfit. 1. your line (do not buy cheap line! do not buy cheap line!!) The better the line the better you will cast and the better you will present your fly. I prefer orvis wonderline. 2. Your rod, for beginners you may want a mid flex rod, easier to learn to cast. I prefer a tip flex but I recommend mid flex for beginners. 3. the reel, the least important of the components. It holds the line and will not come into play until you get into bigger fish. Even the lower end disc drags will do you well with the fish you will run into. With a budget of $300 you will have no problem getting set up. Just don't skimp on the line!
I would recommend the Orvis Clearwater II 905-2 rod $169, Orvis Wonder line 5 ****** $69, Orvis Clearwater III reel $49. I have 3 brands of rods and 4 brands of reels. I like them all for various reasons. Orvis offers a lifetime guarantee no matter what happens. It's the first combo I bought and I still fish it. I fell and broke the rod years ago and got a new one no questions asked. Good luck and be prepared to get 'hooked' on the sport.
I would recommend the Orvis Clearwater II 905-2 rod $169, Orvis Wonder line 5 ****** $69, Orvis Clearwater III reel $49. I have 3 brands of rods and 4 brands of reels. I like them all for various reasons. Orvis offers a lifetime guarantee no matter what happens. It's the first combo I bought and I still fish it. I fell and broke the rod years ago and got a new one no questions asked. Good luck and be prepared to get 'hooked' on the sport.
07 Elephant
Adventurer
Check out the TFO rod/reel combo. I suggest a 6wt over a 5wt but I prefer even number weights over odds.
TF NXT 5/6 5/6 Wt. 9'-0" 4 piece IM6 Graphite Rod w/ Composite Cork Handle
Cast Aluminum Fly Reel, Backing, Weight Forward Fly Line, & Tapered Leader $199.95
Temple Fork Outfitters fishing rods are designed by Gary Loomis. The list of anglers supporting TFO is growing and their rods for the price have no comparisons IMO.
TF NXT 5/6 5/6 Wt. 9'-0" 4 piece IM6 Graphite Rod w/ Composite Cork Handle
Cast Aluminum Fly Reel, Backing, Weight Forward Fly Line, & Tapered Leader $199.95
Temple Fork Outfitters fishing rods are designed by Gary Loomis. The list of anglers supporting TFO is growing and their rods for the price have no comparisons IMO.
Lichen
Explorer
If you're going to the Bass Pro on the Mesa/Tempe border, talk to Jim Brady, their resident fly-fishing expert.
That's the store I shop at ......