Hi new member and new to the sport/dependancy that is fly fishing. I am about to take the plunge and buy my first set up. Just lookin for talk about what i am getting. Let me first say i have NOTHING for fly fishing so this will be my first set up so feel free to slam/praise anything i am getting i need all the input i can get.
I am looking at getting the following:
9 foot TFO Pro series 4wt (like the warranty i am sure ill break something)
Loomis venture 3 reel
4 wt WF line and leaders/tippet.
Flys i have no clue but ill ask around and see what i need for the areas ill be fishing. (i live in prescott az so mainly Oak Creek and the White Mountian lakes i would guess)
Guess that will get me started with a few fly boxes and other little toys. But what can you not live with out on the stream or lake that you didnt discover till later? I am sure that i will find things out on my own but someone elses experiences really help
Your asking what I’ve found that I can’t live without streamside. I’m sure you’ll figure out that nippers are pretty much required if you can’t bite tippet off cleanly. As for the rest, well, your talking to a guy who’s vest must weigh 20 pounds.
Welcome to FAOL. I’m sure some of our other folks will chime in shortly.
Hey baggyman welcome to the board. I am fairly new as well. You will be amazed at the wealth of knowledge on this board.
If you’re looking for some good quality gear at a good price have a look on the Items for Sale Buletin Board. There are some deals there. I have dealt with aklooker a number of times and his gear is great. Give Terry (aklooker) a shout if your loking for somethig.
Welcome. That sounds about right for the rod legnth and weight. I love Oak Creek. I’m looking forward to a trip to that area in about a month, don’t think I will fish there this time. I used very small mayflies and standard nymphs when I fished there. I suggest getting one of the necklaces that organize your tippet, nippers, flotant and other things. Then get yourself one box filled with flies. You may ditch the necklace for a vest or chest pack, but I bet if you stick with fishing long enough to realize that you don’t need a bunch of equipment to do it you’ll go back to the necklace.
Welcome aboard…this site will help you out so much. I would have never had as much fun fishing (or tying for that matter) without the vast wealth of information available here. I started flyfishing in June of 2002 and have so much fun since then. It sounds like you have a decent idea of how to get started.
I personally use a lanyard over a vest and stuff my pockets of my jacket or the nice wader pocket with as many fly boxes as possible (as well as a package of 3X, 4X, 5X and 6 wt leader…if fishing streamers for large fish in rivers then a 1X or 2X leader maybe). My lanyard has nippers, forceps, a holder for tippet (sizes 3X, 4X, 5X, and 6X), and a flotant holder. Anything else I carry is overkill and frequently not used. I find the lanyard to be the one item that I picked up and havent been able to do without. It also takes up less room in my backpack when I hike in to locations and I find it more comfortable than a vest. Now having said that…I still use a vest occasionally.
In addition to a rod, reel and flies this is all I really need at any given time. That might have something to do with the fact that I frequently hike/backpack into my fishing locations and want as little weight as possible…LOL…15 pounds later.
Most importantly…the best thing to carry is physical but in your head…the knowledge that can be learned from this site. I would have been lost without the info I have gained from here.
Take care everyone and cya around. Mark
Edit…LOL Benjo…you just beat to what I was getting at
[This message has been edited by MarkKillam (edited 20 December 2005).]
hey guys thanks for the reply… i have a quick question that i need a quick reply to. A TFO pro 5 wt and a fly logic 345 flp reel. for 150$ good deal? and would it work for streams with smaller trout as well as ok for the 18" + fish i might find in some of the lakes?
While not familiar with the TFO series…I think a 5 wt. would be a good choise…gives you lots of verstality. I can cast smaller flies but also handle some larger flies if there is a bit of a breeze. I have a 4 wt and a 6 wt Loomis…both work well in certain situations…My dad has only one rod…a 5 wt and he has little problem dealing with the same situations I do. I would go for the 5 wt personally.
ugh… man i hope i made a decent decision didnt want that offer to pass up on ebay. i bid that item up to 130 last week and the reserve was over 200 (at least the winner bidder was 199 and didnt hit the reserve on the combo.
It also has a hard case that comes with it and it is loaded with 5wt wf line. So i can cast it into knots. :-). Hopefully it gets here before new years with all the shipping delays during the holidays.
buyers remorse setting in… must fend off…ok i am better now.
Welcome aboard. I have a TFO Pro 4wt and have fished extensively with it. This year I caught a 26" rainbow out of a float tube and a 24" (12 pound) in flowing water. The rod worked wonderfully. I think it is a great rod for the money.
It is a fast action rod, so should cast good for a novice. I also overweight this rod with a 5 wt sinking tip and though it grumbles a bit, casts just fine.
Again, welcome to FAOL, You will find many great people here that are more than willing to share whatever they can to help you out (or anyone for that matter).
Hello baggyman,
Buy the rod and reel and line you have decided on and REALLY learn to use them. You will always find lots of people here who will tell you you made the wrong choice but that is for you to decide after you have gained experience. The choice that is right for you may not be right for them. After you gain experience you will learn how to filter their input so that it is helpful.
Baggy, I agree with JC. Try and get the best you can afford. I didnt and went through some headaches. Your just scratching the surface. Soon it will be fly tying then rod building and soon youll be like the rest of us addits. LOL Welcome aboard and dig deep into what is offerd here. Theres a lot
I fish Oak Creek and the Whites quite a bit and I’ve found both a 4 and 5 wt. to be very adequate for the general area. I use a 7-1/2 4 wt. on the Creek and in the Whites where I mostly fish the various lakes, I use a 9-1/2 5 wt. WF Floating line on the Creek, and Type III sinking on the lakes unless there’s a hatch on and then I switch to a WF floating line.
There are quite a few fly fishers in your neighborhood (so to speak). Be sure to visit the fly shop in Sedona for some good local knowledge.
If I can help with more specifics, send me an email at the address listed in my profile.
Again, welcome to a super site.
There’s snow on the roof but the fire still burns in the oven.
The best buy you can get is buying into a relationship with your local flyfishing shop. If you pay a little more from the shop nearby it will come back to you in advice and guidance. Shop around for the local store that is helpful and friendly. When you find that, consider making your purchase from the products they sell.
Inevitably as you get into flyfishing your choices will change and you will upgrade or change rods and reels several times. No purchase is anything that can’t be sold and replaced at minimal expense in a year or two.
If you live in Prescott, don’t overlook the lakes near Williams - Dogtown, Cataract, etc. They can be fun and you might get a carryover of some size. I fished then a lot when I lived in Williams. After you get used to your new outfit, then you might want to get a bellyboat.
JC’s advice makes a lot of sense. Choose wisely and lay off the ebay for now. I would recommend you go for a 5 weight. Even a 6 is not terrible. The reel is not too critical. You want a good line but not some super line that claims to float three inches above the water.