Fly Rod

[chris kowaleski]

So where I live now there are excellent looking places for fly fishing and so I need to get a fly rod. I don't have much to spare so i'm probably gonna get a fly rod and reel combo, and I was wondering which kinds any of you have had experience with.  I live near a Cabelas and was looking at this one but the reviews don't seem very good for the reel.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Rod-Reel-Combos/Fly-Fishing-...

I've also looked at a couple of Eagle Claw kits and combos on the sportsmans guide but i'm still unsure.

Should I be looking for a graphite or a fiberglass rod and what length?

I was also wondering if I could buy some BBG community handmade flies from some of you fly tiers out there!

[Leo Nguyen]

Man..that would be a sight to see a fly rodder uses the reel to haul in the fish. I would be bold enough to try that next time.

[Allen Morgan]

I've done it a few times on some LMB's and smaller Stripers.  I think on one of my videos, probably Arkansas River Part II, there's a scene where I'm fighting a Striper on the reel.

[chris kowaleski]

yes sir!  I don't know how i failed to mention this part, but i got several knots in my leader, and was able to cut a one out and re tie, but i got a few more and just kept fishing and continued to catch some fish.  My casting is pretty wild sometimes and gets out of control every once in a while. On one cast i somehow managed to get a hook to the cheek. luckily the barb didn't go in so it came out quite easily haha.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Glad to see you got it working. I was never any good with the fly rod, but my BIL was a master. I had a good teacher, I just never paid attention!

Catching small bass is a sign you are on the right path. Like the others say, no shame in your game.

[dick tabbert]

The reel should be the least of your worries all it does is hold your line. I have a Cabela's 9' 5wt graphite fly rod and still learning how to use it but love it. I don't remember how much I gave for it or even when I purchased it. Found it in the barn last year and decided to use it. This year I gave it a try and sorry I didn't try one out years ago I liked it so well I bought a 2wt 8' rod. Next year I'll be in the market for a 6 or 7wt for some river fishing. Just thought I'd add my 2 cent I know what ever you do there is loads of enjoyment lined up for you.

[chris kowaleski]

yes sir i could definately see myself using a lighter fly rod in the future!

[chris kowaleski]

Nice! New stuff is always exciting. I'm going to try to go out tomorrow morning. Can't wait to get back at it haha.  My thumb was about to go raw from having it on the cork so much. 

[Allen Morgan]

It gets addicting.  I started fly-fishing about 2 months ago.  In that time, I've been fishing with the fly rod almost exclusively.  And, I've caught a wide variety of fish, not just various Sunfish.

[dick tabbert]

Great stuff Mike I catch more bass than I ever have just targeting Crappies and Gills.

[chris kowaleski]

Unfortunately today didn't go as well as the other day. First off, i couldn't sleep at all last night, so i didn'tget up as early as i wanted, but i still had minimal sleep. Today i rode my bike to the river  and i get there and gear up and start fishing. When i was putting my rag in my pocket i noticed that my pliers weren't in the pocket they're usually in, i'm guessing they fell out on the ride there. I had them for a long time, oh well.. I tried some different flies that i didn't get to use the first time and i'm not sure what the deal was but I had a real difficult time getting ANY distance and it got incredibly frustrating. i kept switching and it still kept happening. I had a few hits on some, but never connected. Eventually i caught to small ones and got tired of dealin with it so i went home. now i'm getting ready for work.

I feel like there is still  alot i don't know about fly fishing. Such as fly/leader/tippet sizes, casting tips and techniques etc.  

[Allen Morgan]

What you really need is a furled leader.  There are videos and webpages describing how to make them.  I need to fabricate a furled leader jig board so I can make some.

Once you get one of those, you just need a tippet.  I always have LOTS of small spools of different strengths of mono, and even one of flouro.  I just use that for tippet material.  Typically, for Bluegill, I go with 4 lbs test mono, tie a surgeon's loop in it, and do a loop-to-loop connection between the leader and tippet.  I've found that the best tippet length is about 2 - 3' long.  Any longer, and it's hard to get the tippet to turn the fly over.  Any shorter, and it doesn't turn over very well, either.

If I know there are BIGGER fish present, especially if I'm targeting said "big" fish, I'll go up to an 8 lbs test mono or flouro tippet.  I've brought in LMBs, Stripers, and White Bass.  Haven't tangled with any Catfish or Carp, yet.

I've caught three or four LMB's on poppers.  The first one actually gave a little splash in the strike, while the other three just barely sipped it down.  It's really a surprise when you see the popper quietly get pulled under, set the hook expecting a BG, and feel a real head-shaking, hard-throbbing Bass take off.

[Lee]

 Sounds like your having Fun with the flyrod :) Flyfishing is a never ending learning experiance that can be frustrating don't let it get to you and give up it's also ALOT of FUN!   Guys that have been at it for years will tell you there's always bad days and bad casts, me I'm always searching for that perfect cast.

 There's lots of info on the internet and some great how to videos on you tube ( search Lefty Kreh he's easy to onderstand and keeps it simple ) Orvis has a great online video series on leraning to flyfish also.

 Shoot me an e-mail with your mailing address and I'll send you some of my foam poppers, they catch Blugill and Bass! Send to [e-mail]

 One more thing Always wear sunglass's and a brimmed hat while flyfishing, hooks in the ear are embarrasing a hook in the eye is Horrible!