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!

[chris kowaleski]

yes sir i'm hoping it will be the ticket to catchin these tricky big bluegills i've seen in the San Marcos river. Can't wait to fish there with the new rod!

[Bill Purmort]

I'm with David on this one, this is a great deal and I can't imagine that you would be disappointed with it for a first outfit. You'll have money left over for flies and a 5 wt will handle any fish you tangle with up to 5-6 lbs with ease. For panfish you will have no issues at all.
Join the club and before long you will pick up this rod as your first choice every time.
Good Luck

Bill

[chris kowaleski]

Well you guys talked some sense into me and i picked one up along with some flies, leaders, and fly box. About to go try it out and i'll see what happens and let you know!

[chris kowaleski]

Well after i got out of my truck at the spot, it was suuuuper windy and i had really low expectations since i had no idea what i was doing. I get to the river and tie on a fly and practice casting for a few minutes and eventually go into the water. After a while i was able to sloppily manage to get my fly out there and i had a few topwater strikes but didn't connect.  Then i hooked one and it went into some grass and while going to it it got off the hook. I switched flies to a small cricket looking one and they started hitting it left and right and i caught quite a few small variety of bass.  I only took a picture of my first fish andone of the other bigger ones i caught and the spot. 

I also apologize for posting so many bass photos.  They've been the hungrier ones lately!

[Leo Nguyen]

Nice job on the first go! Mike is right, as Tony would say, "B..B..B..They are just as good of a fish to catch as BGs."

[Tony Livingston]

Uh-Oh..... I felt a great disturbance in the force for a minute or so there. Almost as if someone suggested that a lowly LMB could attain the exalted status of a BG..........

 

Seriously though Chris, I consider your first trip with the new flyrod an unqualified success. Far better than I would've done, I'm sure.  Congrats on the new purchase, and something tells me we'll be seeing more photos from you in the very near future.

Good job!

 

 

[chris kowaleski]

Haha well a few of them were Guadalupe or spotted bass though so there's that. I'm pretty excited at how well it went.

[Bill Purmort]

Chris,
Congratulations and welcome to this weird sick group ....people standing in water waving a stick!
You will never look at road kill the same and before long there will be plastic bags and shears in your trunk to procure a select tail, feather or, clump of fresh tying material. Please remember the cardinal rule...after stopping and collecting a choice piece of material....remember to take it out of your car! You wouldn't think a squirrel tail could smell that bad, but believe me...those little pine tree things you get at the car wash ain't gonna cut it.

Bill

[Allen Morgan]

Welcome to the insanity, Chris.

Nice water, and nice fish.  Wait until you tangle with a 2 - 3 lbs LMB, or a decent White Bass.

Now that you've plunged into fly fishing, before long, you'll plunge into fly tying, mainly to keep yourself supplied.  If you have any artistic talent, you should find fly tying a relaxing, enjoyable process.

Do you have any good fly shops nearby?  Have you searched?  They can offer flies ready-to-fish, or the supplies to tie them, along with tips on where to go and what to use.

[chris kowaleski]

I think so, but i haven't really looked. There is a cabelas though. I just like the idea of supporting fellow BBG'ers instead of other huge stores until i make my own.

[Greg McWilliams]

Chris, What length and weight did you Get??????

[chris kowaleski]

It's a nine foot 5wt cabelas one. The reel is kinda crappy and i had to take the thing apart a few times while in the water.