fly fishing

[Bryce]

Hey guys i just wanted to say that I am looking at getting into fly fishing for bluegills, but I don't know where to start. Can anyone offer any insight as to what i need to get to start out with, any fishing tips, or just any advise on the matter. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I don't plan on being a fly fishing master, but i am interested in starting, so any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[steve b]

Traditionally, beginners are told to start with an 8', or 8 1/2', 6wt.. Since bluegills are your target, I'd just adjust that advice slightly to a 5wt rod. The place to spend money is on the line, nothing will discourage a beginner like casting issues that aren't really their fault. I have 3wt and 5wt rods for this niche of fishing. I'd start with a 5wt though. Enough to throw bulky, wind-resisitant poppers and boogers. Save the 3wt and lighter for your next rod...didn't anyone warn you ? You WILL end up with several, its addictive ! steve b

[Alex G.]

I had a good three paragraphs written with my thoughts, with a lot more to come, expressing my opinions on beginning fly fishing, but I remembered that I know of a very good article written by a Big Bluegill member on another forum, good read.....

http://www.nefga.org/web/article20080114.php - First Steps in Fly-Fishing

Take peek at that.

and follow it up with this one

http://www.nefga.org/web/article20080313.php - Yes, You Can Cast a Fly Rod

Like Doug said, keep it simple. If you are serious about getting into it, let me know, and I'll tie up a dozen flies for you. It's my opinion, that acquiring flies will drain your wallet faster than anything. They retail for around $1 or more each, or if you decided to "save" money, and tie your own flies, you end up spending around $500 dollars buying a vice, tools, hooks of every size and shape, feathers, fur, cheneille, etc, etc, etc..... but each fly breaks down to around .15 cents or less...... At least that's what I tell myself the next time I find myself looking at more feathers.

[Jim Kearney]

Bryce, I too am getting into the fly fishing experience and I intend to do it pretty darn soon. Although I have a rod/reel (it is my grandfather's and I cherish it), it will be a new experience for me. I have a great lake and know that it will be a blast. I have messed around a bit over the years but this is going to be the real deal. I wonder about flies/bugs/poppers etc. I am not in a position to spend a lot of money and while I would like to keep it simple, I, of course want to be prepared. Are there 8-10 (or so) baits (flies, poppers, etc.) which are adequate to get started without going breaking the bank. Any help is MUCH appreciated. Thanks guys, in advance.

[Jay Fogle]

Hi Bryce and Jim Kearney too.

Ditto what everyone else says about starting simple - you'll be sucked into the condition of "fly fishing related gadgetry gotta have" soon enough. :) By the way - that term is a phenomenon of the universe not covered in Physics books only because Physicists fly fish too (and they have wives too).

I'd also be DELIGHTED to send you 3 or 4 foam ants (tied by me) and a few poppers (not tied by me) to help fill your fly boxes.

PM me with an address - since I am paying the freight it may be a slow boat but there's plenty of spring and summer ahead :)

One thing you'll find out is that fly fishing people are usually quite eager to help when it comes to getting new victims, er, I mean new members to join us in our passion. We're even more helpful if you have a pond in your family :) - ok, just teasing on that one...

I am not sure why we become so helpful. I suspect we feel validated if other seemingly sane people join our craziness?

Fishing tips:

- try to watch a video or two on casting - it is NOT hard at all IF you do it the right way - take time to learn to do it the right way and you'll get a lot more enjoyment from it! (Go to http://www.youtube.com and type in "fly casting" and you should get plenty of videos to chose from) Get a few lessons if you can.

- PRACTICE, practice, practice that casting - start with short distances at first then learn how the line feels different as more of its weight gets out of the end of the rod. Don't worry about long distances (usually not important with most warm water fish such as panfish and bass), worry instead about learning line control..

- go fishing someplace you have to drive or walk far enough to that it makes in inconvenient to go back the the car or the house and get a "normal' fishing pole. force yourself to take fishing excursions ONLY with your flyrod - if you have no other choice - you'll be forced to learn faster

- don't get "married" to any one type of fly - poppers and other topwater flies are often associated with panfishing - and without a doubt are the most fun/exciting. However, don't limit yourself to those. I often catch more and bigger fish when I tie a much smaller subsurface fly (such as a copper john, other nymphs, and even small "wet" flies - there are plenty of others) as a "dropper" off the hook of my popper. And "trout" flies are VERY good on gills. Watching a small dry fly get sucked off the surface film is pretty fun and often also results in some nice sized fish.

Sorry if I got carried away and overloaded ya. But let me know if I can help.

Thanks
J