Fly Fishing BS thread

If you're gonna be fishing saltwater, an 8wt will work. An 8 wt is a little much for something like trout or bass fishing. Generally, a 5wt is a good place to start.

I always tell people whenever they start fly fishing. Start by casting in your yard and get to where you can really cast. If you start out trying to catch fish, it could get frustrating pretty quick.
For casting in the yard, all you need is a fly line. Most people don't think about the fact you don't need a fly on there to practice.

If you ever head up to NC, I'll show you around some trout streams that are off the map.

 

@dan0mite is gonna be my new fishing partner

 

Thanks! I live in the Hilton Head area so I'm in and around a lot of the intercoastal and rivers. I bought after speaking with a guide/charter captain (and Orvis instructor) who works at a local outfitter. I did some research beforehand as I always do and gave him every opportunity to upsell me and he didn't so I felt comfortable with his recommendations.

I'll definitely be learning in the backyard away from any fish because the frustration and bad habits I can do without (which is why I'm considering the class).

Thanks for helping me spend more money on yet another hobby to add to my long list.

Seriously though, this is something I wanted to learn when I was younger so I really didn't need much of a push.

 

Your gonna love it. It's so satisfying. I'm trying to go out on the boat tomorrow with my dad and try to land some reds on my new setup

 

I was out bear hunting this week. During the heat of the day I'd hit up some high elevation lakes. Caught some brookies on a elk hair caddis variation.

 

Great picture.

 

Definitely recommend a class...prevents a lifetime of bad habits. Once you get the fundamentals down...everything else is pretty much style.

 

Agreed on the class preventing bad habits...I just hope I don't pick up too many in the month I have to wait.

 

I rollcast 90% of the time I trout fish. There's a few times where false casting comes in handy. You can shoot line easily off a roll cast and you don't have to even look at what's behind you.

 

I caught so many 16"- 18" browns and rainbow I lost count today, I was on the middle fork of the Platte in the badger basin area. I love when its rainy because I had the river to myself. I use a two fly setup a parachute adams and a hopper was just flat out killing it all day. I like my little Simms 3wt but used my Orvis Access 5wt and battenkill reel.

 

Oh yeah...just came in from being outside with the rod for the first time. As with golf, I can see how bad habits can form. After 10-15 minutes I was getting it out there pretty good but not consistently or gracefully. Had to cut a branch off one of my trees too...

Lessons couldn't come fast enough I think...

 

Topwater brown from this evening

And his little friend

 

Very nice!

 

No fish pics from today - none worth taking a pic of. But took this cool shot

 

I think it is most important to know what to do after the cast, placing your line and managing your line is the most important thing you can do, I never use bobbers or strike indicators. If you manage your line you can fill what it, the river and the fish are doing. I know guys who never use a real just line in there pocket, I learned a great deal from them about line management. I love the guys who say " only fish up stream " I fish in all directions don't lock yourself into fishing one type of water fish fast, slow, top of the ripples, bottom of the ripples, across the river and at your feet if needed. DO NOT EVER FISH SPAWNING BEDS WITH FISH ON THE BEDS. Learn what those beds look like and stay off them. I think you will be more successful if you use a weight forward line, it is much easier to cast. I use one thing a guy taught me, when you think you are matching the hatch and you are not getting hits go darker and smaller, don't think to catch big fish you need a big fly.

 

+1

 

that's what I learned, as well.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

How many of you guys use furled leaders?

Do you tie your own? Im trying to learn/teach myself how to do them. Any advice on making them?