Fly Fishing BS thread

It's my first Echo, so no experience. I was checking out some Alaska fly-fishing threads on some sites, and the Echo Ion (I bought the Ion XL) seemed to be mentioned a lot for an affordable & workhorse rod. That along with their service & warranty sealed the deal for me. I've never paid (and never will) more than $200 for a fly rod, so this fit the bill.

I need to cast both this and the Ross with each line (floating & sink tip) to see which ones pair up best. I'll let you know once I do that. Expecting both to be nice though.

 

what flippers are you using?

 

I have the 5wt basic model that I got as my original rod when I was first starting out. The rod loads really nice and does the job. The first rod I bought online and it came in the mail with the tip broken and they sent me a new one no questions asked. Good customer service the two times I've dealt with them.

 

I was going to buy one at the fly fishing show this year, but the shop selling them wanted full price. Part of the show is getting a better price every other vendor had a show special. I didn't go cast it because I wasn't buying it. I haven't seen any at local shops yet either.

 

Snagged a few on my 2wt today. It's so much fun to feel them on that lightweight rod

 

My first fly rig was an Echo Carbon 5wt, 9' 4 piece rod with an Ion 4/5wt reel. I've had it for many years and have never had an issue with rod or reel. I think I spent just over $300 for rod,reel and line. The Echo gets used less now but only because I wanted a few specialty set-ups for different waters. The Echo itself still does the job for an inexpensive 5wt rod and the reel has taken a beating and still performs like new! The fly casting club in my area recommends them to the new members that are needing a first fly rig set-up. Never heard anyone complain about their Echo gear. Good luck with your choice and enjoy!

 

In that pic..just some cheap flippers I got at Cabelas. Since then, I changed to scuba diving flippers, where you don't need to wear boots. A bit lighter hiking in due to not needing wading boots/shoes and much better fin performance. That lake is a few miles from the closest 4 wheeler trail.

 

Anyone have a good rod tube setup attached to a bed or roof rack? Have a bed rack and a cvt. Thinking of making a pvc lockable rod tube that would allow me to bring a my 9 ft 5 wt broken down between campsites and long trips to rivers/lakes

 

I have seen a couple ideas pass through this thread before.

 

Lots of rubber nets in pictures. How do you guys like them? I have a distinct feeling that a net being shallow(er) and hard so the fish can push against it can lead to more difficulties landing and fish getting away last second. What is your experience?

 

Id say it's better to lose one last second than potentially harming the fish with a net made out of something more abrasive than the rubber nets.

 

No argument here, but the question was is it really happening?

PS also now when I am thinking about it - is it really and how much safer is it for fish? While it is less abrasive it also supports fish on a fewer points than your typical not knotted net. That means more pressure scraping the fish. Could it be just clever marketing? Genuine question.

 

I like rubber nets better...mainly because hooks are less likely to get stuck in them. I fly fish most of the time, but I still do throw the occasional plug for trout, and those damn things get stuck in the net I use every. Damn. Time.

 

Henry's Fork brown caught during a Golden Stone hatch couple weeks ago. Landed With a rubber net

 

I've got a buddy that goes out to Idaho to guide for the summer. Think he's been on Henry's fork lately.

 

I was in Boone over the weekend and took a little time to fish while I was there. Caught nothing but a few sunfish, a smallie, and the occasional chub. on the Watauga River. EVERYTHING was posted so there wasn't much water to fish. I hate how people post the unusable land between the road and river when you pay the state to put fish in there.

 

Still eating the caddis dry dropper pattern today...

 

I switched to rubber nets over 15 yrs ago and I've noticed no difference in landing fish. I'd never go back to a traditional bet.

 

Much wider & stiffer support points than traditional mesh net. And zero fin tangles.
Much better for the health of the fish.

 

The part that that is stocked is delayed harvest water and has plenty of access. Most of the wild section further upstream is posted, but if you ask nicely, most of the people will let you fish.