Fly Fishing BS thread

What state are you in? That's a beautiful stream.

 

That’s an Oklahoma Ozark stream. It is beautiful for sure.

 

Does anyone hate shopping for fly reels?

I won't lie. I can't tell the difference from a $250 reel to a $80 reel in the store.

I killed one yesterday. I've had it for 10 years.

Reels are just places to store the line for me.

I need something for a 4ish weight.

Online shopping is worse.

 

I love shopping for new (to me) fly gear, but I usually research the crap out of my purchases.

If you’re not opposed to used gear, there are some good deals to be had on eBay, FB Marketplace, Craigslist, flyfishing forum classifieds, etc.

I haven’t bought a trout sized reel in quite a while, but I was always a fan of lower priced earlier Ross Reels (1st Gen Evolutions and Rhythms on my 0-6 weights).

Lamson and Orvis also make some quality entry priced options. I have an older gen Guru on one of my 6 weights and it’s been a great reel. One of my first decent fly reels is a 20+ year old English made Orvis Battenkill clicker that I still use occasionally.

For a 4 weight, I’d definitely be looking for something lightweight. After that, I think it’s up to you to decide on how much you want to spend and whether you prefer more of a classic small/mid arbor styled reel or more of a modern large arbor style.

 

If you're OK with a click a pawl instead of something with a drag, the Redington Zero is awesome for the price point. Super lightweight too. I have them in a two and four weight and love them.

 

That's what I thought. My wife's family is from NE OK, beautiful streams there. All we have is shit-brown/red water in central OK, I hate it.

 

I'll throw in a second on the orvis battenkill, if you can palm a click pawl it's a ton of fun to be in control of the drag too

 

I actually prefer this method.

I boycott Orvis any chance I can. If you don't pull up to the stores in an $80k ride, they look at you like you have a second head.

Besides, they are mostly clothing stores anymore.

If I dress like the Orvis stores think a fly fisherman should be dressed, I give you permission to kick my ass.

 

I stopped looking at Orvis retail stores but I do go to local fly shops that are Orvis authorized dealers.

While I won't complain about anything from Filson, the inclusion of Burberry makes their stand alone retail stores feel like an over priced Eddie Bauer....

I understand your sentiment but also think Orvis does a whole lot of positive for fly fishing and the hobby in general. I enjoy the podcast Tom Rosenbauer does too

 

I definitely felt that way about Orvis when I first started fly fishing... Seemed like they definitely catered more towards the “gentleman” flyfisher, which I’m not. Past few years, they seem like they are trying to catch up with the companies that cater more towards the “bro” flyfishermen. Either way, they make some quality fly fishing gear and have a pretty sweet warranty. They’re not my first choice for rods or reels, but I think their lower priced gear is some of the best bang for your buck.

 

I have some nice/fancy/expensive reels…


9 times outta 10 I go for my simple, inexpensive, plastic SA or Okuma reels.

 

An Orvis sales guy told me once , “I sell a lot of expensive gear to guys in pickup trucks, they buy more and complain less. In my experience it has been true, I have always been treated good at high end fly shops.

 

Cheap ocean set up. Got everything but the string for <$100. Works pretty good….

 

I know…live in OKC area. The Ozarks are a drive, but it’s worth it!

 

I have a 2021 TRD Pro.... probably why they like me

Funny though...Costco carries Orvis clothes from time to time. I have a closet full of flannels that were 14 bucks each.

 

Took a drive today with the pup to scout the local GL tributary and stop by a fly shop. Temps are still a bit warm, but flows look great and the reservoir is pretty full. Much better than the drought conditions we had last season. Should start to see some salmon movement in the next couple weeks, and rainbows soon after.

 

A couple days back from an amazing trip to the Arkansas Ozarks and still basking in the afterglow. Experienced some truly awesome fishing and got to share some good times with several friends.

Played guide the first day on a walk & wade trip to a pretty smallmouth stream. Everyone got into some fish, including some nice ones. I did manage to lose a pretty good fish that one guy caught while grabbing the leader…so no tip for me, but we’ll call it a successful trip.



The next three days were mostly spent floating the White River and throwing hoppers/cicadas tight to the banks and under overhanging vegetation for big browns. Man, we had some cool eats! Nothing like seeing those heads come up and shark those big flies.


My boat mate did an awesome job sight fishing and feeding this fish on a big grass flat.

We did a little nymphing on the Norfork on our second morning in the boats. Were still on our first drift of the day when my boat mate tied into an absolute beast!

Oh, and it was his second time ever trout fishing…

After that fish and more than our share of rainbows, our guide suggested running back down to the White to throw hoppers after lunch. Said there probably wouldn’t be many fish that far down, but there might be opportunity for a good one. Well, he knew what he was talking about. We only got one eat, but what a fish it was!

27.5 inches of big, beautiful brown! Fish of a lifetime for sure, and think I’m going on the wall at Dally’s!

The last day had some challenging conditions, going from absolute zero flow to full generation/high water in just a few hours. We still managed to find a couple of nice fish to close out the trip though.


We actually got cut short on that final afternoon, as some thunderstorms popped up that chased us off the water. By that point, I was half expecting to get struck by lightning, but we all made it in safely.

Memories made that will last a lifetime!

 

WOW ! Epic trip

 

Good gawd those r some absolute SLOBS

and on top water too? Nice work