rod/reel

[LeoLR]

http://www.troutlet.com/Martin-Classic-Fly-Tackle-MOHAWK-RIVER-Combos-P790.aspx


Great rod and reel for the money, its what I learned off. Trout Outlet has great customer service.

 

[Hazzard]

I have a Cabelas' Traditional II in a 7.5' 4wt in my quiver of rods. I really like the action and feel of the rod. I don't like the prestige reel that came with it though.

IMO, if you are just starting out go with a 5wt or 5/6wt, UNLESS you will be fishing smaller streams and rivers mostly. Then I would recommend a 4wt.

I lost the 4th section of my rod on the Yellowstone last weekend when I went to straighten out my line when I stepped out of the boat and watched my rod tip go shooting out into the river. If I can't talk the guys at Cabelas to hook me up with the missing part next time I am in the store I will pick up a TFO to replace the 4wt. They cost more but a lifetime warranty makes the cost difference worth it since you will break your rod at some point, and getting a new one for free is sweet.

 

[Wiley]

Just noticed this was an actual fly fishing section. I will ask in the appropriate fishing section

 

[mbuckner]

Finally got over to Bass Pro ... the sales person said
he could put together a combo kit which would be
a TFO 9' 4wt rod, w/Hobbs Creek 1 reel, w/line,leader, and
some other type line (did not get the brands of the
line/leader) for $170 ...

Does the price look good? When I go back I will
ask cost for the upgraded line(s) as mentioned in
a previous post ....

This may be a stupid question, but do the make practice
flys? I have a pool in the backyard or I could walk up to
the canal on Indian School Road and practice casting ...

Thanks for everyones help ......

Mike

 

[spressomon]

Just tie some yarn to the end of your leader for practice casting...and remember to keep your casting arm between 10 & 2. It will take a while to learn how to load the rod so it shoots the line...it will feel like magic/synergy when you get cast it properly!

 

[spressomon]

Not to threadjack but you clearly know your fishing...same question as OP but for fishing from a beach/ rather than river. Not out on a boat in open water, but what type of rod would a begginer use? Thanks

Possibly a spey type fly rod. What type and size fish do you hope to catch?

 

[CSG]

Finally got over to Bass Pro ... the sales person said
he could put together a combo kit which would be
a TFO 9' 4wt rod, w/Hobbs Creek 1 reel, w/line,leader, and
some other type line (did not get the brands of the
line/leader) for $170 ...

Mike

If you're trout fishing out west I would take the advice that a few have given here and get a 5 weight rod, not 4 weight. It's a better all around trout rod for western waters.

BTW, lots of decent vids on YT for casting basics. But like Lefty Kreigh points out, don't get too hung up on clock positions when learning to cast; it's learning to load and unload the rod. I believe he's got one or two vids on YT too. I'm sure you can get some basics from Bass Pro too in the way of a casting class.

I still use an old Sage 9/5 4-piece rod and an original Lamson 1.5 reel with WF line and a spare spool with a sinking tip line which I almost never use as I really only like fishing dries even though nymphing is usually more productive. Then again, I have no problem with ultra light spinning gear as I'm not a fly fishing nazi.

 

[mbuckner]

If you're trout fishing out west I would take the advice that a few have given here and get a 5 weight rod, not 4 weight. It's a better all around trout rod for western waters.

BTW, lots of decent vids on YT for casting basics. But like Lefty Kreigh points out, don't get too hung up on clock positions when learning to cast; it's learning to load and unload the rod. I believe he's got one or two vids on YT too. I'm sure you can get some basics from Bass Pro too in the way of a casting class.

I still use an old Sage 9/5 4-piece rod and an original Lamson 1.5 reel with WF line and a spare spool with a sinking tip line which I almost never use as I really only like fishing dries even though nymphing is usually more productive. Then again, I have no problem with ultra light spinning gear as I'm not a fly fishing nazi.

I did buy a DVD (from Bass Pro) on fly fishing and watched it last night ...

It basically touched everything from casting to tying flys ....

 

[CSG]

Don't even think of fly tying if you don't want to go broke!

 

[mbuckner]

Don't even think of fly tying if you don't want to go broke!

Must be the cousin to my Jeep ....

Just Empty Every Pocket ...:Wow1:

 

[spressomon]

Start out with trout in Arizona and other western states .....

I'd just get as nice of a 5wt as you can (9'), decent reel with good floating line and start there. I am now partial to Orvis rods. I don't care for their reels but their rods, including the incredible value Hydros (relative), and their line are class leading.

And don't discount, as others have mentioned, the TFO rods. With a nice rod, one that is super sensitive and lightweight, you'll be surprised with the performance of a 5wt with everything from 8-10" Brookies to 10lb Cut's etc. Its probably the most versatile weight rod, for a one rod quiver, for 10lb and under fish...

I'd recommend taking a casting lesson or two. Bad habits are hard to break...and good one's make all the difference in the world of casting.

 

[07 Elephant]

2x's on taking a some casting lessons.

 

[mbuckner]

I'd just get as nice of a 5wt as you can (9'), decent reel with good floating line and start there. I am now partial to Orvis rods. I don't care for their reels but their rods, including the incredible value Hydros (relative), and their line are class leading.

And don't discount, as others have mentioned, the TFO rods. With a nice rod, one that is super sensitive and lightweight, you'll be surprised with the performance of a 5wt with everything from 8-10" Brookies to 10lb Cut's etc. Its probably the most versatile weight rod, for a one rod quiver, for 10lb and under fish...

I'd recommend taking a casting lesson or two. Bad habits are hard to break...and good one's make all the difference in the world of casting.

Bass Pro offers classes on Saturday mornings .. would they be okay
to start with for casting lessons?

 

[spressomon]

Bass Pro offers classes on Saturday mornings .. would they be okay
to start with for casting lessons?

Yes as long as they are fly rod type casting lessons ;-).

Just an FYI: Guys tend to think they can muscle through the cast, while in 'training mode', to get 'er done. Casting teachers tell me they'd rather teach women as they get to casting with good technique much quicker than guys because they typically don't have a lot of power and must rely on technique, which is the best way, to get the fly cast out there!

As above you will learn to store and release energy in the rod to cast the line properly.

 

[GunnIt]

Bass Pro offers classes on Saturday mornings .. would they be okay
to start with for casting lessons?

There are a couple of people in Phoenix that I would recommend as casting teachers. As Spressomon mentioned, bad habits are hard to break. Casting instructors are trained in the art of teaching casting and there are standard and demanding tests that a "FFF certified casting instructor" has to pass on not only casting but teaching as well. Here is a web site on finding a casting instructor in your area http://www.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4465