Dick I wish I could help you, but I am woefully ignorant when it comes to fly fishing. Hopefully, someone will step in here and give you a hand. What about it flyrodders? Share your knowledge with those of us unaccustomed to the long rods.......

Dick,

Gills are fun on rods from the ultralight 000 - 5wt.  the PL 9044 stands for what you stated (9' 4 wt rod).  if you have a reel capable, get a good 5 WF F line (good lines are kind of pricy, but will shoot through the guides better and make casting a lot less frustrating.)  Hope this helps, feel free to message me when any further questions and I'll do my best to help you!  Tight Lines!

You should be in good shape for gillin' with that rod.

PL9044 = PL - Plateau; 90 - 9'0"; 4 - 4wt; 4 - 4 piece

GM PLATEAU IM7 GUIDE SERIES
IM7 Graphite Blank
Super Chrome Snake Guide
Fast Action
Maple wood reel seat with Titanium coated hood
AA Portuguese Cork Handle
Originally $100-$130; They were clearanced for $40-$60 when discontinued.

I joined the fly rodders earlier today if any body can help it should be the people who use the equipment over and over again. I'm sure they will help me to get started.

Thanks for the comeback Flyboy. what does WF F mean you forget you are talking to a non talented rookie.

WF F stands for Weight Forward Floating. 

Thank you for that information. I'm assuming this is a good rod for gillin then. What is a good line for it then. Remember I don't know squat about using it.

Is there a certain size line or poundage I need. Again thanks.

should be a great rod for gillin.  even though it's a 4 wt rod, you can "over line" it by using a 5 wt line.  this will help you feel how the rod loads the line and make casting a little less frustrating.  you'll need a reel that can handle that.

Dick

First thing is clean the rod up, mild soap and water. than wax it and the guides with car wax. this will help the line work better on the rod. Next get a reel, I suggest spending around $30 for a Pfulger 1494 and get a spare spool. You will need two lines for the rod,an 5wt intermediate a line( both Cabela's and Hook and Hackle offer reasonable priced lines under $40) that will sink below the surface for about 60-70% of your  blue gill fishing and a 4 wt  Floater I the Lefty Kreh line from SA is also about $40. 

Good reading to get you started Sunfish by Jack Ellis and Strategies for Stillwater by Dave Hughes (just put  the word bluegill in when ever Dave uses the word Trout.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.  Jim Ducy

Thanks Jim. The rod is new never been used and in a hard case. I forgot I bought it and I've had it for awhile but I will wax the guides up good. As far as the reel I don't know what kind it is but I'll get that posted as soon as I find it. I plan on tearing the pole barn apart tomorrow till I find it. Don't know what brand it is but I'm not above replacing it if need be even though it hasn't been used and I love Pfueger reels that's about all I own even though they are spinning and bait casters who know maybe the fly reel will be one also. Thank you much for your input I'm taking everything in hoping to us it later. That will be a challenge in itself when I actually go out and begin casting. Thanks

Found the reel for the outfit and again I think it is out dated. I have to see if I can find an extra spool for it. Its a Cortland-Carisma 4-6. I don't even know if the is a good reel when I say good I mean Low in the line middle or high end. I purchased them awhile back and forgot that I bought them. Any info will be great.

Another good book is bluegill fly fishing and flies by Terry and Roxann Willson.  I love Hook & Hackle Hi floater line. you can check it out here http://store.hookhack.com

Is an automatic fly reel better than a standard fly reel for gills.

Dick 

The reel in fly fishing only holds the line. An auto will work but a single action fly reel will work just fine. They are simple and less moving parts to break. With fly fishing you handle the line with your hands. Give a shout out to fly rod blue giller in Ohio go out with them and see what it's all about. AS for a spare spool why not just get a pfluger 1494, it not outdated and been in production for over 80 years and served your granddad as well as it will serve your great grandson! You can spend lots more money but not find a better working reel. Check out the federation of fly fishers web site, see if there is a chapter near you. go to a meeting. Also check out the website Fly fish Ohio1  Jim Ducy

http://www.ohiofff.org/osc_clubs.htm   Dick here are some clubs in Ohio!!!! Find one close with a Certified Instructor the will take you from set up to casting!!! I hope one of these places are close!!!!!! Do you know anyone close that fly rods they will be happy to help!!!! Rod sound good!!!! 

Thank you Greg I'm checking every avenue. Wish I knew someone in the area that used a fly rod but I'm drawing a blank. I guess I have awhile to look It ain't like I'm going out tomorrow.

Dick, Now that you are a FLYFISHERMAN, you have a rod and lots of good advice on a fly line and reel!!!! There is one more piece of equipment no FLYFISHEMAN should be without, a FULL BRIMMED HAT!!!!!! There are a lot one the market 2" brim up to 4" brims!!!!! Lots to chose from but a neccesity none the less!!!!!!!! If your fly should pass to close to the ears the wide brim will help to keep it from penatrating the ears!!!!! This is very painful and also teach you to pinch the barbs on you hook!!!! This I know from experiance!!! The hat also sheild you from the sun!!!!!

I use mine everywhere I go I can fold one side up and enter any Aussie Bar!!!!! Fold both sides up enter any Cowboy bar ( in Oklahoma that is a must)!!!!!!!!! Also fold the front of it up and you could be a member of F-TROOP!!!!!!! :-) I wear it mostly because I just look so darn GOOD in it!!!!!! LOL

I got it

Greg got it covered.

Dick, Did you run out last night and get that???? LOL

Now just add a SMILE!!!!  :-)

Greg your just simply wanting to much.

HEY DICK you may want to find a bit cooler hat!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That one appears to be leather and coulb get a bit warm in July! Dick you look WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWay too serious in this pic of the hat , lighten up some buddy and look forward to some WIND KNOTS in your leader , tree bass on your backcasts, and moss on the fly line! LOL I've been there and done all that stuff that's how I KNOW .

  TOOTY

HEY DICK, at some time or other you wwwwwill get one stuck in your ear. Last year I was out with a buddy and he got one in the cartilage about half way up on his ear ! He was about yards away from me on the shore yelling TTTTOOTY HELP ME! I went to see what all the fuss was about and he pointed to this nice bead head bug he had impaled him self with.
  SImple enough operation. I simply bent down the barb and pushed it through the other side . Funny thing was you could actually hear the barb popping through the cartilage.
  One more item of the endless stuff you need. A GOOD PAIR OF SIDECUTTERS to simply cut off the end of the hook so you can avoid the horrible popping sound from the cartilage .
  ENJOY

In the way of hats, I like the "Aussie Breezer" hats that LL Bean sells. I got one and my wife liked it so much she had me order one for her, too. Light, flexible, nice wide brim, the open crown really helps with cooling. Plus - and this is really important - it really stays put on my head. It rarely gets knocked off by the wind.

Thanks David now I know I'll have something to look foreword to I can hardly wait.

David that is my fishing face like the wife tells me I always look so serious when fishing. Waiting for that little tap on the line or some kind of line movement and I found the older I get the slower I get so I concentrate extra hard. 

Regardless what kind of hat we have when your on the water you kneed a hat to protect you from the sun especially when your head is a little scarce of hair like mine. I usually will wet a rag put it on my head and hide the back of my neck put my hat on with a big bill on it and a good pair of polarized sunglasses with UV protection. With that set up you came really see the fish in the water another good advantage.

Dick, Is it a leather hat???? It is quite FETCHING!!!!!

Greg you keep me going, Don't stop

Dick, I will do my best to keep you in line!!!!!!!!!  I am working at getting a SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greg if I ever see you in person I'll get you one as long as I'm not fishin

Dick, If I were you and you all ready have the 4 wt. get it rigged up and use it!!!! I prefer the smaller weight rod the smaller the number  the lighter the rod. They are usually lighter in weight and I would a lot rather cast a 2 wt. all day than a 5 wt.. The difference in a four and a five weight is not that much.. A lot of it depends on the action of the rod and not so much the line weight of the rod!!!! I prefer an mid-flex and slower action!!!!! But I have fast and slow action  rods they just take a little change in you stroke when you change up!!!!!!

 That is probably as clear a mud now, Bottom line is use what you have and enjoy and learn!!!!!!!

Go with the 4 wt. I agree about getting the 5 wt. fly line.