Fly Fishing Rod and Reel

[-relk-]

I am new to fly fishing, and am thinking of picking up a setup for next year. I have been out a few times with a friends rod and liked it, so thought I would continue with it.

I am new to it, and have no idea where to start. What brands should I be looking at? Anyone have any recommendations for a newbie?

Budget is max 300 for both the rod and reel, but would prefer it ~$200.

[mikeym]

do a search on this site and the new Flyfishing forum. this subject has been gone over numerous times.

my suggestion would be a TFO rod, 5 wt if you want to stay under $200. they are good rods for the money.

Rgds
Mike

[Scott N]

I agree... the TFO rods are a good bargain.

[-relk-]

Originally Posted by mikeym

do a search on this site and the new Flyfishing forum. this subject has been gone over numerous times.

my suggestion would be a TFO rod, 5 wt if you want to stay under $200. they are good rods for the money.

Rgds
Mike

I did not realize there was a fly fishing forum, I already did a quick search, but didnt find anything within a couple pages, might have been too broad a search. Thanks.

[FishingFrenzy]

Originally Posted by -relk-

I did not realize there was a fly fishing forum, I already did a quick search, but didnt find anything within a couple pages, might have been too broad a search. Thanks.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/forumdisplay.php?f=101

[scel]

Originally Posted by -relk-

I am new to fly fishing, and am thinking of picking up a setup for next year. I have been out a few times with a friends rod and liked it, so thought I would continue with it.

I am new to it, and have no idea where to start. What brands should I be looking at? Anyone have any recommendations for a newbie?

Budget is max 300 for both the rod and reel, but would prefer it ~$200.

How many times a year do you think that you will go?

[MTB_FlyFisher]

I'll also agree with the suggestions to look into a TFO rod. For ~$220 you get a rod, reel, line, and carrying case, and since they are a local company (located in Calgary) with a lifetime warranty you can easily get replacement setions for $30 if you ever happen to break one.

After that, I'd suggest heading over to icky fly works and picking up one of their combo packs for the type of fishing you expect to be doing the most of. It works out to about $1/fly, and if you order over $30 you get free shipping. From my experience ordering from them in the past they are quality flies and the shipping to Alberta is very quick.

[Bhflyfisher]

3 things.

1. Buy a good line first. Crucial for fly fishing. Rio Products Gold line is a great line.

2. the less amount you spend on your first setup, the more you'll spend on the next one when you realize its not meeting your needs

3. Stay away from rod/reel combinations. Usually the rod is alright, but you'll lose money on the reel, because you'll want to get rid of it asap. A half decent reel, is nice to have.

As for the rod, i'd buy a tfo lefty kreh signature series, as for a reel, anything around the 100$ mark will be alright.

[pikergolf]

Some good suggestions, I don't think you can top this reel at it's price point,
https://www.okumafishing.com/product.../fly-reels/slv and keep an eye on Cabelas online for fly line, you can usually get what you want at a smokin price if your patient. Gotta keep on it though, cause when the good stuff goes on sale it moves fast.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Some good suggestions, I don't think you can top this reel at it's price point,
https://www.okumafishing.com/product.../fly-reels/slv and keep an eye on Cabelas online for fly line, you can usually get what you want at a smokin price if your patient. Gotta keep on it though, cause when the good stuff goes on sale it moves fast.

I would actually stay away from the SLV. I know for a fact, it is not a durable reel. I dropped one from 3ft onto a carpeted floor and it was so warped I couldn't turn the reel. As well, my buddy Brent owned one and was very disappointed with it. Just my two cents, take it for what it's worth.

Cheers,
Doc

[Flyfisher87]

Originally Posted by -relk-

I am new to fly fishing, and am thinking of picking up a setup for next year. I have been out a few times with a friends rod and liked it, so thought I would continue with it.

I am new to it, and have no idea where to start. What brands should I be looking at? Anyone have any recommendations for a newbie?

Budget is max 300 for both the rod and reel, but would prefer it ~$200.

In the new year I might have a 6wt TFO with an Orvis reel spooled with Rio floating line. Used only twice. I would let it go for $300 firm if I decide to sell it. Would sell you a rod case too for $50.00.

[Justbyfaith]

I am a huge fan of the TFO setups if you are buying your first outfit. The 5/6 wt with reel and line are fantastic.

They also come with the unconditional lifetime warranty, in case no one mentioned that...

No matter how you break it, they will give you a new section (identical to the part you broke) for about 35$ (processing fee). You can cash in on the warranty in Calgary as they have a small warehouse here in town- No need to send the broken rod out!

my two cents.

-J

[Justbyfaith]

-Oh, and I looked at the setups in Fish Tales fly shop today for 230$.

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by Justbyfaith

I am a huge fan of the TFO setups if you are buying your first outfit. The 5/6 wt with reel and line are fantastic.

They also come with the unconditional lifetime warranty, in case no one mentioned that...

No matter how you break it, they will give you a new section (identical to the part you broke) for about 35$ (processing fee). You can cash in on the warranty in Calgary as they have a small warehouse here in town- No need to send the broken rod out!

my two cents.

-J

I am a big fan of TFO as a starter package as well. Please realize that there is no warranty and that they sell you a part for $35 if you break it or just simply walk in and purchase.

A rod portion made off shore with the cheapest components available probably cost the company $10 or less.

But still the Signature Series is a nice rod and a very nice price. It gets you out on the water and allows you to discover what you do and don't want in a fly rod. The rod can then be sold with very little lost especially if you buy the set up used.

I would warn against purchasing any higher end rods until you find out the type of fishing you like to do and the action that best suits your casting style.

Winston, Redington and even Sage have some starter models that should be considered before making a purchase. I have a couple of Redington rods and the components are superior to the other offerings in their price range. One of my favorite rods is an RS4 4wt that I would put up against rods costing 3 times as much.

[ÜberFly]

Check that...

The entire rod blank (made off shore) is about $10 - $12!! No matter what the brand!!

[Justbyfaith]

I've replaced sections of my rod twice at the TFO warehouse off Blackfoot Trail.........

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by Justbyfaith

I've replaced sections of my rod twice at the TFO warehouse off Blackfoot Trail.........

They replaced your sections for no charge at the warehouse off Blackfoot Trail?

[Justbyfaith]

Originally Posted by MK2750

They replaced your sections for no charge at the warehouse off Blackfoot Trail?

It costed 35$ the second time, the first time it was 28$ before they raised the cost.

[Justbyfaith]

3809-9st SE for the warehouse.
http://www.springbrook.ca

Please do your research before you give advice on the forum.

Thanks.

[MtnGiant]

Originally Posted by -relk-

I am new to fly fishing, and am thinking of picking up a setup for next year. I have been out a few times with a friends rod and liked it, so thought I would continue with it.

I am new to it, and have no idea where to start. What brands should I be looking at? Anyone have any recommendations for a newbie?

Budget is max 300 for both the rod and reel, but would prefer it ~$200.

Plenty of suggestions here and all are good.
The common denominator is TFO and I agree.
It's in your price range and the brand makes the top 10 best rods list w/ a lifetime warrenty.
The general rule of thumb for a beginner is a 6wt.
It will handle any situation and I use it for coho and steelhead too.
I bought my girlfriend a TFO combo to get started and even I luv it.
I personally don't use the drag system for anything more than stripping....I finger break my catches. As soon as the fish is on....I turn the drag off completely. So I'm sure the combo reel will last a long time.
The line I will use until it breaks. Then go to Rio brand.
The most important thing is that you like it enough to learn.
Your most important piece of the puzzle is getting good quality flies.
Check out the thread "highwood river" on here. Someone listed a very good assortment of flies to get.
And I gave you a few online sites to buy from earlier if you read it.
You'll know when your ready for a change in equipment and what brands.
A lot of sales are on now. It's yr end and the old stock has got to go...so check around.
Reddington is also good....it's a sister company by Sage
Good luck

[Bhflyfisher]

Originally Posted by mtngiant

Plenty of suggestions here and all are good.
The common denominator is TFO and I agree.
It's in your price range and the brand makes the top 10 best rods list w/ a lifetime warrenty.
The general rule of thumb for a beginner is a 6wt.
It will handle any situation and I use it for coho and steelhead too.
I bought my girlfriend a TFO combo to get started and even I luv it.
I personally don't use the drag system for anything more than stripping....I finger break my catches. As soon as the fish is on....I turn the drag off completely. So I'm sure the combo reel will last a long time.
The line I will use until it breaks. Then go to Rio brand.
The most important thing is that you like it enough to learn.
Your most important piece of the puzzle is getting good quality flies.
Check out the thread "highwood river" on here. Someone listed a very good assortment of flies to get.
And I gave you a few online sites to buy from earlier if you read it.
You'll know when your ready for a change in equipment and what brands.
A lot of sales are on now. It's yr end and the old stock has got to go...so check around.
Reddington is also good....it's a sister company by Sage
Good luck

I disagree with what was highlighted in bold. If you're learning to cast on your own, without lessons or help, you need a good quality line. Its one of those things that will frustrate beginners because they have trouble getting 10-15' of line out. A good quality line is crucial to learning on your own. Cannot stress that enough.

[MtnGiant]

I must disagree with you disagreeing with me hahaha
Reason is this for me....I started learning 40 yrs ago and we all know how far back the technology was then compared to now. I learned then and got better as the technology got better and I noticed a lot. Point is this...if u start with less than the best and learn how to use it and are happy doing what ur doing.....then when u step into better products u will be far more impressed and happy with the progress and it's very exciting. Learn the techniques first and the better technology will follow when ur ready. My Dad always taught me not to get caught up in the technology....hone ur skills first. Remember that people used to fish with a stick and line. If u can cast that then casting a top of the line product will be another world all together.
A little over exaggerated, but the point is true.
Start low and end up high.

[Bhflyfisher]

You're telling me that making it harder to cast for the average person for the first time is better in the long run? When im teaching people how to cast, they need to have the best chance at success to keep them interested. Casting that 10 dollar walmart special is not going to be easier to cast then a 40-70 dollar rio mainstream or gold line. Im not saying buy a 500 dollar new technology rod and reel for your first time, im saying dropping another 50-60 bucks on a line to cast on that 100 dollar TFO that will last you 3-5 years if you take good care of it is advantageous.

For people that want to try and try again until they succeed (which it seems like you were that kind of person) which is a good thing! You will learn with that walmart line eventually and you're probably a better fly fisherman because of it. But for the majority of people that take up fly fishing, they try it a couple of times by themselves, get frustrated with not being able to get more then 20' of line out and then give up. Then that 200 dollar tfo rod, reel, junk line beginner setup they bought just sits in the garage. This sounds counter intuitive with spending more money on a fly line thats more expensive and MIGHT sit in the garage forever if you still cant cast, but its a risk some beginners should be willing to take. A better line will shorten that learning curve.

If its a financial thing, to not be able to spend that 50-60 dollars on a fly line, you've picked the wrong fishing method.

[MtnGiant]

Point taken 'bhflyfisher'....and I won't argue with your logic. It makes perfect sense to me. Maybe I'll bump my GF up on her fly line this season. Hope she appreciates it hahahaha. But I'll blame you if it doesn't work LOL...Just kidding friendo