My first set of gear and other musings
So far my experience as a Fly Fisher have involved a cheap rod, some Orivs lessons and a guided trip on a lake in British Columbia. I've been looking forward to the day I would start collecting my own gear and that day was this Saturday. After some guidance from a couple of you here on this forum I took my list and headed off to Cabella's. I had the whole family in tow, I think they were equally excited to learn how to fly fish! It was super exciting. After reading and re-reading techniques, tackle, accessories, I was really "gearing up." My 9 year-old son smartly pointed out a 8ft 3wt and said, "Dad, I want that one, it's the perfect size for me." Funny cause it took me about 3 books, one website and countless YouTube videos to figure that out....I just took it as a sign.
As for the gear, I wound up sticking with the cheap rod, new 5 wt WF line & some flies. Since I hadn't jumped off the deep end yet with purchasing gear, I decided the new rod/reel could wait. I also picked up a net, floatant, nail knot tier, tippet, tippet holder, small multi-tool, split shot (tin) #4, forceps and a fly box.
I'm all ears on what I should add / takeaway on the above list. By the way, forceps are the coolest invention! I can't believe all these years of fishing for bass and I never used a set of these things. Just having them to hold stuff that would otherwise stick in me while I dug through my gear was really cool.
As a side commentary for those of you interested in my plight as a novice, the fun really started when I got to take that cheap level line off the reel and add the new stuff. I really enjoyed tying it all together with the 3 knots (I used the existing backing). It's almost like working on your car, it was a satisfying feeling given that a month ago I didn't know there were 3 different types of material on a rod, much less how to tie them together. My kids were really excited too, so I tied on a 3x 7.5' leader and a #10 hopper and headed down to the local pond to "practice."
What started out as an effort to get back on a lake with a rod (for the 2nd time) turned into a complete family affair complete with wife, kids & dog. It was a little comical at first given the fact that I'm still pretty green and they all watched as if I was some kind of expert. Even the dog was watching. After a couple of really bad casts and some thoughts about how I should've brought the camera to record & study my casting, the chorus of "can I try" started in. Then much to my amazement, my 11 year old picked up the rod and for the first time in his life cast a beautiful J loop and my 5 year old exclaimed "Wow Ethan! You're better than Dad!" Talk about funny, my wife just hooted and I couldn't help but laugh too - the irony was pretty evident. But then it hit me - I just found a new family activity and we were ALL having a blast and the only casualty was my #10 hopper (which whipped off on some errant cast). I told my wife later, if all I loose is $1.50 to have a great time outside then I'm pretty ok with this new sport. She agreed.
Something else to consider especially with kids and wife involved...
nskorick,
I'd definitely consider making all your hooks BARBLESS especially with the whole family involved. If you've ever been harpooned with a barbed hook you know how nasty removal can be. All my hooks are barbless and the ones I don't buy in that mode I pinch down the barb with my foreceps.
I also went to using the SOFT WEIGHT thats very easy to mold onto the tippet/leader and also very easy to move up or down depending on the depth to be fished. Can also add or subtract weight easily and if you're really conservative (translate cheap like me) you can always remove it at the days end and put it back into your container. I bought a goodly supply last store visit and not to single out one product; but I bought the "LOON Outdoors" brand called "DEEP SOFT WEIGHT." It comes in a small circular plastic container and is non-lead and non-toxic. I take a small pinch of it and roll it around with my thumb and index finger and then wrap it around the tippet/leader. Also like to mold it into a torpedo shape after it's on the line by continuing to roll it. Think it's a little less likely to hang up on stuff this way. Just a personal preference.
Enjoyed your story very much and especially the part about involving the whole family. Used a fly rod early on to fish but didn't actually start fly fishing till I was about 62. Whole lot of good times missed.