Looking to get into fly fishing - tips for beginner

Recently moved from FL to CO and looking to get into fly fishing, but know absolutely nothing about it (grew up bass fishing on lakes). Anyone have advice on how to get started? Entry level rod, youtube video suggestions, tips, or tricks would be much appreciated!

 

@KB Voodoo

 

The best advice I can give for beginners is, learn how to cast in the back yard without a hook. Don't try to learn while actually fishing.

You should be able to find a million instructional videos online.

As far as gear goes, talk to your local shop. By an entry level setup from them and they will be your friends. They can also give you tips on where and when to go, and what to use.

Also, be prepared to spend a solid amount of money. This shit ain't cheap.

 

Check out Orvis, they usually have a free class that will teach you how to do some basic casting and how to setup your rod. They will give out a coupon that you can use towards rods and gear at the end of the class.

I watched the video below and took the class a few months ago and it helped a ton. I ended up getting the Orvis Clearwater outfit using the coupon I got and have been loving it so far. I will be getting a wading setup soon.

https://youtu.be/TAyj9KF_MQE

Edit: I also like watching The Fly Dudes on YouTube, more for entertainment but his advice seems good too. If you’re on Reddit check out the fly fishing and flytying subs.

 

Cool, thanks! I seem to be really good at choosing expensive hobbies: skiing, golf, fishing, etc..

 

Check local pawnshops for some gear. I've found a lot of quality gear this way and dirt cheap!

 

Thanks! Found an Orvis a few min from where I live. Will check it out this week.

 

I had a great time last spring/summer with a tenkara setup. There are tons of little creeks in Colorado that are perfect for it. You might just catch a lot of little fish, but it's really fun and gives you a feel for fly fishing without being too expensive/fussy.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fly-fishing-bs-thread.246222/

 

I would agree with all of the advice everyone else gave you so far. One thing I would add is be patient. Fly fishing can be an incredibly frustrating sport. When you first start it will probably consist of a lots of tangles, lost flys, and little to no fish in the net. But if you stick with it, it will become an extremely rewarding hobby.

 

Its not for the instant gratification crowd, that's for sure.

 

Couple words of advice, buy slowly. Likely only a 6-8 different flies you really need for area you will fish. Buy this book- $10.00 and will teach you everything you need to know to get started and have a clue how to catch fish in different situations. Curtis Creek Manifesto by Sheridan Anderson. It is on Amazon cheap. Simple and very easy to understand.

Tip 2-most fish you catch will be within 10-20' of you. Don't worry about 80-100' casts that are pretty pointless but look pretty when well executed. You can't detect a strike at 80' anyways and most "strikes" are almost impossible to see, more often the water bulges up or light sipping in of the fly.

Tip 3-most fish are caught nymphing and within your rods length (not casting) more flipping the nymph.

Tip 4- Read the book again, it's really good and I have many dozens of books.

 

Sounds like golf..I'm sure I'll love/hate it, but always come back for more

 

Honestly I should take my own advice and apply it to golf. The frick'n sport gets under my skin.

 

Curtis Creek Manifesto FTW

 

Don't limit yourself to trout. Bass, panfish, and carp fishing with a fly rod is a blast. Join a fly tying group. You'll learn a lot. A 5 weight and a few simple flies go a long way.

 

I have just recently been named the greatest fly fisherman on the planet earth. I am fully capable of taking a 5 weight rod and casting the length of a football field all while I am dropping a Long Island Ice Tea. After I drop a few more Long Island Ice Teas, I am then ready for the river. Not LOL.

The members on here have given you some great advice. Just remember practice in a field without a hook.

Take care,
Paul

 

Buy a cheap rod to begin with, I have a thousand dollar rod that I inherited but I still prefer my cheapo for most applications. A 4/5 weight will work for most applications. Get the gist of how to cast in your back yard or wherever (you can get a basic feel for it in about 20 minutes.) After that go, check out a small creek and play around. Sometimes you just need to get out there and do it. As stated above, most fly shops will give you a good amount of information. And when in doubt of what fly you want to use, turn some rocks over and look for bugs. Try to match these bugs to your fly.

 

One thing I would certainly recommend is to use a cheap/ used/ beat up fly line to practice cast on grass or in your yard with. grass and other lawn debris will quickly remove the coating from your line and put small cuts into it rendering it useless. you may be able to go to your local fly shop and ask if they have any old lines from respooling reels that they would give you to practice with. another suggestion, if you wind up getting a less expensive outfit is to upgrade the line! a quality weight forward floating line will run you about $80-130 but will have by far the biggest impact on how easily you can cast. of course it is not as simple as going and buying any old expensive fly line. you have to match the fly line to your rod and fishing style. a slower action rod will need a line that is true to weight like a rio gold or a sci anglers trout. while a faster action rod may cast better with a line that is designed with more weight in the head like a rio grand or sci. anglers mpx or infinity taper. the heavier lines are typically easier to cast for beginners as they have more weight and momentum. the tradeoff is that they land harder on the water and are less delicate for spooky fish. go to your local fly shop with this information and they should be able to pair up an appropriate line with the rod you choose. the reel is simply a line holder unless you are targeting larger species so save your money there. i know that was a lot of information but i hope this helps. good luck!

 

Since you're brand new to FF, take a look around at local flyshops and ask if they have any beginner classes. When I started many moons ago, I took a class that was a couple of days... first half of the first day was just terminology and knots. 2nd half was intro to casting. 2nd day was half refresher on knots and casting, and half fishing. After taking the class I then got a discount on gear. They had a complete package including rod, reel, line waders that was discounted (included entry level Scott rod).