Looking to get into fly fishing - tips for beginner

I would definitely second taking a class or lesson. There's only so much you can get from a diagram or a video, but having someone well experienced in casting and fishing really does help you with not forming bad habits from the get go. Near me are two casting ponds and when I first started going to them, a lot of old timers definitely were more than happy to help out or give you tips. One guy I made friends with, encouraged me to join a local club, and they do outings and bring in speakers and have tying events. It's a great way to get started.

 

I have extra rods and do not do as much fishing as before.
If you guarantee that you are going to go forward with this I will donate a rod, its actually a new one that I was given, and maybe a reel.
You pay the shipping.

 

Funny, I was thinking the same.

I've given away 1, $100 rod a year for the last 3 years. Its always to someone I meet face to face. Never thought about a pay it forward, give away.

 

That is an awesome deal!! I love this site cause of people like you @Mulepadre

As to tips for OP. Practice in the backyard or in a buddies pool if you can fine one with no hook attached. Get the rhythm down before you stand at a pond. It will help a lot.

 

I agree, though some times it can get a bit ugly here.
I belong to another specialized vehicle forum that is severely micromanaged.
It has a completely different character than here.
There is an old Latin saying: Qualis rex talis grex
Meaning: "As the king so the kingdom."
This would apply exactly to the other site.

 

Did OP take you up on the free rod?! If not i am interested! Or interested in buying a used one.. Been dying to get into fly fishing recently! Gotten too good on the spinning reel and looking for more of a challenge..I travel to the eastern sierra a lot for pleasure and work every other week in the southern sierra, with plans to move to the rocky mountains in two years! Hoping to be dialed in on fly fishing before the move to CO

 

No, he did not. Do you have someone to take you under their wing and show you the rudiments of flycasting?
It would be just as difficult as taking up golf without any prior instruction or supervision and trying to hit the ball consistently... this especially if you plan to fish alone.

 

Tried to shoot u a PM, but it didn’t work..

I have a few friends that I can learn from.. in fact one of my coworkers is taking the test to become a certified fly instructor. Also been meaning to join the local fly fishing club.

Just purchased the curtis creek manifesto last night..it comes tomorrow and I can’t wait to read it.

I purchased a tenkara rod last year to start getting the feel of fly fishing and also been trying the fly with bubble on the spinning rod..caught my first German brown last summer with the bobber fly method..so awesome

 

Steezy
I had no idea what a tenkara rod was until I watched a few videos.
Japanese fly fishing, hah!
We would call fishing like that "high-sticking" nymph fishing with our conventional fly rods.
12' - 13' rods, who would have guessed.
I do have a few double handed rods I use for spey casting that go that long and longer
I easily throw 80' of line with those, whereas your tenkaras would max at 20'?

 

Yea somewhere around there. My tenkara is 12’ long, the tippet is 13ft I believe and I use like a 4ft leader. I love the simplicity behind it and how organic it is

 

Depending on your angling skill you should be able to pick up fly casting relatively quickly. The hardest part is not the casting but actually line management and making sure you have no drag on your fly. Also completely forget everything you know about fish and where they like to sit. Besides the obvious spots (like a deep pool) trout sit and feed in areas a flat lander like you would never expect (no offense as I am also currently a flat lander. Grew up out west but now live in fl). The obvious spots are typically not best due to fishing pressure or due to not actually being a feeding area. Remember to fish in the kitchen, not the bedroom.

 

[QUOTE="
I easily throw 80' of line with those, whereas your tenkaras would max at 20'?[/QUOTE]

Where I fish that 20' of line is usually too much lol.

 

'Bout to say... who's fishing with 80' of line out... Maybe if you were one of those people who are really really into casting and not fishing.

 

Only place I could see 80' being necessary is spey fishing or flats fishing for bonefish or reds

 

Garage sales.

 

Pretty much any saltwater condition I fish, I want to be able to cast 80-100' or more. I wish I could cast 200' sometimes. For freshwater I often want to cast more than 80'. If I am swinging streamers on a big river I will often cast to my max. When fishing still water I want to be able to bomb casts out as far as possible too.

I think the only times I don't mind not having a long cast in the arsenal are when I'm pan fishing, fishing small rivers, (streams and brooks included), or nymphing.

I don't know what kind of water the OP is going to be fishing but I guarantee being able to cast for distance has never hurt an angler.

 

Just thought I'd say that I love my Tenkara! I find it much easier to cast in tight spaces than a traditional fly rod. It did take some getting used to and I had to force myself to use it by leaving the other rod in the truck. It's convenient how small it packs up and unpacks in a minute. Not having the range has its drawbacks but most rivers I fish it's not an issue.

 

Don't you mean seduce her in the kitchen, not the bedroom? First thing that came to my mind...

First recommendation: hire a guide from the area where you want to fish. He/she will show you the ropes, the best places to put your line, and suggest lures that will work in that environment. You probably won't have a rod and kit at that point, but eventually you will want to get your own equipment--I would suggest a 4-piece rod/reel from Cabela's or Orvis ($200 or less) that has a 5- or 6-weight line.

You will also want a selection of lures. You will lose a lot of lures early on, so don't think you can get by with a half dozen of different types. You will eventually need line nippers, forceps, a net, a fishing bag, and probably waders (unless it's the heat of summer and no heavy duty hiking/rock walking is required). Also unless you have perfect 20/20 vision, one of the best investments you can make is magnifying glasses to clip on to your glasses/sunglasses or hat visor--crucial for tying lines.

Buy a couple of books on technique and fly fishing specific to your area.

It can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be if you choose your stuff wisely. There are often sales at the bigger retailers which will help quite a bit.

It is very relaxing, and catching a fish is almost beside the point. I went fishing not too long ago up near Kalispell, and spent a very pleasant day in the water enjoying the wildlife, and only managed to catch a 6" brown trout. That's the way it goes some days.

 

Your local Orvis should have a "Fly Fishing 101" class. That's a great resource for a beginning angler. After a couple of sessions you can "graduate" to fly fishing 201 where they actually get you out on the streams/ponds where you're actually casting at fish.

This might be redundant but never hurts to reiterate - you don't need the top dollar rods as a beginner. Go for what you can afford and don't sweat it if you're fishing a $100 rod and the guy you're talking to in the parking lot has a $1500 rod/reel combo. The fishiest guy I know has a $35 Cabelas rod and fishes circles around everyone else with their Sages and Winstons. Don't get me wrong you'll eventually want one of those too (I'm a Scott guy myself). But take it slow you've got a whole lifetime ahead of you and if you enjoy fly fishing you'll be in for the long haul.

Also check out the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast, another great resource that will help feed the addiction when it really takes hold and all you can think about is fly fishing.

 

Another good podcast related to fly fishing is the Drake Cast which is a part of the Drake magazine.