fly fishing on a budget

[harleybob87]

A good friend of mine wanted to start fly fishing. His biggest concern was the cost. He had heard that it was very expensive. He did go out and buy a Wally world special complete fly rod set on closeout for $10.00. My first comment was any left I will buy them all! This was my recommendations to get started:

1. Waders from Wally world - $50.00
2. Flies from me - free
3. furled leaders from me - free
4. tippit material - $3
5. Vest - $20
6. fly box from me - free

Anyone have any other suggestions I may have forgotten? I am trying to keep it really cheap for him

[PAangler]

How about the cost of a divorce lawyer once he gets addicted?

[rainbowchaser]

Polarized sun glasses are a big help and can always be used for general purpose sunglasses if he doesn't stay with fly fishing.

[dudley]

Fingernail clippers whipped on to a cord and pinned to the vest.
You always use them the same distance from your eyes anyways...(retractors are useless IMO) $.35

Hemostats from the hospital ( ) ..free

Altoid type mint box with foam glued inside for fly box... free

[Wild One]

Check on ebay or other places for wading boots. I'm not sure if the waders from Evilmart (wally world) have boot foot or stocking foot or if they carry boots. But, obviously they're a must.

Second, an oil company credit card! (getting there and home is the most expensive part!)

[Jack Hise]

Hook Sharpener. Metal nail file from the dollar store
Wally World has coiled keychain retractors for 2 bucks

[clarkman23]

How about the cost of a divorce lawyer once he gets addicted?

pay attention to that one...

lucky for me, my wife gives me a day per weekend for myself and the other day is for her...actually works out quite well...

[Bamboozle]

Might need some goops, goos & stuff like floatant, indicators, split shot, etc!

I'd tell him pass on the vest until he decides IF he wants a vest. A pocket or fanny pack will usually suffice temporarily.

My advice to beginners is what you suggest at first; then experiment and discover what you NEED and buy a little at a time.

When I was a kid first entering the workplace my boss told me: "buy one new hand tool a week, that's it; before long you'll have everything you need and not be broke".

It worked like a charm!

[Marco]

Harleybob,
In an earlier herein published nail biting recount of my latest fishing experience in Wyoming ( from which I am now returning and am on the road in Mitchell SD) I fished for the first four days with a SA Wally World special at $19.95. I was under the impression I was using my Orvis TRident TLS since it too was green like the SA. Ya know somethin??, the fish, vast quantities of them, NEVER knew the difference. I can honestly say that, after discovering the mix-up, the Orvis did feel a bit "smoother", whatever that means in casting a fly rod, but IT DID. At $10 bucks a pop, I too would have emptied Wally's shelves of it's bargain. I'm surprised and proud to report the SA rod did NOT explode under the severe pressures of pretensiousness in posh Jackson Hole Wyo and in fact held it's ground admirably.

Mark

[Panman]

Bob: To each his own, but I would not spend 20 bucks on a vest as part of the initial outlay. That money might be better spent on better waders or ?? Pockets and a creel are probably adequate to start out with. I have a vest but seldom use it.

Tim