Advice For Beginning Fly Fishermen

[Keith Ritter]

I recently added fly fishing to my arsenal for catching Bluegill, so I need all the help I can get and I thought others might need some too. So all you fly guys please give me your best tips for beginning fly fishermen. Knots, leaders, tippets, flies, line and basic techniques or what ever a new fly fisherman needs to know. Thanks in advance for your information.

[Miles]

hey keith get one of these EAGLE CLAW FEATHERLIGHT FL300 7' parabolic 5/6 weight.around 27 dollars.i ordered this thru my local tackle shop,they are a eagle claw dealer.i have fly fished for a long time and this rod is great.the easiest casting rod i have ever owned.i have come close to casting the whole flyline with this rod.i have caught about 100 gills so far this year along with many crappies warmouth and  bassgoing after some big carp with it too.it is super light for a glass rod.i am using a 5wt line and an okuma reel i got from tooty.they also have 4/5 wt.ANYONE could learn to cast one of these rods.

..... I agree 100%.

[Keith Ritter]

Thanks Miles, A local tackle shop carries Eagle Claw rods and I need to check them out a little closer. I'd like to have another fly rod combo.

[Miles]

If you like a 3pc glass rod that's a bit more expensive, but doesn't "break the bank", check out the "Klassic Glass" rods from Anglers Roost here on the web.   His 7'  3-4wt fishes wonderfully with a 4wt and comes with an extra tip - is a bit lighter in hand than the Eagle claw.   You can also buy the blank and build your own rod from whatever components you like.    You'll be stunned how well and far it casts and you just might get addicted to it.  Don't let the short length of either of these rods turn you away,

[Steve Wilson]

Keith... I started using this knot and like it real well.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxH1ZCvctgE

[wag]

  

        Steve -----> THANKS  for  the  knot  info    

                           

                 

[Steve Wilson]

  Also, these 2 knots seem to do pretty well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spnFKLdl790..........................................................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MGTgvAvm64

[wag]

  

    Steve ------->  THANKS  for  the  knot  info    

                           

[Craig Thoreson]

Having just gotten back in I jumped right back in to my graphite rods but recently picked up a Cabelas Prime 1pc 7'3" 5wt rod. Very smooth casting rod. Yes it is long but I can fit it in my car easily. Best part is they are currently on sale for $95 plus shipping. I just ordered the 6' 3wt to go with now to get another reel but I want to test out an incoming reel first before ordering the smaller one.

[carl hendrix]

good thing to remember steve;; thanks !!!  might just beat a couple of wraps and a tangle;;  LOL !!

[Keith Ritter]

What is a good rule of thumb for the length of leaders and tippets. I have been using a 10# mono and a 4# mono tippet but I have been guessing about the length. Any advise would be welcomed.

[Miles]

Well, I tailor the combined length of the leader/ tippet by the type of water and rod I'm fishing.   If it's a tight stream and I'm using a 7' rod, then I keep it 6'.6"- 7' so I have less leader /tippet and more actual line in the cast.  If it's not a tight stream, then I'll keep it at the rod length or a bit more (7'- 7'6" for a 7' rod .... or 8'- 8'6" for a 8' rod).   I use actual leaders, I prefer a 4x (6lb test) 7'6" leader - and either a 4x or lighter 5x tippet depending on the fly.   What I have settled on personally are shorter glass rods as I just like the way they cast better than I like the graphites - but I do have a 7'6" 3wt Rainshadow graphite that is wonderful with a 4wt line - and the same type 7'9" 4wt that loves a 5wt line.     

[Keith Ritter]

I thank everyone who added to this discussion. I have been using your advice to help me catch fish like this one on the fly.