A Couple Newbie Questions

Sumara · #1 03-04-2016, 11:04 PM

What would make for a good starter combo? I was looking at this scientific angler pack that came with a rod/reel & dvd at the fishing hole and a Reddington combo from Cabelas which came with a case. I would be mostly targeting trout.

On the topic of trout i usually go to Cardiff and it's pretty open so i think it should be a good place to start out once i'm comfortable. For spring chironomid pattern would be the way to go for flies correct?

Fenix_84 · #2 03-04-2016, 11:39 PM

Spend the money on a good rod. A reel isn't really important so you can skimp on that. If you find you like fly fishing you can replace just the reel instead of replacing both.
Check classified ads for some gear lots of good stuff that can be had for great prices.

rycoma · #3 03-05-2016, 12:54 PM

Combos have usually one maybe two good components to them very rarely will you not end upgrading something. The redington rods are fairly decent depending on which model. In my opinion stay away from the crosswater as the warranty is only good for a year. Any step above that your good. The reels that are in the combo are plastic junk and the line is rio mainstream. Rod and line are way more important than the reel. If it holds line and doesn't birdsnest on you your good to go. S.A. makes good line and their reels used to be ok but I don't know about the rod or what line it comes with. Probably air cel which is bottom barrel theses days.

Parker Hale · #4 03-05-2016, 01:45 PM

All comes down to preference and budget. Myself, I have never spent more than $100 on a rod. And the fact is the fish don't care how much you spent.

rycoma · #5 03-05-2016, 05:44 PM

Finding what you like/cast effectively is the most important factor but as we all know there are super cheap garbage rods out there. These rods make learning much more difficult and will lead to frustration. If the op can weed out the junk and spend his hard earned $$ on something a little better to give himself a head start. Plus getting a good fly line like rio grand that is 1 weight heavier so loading the rod is a little easier. I wish that I had the internet around when I was purchasing my first fly rod because that fiberglass pos I bought almost stoped me from continuing with the sport.

AdverseCity · #6 03-05-2016, 06:37 PM

If you're anywhere near Calgary I'd recommend booking into Hansen's Fly Fishing Boot Camp. You get a half decent 5# rod/reel/line/case with a couple leaders and flies along with a days worth of instruction and fishing the Bow river all for $200, they even supply lunch. It's a great way to see if you'll like fly fishing and learn the proper techniques before you pick up any bad habits. If you don't like it I'm sure you'd be able to get half your money back by selling the combo, in my opinion it's a good, cheap way to start fly fishing.

Sumara · #7 03-05-2016, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdverseCity

If you're anywhere near Calgary I'd recommend booking into Hansen's Fly Fishing Boot Camp. You get a half decent 5# rod/reel/line/case with a couple leaders and flies along with a days worth of instruction and fishing the Bow river all for $200, they even supply lunch. It's a great way to see if you'll like fly fishing and learn the proper techniques before you pick up any bad habits. If you don't like it I'm sure you'd be able to get half your money back by selling the combo, in my opinion it's a good, cheap way to start fly fishing.

Unfortunately i'm in Edmonton but that sounds like a great deal for people getting started!

lds · #8 03-05-2016, 09:45 PM

Buy a tfo. You'll be happy for life and the price isn't bad either. $200 at bass pro gets you a full set up with their pro series which is their mid range rod

SumoPerchWrestling · #9 03-05-2016, 09:48 PM

https://www.google.ca/search?q=barbi...HfrPAucQsAQIJg

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...MQfxFUk6eOuIDQ

Silvercreek · #10 03-05-2016, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoPerchWrestling

https://www.google.ca/search?q=barbi...HfrPAucQsAQIJg

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...MQfxFUk6eOuIDQ

Wow, a guy asks a valid question on fishing equipment and this is your response.
Kind of ignorant don't you think?

SumoPerchWrestling · #11 03-05-2016, 10:03 PM

clearly it works

Unclerj · #12 03-05-2016, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdverseCity

If you're anywhere near Calgary I'd recommend booking into Hansen's Fly Fishing Boot Camp. You get a half decent 5# rod/reel/line/case with a couple leaders and flies along with a days worth of instruction and fishing the Bow river all for $200, they even supply lunch. It's a great way to see if you'll like fly fishing and learn the proper techniques before you pick up any bad habits. If you don't like it I'm sure you'd be able to get half your money back by selling the combo, in my opinion it's a good, cheap way to start fly fishing.

I'd second this. Even though you are in Edmonton it would be worth the 3 hour drive.

ShortsideK · #13 03-06-2016, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvercreek

Wow, a guy asks a valid question on fishing equipment and this is your response.
Kind of ignorant don't you think?

Lighten up... there's always room for humor.

Passthru · #14 03-06-2016, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lds

Buy a tfo. You'll be happy for life and the price isn't bad either. $200 at bass pro gets you a full set up with their pro series which is their mid range rod

I bought this and changed out the stock line to a weight forward line. With the new line it's soooo nice. Have caught a lot of fish on this rod in the past 6 years. Reel isn't that great but still doing its job.

denniss13 · #15 03-07-2016, 04:07 PM

Just a heads up The Edm. Sportsman Show is this week end There will likely be some deals to be had.

For Combo's Reddington is a good bet along with Orvis or SA (Scientific Angler) have great combo's. First thing I would is swap line for a Cortland 444 weight forward floating (WF-F) line to match rod.

Also while there drop into the Northern Lights Fly Fishers/TUC Edm both. They will have a day course for $75. Lunch is supplied.

There will be a sign up list for a possible fly tying course depending on interest.

Hope to see you there

Tight Lines Always
Dennis S

Sumara · #16 03-07-2016, 06:27 PM

Thanks a ton for all the helpful advice everyone! I'm heading to the Boat and Sportsman show this saturday and hopefully i'll walk out with one!

ShortsideK · #17 03-07-2016, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoPerchWrestling

clearly it works

I noticed that the word "banned" is present directly under SumoPerchWrestling's username.

Does this mean he has been "banned" from this forum?

Ozzzzz · #18 03-08-2016, 09:32 AM

The Orvis Encounter combo looks like a great starter set. For about $250 you're getting into a decent quality rod, line, and reel...From my experience, Orvis won't put their name on something that is sub-standard.

cranky · #19 03-08-2016, 02:14 PM

Cant go wrong with the TFO, Signature series would be a good one. Great warrantee and only have to either go to or send to Calgary to have broke piece replaced.
TFO makes a nice medium rod. I dont care for the fast rods. Medium is easier to learn on i think.
Just my opinion anyway cause your question will get a dozen different answers.

tubgrill · #20 03-08-2016, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzzzz

The Orvis Encounter combo looks like a great starter set. For about $250 you're getting into a decent quality rod, line, and reel...From my experience, Orvis won't put their name on something that is sub-standard.

I've had this setup for about a year and it's decent so far. I've caught a bunch of fish with it. The reel isn't great but it is a fairly easy setup to load and practise with. I'm pretty happy with the purchase. IIRC I picked it up at the south Edmonton wholesale sports for about 260 or 270 with a couple spare leaders and some tippet.

waterfowler · #21 03-08-2016, 09:20 PM

Give these packages a look, great bang for your buck along with lifetime warranty. Right off the bat there is no need for upgrading lines or reels. I know a few people who have picked these up and have been very happy.

http://www.echoflyfishing.com/html/r...product_type=1

32-40win · #22 03-09-2016, 01:40 AM

Been hearing a fair bit of good stuff on the Echo products so far. They have a pretty neat vid on testing/bending/breaking rods.

rycoma · #23 03-09-2016, 06:04 PM

Well I'm going to third on the Echo combo. The solo has alot of back bone for being a medium fast rod. I have an 8wt for pike and it can launch some decent length casts with some huge flies. I had a six wt for a while had nothing but good things to say. Plus I have had one of their Carbon 3wt for 4 season and love it great little rod that can do a lot more then what a 3 wt should.