Fly Fishing

[Jordan6969 0]

If theres any fly fisherman out there, I would really appreciate some tips for getting started. I have no previous knowledge about anything and have been recently looking for some moderately priced equipment. So far I have looked at a few things but I still have no idea of what I need to be fully prepared.

[chk hrd 164]

Cabelas offers some great beginner gear. You can get everything to start from them; rod, reel, waders, wading boots, etc. Just like anything worth while spend as much as you can afford to get good gear. A good rod and reel combo for $150.00 will last you a while. You will regret cheap waders nothing worse than feeling your sock slowly getting wet. I preffer the kind with neoprene boots (not the built in kind). A good light weight, but durable wading boot will let you walk for miles. The rod size depends on where you are fishing and for what. An 8 1/2 - 9 foot, 5 weight rod is a good compromise.

Find someone who is experienced to teach you how to cast. There is nothing more frustrating than standing waist deep in the middle of river trying to untangle a fouled line. They will alsobe able to show you what fly to use, how to use it and when. Fly fishing isn't as hard as some people make it seem. Once you get started you will get hooked.

[Langenbrunner15 0]

Depending on where you're mosly fishing...the insulated waders are great in cold water. If you're going to fish lakes, some sinking leaders are great. Talk to the local shops to see whats been biteing too.

[Jordan6969 0]

Alright thanks for the tips guys. I was just wondering, how often do you guys lose flies, leaders, and those kind of things? And do different kinds of fly lines make a big difference?

[chk hrd 164]

I've gone days without losing anything and I've lost everything but the flyline in the first cast, it just depends on the day. There are many different types of flylines and they do make a difference, it all depends on what you are doing. A weight forward floating line is a good choice.

[number21 3]

it's been a while since i have tried to fly fish, but practice somewhere wide open. i tried to go to a river too quickly and lost a bunch of leaders and flies 20ft above my head in the trees.

it takes a lot of practice, so have patience. I didn't, but i will try again sometime.

You can also rig up a super ultra-light spin cast rig to go stream/river fishing.

[davis 0]

It'd be nice to know what kinda fishing you plan on doing as well. A 5-weight rod won't do much if you're fishing for Atlantic Salmon or something...definitely be fine for trout though. Your line choice (backing, main line, and leader) all depend on the type of fishing too.

Some basics you'll need:

- backing line

- floating line (Cortland is one of the most common brands)

- leader

- line clipper

- Gink

- fly box

- decent vest to hold it all

A case for your fly rod, like this one , is handy if you're trekking through the woods a lot and just for transport in your vehicle. You wouldn't believe how easily that fly will manage to tangle itself up, haha. The fly lines, in my opinion, make a huge difference. There's a good article about it right here.

[PiKappaPhi 0]

Alright, here are a few tips that most flyfisherman won't tell you...

Practice your knots FIRST, this will save a ton on leaders and such

You don't have to use tapered leaders, level mono is OK for alot of things (streamers, poppers, larger flies)

Practice fishing in bream/bass ponds. They will help you to learn to set the hook and catch fish on fly rods

Buy used equipment to begin, if you want personal advice PM me and I'll be more than happy to lead you in the right direction

spend as little as you can on a reel (they are the equivelent to jewelry for men, they are pretty but not useful unless fishing in saltwater)

Waders aren't all that necessary unless its after sept and before mid-april.

Read as much as you can about the physics of the cast. If you understand why the cast works, then you shouldn't need too much formal education

Have fun, don't give in to the industy's hype. I prefer fiberglass fly rods :)

Enjoy it man, ain't nothing as fun

[jrhky36 1]

i use a large arbor reel. makes pick up easier. the size of your rod depends on what type of fish your after. ie salomon and seel head use a 7-9 weight. pand fish you could use 1-4 weight. also if you plan to travel with your kit look for a rod that breaks down in 3-5 pieces. but most of all find others in calgary that fly fish and they could direct you to a good fly shop.

[Jordan6969 0]

I think I am mostly going to be fishing in streams because I am about a 10 minute walk away from one and I have an uncle that fish's so he gave me a little insight of what I was looking for weight/length wise. Also, I am a little confused about how everything is tied together at the end of the rod. I know there is the indicator and the fly but I have no idea of how to attach them.