Hi all,
I just spent the weekend in Vermont and went on my first ever fly fishing trip. We fished the White River and I caught and released a 20-inch smallmouth bass! Needless to say, I am “hooked” on the sport and am looking to get my own gear. I really don’t want to spend a ton of money. Can someone recommend the best inexpensive set-up for me? I am a woman (have no clue if this matters), and I’ll be fishing rivers and lakes in the new england area–probably fishing for bass and trout, predominantly.
If you could suggest some good brands, as well as what type of gear a beginner needs, and possibly some websites that are good, I would be so appreciative.
First thing is a good web site, oops you don’t need that you are already here and this is the best. As far as a good starter outfit I started out with a scientific anglers complete set bought at walmart for about $70. The only thing I needed after that was flies and a couple of leaders. A 6 weight will do nicely for bass and trout in lakes and rivers. sounds like you have a good fishing partner so they can help with the flies as far as where to get them.
Hello and welcome bostonfishergal. You’ve already found the best website around so I don’t have too many suggestions there. As far as gear goes… I would suggest looking at Temple Fork first. I honestly feel that (for the money) you can not do any better. I was in the market for a new rod a while back and was going to get my first “really good” rod. I was willing to throw some money at it, but car trouble intervened. I went with temple fork and still feel that I got the “really good” rod that I wanted but didn’t pay a ton of money. There are plenty of reels out there and a large range of prices. I’m not too picky about reels and recently bought a teton tioga. Previously I had a reel from cabelas that probably on its own cost about thirty bucks. It worked for me for years. Cabelas also has some very reasonably priced start up outfits. I’m of the opinion that a “good” reel is a relative matter and don’t think I would have noticed the difference between the two that i have as a beginner. The gear you need in general… I would say a pair of hemostats (could use needle nose pliers to begin with), clippers (could use nail clippers to begin with), some leaders, some tippet, and a fly box and flies. You could go for years on just that. I would suggest getting the flies from a local shop. Just go in and tell them where and when your planning on fishing.
If you still have some money left over, floatant is useful as well as a vest and net. These things are useful but not necessary (at least in my eyes). I was serious about the website too. If you look around you can find advice on pretty much anything here. If its not on the site already, someone on these boards will certainly have an answer for you. They are the best. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.
Got a “wally World” or similar type? Find a ‘Scientific Anglers Combo.’ That is everything; rod, reel, line, leader,stuff… all in one package. Should be about sixty bucks for the whole works. Just what you need to get started. Comes in a couple of sizes, buy either one. If you could make it to the Michigan ‘Fish-In,’ it would be a good idea.
A friend was given a Scientific Angler Ultra Outfit 5w 4 piece by his boss and gave it to me. I have been very happy with it. The friend who gave it to me fishes high end Orvis equipment and he says he was impressed with it for the money.
The drag on the concept 2 35 works nicely.
The 4 piece works great for portablility
having a case protects the investment
Because I liked it so much I bought an 8 weight Scientific Angler system outfit for steelhead, but I upgraded the reel shortly because I did not like the drag on the concept 2 58, the drag was not smooth enough for the bigger fish.
I am currently debating giving the SA 5 wt to my son and buying an Orvis outfit for myself, it is hard to justify spending the extra money when what I have has never failed me though.
Welcome & congrats on what would be MY biggest smallie…WOW!!
You have received wonderful advice…I will add that, if you haven’t yet done so yet, check out this months FAOL free drawing…just what the Dr ordered! I am proof that anyone of us can win, so please do register. I register monthly, even if the item is something I can’t use, 'cuz I’ll give it to another FAOL member if I win & can’t use it.
Please do try to get to the Michigan Fish-In. The more the merrier!
Mike
While I do not disagree with some of the recommendations (except I hate Wally world) I think you would do yourself a service to find a local shop to buy from. You might pay a few dollars more, but you would gain a business that can give you free advice, which is very helpful. Shop around for a local shop that has fly fishing gear and nice, knowledgeable and helpful sales people. They can guide you on the issue of equipment, but you will also need flies, maybe a vest or waders, clippers and so on. None of this has to be too expensive but it will help to have someone who knows you and wants to keep you a happy customer.
I live in Western MA, and if you email me with your town/city I can see if I can get a recommendation as to a good shop to go to. Some time soon you should head out this way and see what is out here, the Deerfield, the Millers, the Swift and the Westfield rivers to name a few, not to mention the Ct. river for bass. All of that is within a 2 hour drive from Beantown.
Great smallie…The Cabelas stowaway is a great starter package.
It’s an awful powerful addiction so be careful! You can’t get it all at once.
I have a Temple Fork 5 wt, love it but I won’t buy another since it’s made outside the USA
Echo Rods makes a great rod reasonably priced. Add a reel from Cabelas and your’e ready to go.
I’m in my 3rd year of flyfishing and am having a fly rod built for me. I started with a combo I bought from my neighbor for $ 100 and this will be my 4th rod. 3 reels, countless flies, 2 pair of waders, float tube ect. You get the idea.
Some lessons are a good idea, also read as much as you can, get fly fisherman or fly rod and reel magazine.
Also, feel free to solicit help on the board here, there are far better fly fishermen than me on it who have a wealth of knowledge.
Look to NY and the Adirondacks for some kick ass fly fishing! The Ausable River in Wilmington rocks!
It is a disease according to my wife,but somebody is supposed to catch these fish that God made for us.I thought I had fished all my life ,then I tried flyfishing only to learn that I really didnt start fishing until I was 47 years old.Congratulations on your new infection.
Find a local (& friendly) fly shop. Ask them if you can try some rods (& set ups). be upfront & tell them you’re new & not ready to purchase until you know a bit more. Try some soft/slow rods & some faster rods. Let them know what type of fishing you intend to do… or what you may enjoy doing in the future.
As an alternative to that, find your local branch of Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF). Those folks will go out of their way to make sure you know & understand what you’re about to get yourself into…
I am a proponent of buying better quality used equipment. However, in the beginning & until you know when, where, how much time, how much you enjoy it, etc. etc. etc. you may want a cheaper outfit & then relearn as needed.
Later,
Peter
welcome to the fold…
(My daughter moves to Quincy this coming week)
Bostonfishgal - Welcome to a wonderful pastime and a great website. You are getting great advice from very savy folk. Remember “Fish don’t care what you paid for it” Good luck, Jonezee
Welcome bostonfishgal! That’s a pretty impressive smallie. I was up on the White a couple years back. It’s a pretty stream.
Those starter kits that have been mentioned will probably do just fine. If your looking at spending a bit more I would suggest:
Rods: Sage-Launch, St. Croix-Avid, Scott-V2, Orvis-Clearwater,
Reels: Ross-Cimarron, Lamson-Radius, Teton-Tioga, SA-System 1or2
Lines: Rio and Scientific Angler are my personal favs.
Good Luck!
Hey, Chris, I think those Echo’s are made over seas too. Shame, they looked pretty nice.
If you go to www.dorber.com/flyrods you will find an 8’ - 6" 5wt you can order as a 2 piece or a four piece that comes with ST-56 Large Arbor reel, backing, weight forward fly line and a tpered leader. That’s an IM6 rod and the 2 pc is $66.95 and the 4 peice is $74.05
They are a sponsor on this board and that speaks for itself. JC would not allow them on the board as sponsors if they were not good people to do business with. You can click Sponsors and scroll and find Global dorbeR Group and read their mission.
Congratulations…you’ve joined a great board and started a new and addictive hobby. For price the combos mentioned are good. I would suggest starting to develop a relationship with a Fly shop so you can not only get information on a rod and reel, but the local “spots”, clubs, lessons on casting, tying (if you get that addiction too) and other equipment. You pay a couple of dollars more, but talking to someone at a Flyshop ususally tops talking to someone at Sports Authority or their equivalent.
Check our board for used equipment and see if some of that might work.
YEP
Get one of those combos.
Go fly fishing as much as possible. You will soon figure out just what YOU need and want. But go fishin’ as much as you can with any fly combo and it’ll all come to you.
It ain’t rocket surgery. Put the bug in front of the fish and wiggle it a little.
I’m not going to weigh in on the rod/reel choices here. However, if you don’t want to spend the money on a vest right away, you could make a lanyard. They are lightweight, cheap (mine cost less than $5) and very handy.
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/tyingtips/part71.html:96c3c]Click Here[/url:96c3c] for the FAOL link.
Any of those combos would work great. TFO and Scientific Anglers, two good companies (I confess partiality to TFO as they are right here in TX with me)
As far as gear, I’d look over the Beginners Section right here. I found a great little shoulder bag at Wal mart that can hold a few fly boxes, spools of tippet, lanyards for hanging off of various implements.
Very best plan? Start fishing, have a great time and figure out what you need as you make your way along the path of fly fishing.
Congratulations…you’ve joined a great board and started a new and addictive hobby. For price the combos mentioned are good. I would suggest starting to develop a relationship with a Fly shop so you can not only get information on a rod and reel, but the local “spots”, clubs, lessons on casting, tying (if you get that addiction too) and other equipment. You pay a couple of dollars more, but talking to someone at a Flyshop ususally tops talking to someone at Sports Authority or their equivalent.