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It seems many new to the sport, as they get to
know a few old-timers, (or start visiting the local fly shop) are a bit
overcome by the vast amount of gear it takes to flyfish. Horse-pucky!
It is not needed, just accumulated. Well, and sometimes collected.
Remember when you got your first new suit? Now you have more than
one and perhaps a couple of sport-coats as well. Cars don't count, you
trade them in. But how about guns? One shotgun at first, then you find
a need for more than one gauge and maybe a rifle too. And so it goes.
You buy some things, inherit some, and buy some more.
It's like that in fly-fishing too. As you continue, you learn which rods
work best for what, your interests in fly-fishing expand, your casting
develops and the stuff piles up. The rod you have now, the
'one-and-only fly rod' will be just fine . . . for now. Time and experience
will dictate if you continue, develop and buy more.
Straight-up, you need a rod, reel, line, leader and a few flies. That's it.
We all started with just that. You don't need a vest, use your shirt pockets.
You don't have enough to put in a vest yet anyhow. If you get a vest you
will need to buy all kinds of silly things to stuff into it.
Waders? I started fly-fishing without them. I will admit, I soon got some.
It depends on how cold the water is you fish in. Try not to spend too
much on the first fly-rod if you haven't already done so, good chance
you will break it. Inexperience, period. These are made to cast, not drag
snags out of the stream and break branches off trees. They are more
fragile than spinning-rods, and supposed to be.
Full guarantee? Great, but what are you going to do with the rest of the
day if it breaks? You will need a spare leader or two, these things mess
up fast. Sorry, no fix for that other than learning how to cast better.
The snow will melt, the leaves are in bud, the season is near. Go buy
your outfit and have at it. How much to spend? You cannot get a bad fly
rod for $75 and up, spend at least that much. Less than that and it gets
'iffy.' Reel? Just a line holder, right? Right, use your head. The fly line
is important, more than you may think. A great rod will not cast a crappy
line, but a fair rod will perform fine with a good line. Look at about $40
or so. If you check the sponsors on this site you will find everything you
need.
I'm not saying to necessarily buy 'on-line,' you probably could use
some personal help as well. Actually, some manufacturers refuse to
sell 'on-line' anyway. That call is yours.
Finally, keep coming here. Read the columns for beginners,
(Fly Fishing 101) hit the chat-room, great bunch in there, all
willing to help you. Take a friend with you fishing, join a local club,
get out and get wet.
Go fish! ~ LadyFisher
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