fly fish startup
 

Wanting to learn fly fishing specificly spey type I have been watchin a few clips on y-tube,and am struck with the finesse and style of spey casting. I without much advice and filled with ideas of catching monstrous pike and walleyes, purchased a used spey rod. Need advice on a reel line etc there seems to be endless possible combinations spanning as far as your pocket can reach. Theres no flyshops here for about a five hr drive so any recommended fly shops that will ship would be appreciated It will be all lake fishing from a boat (bought that to, my wife just about flipped) and I've never seen anyone here fly casting I've enquired and got basicly laughed out of the local bait tackle and gas station, amongst replies of you cant catch real fish like that, you have to get them on a regular rod and jig or troll. sorry for the long post hopefully my cast will just as long LOL

I am sure some will disagree with me...

I spent more on my line then the reel when I began. The line is what your casting and a good line really makes a huge difference.

I started with a cheap line and cheap reel. Upgraded the line and was so much further ahead right away. Casting was easier and further, and less frustrating. Later on I upgraded the reel and didn't notice a huge difference.

Reid’s fly shop can fix you up. West end of Edmonton

thanks for the advice and suggestions I will look into the fly shop and lines as soon as my rod arrives and I have verified what I have

I hate to say it, but spey casting is not going to be your best bet for fly fishing for pike. Fly fishing for pike usually utilizes large streamers that are too large for spey casting to be effective, not to mention spey casting is best when you aren't retrieving your fly fully back to you on each cast. The only time it would be good is if you're fishing rivers for pike and walleye where you will be using smaller flies.

My advice would be to buy a single hand 8 or 9 weight fly rod, get an aggressive tapered weight forward fly line designed for large flies, and a reel large enough to hold the line and balance the rod.

Also, whatever style of rod and casting you end up using, getting some lessons will do you a lot of good to shorten the learning curve.

Yep, good advice.

not much luck on lessons nearby, will require a road trip I suspect, havent been west for a few years maybe it's time. I know there is some flyshops in Calgary, will make some enquiries about lessons there. thanx will also look at a single hand rod while there.

Welcome to the hobby, we need more of you
 

IMO that is not the fly outfit for a beginner. Get yourself a 6 or 6 wt. with a weight forward taper or even a DT line.
It is the line that provides the weight for the cast.
It is hard to cast large flys for lots of reasons, I'd recommend a dry caddis fly or elk hair grasshoppers.
You are NOT trying to cast as far as possible, what you want is a nice quiet presentation, or as my grandfather said, careful wading wis better than long casts.
Oh I like a stiff rod for dry fly fishing, it is easier to pick up the line after a cast. In fly fishing the reel only holds the line so don't spend a lot on the reel.
Let us know how you make out.

There is a small group of fisherman that fish the NSR with spey gear. You can catch anything with a spey rod and a swung fly. I've caught some nice pike as well as numerous walleye and goldeye. A single hander might better in a lake for pike but in moving water I don't really consider a spey rod a handicap.

If you Facebook, look up Wildrose Spey Group. Join and ask the same questions.
Some very experienced spey guys there that can help.