MyFishFinder Forum
MFF US Northeast => Maine => Topic started by: Jumbos on Apr 15, 2018, 01:33 PM
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I'm gonna take the plunge. Is there a recommended newbie bundle I should start with (like an L.L Bean ready to go rod for example)Something of quality but won't break the bank. Thanks!
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The beans setup is a good way to go. Tell them what you'll be fishing for and they'll set you up.
Take the time to learn it, no better way to fish for sure. Good luck.
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cjg- Thanks. I'm pumped to start learning, there is so much info/opinions/gear out there it seemed like it can be overwhelming. I figured a starters package is the way to go. Beans seemes like a good start.
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You can’t go wrong with starting out with almost any 5 or 6wt package from LL bean or cabelas. I have several rods from cabelas and I feel they are a good deal for the price, especially when they are on sale. On that note, Mardens had some nice stuff at a great price, so you won’t feel too bad about breaking it. Simple things like a weighted fly or split shot hitting the rod during a cast is how I broke my first rod.
I had to teach myself how to cast and fish by watching YouTube videos. Orvis has some great instructional videos for beginners. I first tried to fish for trout, but got much more practice by catching sunfish in a pond or lake. They are so much fun with a fly rod.
If you get over the learning curve, it’s very addicting. It’s only been three years since I first picked up a fly rod, and now I have more fly rods than I do conventional.
Also, go check out the Maine Fly Fish forum, another friendly community eager to get people started. Just be mindful though, that board is very sensitive about spot burning.
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Seamonkey84- Thanks. It seemes like once you get over the casting hump your hooked (pun intended) I'll check out that board. No spot burning.
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One of the better Flyfishing books out there is by Lou Zambello, you should be able to get one at Beans. He breaks down the different Flyfishing seasons and how to fish them. The best part is you can understand what he is writing about and it is mostly about Flyfishing in the Northeast.
Hope this helps.
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grgs - Absolutely thanks. I'm a big book guy. The more info the better. It's looking like Beans will be the first stop. Any other writers or texts I should look into while I'm greener than green?
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Had a friend with 5/6 wt combo from beans.. it was a dream. Great feel and he said it didn't break the bank. Caught 35 trout with it in one day. Never missed a beat.
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Lunkahville- 35 sounds good. Thanks for all the recommendations folks. Glad I asked. It's my first non random comment post so I'm stoked.
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I have to add, a 5 or 6wt rod would be the most versatile for styles of fishing and target species. They can gently place dry flies, while being enough to throw standard streamers and weighted nymph rigs and indicators. On the other hand, generally speaking, a heavier rod like a 7/8 is almost easier to learn on, as you’re able to feel the rod loading much more noticeably than with most lighter rods. Feeling the rod load with a proper back and forward cast vs a bad cast was kind of the “Ah Ha!” moment for me, though it took me a while to notice it with my 6wt (redington crosswater). It could be that I was just that bad in the beginning, but the first time I cast my 8wt (Cabelas LSi) I noticed the load immediately, as it wasn’t subtle like my 2 through 6wts (no, I didn’t skip any numbers though it would make more sense to). I’m Still learning/practicing the hauling, and the heavier rod is helping that along.
Heavier rods also allow you to punch through wind easier and throw bigger flies like large streamers and bulky surface poppers for bass and pike. But not so good for delicate presentations like dry flies for trout, and not much fun for for smaller fish in general.
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A certain bargain cave online has some good deals right now 8)
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Hey Jumbo,
One thing that helped me was to practice at home casting.
I would line my self up against a row of green trees and video tape my casting.
I used an orange fly line so I could see my loops. Stops on your cast makes all the difference.
L. L. Bean offer so great lessons on casting as well.
Enjoy and have fun.
gauge
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Gauge-Thanks for the tip. That's my plan is to set up something in the yard and practice that way. I seen to remember someone using some kind of rubber plug that is for practice casting? Is that a thing or is my memory Hazey from too many Moosehead trips?
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indoor practice... get a dowl, add 3-4' of yarn. if you can cast the yarn (same timing involved), you will be able to cast a fly-line.
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indoor practice... get a dowl, add 3-4' of yarn. if you can cast the yarn (same timing involved), you will be able to cast a fly-line.
Exactly, or even a rod tip. That is how I taught my sons.
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Gauge-Thanks for the tip. That's my plan is to set up something in the yard and practice that way. I seen to remember someone using some kind of rubber plug that is for practice casting? Is that a thing or is my memory Hazey from too many Moosehead trips?
That could work. I just tie a small colorful piece of yarn to the end of my leader. Easy to see and does not get snagged, plus has a similar weight to a fly. Plus I always seem to be able to come by a piece of yarn or something similar so there is no cost for a special piece to practice.
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Good call. Thanks. You all have been very helpful. I'm like a sponge right now I can't get enough info!
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Jumbo - after watching ponds boil and nothing in my 50lb spinning tackle bag could entice a bite during hatches, I made the plunge to fly fishing as well.
I'm certainly not an expert but looks like you've received some great advice so far. I echo Seamonkey's feedback regarding fly fishing specific boards - much like these forums, a wealth of knowledge and experience there. I have a post re: newbie fishing gear that addresses your "breaking the bank" concern, and a number of individuals far more experienced than myself have commented.
As an owner of an array of LL Bean's outfits, I'd recommend inquiring with them regarding their intended warranty for fly rods going forward. The price at which I purchased mine was set with the lifetime guarantee. If this has been cut to one year, you'll likely find some better value elsewhere, though I anticipate LL Bean will continue to stand by its customers with legitimate product quality concerns. There are a few fly fishing expos that are held each year that enable you to test cast a number of different rods - be sure to consider what line is on each rod when casting and match it if you feel proficient with that set-up, assuming it matches how you wish to fish, as it makes a big difference.
Expecting Bean's remains customer centric w/ their policies, and you can afford it, I would recommend the Double L outfit. If you're passionate about fishing, the additional monies spent initially will be well worth it for the long term. My Double L is much more enjoyable for me to fish than my Streamlight - improved casting, feel, etc for me personally - yet forgiving enough for those still learning to cast.
Speaking of which, the most difficult thing for me between spinning rods (as well as years of participating in throwing sports) and fly fishing is not overpowering your forward cast. If you hear a whip, ease off the throttle a bit. A casting lesson from Bean's is affordable and beneficial in this regard.
Dave Whitlock's LL Bean fly fishing book was also helpful to me, and my neighbor to whom I've lent it has also expressed it helping him get into fly fishing as well.
Good luck and most importantly, have fun!
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Man thanks so much for taking the time to respond like that. I am getting so jacked up and I haunt even gotten anything yet haha
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Jumbo's where are you located?
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I've been fly fishing for a while now, wouldn't say I'm an expert but certainly very proficient. I've got rods from cabelas, redington, sage, and a few that I've built. I've cast rods from a bunch of other manufacturers too. For just getting started there's plenty of entry level rods out there that would suit your purposes. I'd go with brand names, cabelas, bean, redington, st. Croix. They all have entry level stuff that's close to the 100 dollar mark or less. Cabelas has sales going all the time, I started out with the cabelas three forks rod and it's caught tons of fish and I still use it or loan it out sometimes. The redington classic trout is another rod that I have that I got for like $75 on sale, I still use it all the time. It's easy to get caught up in how much you can spend, but at the end of the day probably 75% of the fish you catch will be within 3-4rod lengths so a super expensive rod and reel though nice, is not necessary.
I don't think you can go wrong with a combo from cabelas or beans, but personally I wasn't happy with the reel that came with my three forks rod. There was a gap between the spool and frame of the reel that allowed the line to slip between on the old prestige reels that is annoying. It may have been addressed with their newer models, but something that you might want to be aware of with combos that come with cast aluminum or composite reels. Just looking quickly online you can find an affordable combo from cabelas for under 200 easy, even less than that with some of their stuff right now. I will say that the only rod I ever got rid of was an old crystal river combo that was given to me, and as far as I'm concerned it didn't cast well and it was trash. That's the only rod I would give a thumbs down to, I caught fish with it but it never felt right casting.
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Sweet. I'm taking my time and really learning a lot from you folks. It's good to have options. I guess it's a little easier that the people selling this gear from the sounds of it are very approachable
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i believe tfo still has a no fault warranty, i would probably start there. a liitle pricier than some suggested but really nice casting rods.
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i believe tfo still has a no fault warranty, i would probably start there. a liitle pricier than some suggested but really nice casting rods.
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I love the feel of my TFO pro special 5wt, I got it when it was on sale making it an excellent value. They strive for quality rods without the inflated price.
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I agree with TFO great rod, plus the warranty is unbeatable. I own 2 and love them. Its best to start with a decent rod. Best of Luck..
Mike