Getting Started In Fly Fishing

[Mike the 'Tender]

I'm looking at getting started in fly fishing, I know I'm going to need certain things (rod, reel, waders, flies) and I was just wanting to know what would be a good low to medium end set up.

[joco]

HI MIKE THE TENDER

YOU need to no what fish you want to target the most,,,,,,,,creek trout or
pike/musky,,,,,salmon,,,,,,,,bass?

there is some site that you can go and it will tell you what you need for certain species,,,,,

but for myself...........i got a 5 for small fish and a 8 weight for bigger fish

you dont have to spend mutch to start,,,,,,,,

ther some good equipement by temforke,,,,,,,,,,,,,and there some equipement by orvis to,,,,,,,,there are 25year waranty,,,,and there some good site for used stuff to,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

there some kit you can get its all in there,,,,,,,,,,reel,,rod,backing,,,,line,,case and some time,,,video,,,,and some flys,,,,,,,,


but you need to no,,,,,what fish you mainly fish for,,,,,,,,

if its trout,,,,,,,,,,,,,,its gone to be diferent then if you mainly go for pike,,,,

i use my 8weight for almost everything,,,,,,,,,,trout,,,,,to pike,,,,,,,

a good thing to ,,,,,,,,,,if you can try them,,to no how they feel in you hand,,,,,,,


joco

[Todd B.]

Hi Mike,

If you're looking to start out fishing for bass, etc you can get by with the rod, reel and flies. Waders, boots, etc can be picked up later. Feel free to msg me if you have any specific questions/recommendations.

Just to let you know the Ottawa Flyfishers Society is holding its Open House Tuesday, May 17th @ 6:30. See the Society website for directions http://www.ottawaflyfishers.org/

Cheers,
Todd

[Mike the 'Tender]

I'm going to focusing on the two fish that occupy my "home" lakes, which contain bass and rainbows, and stream fishing for rainbows.

Some people tell me I'm crazy, but I've seen fly fishing from a boat to be very effective on the lakes I fish.

[Todd B.]

Mike,

Based on what you said I would suggest a 9' 5wt. rod. It's a good all around rod, though you're not going to be able to fish for bass in heavy cover as it does not have the backbone to be able to horse a big bass around.

As for lake fishing, lots of guys fish from boats, tubes, etc. One of the primary differences though is the use of various types of sinking line to get the flies down to fish when the wate temperatures warm up. Floating line isn't a problem right after ice out as the trout move to the shallows to feed.

Todd

[DaveH]

G'day!

I just picked up a "starter" combo from Green Drake on richmond.

It was an Orvis Streamline combo - a 9' rod 6 weight, a reel, backing and a weight-forward floating line, and leader. This is a package that Orvis offers, although Green Drake doesn't officially carry the packages, they will put together the package for you at the same price.

All in all it cost me about $200.00 But you can't go wrong with Orvis stuff I think...

THey have vests and waders there, but I'm not sure they are the least expensive.

And they have a pretty large selection of flies etc, and are usually pretty nice at helping you pick out a few good bets for fly selection!!

[Moosebunk]

I'm going to focusing on the two fish that occupy my "home" lakes, which contain bass and rainbows, and stream fishing for rainbows.

Some people tell me I'm crazy, but I've seen fly fishing from a boat to be very effective on the lakes I fish.

I'd go the norm here Mike, and that's a 9ft 6 wt. Todd knows fly fishing, and is most likely much more seasoned than I am, and I'm not sure of how much difference you'd find between a 5 and 6 wt, but, the extra weight might just come in handy all around. A little cover, slightly bigger bass bugs and longer casts, a little more heft when there's some breeze on the lake, occasional pike hook-ups in many places, a big bass or bow actually hitting the line... The little extra strength, especially for a beginner who will most likely force his casts more than finesse them initially, bigger weight rod is better. And on the streams... so you might scare a few of the smaller fish away. Trust me it's not often the rod that scares any fish away

[Todd B.]

Mike,

Just adding a little more to my previous post. Your most important investment in terms of tackle will be your rod. Every make/model of fly rod has its own particular casting characteristics. Buying a flyrod is a lot like buying a car. It may look good on paper but when you actually use it you may or may not like it. Your best option is to try a couple of rods to get a feel for the characteristics that you like. If you can I would suggest attending the OFS Open House next week. You should be able to try some of the member's rods, and there is also the possibly that Sports Action might have rods available as well.

You might check out the Temple Fork Outfitter rods (http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/rods/). They all have lifetime warranties. This article might also help you when you're looking for a rod.

As for reels, they are more personal preference than anything else. Basically you just want something that is constructed well and has a smooth drag. It's always a good idea to inquire into the cost of spare spools as you will likely pick up additional lines (intermediate, sinking, sink tip, etc) later. Okuma makes a quality product at a unbelievable price. I'm sure that their prices will go up in the future as their popularity spreads.

With respect to waders, you might consider investing in a quality pair of breathable waders, and boots. Unless you're wet wading over the summer, you will be terribly uncomfortable in a non-breathable pair.

From the standpoint of safety, if you're going to wade the Ottawa at all, I would strongly suggest that you buy or make yourself a wading staff. With the exception of low summer water levels, wading on the Ottawa can be somewhat hazardous. Better to err on the side of caution.

Cheers,
Todd

[Jigs]

Todd:

On the subject of reels. I picked up an old Ocean City reel at a yard sale which has a smooth adjustable drag, plus a clicker. It's rather a small diameter so no backing allowed. So far so good. No whales yet.

Unfortunately when I started, I was advised to go for an 8 wt. rod, which I find a bit heavy after an hour or two, but it's good for bass in cover, and can handle pike (so far).

What would be the advantage(besides the wear and tear on the arm) of sizing down to a 5wt., if any? Most of my fishing is open water or heavy cover for warm water species.

Regards: Jigs.

[Moosebunk]

but it's good for bass in cover, and can handle pike (so far).

What would be the advantage(besides the wear and tear on the arm) of sizing down to a 5wt., if any? Most of my fishing is open water or heavy cover for warm water species.

Regards: Jigs.

Jigs, sorry, I know you didn't ask me, but

I don't think a 5wt would hold much if any advantage for what you just described, unless the pike and bass you fish are just wee little fish.

My old hockey # was 5. I don't have anything against 5. But, 6 and up for open water bassin' and pike'n. And definetely what you already have is suited for cover.

[Todd B.]

Jigs,

Well first off given the cost of flyline I would seriously consider having backing. The last thing you want is for a big fish to run you clean off your reel. LOL

With respect to rods, you typically move up in weight when you want to throw larger/heavier flies and/or you need the extra backbone to horse larger fish out of cover. I myself have a 6 wt that I've used to land 4lb in relatively open water, though they do make some nice stripping runs. If I were fishing around lots of wood/weeds I'd want say a 9wt. so that I can keep them out of the deep cover. It's a lot like the guys with flipping sticks...spooled with 30lb line, once the fish is hooked it's hauled out of the cover.

The advantage of a 5wt is that it can be used in a variety of situations, from delicate tiny flies for Specs to larger Browns/bows, bass, average walleye, and small pike. Anything larger than a 6wt is really too much rod for trout fishing.

One article also suggested that you should either purchase all even or all odd weighted rods since most rods today will allow for the use of lines that are one weight higher than spec'd for the rod. So if you have a 5wt rod you can use both 5wt or 6wt line on it. Now if you have the money to buy all the individual weighted rods...feel free. LOL

That said I would only suggest that for enjoyment sake, the first rod you pick up be tailored to the type of fishing you normally do so that you can use it in the majority of your situations. If at a later date you want to target salmon and need a 10wt, or you want to target wild Brookies with a 2wt, you can always pick it up when the need arises.

Cheers,
Todd

[Jigs]

Thanks all for the advice.

Sorry to hijack Mike's post

Won't happen again Mike...........honest

[BigAl]

Hey Mike.
I think you.made a great choice in fly fishing gear. All the advise given to you is great ,however with that being said .... Don't underestimate the strenght of your rod and line. Fly rods are stong as heck and the line will take alot of abuse as far as holding on to a fish. I have landed Atlantic Salmon in access of 30 lbs on 8'6 rods and 7 weight double taper fly lines, and by no means expensive gear. With time you will get used to battling the big boys out there. I too fish for pike, bass , and alot of different trout species now and in the past from coast to coast. Fly fishing is a finesse fishing and the battles that occur also reqire patience and time to land some good fish. I have been fly fishing since 6 yrs of age and laove every second of it. I now use a Fenwik eagle GLC 9'6" fly rod with a orvis real with an 8w double taper line and have ALOT of fun OH!!! and yes get some backing because they will peel'er of in a hurry.
Good Luck and have fun!!!
BigAl

[fly fishing canada]

I would reccomend that you make sure you want to be fly fishing for a while before you splurge on a new outfit. Temple Fork Outfitters make amazing rods for under 200 dollars, and Redington reels are also amazing for under 150. Don't go for anything too fancy, unless you plan on doing your fishing on the fly 100% of the time. For Ottawa, i would reccomend a 5-weight TFO rod, with a Redington GD 5/6 reel, and a sink tip line from Scientific Anglers or Orvis. Waders are...not neccessary, when i wade in Champlain i go bare back, with a bathingsuit and a pair of old shoes, they hold up just fine. I recommend you stop by Orvis Green Drake Outfitters on Richmond Road between Churchill and Roosevelt, to get set up, though i would not especcially recomend their heavy gear (rods or reels). I hope this helps man, and i look forward to another fly fisherman in the area.

PS Orvis Green Drake is moving to Holland AVE in August*****

[UrbanAngler]

If you want some humourous books to read about fly fishing, check out John Gierach. Great writer. It'll help you get a handle on some of the ff'ing basics while being entertained.

I'm self-taught via books, mags, and time. Great way to fish, I rarely use my spinning gear except for deeper lakes.