Fishing Q&A

fly fishing setup?

i want to do some freshwater flyfishing for trout. i want to know some basic info. what size rod, what kind of fly line, leader, tippet. what is a good setup to start with. i have been fly fishing for a couple of years with some success but im not to advance with the proper setup for real success. im not talking about fly selection, just gear.

Public Comments

1. You might want to look at this ladies choices in fly rod and gear. It's one of the best fly fishing sites on the web for everyone from beginner to a master. http://www.sexyloops.com/beginners/lesson2/tackle.shtml
2. http://www.flyfishingfiles.com/FFFEquipmentPrimer.htm This might be what you need.
3. for small waters and rivers, you'd do wwell with a 8'6" to 9'6" rod of 6 or 7wt with a large arbor reel holding about 250 yds of backing, a floating line to start with, and a spool of clear mono in 3lb for river work and small fish and a spool of 6lb and 8lb mono for stillwater work and bigger fish also you'd want some tapered casts or leaders as they are called in the US to match the breaking strain of the mono. also you'll want some backing to load on to the reel before the fly line.
4. OK then well i can give you some very useful pointers, if you give them a try Firstly you need about a 7wt rod, for most still-water fly fishing, also a 7wt line, use weight forward and you WILL be able to cast further, rod length go for about 9feet as your starting out, any reel will do, for tippet, try maxima, airflo g3 fluorocarbon, and using a tapered leader will help improve your turnover and presentation also i would advise using quality fly line as it helps your catch rate and casting distance. Try this site http://www.freewebs.com/troutandsea If your a beginner and need a rod, i would recommend redington or even cabelas, i know some fly angler will dismiss them, but i recently tried one and they aren't as bad as i thought, in fact they aren't bad, they will never compare to sage but they are good for the price, makes of line i recommend are Rio, airflo, sage and scientific anglers. Good places to buy gear is http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/category/category.jsp?id=cat20431&cmCat=MainCatcat20431&navAction=jump&cm_re=store*left*cat20431
5. To get some helpful suggestions, more information is needed. If you visit any decent fly shop, the staff will want some specifics to help you select the most appropriate tackle for your fishing. Water type, fly type/size, wind and size of fish all play a role in your selection. You've already mentioned you will fish for trout. There are more questions. Will you fish in stillwater or streams? If stillwater, will it be in small lakes and ponds protected from wind or on large lakes where wind is common? If streams, will you target large rivers, small creeks or something in between? Think about what types of flies you will use the most. For instance, large streamers and stonefly nymphs require heavier gear in comparison to nearly weightless dries and nymphs in the more commonly used sizes (12 to 20). Rods lengths suitable for trout can vary from under 7ft to 10ft or more. The shortest lengths are generally chosen for small streams that are heavily overgrown with overhanging and streamside foliage. The longer lengths work well for fishing out of boats and for manipulating long casts on large waters among other tasks. Rods at the extremes are more specialized and can be more difficult for novice casters. So let's assume you understand the mechanics of the basic cast, but you're not proficient. You'll be making regular outings to a local stream that ranges from 20 to 50 feet in width. There are the usual streamside trees and brush, but nothing forming canopies over the water. The trout are not overly picky, and you plan to use mostly attractors and general fly patterns (dries and nymphs) in sizes 12 to 18. Could you use a 6 or 7wt rod here? Sure, but you'll be way overgunned and will lose out of alot of the enjoyment of using a light fly rod. What about a 2 or 3wt rod? They are becoming more popular afterall? These lighter lines don't have as much *feel* when casting and are thus better appreciated when you've gained more experience at casting. So for the hypothetical situation described, a 4 or 5wt rod would work nicely. For length, I'd go for something between 8' and 8'6". That's enough length to provide exceptional line control, but not so much that it becomes a hinderance. For line, it doesn't really matter much for most of the shorter (<30') casts made on trout streams, providing it's a full floater. If you want to get more mileage out of your line, a double taper can be reversed once one end is worn. Regardless, don't look for the cheapest line you can find; those no-name *bargains* don't cast as well from the beginning and tend to lose whatever good qualities they did have in no time. Knotless and knotted mono or fluorocarbon leaders will do the job, as will furled and braided leaders. A standard 9' knotless tapered 4x or 5x leader would be a good starting point for the above situation. Also get a couple spools of tippet material that matches the leaders you've chosen. The above scenario is just a starting point. For trout on large rivers and lakes, a 9' 6wt might be a better choice (for distance and wind) or even a 7/8wt if you're using the largest/heaviest nymphs and streamers. The latter is the exception, though, and would not perform well as a general trout rig. I haven't mentioned anything about reels, because in trout fishing the general feeling is they don't matter much. I like high quality reels, but they're not necessary...certainly not for getting started. You want something that will hold the required line and some backing. Try to avoid getting a reel that is too heavy and will make your outfit feel out of balance while casting and fishing. You also want to be sure the reel seat on the rod will accept the reel's foot. Some cheaper (particularly some Asian imports) reels have feet that are too thick or blunt to fit securely on the rod. Drag type doesn't matter, but a good *click* (check & pawl or *C&P*) is long lasting and virtually maintenance free. If you know what you're looking for, good deals can be made on quality, second-hand, well-maintained reels. Do some research, whether it be online or at a retailer that specializes in fly fishing. Everyone has an opinion, and fly anglers are no different. The above are just some of my thoughts. You will probably encounter *experienced* anglers that will recommend a particular outfit without understanding where/how you will be fishing. When you do, take a step back. Their failure to ask questions speaks largely of their inexperience.
6. Ok, the things these people are telling you are overkill. You do not need a 6wt, 7wt or 8wt, this is way to heavy. What are they fishing for, king salmon.? Ive been fly fishing for 10 years and here is what I recommend is all that you need, a 4wt rod 7-8 feet long and any fly reel will do because all it does is hold your line for you. You reel the fish in by hand. I would recommend 4 pound Stren fishing linefor the tippet. I use it for my tippet and I've had no more problems with it breaking. Use 4wt floating or sinking for the main line. Good luck