Need a recomendations

[ol' blue]

I have a 3 forks combo from Cabelas, and am still amazed at how good the combo is for the price.

[Michael E.]

The Scientific Anglers starter set is a good value for the money. Troutlet .com ( see the sponsors page) had them for less than a $100 the last I knew. I had a chance to cast one of the Eagle Claw glass rods last summer and was impressed with the value there also. Those outfits are even less expensive.

That's the one I started out with and it has served me very well. It's specifically wieghted for panfish/trout. I'll second that recomendation.

[Greg H]

One response I seldom see is this one: Go to your best local flyshop (or 2 if you can) and see what they have as used or 'out of fashion' equipment. I know of two in Connecticut, and one in Toronto that have older rods (either as trade-ins/consignments or as older stock) where you could get excellent older/used stuff for the cost of entry level new stuff. At that location you would also get good advice for re-starting and be in a position to get more help in the future as you advance.

[Fly Goddess]

One response I seldom see is this one: Go to your best local flyshop (or 2 if you can) and see what they have as used or 'out of fashion' equipment. I know of two in Connecticut, and one in Toronto that have older rods (either as trade-ins/consignments or as older stock) where you could get excellent older/used stuff for the cost of entry level new stuff. At that location you would also get good advice for re-starting and be in a position to get more help in the future as you advance.

Absolutely. My question is, what did you have before and why did you quit? Maybe it was not the best in equipment and that is why you didn't like it. It is not a CHEAP style at all for fishing but it does not need cost an arm and a leg.
But, the better the equipment, the easier it will be. Lighter rod, but more importantly, BALANCED between rod and reel loaded with line.
My suggestion "on a whole set up" is as mentioned, try different rods to find out which works WITH your style. Are you a whip caster, then fast action or are you slow caster, medium action.
Once you find the rod for your style a reel with a fair drag, but it will basically be a place to hold line specially with the species you are targeting.
I would concider spending more for the line. So many of these kits, the line is what is lacking. The line is very curly and needs to be straightened each time used. Get a good supple line. There are sales all the time for good lines, even Orvis has their Wonderline on sale for $29.

I stress, the better and more "you" balanced the gear, the more it will hold your interest.

[tailingloop]

Once you find the rod for your style a reel with a fair drag, but it will basically be a place to hold line specially with the species you are targeting.
I would concider spending more for the line. So many of these kits, the line is what is lacking. The line is very curly and needs to be straightened each time used. Get a good supple line. There are sales all the time for good lines, even Orvis has their Wonderline on sale for $29.

I stress, the better and more "you" balanced the gear, the more it will hold your interest.

The combos from S.A, Redington, and Cortland all come with good lines, Air Cel for the S.A., Rio Mainstream for the Redington, and 333 or 444 for the Cortland Combos. I use all of those line regularly in cold and warmwater. The reels with the S.A. and Redington are even suitable for light saltwater work. The line that comes with the TFO NXT combos also seems to be nice but the manufacturer is unknown. Each of the test combos is well balanced.

[Fly Goddess]

I should have said, not all combos are created equal But I still believe that one combo will not suit everyone, it all boils down to that person trying several.
I do think the Rod companies are aware of the things I mentioned too. It should be rod first, then line, then reel.

[Chuck S]

Budget level _Walmart and the Eagle Claw Rod with their Martin reel plus backing. Those two will cost you about $40.


Next up--one of their Scientific Angler Outfits for $70 or so.

Going up in price the Tree Forks outfits from Cabelas are a super deal.

more expensive - Fly Shops that sell used equipment or Ebay, especially looking for one of the Leland Upgrades.

lastly a Fly Shop and an entry model TFO or St Croix rod coupled with a click pawl reel

[EdD]

I have one of the S.A. combos. They are quite good. For convenience sake, I would suggest a 4-piece model. I would also suggest that you invest in a rod tube to keep it safe while you are traveling.

Ed

[Uncle Jesse]

Wright McGill/Eagle Claw has a 4 piece starter kit that comes with everything you need to get started, includes forceps, fly box, nippers, and a reel on rod carrying case. Around $160, I haven't used one but everyone I hear use a WM/Eagle Claw rod likes them.

[Chuck S]

I have one of the S.A. combos. They are quite good. For convenience sake, I would suggest a 4-piece model. I would also suggest that you invest in a rod tube to keep it safe while you are traveling.

Ed

One of the Walmart outfits does have the rod tube and it's a four piece outfit.

While many fly shops do carry a nice selection of inexpensive fly outfits most do not and they cut there own throat by this. I've worked in half a dozen shops of which just one carried some simple, functional and very inexpensive outfits. Most feel that they do not have the space and that these outfits do not offer enough sales/profits for the area they serve. In many cases I feel they are dead wrong!